3 Ways How to Propagate a Thanksgiving Cactus

The Thanksgiving cactus is a popular house plant that grows stunning blooms around the Thanksgiving holidays.

Propagating a Thanksgiving cactus is a rewarding process that allows you to share this unique holiday plant with friends and family. The most common method of propagating is by rooting stem cuttings in water or soil. Large Thanksgiving cacti are easy to propagate by division. Planting parts in separate containers.

Related reading: Thanksgiving cactus care – Difference between Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter cacti – How to get your holiday cactus to bloom.

Thanksgiving Cactus Propagation

Thanksgiving cactus plants are really easy to prune and propagate and cuttings grow roots pretty quickly.

Want to learn more about plant propagation? Read the complete guide to succulent propagation and the 6 different ways to propagate your plants. 

How to Take Thanksgiving Cactus Cuttings for Propagation

You can use as little as one leaf (or stem segment) from your Thanksgiving cactus to propagate. But it will take a long time for that one leaf segment to grow into a full new plant.

• Start with multiple larger cuttings, each with at least three or four segments. You will have a fuller plant from the start. And even though still small, your plant will mature and be ready to flower sooner.
• Remove a cutting from the parent plant. Gently twist and wiggle until it comes loose. 
• Let the cuttings dry and callous over for about 2-3 days before putting in water or soil to root. Don’t skip this step. It prevents the cuttings from rotting.

Propagation is best done in spring or early summer. The warmer weather and longer daylight will help encourage new growth. Don’t propagate the Thanksgiving cactus when it is flowering.

Thanksgiving Cactus Propagation in Water

Propagating your Thanksgiving cactus in water is super simple. Root multiple cuttings at once to have a new full plant started fairly fast.

• Take stem cuttings as described above. Don’t forget to let them callous over.
• Place the cuttings in a small glass or jar with just enough water to cover the bottom part. 
• Keep them in bright, indirect light.  
• Change the water regularly.
• Wait for roots to appear. Pot them up when the roots are at least one to two inches long.

Read the complete guide on how to Water Propagate Plants if you want to learn even more about growing plant cuttings in water. 

Propagation in Soil

Another simple way to propagate your Thanksgiving cactus is by rooting calloused cuttings directly in well-draining succulent soil.

Apply a bit of rooting hormone powder to the end of the cutting before planting it. This powder helps to speed up the formation of roots and results in stronger, better-rooted plants. If you don’t have any, you can skip it. The propagation process might just take a little longer. 

Place the cuttings in a bright location with indirect light. Water sparingly until you see new growth. At that time, continue with regular care. 

Propagating Thanksgiving Cactus by Division

If you have a large Thanksgiving cactus, you can also propagate it by division.

Split the rootball and repot the parts in separate, smaller containers.  

• Take the plant out of its pot. Gently remove as much old soil as possible without damaging the roots. 
• Decide where to divide the plant. Gently separate the roots and foliage with your hands. 
• If the root ball is very tangled, make a clean cut with a sharp knife to split the plant. 
• Pot each part in its own planter. Keep them in bright indirect light.   
• Water sparingly until you see new growth. 

Having trouble growing your Thanksgiving cactus? Check out these common problems and how to fix them!