The Christmas cactus comes from the rainforests, where it receives few nutrients, doesn't get too much sun and is moist but not wet. If its location and care requirements are not met, its leaves will droop limply. How to prevent your Christmas cactus from drooping its leaves.
Why does the Christmas cactus let its leaves hang limp?
If the Christmas cactus has limp leaves, this is usually due to excessive humidity or waterlogging. To prevent this, water sparingly, ensure good drainage and place the cactus in a bright but not too sunny location.
Causes of drooping leaves on Christmas cactus
If the Christmas cactus leaves its leaves hanging limply or becoming wrinkled, many gardeners think that the cactus has not been watered enough. The opposite is the case.
Drooping or wrinkled limbs are caused by excessive bale moisture or even waterlogging. Watering is therefore not the solution to prevent sagging.
You should repot a Christmas cactus with drooping leaves. Take it out of the old pot and rinse off the old substrate as completely as possible. Then plant it in fresh, dry cactus soil (€12.00 on Amazon).
Watering with sensitivity
The Christmas cactus appreciates high humidity, but cannot tolerate any waterlogging. To prevent its leaves from hanging limply, you must ensure that the root ball remains dry. Therefore, water it sparingly. A small sip of water per week is usually enough. Under no circumstances should water remain in the coaster or planter.
Make sure the substrate is nice and loose and create drainage in the bottom of the pot. To increase the humidity, spray it occasionally with low-lime water or, even better, with rainwater.
A good location for the Christmas cactus
- Bright
- not too sunny
- protected from drafts
- sufficiently high humidity
Once the flowers have formed in the fall, ensure that the Christmas cactus no longer receives light in the evening. If possible, you should not move the cactus anymore because the flowers adjust to the light and will simply fall off if you turn them too often.
Tip
If the Christmas cactus doesn't bloom, it's because it wasn't able to take a rest after the blooming period. You should keep it cooler for three months - preferably outside. You can also stimulate flowering if you keep it very dark for six weeks and water little.
