Why are the leaves on my Christmas cactus turning limp? Experts explain the common causes

Does your Christmas cactus look a bit droopy and lackluster? Don’t panic – with a bit of expert know-how, you can help it return to its former glory.

These plants store water in their leaves, so a limp demeanor can be a telltale sign they’re getting too little H2O. On the other hand, it can also indicate waterlogged soil; often a result of poor drainage or over-enthusiastic Christmas cactus plant care.

Naturally, the best course of action depends on which issue is to blame. With the following expert advice you can identify the culprit, try to revive your plant, and prevent the problem from happening again.

Two key reasons behind limp Christmas cactus leaves

Incorrect watering is a common Christmas cactus mistake. But it can be easily avoided once you know your plant’s specific needs.

Too much water

'Christmas cacti are succulents, so they tend to not need a lot of water,' says houseplant expert Autumn Janus of Perfect Plants nursery. She advises that they only be watered about every couple of weeks.

If the soil is wet and you haven't recently watered it, or if there's a pool of water around the base of the pot, your plant is likely to be sitting in too much moisture.

Excess moisture can cause the roots to suffocate. 'As roots die, they’re not able to absorb enough moisture from the soil to sustain the plant, causing it to go limp,' explains horticulturist Justin Hancock of Costa Farms. 'If this is the case, then pop your plant out of the pot to help it dry out a little faster – the more exposed soil there is, the faster moisture will evaporate. Once it’s just barely moist, pot it back up.'

As well as being limp, overwatered Christmas cactuses can have yellow leaves – similar to when snake plants turn yellow. You may wish to repot your Christmas cactus into fresh, dry soil if it is seriously struggling. Ensure the compost you're using has adequate drainage, such as this dedicated Christmas cactus potting soil from Amazon. As you repot your plant, check for signs of root rot and remove any areas that are affected.

Autumn Janus

Autumn is a horticulture specialist and marketing professional at Perfect Plants Nursery. With four years of experience in the horticulture industry, she has developed a passion for helping people create beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces to enjoy. Her expertise in horticulture encompasses a broad range of activities, including plant care and selection, landscape design, and maintenance.

Justin Hancock

Justin Hancock is a Costa Farms horticulturist with over 25 years in the industry. A plant enthusiast and educator, he has a degree in horticultural science and has worked in garden centers and botanical gardens, as a garden designer, and in garden publishing (including at Better Homes and Gardens). He has experience gardening across the country, from Minnesota to Miami to Oregon. Justin is also co-host of the Costa Farms podcast Plant Rx.

Letting it dry out completely

Plants that haven't received enough water will have a different look to those that are overwatered: the leaves will be more shriveled and dehydrated in appearance, and may even be turning brown.

Justin recommends feeling the soil with your finger. 'If it’s really dry more than an inch or two down, then your plant probably isn’t able to get enough moisture from the soil. Give it a good watering and it should perk back up in an hour or two.'

Knowing how often to water your Christmas cactus is key going forward. ‘Aim to always keep the potting mix slightly moist, allowing only the top soil layer to dry off,’ advises Nastya Vasylchyshyna, a resident botany expert at Plantum. ‘When watering, soak the soil thoroughly (but not to the point of sogginess) so that excess water drains into the pot saucer.’

Note that pot-bound plants can also suffer from a lack of water, as congested roots struggle to absorb it from the soil. If this is the case, you need to repot your Christmas cactus, gently teasing out the congested root system and cutting away any dead roots as you do so. When they are more spread out it allows them to take up nutrients and water.

Top tip: A moisture meter, available from The Sill, is a useful way to gauge when your plant needs a top-up of H2O.

Nastya Vasylchyshyna

Nastya is a professional botany expert for the Plantum app that helps identify plants and plant diseases and provides care recommendations. Her specialization is plant morphology, phytopathology, and plant physiology.

FAQs

Can the wrong lighting conditions make Christmas cactus leaves turn limp?

Avoid putting your plant in direct sunlight. ‘Aside from causing the foliage to wilt, it can also scorch the leaves and induce dry, pale spotting,’ Nastya says.

Keeping it in its favorable light conditions will also help a Christmas cactus bloom happily throughout the festive period. For most of the year, Nastya recommends placing it near east- or west-facing windows while keeping some distance away from south-facing ones. ‘However, in winter, a south-facing windowsill will provide the perfect level of lighting for your plant.’

Can humidity and temperature issues make Christmas cactus leaves turn limp?

Nastya warns how foliage may also wrinkle up in response to unsuitable growing temperatures and low humidity. ‘This often happens in winter, when the pot is placed too close to a heater. Avoid keeping your Christmas cactus near any heaters, air conditioning, or drafty windows to prevent this issue.’

There are also a few ways to increase humidity around houseplants, including investing in a mister.

Justin adds, 'If your holiday cactus has been exposed to freezing temperatures, it can also go limp.' If the plant freezes, the cells burst (water expands as it becomes ice) causing damage, he explains. 'Whether your plant can recover will depend on how cold it got and how long it was cold.' He recommends keeping it in a warm, bright, humid spot and waiting a few weeks to see if it’s able to push out new growth.

Once you’ve taken the above tips on board, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to save your struggling houseplant. And once it’s back to full health, why not learn how to propagate a Christmas cactus to make even more plants for free?