Why Your Christmas Cactus Has Woody Stems

The Christmas cactus, Schlumbergera spp., is not a desert cactus, instead it grows in the moist understories of South American rainforests.

As a houseplant, it’s easy to maintain in a container of well-draining, organically-rich potting medium in a location with indirect sunlight.

In our Christmas cactus growing guide we discuss how to cultivate this colorful houseplant in your home.

This article zeroes in on one particular characteristic: woody stems.

Let’s get started.

Why Do Stems Become Woody?

Christmas cacti don’t have leaves. Instead, they have fleshy green segments called cladodes that join together to form stems.

With proper care, a plant may become a family heirloom, often living for 20 years or more.

In the case of an older cactus, while there may be a proliferation of green growth cascading over the side of the pot, a peek into the center of the plant is likely to reveal a forest of thick, hard brown stems.

Just like a person, when Schlumbergera grows old, there are physical changes. In a nutshell, the appearance of large woody stems is just that – a sign that yours has achieved old age.

Does old age spell trouble for your Christmas cactus? Let’s find out.

There is nothing inherently wrong with being an old plant, and woody tissue does not detract from its beauty.

However, if yours has grown to huge proportions, there could be problems. Two issues that may arise are: a rootbound pot and splitting stems.

We’ll explore each.

Rootbound Plant

Schlumbergera plants favor tight living quarters, so roots that are somewhat snug in the pot are not usually a problem.

However, when the roots start to peek out of the drainage hole in the bottom of the pot, it may be time to get a slightly larger container, fill it with fresh potting medium, and replant.

Roots that are tightly tangled can’t take up nutrients efficiently. And if you haven’t repotted in many years, the potting medium is likely to be depleted of essential nutrients.

So, cater to your cactus in its dotage by refreshing it.

In addition, if you see signs of malnutrition from poor nutrient uptake, like discoloration and wilting, you may want to give the plant a lift by trimming each stem by one-third before repotting.

To do this, use clean pruning shears to cut between the cladode segments.

Each cut segment will soon sprout new growth for a rejuvenated appearance, and better nutrient uptake.

Splitting Stems

Another issue with an older plant that has grown quite large is the potential for it to break apart.

Even if you don’t need to repot, you may still want to trim each stem by one-third to relieve the plant of excessive weight.

When a stem splits, it creates an open wound that is vulnerable to diseases such as bacterial soft rot, caused by Pectobacterium carotovorum, particularly in hot, humid environments.

Unfortunately, there is no effective treatment available to cure this condition.

In the event that your plant breaks or splits, and especially if the foliage and roots have become mushy or malodorous, there may still be time to act.

Unearth the cactus and rinse it thoroughly, roots and all. Use clean pruning shears to cut off all mushy foliage and rotten roots, and repot what’s left in fresh potting mix.

Do a deep pruning if necessary, cutting affected stems right back to where the brown woody part begins.

Try not to remove more than one-third of the entire plant, as it will be shocked and recovery will likely be slower.

Immediately after repotting, apply a dose of all-purpose liquid houseplant fertilizer per package instructions to jump-start recovery.

If the damage is extensive, don’t worry, because Schlumbergera are easy to propagate from soft cuttings.

To do this, simply find a few healthy green sections at least two segments long, and snip them off with clean pruning shears.

Lay them on a paper towel for a few days to heal and form a callus at the point where they were cut.

Once they have healed, place them in a well-draining container of moist, organically-rich potting medium, where they will soon grow roots and establish themselves.

About Nan Schiller

Nan Schiller is a writer with deep roots in the soil of southeastern Pennsylvania. Her background includes landscape and floral design, a BS in business from Villanova University, and a Certificate of Merit in floral design from Longwood Gardens. An advocate of organic gardening with native plants, she’s always got dirt under her nails and freckles on her nose. With wit and hopefully some wisdom, she shares what she’s learned and is always ready to dig into a new project!