Last updated on August 25th, 2023 at 11:45 am
Easter cactus care is fairly straightforward. No matter which type of cactus you have, the care is similar to what a succulent would need. So if you have been searching for how to care for easter cactus, then you are on the right page, as we will discuss the major things needed to be done to have a successful easter cactus care and propagation.
The key to success with the Easter cactus is light. The more exposure they get, the better their chances are of thriving and producing flowers. When a plant becomes too cold or hot it can die back from damage done by high temperatures in summer or low temperatures during winter months. For this reason, make sure your pot has drainage holes.
How to propagate easter cactus
Easter cactus, a slow-growing cactus, can be propagated through seed or cuttings. The plants will grow from the end of their cutting if it has been left long enough to take root in the soil. It should be watered when the soil is dry and fertilized monthly with a cacti fertilizer.
The propagation may take up to three years before it becomes mature enough for its first flowering, but once it starts blooming it will do so again each year thereafter. Easter cactus care does not require any special skill after flowering other than pruning to shape the plant and remove any dead parts. Easter Cactus plants should be kept out of drafts in order to prevent premature leaf drop or frost damage during the winter months.
To help assure new growth, propagate by cutting off leaves with roots attached and potting them in soil or perlite until they root. The cuttings should be planted at an angle to ensure contact with the rooting medium. Keep these plants near a window but out of the direct sun.
A new shoot will grow on the stem. When it is about six inches long, cut off all but one of them to encourage branching and increase blooming potential. Cut off any leaves that are yellowing or look diseased as they could be a source of disease to your other plants.
Easter cactus care
Light
The easter cactus needs light. It likes to be in indirect sunlight and doesn’t like direct sun or dark places. If you have a window with decent light exposure, that is perfect for them!
If not, consider getting an artificial plant lamp that will give them the right amount of light they need without overheating their environment.
Soil/potting mix
The easter cactus likes to be in a potting mix that drains well. It does not like wet, heavy soil or anything packed down tightly around it.
It needs an open space for its root system and water drainage so the roots can grow without rotting away.
Bulky soils hold more moisture which will cause rot if it doesn’t have room to breathe.
We recommend a mix of 75% potting soil with 25% sand or perlite for better drainage and less weight on the roots.
You want to make sure that it has enough water in its environment, but not too much.
If you have a pot with drainage holes, make sure to put it on top of something that will let the water flow out so your easter cactus can be watered well without wetting anything other than its soil and base.
Fertilizer
It is a misconception that the easter cactus doesn’t need fertilizer. It just needs less than other plants because it stores more water in its leaves and stems for sustenance.
Fertilizers high in nitrogen will help you care for the plants if you are not able to water them as often.
Watering
The easter cactus needs to be watered regularly. It does not do well in dry environments, so it’s best to water the plant at least two times a week or more if you live in an arid climate. The soil should always be moist but never soggy and wet.
It is recommended that you nurture the plant by placing it in a pot that is at least one and a half times bigger than the original to ensure proper drainage.
When watering, make sure not to let water sit on leaves or stems for too long because they will rot. You can get away with spraying off any excess liquid after you have watered your plants just as well.
Give the plant a thorough watering before you place it outside for the summer and then water every two weeks or so.
The easter cactus does not need to be watered as often when placed outdoors, but if you live in an area where temperatures are less than 45 degrees Fahrenheit, make sure that this type of plant has some access to water.
Repotting
If your easter cactus has outgrown its pot, it is time for repotting. This type of plant can grow rather quickly when watered and fertilized regularly, so you should make sure that the soil doesn’t become compacted in the pot, or else new leaves will not be able to sprout.
It’s best to use a pot that is at least one and a half to two times bigger than the original because this plant needs plenty of room for its roots.
If you do not know how to repot your plant without damaging it, contact your local garden center or other professional nursery specialists.
The best time of year to repot is in the spring or late winter.
Pruning
Prune the easter cactus back by cutting off any dead leaves and stems, but make sure not to remove any live ones.
This type of plant will also require pruning once or twice a year for each new growth spurt in order to maintain its shape and size. You should cut the stem at an angle just above where it joins the main stem, and then remove any new growth that is growing outside of the shape you want to maintain.
If your plant has been in need of pruning for a while but it’s just now getting around to actually doing it, don’t worry too much about proper technique. Just make sure not to cut anything off that is live.
The easter cactus should be pruned after the spring growing season and before summer so that it can develop new growth in time for fall.
Do not cut off any of the flower stems if you plan on harvesting them to use in other arrangements or to give as gifts; just make sure they are trimmed down a bit.
Growth rate
The easter cactus has been known to grow up to six inches in a year.
The plant will also produce dozens of flowers each season if given plenty of sunlight and water, so be sure not to neglect the care for this type of flora.
If you do not want your easter cactus to grow too quickly or become invasive, make sure that you cut off any excess shoots coming out of the plant.
As this type of cactus gets bigger, it will need more space for its roots to grow and spread throughout the pot or container. You should also keep in mind how well-drained your soil is before deciding on a new size for your planter.
Pests and diseases
Your easter cactus may be susceptible to a variety of pests and diseases. The most common is the mealybug, which will eat away at leaves and then spread to other parts of the plant too.
The best way to combat this type of pest is by placing sticky traps on all sides around your plant so that any bugs are caught before they can do any damage.
You should also make sure to keep the plant away from drafts and cold winter winds so that it does not become infested with mealybugs in the first place.
If you notice your easter cactus has a lot of leaves falling off or some dead ones, this is an indication that there could be a problem. Look for any signs of pests such as mealybugs, scale insects, or spider mites that may be attacking the plant.
Mealybug infestation
If you notice your easter cactus has an issue with mealybugs, use neem oil to spray directly on the leaves and stems in order to get rid of them.
Mealybug is a common issue with this variety of cactus, so you should also keep it in mind when looking for bugs on other plants that could be transferred to yours as well. If the mealybugs are not removed quickly enough, they will continue to eat away at your plant and cause more damage.
Conclusion
There are many different tips and steps to easter cactus care, the little we provided above is sufficient to have a success with your plant.
This type of plant is very resilient, but it still needs the proper attention in order for it to thrive.
