Lack of Sunlight Not enough sunlight can cause issues, including a lack of produced flowers.Ĭhristmas Cactuses, unlike the common cactuses you find in desert conditions, are found in tropical forests growing attached to trees. Bottom watering is also recommended for compacted soil as the soil will slowly draw as much moisture as it needs, completely saturating it. If the soil is very dry and compacted, loosen it before watering by poking holes in it with a skewer. After a few weeks, the plant should return to normal. Luckily, the fix is simple – increase how often you water. Left like this, they will dry out completely and eventually fall off the plant. They may also shrivel and turn a pale green color. The plant will go limp, with the leaves falling over the pot rather than standing on their own. Signs of underwatering can be similar to overwatering.

Nutrients in the soil also won’t be transported around the plant. Without water, the plant cells won’t be able to hold the plant up. A balance between letting the soil dry out and maintaining enough moisture to keep the plant happy is important. The soil should not be left to dry out completely before the next watering. Thanks to their succulent-like leaves, they do store a lot of water but prefer more moist soil than you may expect. They shouldn’t be planted directly in rocks. These plants are not quite like other cactuses that can go weeks on end without water. Underwatering Limp or withered leaves are a good indicator of this plant needing more water.ĭue to the ‘Cactus’ in the common name, many gardeners also tend to underwater their Christmas Cactus. Any mushy or rotten roots should be removed with a clean pair of scissors before repotting the plant into completely new potting soil. No damage means your plant should bounce back with a change in your watering routine. If you think you may have overwatered your plant, check the roots for signs of root rot. Roots exposed to too much moisture will begin to rot, stopping them from taking up water and essential nutrients needed for the plant’s survival. If the soil stays continually moist, it is also a sign that the roots aren’t taking up any water. If you water when the top layer of soil is still moist, or if your pot or soil doesn’t have sufficient drainage, you risk overwatering the plant.Īn overwatered Christmas Cactus will have yellow leaves and may begin to go limp. When the plant is flowering, watering can be increased slightly. These plants prefer soil that dries out slightly before the next watering. Plants love water but don’t like sitting in it for extended periods of time as this stops oxygen from reaching the roots and encourages bacterial and fungal growth in the soil. Overwatering is the number one houseplant killer. Overwatering Too much water for just about any houseplant can cause problems.

Roots wrapped around person sketch