How to Get Plant to Flower

“How is my plant doing how can I get it to rebloom with flowers? cactus christmas” — Michelle

How to Get Plant to Flower

Hi Michelle, first let’s get the plant correctly identified. The plant in the photo you sent is not a Christmas cactus, it’s a night-blooming cereus, a cactus that blooms once a year usually in June.

The flowers are normally white or light pink. The fragrant flowers open after dark and last one day.

Night-blooming cereus have a gangly growth pattern, like the one in the photo so from what I see it’s doing fine.

this cereus has been growing for a good 20 years in this pot. (charlotte ekker wiggins photo)

Secondly, the plants commonly-referred to as “Christmas cactus” are actually Thanksgiving cactus. I placed one of mine in this photo with my cereus so you can see the difference.

Night blooming cereus, back, and Thanksgiving cactus in basket, front. (charlotte ekker wiggins photo)

My cereus has bloomed in this shaded spot in the past so I know this is a good place for it.

Yours may need a little more growth before it blooms.

Charlotte