The Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) is a festive houseplant that works well both indoors and out. This festive succulent, like any other plant, has certain soil requirements. I’ll go through Christmas cactus soil needs, the best soil for Christmas cactus, and how to prepare your own potting mix in this post.
The Christmas cactus, as well as the Easter and Thanksgiving cactus, are all tropical plants rather than desert flora, unlike other cacti. They’re still classified as succulents, which means they store water in their stems and can survive without water for lengthy periods of time. As a result, they have special soil conditions.
Soil Needs for Christmas Cactus
Certain parameters must be met for the finest Christmas cactus soil type. The Christmas cactus is an epiphyte that is endemic to Brazil. This implies that it grows on the trunks of bigger trees in its native habitat and gets most of its moisture from the air. A Christmas cactus’ roots will gather rotting leaves and debris that have fallen from the tree.
Due to the homemade soil and the fact that the Christmas cactus is frequently high in the air, you’ll need soil that dries quickly. This basically implies that the most important feature of Christmas cactus soil is that it drains properly. Without well-draining soil, too much water will be absorbed, resulting in issues like Christmas cactus root rot!
What is soil that drains well? A well-draining soil is usually made up of a mix of organic and inorganic materials. Look for the components perlite and peat moss in the finest soil for Christmas cactus while buying. It will be fast-draining because of them.
Second, the soil needs for Christmas cactus require a proper pH level. The Christmas cactus grows well in slightly acidic soil with a pH of 5.5 to 7. You may use coffee grounds on a Christmas cactus to equalize the pH level if you’re using existing succulent soil with a higher pH. If you’re buying new soil, seek for limestone, as it’s the element that helps to balance the pH.