How Much Sunlight Do Christmas Cacti Need?

Sunlight

• Christmas cacti should be kept in bright but indirect sunlight. Keep the plant away from drafts, heating vents, fireplaces and other sources of hot or cool air to prevent the buds from dropping off the plant before they even bloom. Keep your plants indoors in a sunny location. Too much direct sun exposure can cause the leaves to become limp or to burn. If you wish to have your cactus outdoors in the summer, keep it in a semi-shaded area. Once the weather starts to cool, bring the plant indoors for a few hours every day, gradually increasing the number of hours it spends indoors.

Watering

• Take care not to overwater or underwater your plant. Unlike other cacti, this particular one cannot tolerate completely dry soil. If the soil is dry, the plant will wilt and the buds will drop. Touch the soil with your fingers to feel for the moisture; if it is dry, water your plant. If you overwater, you will notice a white rot appearing on the leaves or the leaves may fall off the plant. Check the top layer of the soil to see if it is already moist to avoid overwatering. Cacti that live in dry outdoor climates should be watered every two to three days when it's warm and sunny, and cacti that live in humid, cool or indoor areas should be watered once a week.

Humidity

• If you live in a dry area, place a tray of water next to your Christmas cactus. The water will evaporate and provide the humidity that the plant needs. If you don't have room to place a tray next to the plant, place the flower pot on a waterproof saucer or tray that is filled with gravel and mixed with water.

Pruning

• Prune your Christmas cactus a month after it blooms. This will encourage the plant to grow and branch out further. This is a period of rest for the cactus. The blossoms will fade and should be removed. The plant itself will not look as pleasant as it had while blooming, but this necessary step increases the longevity of the plant.