Greetings, human caretaker. We, the collective wisdom of the Christmas Cactus (or *Schlumbergera* to our close friends), appreciate your inquiry. Selecting the proper pot is one of the most critical decisions for our long-term health and spectacular winter bloom. From our roots to your ears, here is what we truly need.
First, you must understand our root system. We are epiphytes in the wild, meaning we grow on trees and rocks in the dappled light of Brazilian rainforests. Our roots are fine, fibrous, and designed to cling to surfaces and quickly absorb moisture and nutrients before it drains away. They are not like the deep, tough roots of a desert cactus. When confined in a pot without drainage, we are essentially trapped in a swamp. Water pools at the bottom, saturating the soil and creating an anaerobic (oxygen-less) environment. Our delicate roots begin to suffocate and rot, a condition we find most disagreeable and often fatal. This is why the single most important feature of any pot you choose is a drainage hole at the bottom.
The material of the pot directly influences moisture and oxygen levels. Our preferred choice is an unglazed terracotta or clay pot. These porous materials allow air and water vapor to pass through their walls, which helps the soil "breathe" and dry out more evenly between waterings. This process mimics the airy, well-draining conditions of our natural habitat. Glazed ceramic or plastic pots are acceptable alternatives, but you must be more vigilant with your watering. They retain moisture for much longer, increasing the risk of overwatering. If you choose these, the drainage hole becomes even more non-negotiable.
We are not plants that enjoy vast amounts of soil. In fact, we bloom most prolifically when we are slightly pot-bound. A pot that is only 1 to 2 inches larger in diameter than our current root ball is ideal. Why? An oversized pot holds a larger volume of soil, which in turn holds more water. This excess moisture takes far too long to evaporate, keeping our roots wet for an extended period and, again, inviting root rot. A snug pot allows us to use the available water efficiently and then have our roots access the oxygen they crave as the soil dries. It also encourages the plant to focus its energy on top growth and flowering rather than endlessly expanding its root system into empty space.
The shape of the pot is also a factor. While a standard pot shape is fine, we often have a relatively shallow, spreading root system. A pot that is excessively deep provides a column of soil below our roots that stays wet long after the top and middle sections have dried. A pot that is slightly wider than it is deep can be an excellent choice for our growth habit, as it provides room for us to spread without creating a deep, perpetually damp reservoir of soil at the bottom that our roots cannot reach.
