8 Unusual Tricks to Grow a Big, Bold, and Bushier Christmas Cactus

While Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera) is typically a low-maintenance houseplant, gardeners who wish to push the envelope can explore unconventional methods for a thriving and lush Christmas Cactus. Below are some innovative techniques that are backed by scientific reasoning!

Instead of growing your Christmas Cactus in soil, consider using a hydroponic system, where the plant’s roots are suspended in a nutrient-rich water solution.

Hydroponic systems provide constant access to water and nutrients, directly leading to accelerated growth. This is because nutrient uptake is more efficient, eliminating the energy the plant would usually expend searching for nutrients in the soil.

Introduce a controlled release of carbon dioxide (CO2) near your Christmas Cactus.

Plants use CO2 for photosynthesis. In a typical home environment, they might not get as much CO2 as they could utilize for maximal growth. Supplementing with CO2 can increase the rate of photosynthesis, thereby potentially increasing growth.

Plant herbs like lavender or basil nearby your Christmas Cactus. These herbs are known to repel certain types of pests.

By keeping pests at bay, you allow the Christmas Cactus to divert more energy into growth and bloom production instead of defense mechanisms. The companion plants act as a natural pesticide, helping your Christmas Cactus grow bold without the hindrance of pests.

Use LED lights that are programmable to different color spectrums to influence various growth stages.

Different wavelengths of light are known to affect plant growth in various ways. For instance, blue light generally encourages vegetative growth, while red light stimulates flowering. By controlling the light spectrum, you can encourage specific types of growth