Why Your Christmas Cactus Is Producing Roots On The Stems (And Should You Worry?)

With the holiday season fast approaching, your Christmas cactus could be beginning to bloom, or maybe yours is an early bird and already bloomed in September! Either way, these white, red, pink, or purple flowers will bring a sense of cheer to your home. However, you may notice that your Christmas cactus is producing roots on its stems, and you might begin to fear you've done something wrong. Are these roots normal? What should you do? Is sugar water the key to a happy and healthy Christmas cactus? We spoke exclusively with Tiffany Selvey, House Digest's Garden Editor and in-house Master Gardener, and asked her these questions to learn more.

"When your plants start producing some unusual growth, it might look scary, but Christmas cactuses will send out roots from the joints between their stem segments to absorb moisture and nutrients from the air," Selvey said.

It's always good to find out you aren't doing anything wrong when trying to grow your plants, although you will want to make sure you are avoiding these deadly mistakes with your Christmas cactus. When you notice something unusual about your plants, it can also be a great opportunity to learn more about them. When House Digest spoke exclusively with Tiffany Selvey, she explained why these cacti grow roots on their stems.

"These small white roots are aerial roots produced in some form by all epiphytes," Selvey said. "In nature, these kinds of plants attach themselves to trees and structures, but they aren't parasites — these plants have a symbiotic relationship with their 'host.' While they are attached, fallen leaves and other organic matter gather around the epiphyte, where it absorbs nutrients and water."

Plants have many ways of communicating their needs, even if you may not notice them or aren't sure how to address them. According to our exclusive interview with Tiffany Selvey, when your Christmas cactus grows roots from its stems, it may be trying to give you a signal. "They may sprout roots if your indoor environment is particularly humid and the plant's nature is to absorb that humidity," Selvey explained. "It also may be a sign that the plant is underwatered and is struggling for moisture. Ultimately, you shouldn't worry when your plant produces these little white roots on the stem, but water it as need to ensure it's not growing aerial roots because it's stressed."

Christmas cacti can help add a hint of color to any home during the holiday season. If you don't have a Christmas cactus yet, this might be the year to bring one home. And if you do, try the hydrogen peroxide hack that'll extend the life of your Christmas cactus.