How to Grow a Christmas Cactus From Stems

Christmas cacti appear in shops around December, just as the plants bloom. Although the flowers quickly fade, the plants remain visually pleasing due to the unusual appearance of their succulent, flat-jointed stems, which drape gracefully from the pot. The stems of Christmas cacti easily snap off at the joint, especially following the blooming season when the plant is slightly dehydrated, but the broken stems need not be a lost cause. Growing a new Christmas cactus from a stem segment is remarkably simple and almost always successful, provided it is potted in sterile rooting medium and exposed to plenty of bright, indirect light.

2-liter plastic soda bottle
Utility knife
4-inch planting container
6-inch planting container
Perlite
Bucket
Succulent potting mix

Instructions

- 1
  Cut off the base of a 2-liter plastic soda bottle with a utility knife. Slice around the bottle approximately 3 inches from the base. Set the bottle aside until later.
- 2
  Fill a 4-inch planting container with perlite. Set the filled container into a bucket of water to soak for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the planting container, and let it drain.
- 3
  Cut the Christmas cactus stem into a manageable size. Cut it in two to five segments. Make the cuts at the joints with a utility knife.
- 4
  Let the stem segment dry out for three to five days, or until the cut ends appear whitish in color and dry to the touch.
- 5
  Insert the bottom inch of the stem cutting into the moistened rooting medium. Press the medium firmly around the stem.
- 6
  Set the potted stem cutting on a ledge or windowsill with very bright, indirect sunlight. Choose a windowsill where temperatures stay above 65 degrees Fahrenheit at night.
- 7
  Set the modified plastic soda bottle, created in Step 1, over the top of the potted Christmas cactus cutting to act as a propagation dome. Remove the lid to increase air circulation.
- 8
  Check for roots in three to four weeks. Tug on the base of the stem to feel if it is attached to the perlite by roots, or gently dig around the base to see if roots are visible.
- 9
  Transplant the rooted stem cutting into a 6-inch planting container filled with succulent potting mix or a homemade mixture of 1 part coarse sand, 1 part perlite, and 2 parts potting soil.

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