Take Christmas Cactus Cuttings Now for Free New Plants by the Holidays – It's the Perfect Time to Propagate
You can have endless festive blooms from just one plant when you know how to multiply it
When you discover how easy it is to propagate a Christmas cactus, I guarantee you will not be able to stop. It is so simple to duplicate these holiday favorites and create new plants for your home for free.
If you already know how to grow a Christmas cactus, or Schlumbergera, it will come as no surprise that these unique plants are wonderful winter indoor plants, exploding into flower when there is a distinct lack of color outside. Summer is a great time to grow houseplants from cuttings because the warmer conditions support fast rooting. Taking Christmas cactus cuttings now will reward you with a brand new plant by the time the holidays arrive.
So, whether you're looking to expand your own collection or create cuttings to give as holiday gifts, this expert guide to Christmas cactus propagation takes you through the process step-by-step. Just make sure to have your houseplant snips to hand – we recommend these Fiskars micro snips on Amazon.
1. Take a Healthy Cutting
Much like propagating a snake plant, propagating a Christmas cactus involves taking a segment of the stem to develop new roots. While you can take a few cuttings from a plant at a time, make sure not to cut back too much growth.
Removing too many leaves at once could cause stress or weakness and cause the parent plant to ultimately die.
When taking plant cuttings, it is also important to make sure your parent plant is healthy and free from disease or decay, as this will delay or even prevent root development altogether.
As with propagating succulents generally, it is also a good idea to sterilize your pruning scissors first to ensure you do not damage the plant.
You can use this rubbing alcohol from Walmart to clean your pruning tools.
You want to look for a short, Y-shaped cutting from your adult plant. This segment should contain at least two or three joined segments to ensure it is large enough to sustain growing its own roots.
2. Let the Cutting Dry
One of the biggest houseplant propagation mistakes is oversaturating cuttings, especially succulents like Christmas cactus which is susceptible to rot.
That's why it's important to let the cutting dry.
'Let the cutting sit out for a day so the cut end can callus over, which helps prevent rot,' says houseplant expert, Krystal Duran.
The callus acts as a protective layer for when the cutting is in soil or water, stopping it from rotting and allowing it to successfully root.
We recommend placing the cuttings on a piece of paper kitchen towel (just like what you would pick up from Walmart) to dry on a window ledge.
Krystal Duran is the creator behind PlantswithKrystal and the author of "More Than Just A Plant, publishing November 3, 2026. She is a dedicated plant educator, content creator, and entrepreneur with a mission to make plant care accessible, engaging, and rewarding. With over 10 years of hands-on experience, she has built a trusted brand that blends expert knowledge with a personal, relatable approach. Through her content, she has empowered plant enthusiasts to cultivate thriving green spaces, whether in their homes or through larger botanical projects.
3. Place the Cutting in Soil
The easiest way to propagate a Christmas cactus from cuttings is by rooting it in soil, though it is also possible to propagate in water.
You should prepare the right potting mix for your succulent cuttings. This Miracle-Gro succulent potting mix from Amazon is ideal. Or, you can mix houseplant compost with perlite (which is also available on Amazon) and some bark to aid drainage and aeration.
Insert the callused end of your cutting into the potting mix, and firm it in gently to prevent it from falling over.
'You can also plant a few cuttings together in one pot for a fuller-looking plant,' suggests Krystal.
'Keep the soil lightly moist, but never soggy, and place it in bright space in front of a window,' she adds.
Water sparingly, and only increase as your cutting grows and develops. For extra reassurance, use this soil moisture meter from Amazon to avoid overwatering.
4. Or Propagate in Water
It can sometimes be a bit trickier, but it is entirely possible to root a Christmas cactus in water with the right care and conditions.
It's not necessary to let the cutting callus in this case.
Place the cut end of the stem with the bottom nodes of the two Y-shaped segments just below the water line, and place the container in bright, indirect sunlight.
Make sure to avoid water propagation mistakes by refreshing the water regularly to keep it cleaned and topped up.
You may find a dedicated propagation station (I love this beaker-style one on Amazon) makes it easier to hold the cuttings in place and observe root growth.
5. Check Root Growth
'Roots usually begin to form within a few weeks. You will know when your soil-planted cutting has started rooting when a slight tug on the cutting will not budge and come out of the soil,' Krystal describes.
For water propagated cuttings, you should look for when the roots have grown as long as the stem itself, usually around six to eight weeks.
Once your plant displays signs of growth, such as small red buds on the end of stems, it may be time to repot a Christmas cactus and give it a bit more room to thrive.
Plant pots with drainage holes are best for a Christmas cactus because it ensures excess water can drain away and doesn't oversaturate the roots.
Wayfair have beautiful vintage-style floral planters that would look beautiful potted up with these holiday houseplants.
What to Shop
It's challenging to know exactly how much we need to water our cuttings and indoor plants, which is why a Bluetooth soil moisture meter would come in very handy.
This beautiful planter has a vintage feel with its floral design. Its ceramic and is the perfect size for small and medium houseplants. It has drainage holes to aid moisture management.
The right kit for taking indoor plant cuttings is crucial. These pruning snips are perfect for smaller indoor plants that require care and precision with propagating them.
The right potting soil for Christmas cactus cuttings is essential. This Miracle-Gro mix is ideal for succulents and will give young plants everything they need to grow.
If you choose to propagate Christmas cactus cuttings in water, you can make a stylish feature out of them with a propagation station such as this one. The wooden base gives it a premium feel.
Use these pebble humidity trays to boost humidity levels for your moisture-loving houseplants. Simply place your houseplants on top and top up water levels.
Because Christmas cacti root so readily, propagating them is an ideal beginner-friendly project that can build confidence when it comes to multiplying more of your houseplant collection. It's true that some indoor plants are easier to grow than others, but there are a lot of houseplant myths out there that you needn't pay attention to – as we reveal here.
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