Did you read my post on moving houseplants? If so you know that I can’t move all of my large plants with me. Instead I plan to propagate my Christmas cactus and have a much smaller pot to take with me. Propagating a Christmas cactus is very easy. This plant makes a great holiday gift for friends and family, so knowing how to propagate and grow Christmas cactus can give you extra plants to share with your friends!
The first step is to simply take a short, y-shaped cutting from the stem top. The cutting should consist of at least two or three joined segments. Make sure all the cuttings are from healthy foliage.
Allow the cutting to dry a few hours before potting it up for rooting, this will help to avoid any potential stem rot from excessive moisture.
Once the cutting has dried for a couple of hours place the segment in a most peat and sand soil mix. Insert the segment about a quarter of its length below the soil surface. Place the pot in a well lit area, avoiding direct sunlight.
Water the cutting sparingly at first to prevent rot. After two or three weeks the Christmas cactus cutting should begin to show signs of growth at the tips of its leaves. Once the cutting has rooted, it can be transplanted into a pot with loose potting soil. The cutting may wilt a little, which is normal and will eventually subside.
Propagating a Christmas cactus is easy and can be very rewarding. Now you will have an inexpensive gift to give others during the holidays! My cutting is from a very large plant that belonged to my husband’s grandmother! I think everyone in the family has a plant started from cuttings! I’m happy to now have a smaller plant to move with us to our new home.
Nancy on the Home Front 
Wonderful instructions. Thank U.
I know now, when some years ago why my cuttings all died. I didn’t know that the ends had to dry somewhat first before planting.
My daughter had killed my mother plant so need to buy me another Christmas Cactus. They are such a lovely house plant to have around.
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Colleen,
So sorry to hear you lost your mother plant, too bad I can’t send you some of my clippings! 🙂
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I had two beautiful Christmas cacti when we lived in California. We even planted a whole hillside in the back yard of our townhouse with succulent clippings. A very inexpensive way to get ground cover in a warm climate. – Margy
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Margy,
How cool would a hillside of Christmas cactus be! I forget sometimes that houseplants for me might grow outside somewhere else!
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I’ve always heard of Christmas cactus, but didn’t know it was this plant. My in-laws have it! Thanks for sharing on the #WasteLessWednesday Blog Hop!
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Katy,
Now you can get some cuttings from you in-laws!
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