Why Is My Christmas Cactus Turning Purple?
Christmas cactus is a small genus of cacti with six to nine species found in the coastal mountains of south-eastern Brazil. Schlumbergera is known as Christmas cactus. Schlumbergera is relatively trouble-free succulent plant. But if Christmas cactus leaves are red or purple instead of green or if Christmas cactus leaves turning purple on edges, the plant is telling you that something isn’t right. There are actually many reasons why Christmas cactus turn purple. Read this article to learn about the possible causes and solutions for reddish-purple Christmas cactus leaves.
Causes of Purple Leaves
Cooler temperatures increase anthocyanin concentration as well as limit phosphorus uptake, both of which cause purples leaves of Christmas cactus. If you don’t fertilize your Christmas cactus regularly, the plant won’t be able to get necessary nutrients from soil. Christmas cactus is requires bright light during the winter season, but too much direct light during the summer months may be the reason for Christmas cactus leaves turning purple. If Christmas cactus is rootbound, it can’t absorb nutrients effectively. Turning purple is the plant’s way of responding to environmental stress in it. Poor drainage in your soil mix, no drainage holes can lead to root rot and turn the leaves purple.
Solutions
An ideal temperature range for growing Christmas cactus is near 60-85°F. Feed the plant monthly from spring until mid-autumn with a general-purpose fertilizer for indoor Christmas cactus plants. Move the Christmas cactus plant to a more appropriate location where it may be prevented sunburn and solve the problem. For crowded roots problem, repotting is best to repot in the spring so your time to do this is coming. If you do have good drainage, always check any saucers at the bottom of the pot to make sure that the Christmas cactus plant isn’t sitting in water.
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