You glance at the Christmas cactus on your windowsill and notice the flat green segments have taken on a rosy, pinkish blush along the edges. If you are asking why are my christmas cactus leaves turning pink, the plant is almost always telling you it feels stressed, and the stress is usually easy to find. … Read more >>
You press a segment on your Christmas cactus by the window and it gives under your finger like a deflated balloon instead of feeling firm and plump. If you are wondering why are my christmas cactus leaves soft, the answer usually starts at the roots, not the leaves. The short version: Soft Christmas cactus leaves … Read more >>
Your Christmas cactus sits on the windowsill, but the flat green segments have taken on a reddish blush along the edges, or the whole plant looks bronzed. If you are wondering why Christmas cactus leaves are turning red, the color is a signal worth reading carefully. The short version: Red segments are almost always a … Read more >>
Your cactus leans away from its pot, the top looks wider or heavier than the base, and the whole plant wobbles when you brush past the windowsill. If you’re wondering why your cactus is getting top heavy, the cause is almost always something you can see and correct indoors. The short version: Most top heavy … Read more >>
Your Christmas cactus sits on the windowsill with its last faded blooms, roots poking out of the drainage hole and the soil drying faster than it used to. The short version: The best time for when to transplant Christmas cactus is in late winter to spring, roughly 4 to 8 weeks after it finishes blooming. … Read more >>
Your Christmas cactus sits on the windowsill with flat green segments and no buds in sight, and you are wondering whether that bottle of plant food under the sink would help. Feeding at the right time makes a real difference in how full the plant grows and how well it blooms. The short version: Knowing … Read more >>
The last pink and red flowers on your Christmas cactus are wilting on the windowsill, a few have dropped onto the sill, and the plant suddenly looks tired. The short version: Pinch off the spent flowers, then give the plant a cool, lightly watered rest for about 6 to 8 weeks with no fertilizer. In … Read more >>
You glance at the tall, finger-like cactus by your window and wonder if it has grown at all since spring. Many owners ask the same thing: what is an Eve’s needle cactus’ growth rate, and is yours on track? The short version: Eve’s needle cactus (Austrocylindropuntia subulata) is one of the faster-growing cacti you can … Read more >>
Your tall, blue-green column near the window has started to look washed out, with yellow creeping up from the base or spreading across one side. The short version: Most Peruvian apple cactus yellowing indoors comes from overwatering, weak light, or sudden sunburn. Check the soil and the base first, then look at where the yellow … Read more >>
You have a cactus on the windowsill, a flight booked, and no wish to leave the plant behind or hand it off to a neighbor. The short version: Yes, you can take a cactus on an airplane within the US, either in your carry-on or in a checked bag, as long as it passes the … Read more >>