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Growing Succulents and Cacti
How to Prune a Christmas Cactus Download Article Co-authored by Andi Xoch
Last Updated: April 1, 2025 Fact Checked
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Removing the Stems
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This article was co-authored by Andi Xoch. Andi Xoch is a Plant Specialist and the Owner of Latinx with Plants, a plant shop and resource based in Los Angeles, California. With over a decade of experience in the plant and garden industry, she specializes in plant maintenance, growth, and education. Andi has grown her business from a pop-up shop at home to two brick-and-mortar plant shops. She aims to share how to use plants as a healing tool. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 555,210 times.
Named after the time of year that they bloom in the Northern Hemisphere, Christmas cactus plants are beautiful and easy to maintain in the right conditions. The simple process of pruning can help grow a fuller, bushier plant, or decrease the size of your existing plant. With the proper preparation and pruning technique, you’ll be able to unlock the full potential of your Christmas cactus plant.
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Part 1 Part 1 of 2:
Removing the Stems
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1 Take 1-2 segments from the plant if you want it to grow more fully. If you are pruning your plant to allow further growth, you don’t need to take much off the ends. In fact, you can remove up to ⅓ of your Christmas cactus if you want to reduce its size.[1]XResearch source
2 Take longer cuttings if you want to propagate. To grow another plant from your cutting, take Y-shaped cuttings from the mother plant.[2]XResearch source Make sure the cuttings are around 3-4 segments long. These cuttings can be planted in different pots to grow as many new plants as you want. Advertisement
3 Wait until your cactus has bloomed before pruning. After blooming, your Christmas cactus will be entering a growth period and putting out new leaves. This is the best time to prune as it allows the cactus to branch out and grow more stems.[3]X Trustworthy Source University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural ResourcesExtension program of the University of California system devoted to educating and improving local communities Go to source
If you are unable to prune it right away, you can continue to prune until late Spring.
4 Twist the plant at the gap between segments. Each segment is a rectangular shape with a joint at the end. The stem should easily break at this point as it is the weakest part of the plant. Make sure you twist quickly to avoid damaging the plant.
If it doesn’t easily break, try using your thumbnail to separate the stem at the juncture.
If twisting seems too harsh on the plant, you can trim it using garden clippers in the same place instead.
5 Collect the longer pieces of trimmed stems. Cuttings larger than two sections can be used to grow new cactus plants, a process known as propagating.[4]X Trustworthy Source University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural ResourcesExtension program of the University of California system devoted to educating and improving local communities Go to source Discard any cuttings that are too short.
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Rooting Your Cactus
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1 Dry your cuttings for 2 days.[5]X Expert Source Andi XochPlant SpecialistExpert Interview This helps the cut edge to heal slightly and avoids stem rot which occurs when there is excess moisture in the plant.[6]XResearch source The cutting can be left to dry for up to 4 days.
2 Prepare smaller pots using soil mix with good drainage. A mixture of moist peat and sand soil will provide enough nutrients for your growing plant. It will also allow proper soil drainage which is very important for cactus growth. You can also layer pumice on the bottom of your pot for additional drainage.
3 Insert each segment into the soil.[7]X Expert Source Andi XochPlant SpecialistExpert Interview Make sure the cutting is about an inch deep to allow it to absorb enough moisture and nutrients.If needed, you can place multiple cuttings per pot at this stage of the process.
4 Place your pot in a cool area with indirect sunlight. While it can easily adapt to low light conditions, your Christmas cactus will thrive in bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight as this can easily burn the cactus leaves.
Water your cuttings sparingly to prevent rot.[8]XResearch source
5 Transplant your cuttings into a larger pot. After 2-3 weeks, your cutting will show growth at its tips. These are usually red in colour and a sign you can now transplant it into a bigger pot[9]XResearch source Fill this with a loose mixture of potting soil. Alternatively, you can use the same soil as the mother plant.[10]XResearch source
Don’t worry if your plant wilts at the beginning. This is normal and will subside once the plant gets used to its new home.[11]X Expert Source Andi XochPlant SpecialistExpert Interview
At this point, your plant can be exposed to more indirect sunlight.
6 Water your Christmas cactus frequently. Once your cutting has developed roots and new growth, it can retain water just as well as an adult plant. Ensure that the soil remains moist and care for your plant in the same way you would a mature cactus.[12]XResearch source
Test the soil to see if it needs watering. Once the top layer of the soil feels dry to the touch, it is time to water again.
7 Repot your cactus every 3-4 years. Christmas cactus plants like to live in tight pots so don’t need to be repotted very often.[13]XResearch source Repotting should be done after blooming in late winter or early spring.
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Question What should be done with a very old (over 16 years) Christmas cactus? Can it be pruned back to 1/3 its size? Community Answer After the cactus blooms, you can prune back the branches. You should not prune it that much, as the cactus will lose too much water. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 23 Helpful 78
Question Can I save a Christmas (Thanksgiving) cactus with some split brown stems - apparently root rot? Woopygamer23 Community Answer If one part of the plant is healthy, you can use a leaf to propagate a new plant. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 14 Helpful 40
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Tips
Christmas cacti grow well between 65 °F (18 °C) - 75 °F (24 °C), and require about 50-60% humidity in the air, so it’s best to ensure your home meets these requirements.[14]XResearch sourceThanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
These cuttings can make great gifts for your friends to grow their own Christmas cacti. Thanks Helpful 8 Not Helpful 2
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement
Warnings
When handling sharp garden tools, wear gloves and be careful not to cut yourself. Thanks Helpful 8 Not Helpful 4
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Co-authored by: Andi Xoch Plant Specialist This article was co-authored by Andi Xoch. Andi Xoch is a Plant Specialist and the Owner of Latinx with Plants, a plant shop and resource based in Los Angeles, California. With over a decade of experience in the plant and garden industry, she specializes in plant maintenance, growth, and education. Andi has grown her business from a pop-up shop at home to two brick-and-mortar plant shops. She aims to share how to use plants as a healing tool. This article has been viewed 555,210 times. 179 votes - 98% Co-authors: 8Updated: April 1, 2025 Views: 555,210 Categories: Featured Articles | Growing Succulents and CactiArticle SummaryX
Pruning a Christmas cactus can help it grow fuller and bushier. The best time to prune your cactus is about a month after it blooms. Just remove 1-2 segments from the end of each branch by twisting them off at the gap. You can remove up to ⅓ of your Christmas cactus’ growth each season. If you want to propagate your cactus, remove longer cuttings with 3-4 segments. Leave them out to dry for 2 days, then bury the ends in small pots filled with potting soil so the first segment of each cutting is covered. Place the pots in a spot with bright, indirect sunlight and water the cuttings sparingly. Once there’s new growth at the tips, transplant the cuttings into bigger pots and care for them just like you would a mature cactus. For more tips, including how to root your Christmas cactus, read on!Did this summary help you?YesNo
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Reader Success Stories
Don Van Fossan
Sep 1, 2020
"I tried the tips here and now my Christmas cactus is huge and blooms every year. Plus my one huge Christmas cactus now has turned into 5 big plants. Do as they say here and your plants will thrive."..." more
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Andi Xoch Plant Specialist Co-authors: 8Updated: April 1, 2025 Views: 555,21098% of readers found this article helpful. 179 votes - 98% Click a star to add your vote
Don Van Fossan
Sep 1, 2020
"I tried the tips here and now my Christmas cactus is huge and blooms every year. Plus my one huge Christmas cactus now has turned into 5 big plants. Do as they say here and your plants will thrive."..." more
Judy Bichlmeier
Aug 23, 2020
"I received 1 beautiful pink Epiphyllum from a girl at my garden club. It grew and flowered the first year! The next year, she gave me an even brighter pink cutting and it was even more beautiful! "..." more
Brenda Saulsbury
Apr 22, 2020
"I have many Christmas cacti and give them as gifts when they are ready to bloom. However, some are getting leggy. Your pruning instructions were very helpful."..." more
Joan Jordan
Jan 5, 2019
"I wondered if I could grow more cacti from the original one, which was grown from another plant. I found out I could. I cannot wait to try it!"..." more
Barbara McGee
Jun 24, 2019
"I learned things about taking care of the Christmas cactus I did not know. The pics were very helpful in showing how to cut and transplant."..." more Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories
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Co-authored by: Andi Xoch Plant Specialist This article was co-authored by Andi Xoch. Andi Xoch is a Plant Specialist and the Owner of Latinx with Plants, a plant shop and resource based in Los Angeles, California. With over a decade of experience in the plant and garden industry, she specializes in plant maintenance, growth, and education. Andi has grown her business from a pop-up shop at home to two brick-and-mortar plant shops. She aims to share how to use plants as a healing tool. This article has been viewed 555,210 times. 179 votes - 98% Co-authors: 8 Updated: April 1, 2025 Views: 555,210 Categories: Featured Articles | Growing Succulents and Cacti Article SummaryX
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1 Take 1-2 segments from the plant if you want it to grow more fully. If you are pruning your plant to allow further growth, you don’t need to take much off the ends. In fact, you can remove up to ⅓ of your Christmas cactus if you want to reduce its size.[1] 
2 Take longer cuttings if you want to propagate. To grow another plant from your cutting, take Y-shaped cuttings from the mother plant.[2] Make sure the cuttings are around 3-4 segments long. These cuttings can be planted in different pots to grow as many new plants as you want. Advertisement 
3 Wait until your cactus has bloomed before pruning. After blooming, your Christmas cactus will be entering a growth period and putting out new leaves. This is the best time to prune as it allows the cactus to branch out and grow more stems.[3] 
4 Twist the plant at the gap between segments. Each segment is a rectangular shape with a joint at the end. The stem should easily break at this point as it is the weakest part of the plant. Make sure you twist quickly to avoid damaging the plant. 
5 Collect the longer pieces of trimmed stems. Cuttings larger than two sections can be used to grow new cactus plants, a process known as propagating.[4] Discard any cuttings that are too short. Advertisement 
1 Dry your cuttings for 2 days.[5] This helps the cut edge to heal slightly and avoids stem rot which occurs when there is excess moisture in the plant.[6] The cutting can be left to dry for up to 4 days. 
2 Prepare smaller pots using soil mix with good drainage. A mixture of moist peat and sand soil will provide enough nutrients for your growing plant. It will also allow proper soil drainage which is very important for cactus growth. You can also layer pumice on the bottom of your pot for additional drainage. 
3 Insert each segment into the soil.[7] Make sure the cutting is about an inch deep to allow it to absorb enough moisture and nutrients.If needed, you can place multiple cuttings per pot at this stage of the process. 
4 Place your pot in a cool area with indirect sunlight. While it can easily adapt to low light conditions, your Christmas cactus will thrive in bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight as this can easily burn the cactus leaves. 
5 Transplant your cuttings into a larger pot. After 2-3 weeks, your cutting will show growth at its tips. These are usually red in colour and a sign you can now transplant it into a bigger pot[9] Fill this with a loose mixture of potting soil. Alternatively, you can use the same soil as the mother plant.[10] 
6 Water your Christmas cactus frequently. Once your cutting has developed roots and new growth, it can retain water just as well as an adult plant. Ensure that the soil remains moist and care for your plant in the same way you would a mature cactus.[12] 
7 Repot your cactus every 3-4 years. Christmas cactus plants like to live in tight pots so don’t need to be repotted very often.[13] Repotting should be done after blooming in late winter or early spring. Advertisement 
Community Answer After the cactus blooms, you can prune back the branches. You should not prune it that much, as the cactus will lose too much water. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 23 Helpful 78 
Woopygamer23 Community Answer If one part of the plant is healthy, you can use a leaf to propagate a new plant. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 14 Helpful 40 
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