Easter cactus: cultivation, care & propagation
The Easter cactus comes in many different amazing colours and, as the name suggests, often blooms just in time for Easter. Here is our care guide with tips on how to encourage flowering.
Like many cacti, the Easter cactus is a rather low-maintenance plant. As long as it is given a rest period during the winter months, you will be able to enjoy its colourful flowers come spring.
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Easter cactus: origin, characteristics and flowering
The Easter cactus (Hatiora x graeseri) is a cross between the two Hatiora species in the cactus family (Cactaceae), Hatiora rosea and Hatiora gaertneri. The parents are also commonly known as Easter cacti and can be found throughout southern Brazil, where they grow on trees or other plants in high-altitude cloud forests. The Easter cactus has succulent shoots that are divided into flat sections that start out red and eventually turn green. As the cacti get older, the shoots begin to hang over the edge of the pot which looks great when grown in a hanging basket. The Easter cacti flowers in spring, between March and April. Its bell-shaped flowers appear at the tips of the shoots and come in a wide range of colours from red to orange and yellow to pink or white. A winter dormancy period, which helps the cactus to flower, is crucial to achieving a beautiful blooming around Easter.
The most beautiful varieties and species
Not only are the widespread hybrids known as Easter cacti, but also the two parent species Hatiora rosea and Hatiora gaertneri.
- Hatiora rosea has pink flowers. It is native to Brazil, where it grows at altitudes of up to 2000 metres. It is classified as a slightly endangered species.
- Hatiora gaertneri has bright red flowers. When grown in a hanging basket, the shoots hang down and look lovely. This species is also listed on the Red List as endangered.
- Hatiora x graeseri is a hybrid of the two above-mentioned species. Most Easter cacti that can be purchased are hybrids. Aside from red and pink, they are available in many other colours.
Easter cactus: location, soil and co.
The Easter cactus likes a bright location without direct sunlight. Too much direct sunlight can cause the shoots to turn red. It needs temperatures between 16 and 24 °C during the growing season, which is from March to October. The Easter cactus will be fine outdoors if the temperature does not drop below 10 °C during the summer, including at night. When grown outdoors, keep it in a location without direct sunlight. Easter cacti need a high level of humidity – to achieve this, spray them with water occasionally.
In winter, keep the Easter cactus in a bright spot with cool temperatures, so that it will flower during the coming spring. During the winter months, the plant is dormant and does not need to be fertilised and only watered occasionally and needs cooler temperatures around 10 °C. After a winter break of about six weeks, the temperature can slowly be increased to 20 °C. Since Easter cacti are extremely sensitive to changes of location during this time, avoid moving them and keep the pots facing the same direction.
An Easter cactus thrives in a loose, well-aerated substrate with a slightly acidic pH level. This is easy to make yourself, simply mix two parts peat-free potting soil with one part quartz sand. It is best to use high-quality potting soil such as our Plantura Organic Flower Compost. Its pH range of 6.1 to 6.9 is ideal for the Easter cactus and it contains all the essential nutrients needed for growth. The soil is both loose and friable while remaining structurally stable due to the expanded clay it contains and does not need any peat.
Tip: A layer of clay shards or stones at the bottom of the pot is important to avoid waterlogging.
Easter cactus care
Taking care of an Easter cactus is rather simple. However, there are a few things to keep in mind to encourage flowering. A six- to eight-week rest period is required for the cactus to bloom in spring. Following flowering, another six-week rest period is necessary, during which the plant is not fertilised and is watered less frequently.
Watering and fertilising
The Easter cactus does not need a lot of water, nor does it require a high amount of nutrients. In spring and summer, water it as soon as the substrate has dried out. Do not let the root ball dry out completely or become waterlogged. When watering, use lime-free, room temperature water and remove any excess water about ten minutes after watering. Spray the Easter cactus with lime-free water regularly, as it needs a high level of humidity. During the wintertime, water less frequently, especially during the dormant phase when it needs low temperatures. Water only enough to keep the substrate from completely drying out during the dormant phase.
The cactus only needs to be fertilised in summer, from about April to October. To feed the Easter cactus, add half a dose of green plant fertiliser to the water every three weeks. Here, our Plantura Liquid Houseplant Food is an excellent choice. It contains essential nutrients as well as microorganisms that promote root growth. Plus, it is produced in a sustainable manner to protect the environment.
Pruning an Easter cactus
It is not necessary to prune an Easter cactus. However, if it has grown too large, cut off individual shoots at the desired spot with a sharp knife. These can be used to propagate the Easter cactus. Wait until the easter cactus’s flowering period is over before pruning.
Repotting
When the pot of your cactus becomes too small, it is time to repot it. Once again, it is best to wait until the flowering period has passed. Place a drainage layer of pottery shards, gravel or expanded clay at the bottom of the pot and plant the Easter cactus in suitable, well-aerated substrate. Repotting is usually required every two to three years. In the meantime, it is sufficient to only remove the top layer of substrate and to replace it with new soil.
My Easter cactus is not flowering: what can I do?
If you are having trouble getting your Easter cactus to flower, it could be due to one of the following factors:
- Lack of dormancy: The most common cause of a lack of flowering is not overwintering the Easter cactus properly. For the flower buds to develop, the plant needs a bright but cool place with temperatures of around 10 °C. The dormancy period lasts six to eight weeks, do not change its location during this time. Once the first buds appear, slowly increase the temperature to 20 °C.
- Improper care: Although winter dormancy is essential for flowering, your Easter cactus may not be flowering due to a lack of nutrients or space. Check that the pot is large enough and that the substrate is not too wet. During the growth phase, fertilise the Easter cactus regularly.
Propagation
To propagate an Easter cactus, you can use cuttings or seeds.
Cuttings: Using a sharp knife, cut a 10 cm long shoot off the plant. Let it air dry for three days before placing it in substrate with the cut side facing downwards. Use a mixture of two parts potting soil and one part quartz sand for the substrate. Moisten the soil and put the pot in a bright, warm place at about 23 °C. Roots will form after about four weeks.
Seeds: You can also grow an Easter cactus from seed. To produce seeds, the flowers need to be pollinated which can be done by hand with a small brush or by self-pollinating. After the fruits have formed, extract the seeds and spread on moist substrate. Cover with cling film to increase humidity and speed up growth. In a bright, warm location, gemination occurs after about three weeks.
Is the Easter cactus poisonous?
The Easter cactus is non-poisonous and can be grown indoors and outdoors without endangering pets or children.
The Christmas cactus looks very similar to the Easter cactus. However, as the name suggests, it flowers at a different time.
