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Christmas Cactus dropping nearly all leaves #891705
Asked January 18, 2025, 2:42 PM EST
We have had a Christmas cactus for about 8 years and it was thriving and blooming annually until recently and now it has dropped nearly all of its leaves and we're afraid it might be dying. I transplanted it into a larger clay pot with new soil a couple months ago and that's when the problems seemed to start although I can't image how that would have harmed the plant. I only water once a week, which has been the pattern for years, and there has been no change in location of the plant. We keep it indoors except in summer months. Any help would be greatly appreciated since this plant has sentimental value having belonged to a deceased parent. Please help us bring this plant back to life.
Oakland County Michigan
Expert Response
Sorry to hear about your cactus. Is this the first time you've transplanted it in 8 years? Transplanting an established plant can be tricky. There are many factors to consider, such as pot size, type of soil, amount of water, and fertilizer. As a rule, you would only choose a pot that is one size up from the original one. You would need well-draining soil but don't let the pot sit in water for any length of time. The cactus likes moist soil, but not a soggy one.
The following link is to an excellent article from the University of Minnesota Extension. It gives great advice about caring for a holiday cactus, especially how to propagate from a cutting. While I think the plant is probably reacting to repotting stress, I believe it will be okay, even if it loses a lot of leaves. If you haven't pruned the plant, you may want to do so to minimize the stress of repotting. https://extension.umn.edu/houseplants/holiday-cacti
However, it may be wise to propagate a few stems in the event you lose the original plant. Since you would be using cuttings from the original plant, the new plant would still be the original. Check out the article above for information on this procedure.
I hope this information is helpful, but don't hesitate to contact us again if you have questions or need further information.
Have a great day and stay warm!