Christmas Cactus Fertilizer Guide (+Best Fertilizers)

Christmas cactus plants are a popular choice for decorating around the Christmas period. With their beautiful flowers, they add a touch of color to Christmas decorations. To grow and take care of them it is essential to know how to fertilize them properly.

Here’s a guide to fertilizing your Christmas cactus so it looks its best this holiday season. Also, you will find the best fertilizer for Christmas Cactus here to help you choose.

This cactus is also known as Crab cactus or Claw Cactus. It’s a member of the family Cactaceae, which includes all cactuses. The Christmas cactus is native to the rainforests of Brazil.

This plant is succulent, meaning it’s able to store water in its leaves and stems. The leaves are thick and fleshy, and the stems are segmented.

The Christmas cactus has beautiful flowers that bloom in a variety of colors, including pink, red, purple, and white. The flowers usually appear in December, hence the plant’s common name.

Your Christmas Cactus may need a little help to flower indoors over winter. Follow these simple tips on fertilizing Christmas Cactus to get the best blossoms.

Best Christmas Cactus Fertilizer

Let’s get started!

What type of Fertilizer to use for Christmas Cactus?

Use a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or 20-20-20. You can also use a fertilizer that is high in phosphorus such as 5-10-5.

This will help to encourage blooming. This type of fertilizer is also good for cactus and succulents in general.

Should you fertilize the Christmas cactus?

Yes, you should fertilize your Christmas cactus to help it bloom. Fertilize with a balanced or high phosphorus fertilizer every two weeks from late fall to early spring.

This should be done whether your cactus is in a pot or on the ground. If you have a Christmas cactus that is not blooming, you may need to fertilize it more often.

Try fertilizing once a week for a few weeks and see if that helps.

When should I fertilize my Christmas cactus?

Christmas cactus should be fertilized when it is in bloom. You can use a liquid or solid fertilizer, but make sure it is for cactus and succulents. Follow the instructions on the package.

Fertilize every two weeks. You can also fertilize it in the spring before it blooms.

How to Feed a Christmas Cactus?

You can feed a Christmas cactus with a balanced liquid fertilizer or a 10-10-10 water-soluble powder. You should also use a fertilizer that is low in nitrogen and high in phosphorus and potassium.

Feed your cactus every two weeks when it is blooming and then reduce the frequency to once a month in the fall and winter. Do not overfertilize, as this can burn the cactus.

DIY Fertilizers of Christmas Cactus

When you don’t have the money to buy a commercial fertilizer, or you simply want to be more in control of what your Christmas cactus is getting, there are some alternatives that you can make yourself.

Christmas Cactus Fertilizer Mix

Of course, you’ll want to be sure that you’re using high-quality ingredients that are well-composted and free of weed seeds and pests.

One of the best fertilizers for cactus is fish emulsion.

Ingredients:

  • 1 gallon of water
  • 3 tablespoons Epsom salt
  • 1/2 cup ammonia
  • 1/4 cup Murphy’s Oil Soap or other vegetable-based soap
  • 1/4 cup baking soda
  • 4 cups of fish emulsion

Instructions:

  1. Combine the water, Epsom salt, ammonia, Murphy’s Oil Soap, or other vegetable-based soap, and baking soda in a large container.
  2. Stir until the ingredients are dissolved.
  3. Add the fish emulsion and stir well.
  4. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and use as you would a commercial fertilizer.

You can also make your high-phosphorus fertilizer by combining 1 cup of a bone meal with 1 gallon of water.

Stir until the bone meal is dissolved and then pour into a spray bottle. Use this mixture every two weeks when your Christmas cactus is blooming.

How to make it to get the perfect pot mix for Christmas Cactus?

You need to add some organic matter to the potting mix to help retain moisture and nutrients. You can use compost, peat moss, or coir. You can also add a slow-release fertilizer to the potting mix. Be sure to follow the instructions on the package.

What are the Best Fertilizers for Christmas Cactus?

  • Miracle-Gro Indoor Fertilizer
  • Plant Food Indoor
  • Osmocote Smart-Release
best Fertilizer for Christmas Cactus Pin

Best Fertilizers For Christmas Cactus

1. Miracle-Gro Indoor Plant Food

This is a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer that is perfect for use on indoor plants, including your Christmas cactus.

It contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which will help your cactus grow and bloom. It also has a built-in micronutrient package that will help your plant stay healthy.

The fertilizer can be used every two weeks, and you simply mix it with water and apply it to your plant.

Pros:

  • It is a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer
  • It contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium
  • It has a built-in micronutrient package

Cons:

  • It can be expensive if you need to use it regularly

Guidelines

You need to mix the fertilizer with water and apply it to your Christmas cactus every two weeks.

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Last update on 2024-03-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

2. Plant Food Indoor

This fertilizer is made for plants that are kept indoors and it will help your Christmas Cactus to thrive. It is a slow-release fertilizer that will provide your plant with the nutrients it needs over an extended period.

Pros:

  • A slow-release fertilizer will provide nutrients over an extended period.
  • Made specifically for plants that are kept indoors
  • Can help your Christmas Cactus thrive

Cons:

  • Maybe more expensive than other fertilizers
  • Not all plants will respond the same way to this fertilizer, so it is important to do your research before using

Guidelines

You should follow the instructions on the package when using this type of fertilizer. However, in general, you will want to apply it every two to four weeks.

3. Osmocote Smart Release Plant Food Plus

Release fertilizer is a time-released fertilizer that will feed your Christmas cactus for up to six months. Apply it once in early spring and again in midsummer.

Pros:

  • Feeds your cactus for up to six months
  • One application is all you need
  • Safe for all plants

Cons:

  • Some people thought the fertilizer made their cactus grow too quickly
  • Can be expensive

Guidelines:

You should only need to fertilize your Christmas cactus once or twice a year.

If you want to use a fertilizer with a longer release time, like Osmocote, you can fertilize once in early spring and again in midsummer.

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Last update on 2024-03-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

When to stop fertilizing the Christmas cactus?

You should stop fertilizing the Christmas cactus when it starts to bloom. Bloom time typically lasts for about six weeks.

Once the blooming period is over, you can reduce the frequency of fertilization to once a month.

In the fall and winter, you can stop fertilizing altogether.

If you notice that the plant is starting to yellow or the leaves are dropping off, this is a sign that you are overfertilizing and you should reduce the amount of fertilizer you are using.

Final Words

Let’s conclude the guide on Christmas Cactus Fertilizer!

When choosing a fertilizer for your Christmas cactus, it is important to select one that is specifically made for cactus.

You can use an all-purpose fertilizer, but make sure it is balanced and does not have too much nitrogen.

Just remember to follow the directions on the package, and do not overfertilize, as this can be harmful to the plant.

Fertilizing your Christmas cactus is an important step in keeping it healthy and looking its best.

By using fertilizer, you can ensure that the cactus is getting the right nutrients it needs to thrive.

Just be sure to use the fertilizer properly and not overdo it, as this can be detrimental to the plant.

With a little care and attention, your Christmas cactus will be blooming beautifully for years to come.

I hope you enjoyed reading this post!

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