Christmas Cactus - Ask Extension
I have a Christmas cactus that is about 10 years old. I replanted it a few years ago and it underwent rapid and sustained growth. It would bloom throu...
Knowledgebase
Christmas Cactus #801924
Asked July 18, 2022, 10:22 PM EDT
I have a Christmas cactus that is about 10 years old. I replanted it a few years ago and it underwent rapid and sustained growth. It would bloom throughout almost the entire year. For the past 10 months it has been struggling. The leaves/stems are turning purple and eventually fall off. I gave it some cactus fertilizer to add nutrients back to the soil, but to no avail. What can I do to help it?
Scott County Minnesota
Expert Response
Your plant is experiencing some type of stress. Instead of presenting with chlorophyll-rich green stems, the
bright light induces UV protective phenolic compounds
called anthocyanins to dominate with their purple pigment. Deficiency in one or more micro nutrients including magnesium, nitrogen, and phosphorus can cause purple leaves. Replanting it may help your plant. High temperatures can also cause purple leaves.
https://extension.umn.edu/houseplants/holiday-cacti#light-and-temperature-1431360
https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/holiday-cactus/
bright light induces UV protective phenolic compounds
called anthocyanins to dominate with their purple pigment. Deficiency in one or more micro nutrients including magnesium, nitrogen, and phosphorus can cause purple leaves. Replanting it may help your plant. High temperatures can also cause purple leaves.
https://extension.umn.edu/houseplants/holiday-cacti#light-and-temperature-1431360
https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/holiday-cactus/
