What causes a Christmas cactus to drop its leaves?

A Christmas cactus drops its leaves because of long-term exposure to strong sun, severe fertilizer burn, high or low temperatures, or waterlogged potting soil. Place it in a spot with fairly abundant light, apply a decomposed liquid fertilizer once every 10 days during the spring and autumn growing seasons, and keep the most suitable growing temperature between 19-32 degrees; when the potting soil is dry, water it moderately to keep the environment slightly moist.

Reasons a Christmas cactus drops its leaves

1. Long-term exposure to strong sun

A Christmas cactus drops its leaves because of long-term exposure to strong sun or being kept in a dark, lightless environment, so when growing it, place it in a spot with fairly abundant light, which promotes photosynthesis and helps the branches and leaves grow lush and green. In summer the light is fairly intense, so you can place it in a diffused-light environment.

2. Severe fertilizer burn

A Christmas cactus drops its leaves because of long-term over-fertilizing, so you must fertilize regularly and in the right amount. For example, during the spring and autumn growing seasons apply a decomposed liquid fertilizer once every 10 days, apply a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizer before the flowering period, spray an appropriate amount of 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution, and stop fertilizing after flowering.

3. High or low temperatures

A Christmas cactus drops its leaves because of long-term exposure to high or low temperatures, since its most suitable growing temperature is between 19-32 degrees, so in summer when temperatures are high you can place it in a cool, ventilated spot, and in winter when temperatures are low you can move it to a heated room or a sunny indoor spot, keeping the growing temperature between 7-14 degrees.

4. Water accumulation

A Christmas cactus drops its leaves because of severe water accumulation in the potting soil, so during the growing season and flowering period you need to water it in the right amount, since it does not need that much water; when the potting soil is dry, water it moderately to keep the environment slightly moist. Be careful that there must be no water accumulation, otherwise root rot and withered, falling branches and leaves will occur.