A Christmas cactus is a type of succulent that is native to the South American rainforest. In general, the Christmas cactus requires less water than other succulents.
For example, the most common type of Christmas cactus only needs to be watered once a month during the summer months and once a week in the winter.
Christmas cacti are a popular holiday gift, but they can be tricky to care for. These succulents need soil that’s barely moist and only watered when the top inch of soil is dry.
Overwatering can cause the plant to rot, so it’s important to be careful not to overdo it. During the holidays, when there’s often a lot of activity in and around the home, it’s easy to forget about a potted plant.
But even if you do forget to water your Christmas cactus occasionally, it’s not necessarily doomed. With a little extra TLC, your cactus can make it through the holidays—and beyond.
In this post, I would discuss whether you can save an overwatered Christmas cactus, how to know if it is overwatered with pictures and also how can you recover your Overwatered Christmas Cactus.
Let’s get started!
Can you save an overwatered Christmas cactus?
If the plant has been receiving too much water for an extended period of time, the roots may have become waterlogged and may rot.
If the plant has only been overwatered for a short period of time, the roots may not have been affected and the plant may be able to recover.
How to tell if Christmas cactus is overwatered or underwatered?
The symptoms of overwatered Christmas cactus are the same as for other cacti. The leaves will turn yellow, then brown, and eventually fall off.
The Christmas cactus will also begin to wilt and die.
Overwatered Christmas Cactus Pictures
How do I fix an overwatered Christmas cactus?
To prevent your Christmas cactus from being overwatered, water only when the top inch of soil is dry to the touch, and make sure that your pot has a drainage hole.
If your Christmas cactus starts looking wilted and the leaves are drooping, it’s likely that you’ve overwatered it. The good news is that the plant can sometimes be saved if you take action quickly.
If your Christmas cactus has already been overwatered, there are some things you can do to try to save it.
- To save a wilted Christmas cactus, you’ll need to stop watering it and allow the soil to dry out completely.
- This may take a few weeks, so be patient.
- Once the soil is dry, you can start watering it again gradually, making sure not to overwater it again.
- If the plant has already rotted, there’s not much you can do except throw it away and start over with a new one.
The stage when Overwatered Christmas can’t be fixed
Overwatered Christmas Cacti can be fixed generally if it has been overwatered for only a while.
Otherwise, if it is showing the above-stated symptoms for a long time and you kept overwatering it, then chances are very less to recover.
FAQs
Q. What does an overwatered cactus look like?
An overwatered cactus will have a lot of waterlogged, spongy tissue. The leaves will be limp and the stem will be soft. The cactus might also have a white film on the surface of its tissues.
Q. When should I stop watering my Christmas cactus?
Christmas cacti should be watered sparingly after they have bloomed. The plant will enter a dormant stage and will not need as much water.
Q. Can Christmas cactus get too much water?
Yes, Christmas cactus can get too much water. Overwatering can cause the roots to rot, and the plant will die. Be sure to water your Christmas cactus only when the soil is dry to the touch.
Q. Should I water my Christmas cactus from the top or bottom?
Watering a Christmas cactus from the bottom is best, as it will help the plant to retain more water. You can water from the top as well, but it’s important to make sure the soil is completely dry before doing so.
Q. Should I mist my Christmas cactus?
Yes, Christmas cactus can be misted with a few splashes of water. But, the amount of water should be very less.
Conclusion
Let’s conclude the post on whether you can save an overwatered Christmas Cactus!
It is possible to save an overwatered Christmas cactus. However, it will take some time and care to nurse the plant back to health.
Be sure to follow the steps listed above to increase the chances of success.
If all goes well, your Christmas cactus should be healthy and happy in no time!