Christmas Cactus – Salvage Remaining Leaves

Q: My grandmother’s Christmas cactus has been terribly neglected. I am trying to keep its remains from dying, I have some leaves laying flat on paper towels.

A: Christmas cactus is a remarkably resilient plant. Try sticking each individual leaf section halfway into a plant saucer filled with moist potting soil. Make a tent of clear kitchen plastic wrap to go over the leaves and saucer to keep humidity high. Unless the leaves are absolutely dry and limp, you may be surprised that they make roots and put out new growth by spring.