Buying guide

Buy a Christmas Cactus Online: Sizes, What to Check, and Where to Buy

By the Plantshop.com Editorial Team · Updated 21 Oct 2026 · How we research · Report an error

Unlike desert cacti, the Christmas cactus is a forest plant from Brazil. It flowers in winter in pink, red, white or orange, and plants commonly live for decades.

Is a christmas cactus right for you?

It suits you if you can give it bright indirect light; no harsh sun and you are happy to water when the top 1 in of soil is dry; more in bloom. Difficulty: Easy. It is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA, so it is a good choice for pet homes. Not sure? Try the Plant Finder.

Similar plants to consider: Monstera, Pothos, Snake Plant, ZZ Plant.

Sizes and what you will receive

Online shops sell plants by nursery pot diameter: about 4 in (small, shelf), 6 in (desk or table), 8-10 in (small floor plant) and 12 in and up (floor statement). Height varies a lot within one pot size, so read the listed height too. A mature christmas cactus can reach 1 ft tall, 2 ft wide and growth is slow, so a smaller plant will take time to fill out; buy closer to the size you want.

What to check when buying: a healthy christmas cactus

• Firm, evenly colored leaves with no mushy stems at the soil line.
• Soil that is not sour-smelling or waterlogged when it arrives.
• No webbing, sticky residue or tiny moving insects under the leaves.
• Roots, if you peek, that are pale and firm rather than brown and soft.

Problems to know about before buying:

• Buds dropping: Moving the plant, drafts or drying out while in bud.
• Limp segments: Root rot from overwatering, or severe drought.
• No flowers: Too much light at night or too warm in autumn.

Prices

We do not quote prices until we have checked them. They change with pot size, season and sales. To compare fairly, compare the same pot size and check whether a decorative pot and shipping are included.

Shipping and seasonal risks

Tropical plants like this one suffer below about 50°F (10°C). In winter, order from a shop that adds heat packs or holds shipments in freezing weather, and bring the box inside as soon as it arrives. Summer heat in a delivery truck can also damage plants, so avoid long weekends in transit.

Your first week after delivery

1. Unbox right away and photograph any damage; most guarantees need photos within a set window.
2. Water only if the soil is dry; many plants arrive already moist.
3. Give it bright indirect light, but avoid harsh direct sun for a few days.
4. Keep it away from other plants for one to two weeks in case of pests.
5. Wait two to four weeks before repotting. Full care guide: Christmas Cactus care.

Where to buy a christmas cactus online, and why

We list a shop only after confirming it currently lists this plant (checked 21 Oct 2026). Stock changes daily. We may earn a commission from some links; it never decides what we list. Disclosure.

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