Easter cactus

Easter cactus should be watered once per week, using lukewarm water. Make sure the soil is about evenly moist but not overly saturated. In the summer months, it is sometimes necessary to water the plant more than once a week. Allow the top layer of the soil to dry out slightly before watering. During the winter months, water these plants less often as they go dormant.

Easter cactus thrives best with bright, indirect sunlight for several hours a day. They enjoy 4 to 6 hours of bright, indirect light daily, but will also do well in indirect sunlight all through the day. Direct sunlight should be avoided since this plant species is native to the shaded areas of the jungle and not used to full sun exposure. It is suggested that Easter cactus be placed in a south-facing window, making sure the sun is indirect, or artificial fluorescent lights which should be positioned 18”–24” inches away and on 12 hours a day.

The best time to prune Easter cactus (Hatiora x graeseri) is during the winter season, usually after all the blooms have faded. Pruning an Easter cactus should involve removing any dead, diseased, or damaged branches and stems. If you find any stems that appear to be growing too long or become misshapen over time, it is best to prune them back as well. Pruning should be done sparingly and with care, as over-pruning can damage the health of the plant and reduce flowering. To prune an Easter cactus, use sharp, clean garden shears to trim back stems as needed. Be sure to prune away any dead or damaged parts of the plant, as well as any stems that are growing too long. It’s important not to remove more than 25% of the stems at any 1 time, as this can cause stress to the plant.