by Camille, age 8, asks if a cactus can live outside permanently, about the Mediterranean, and the Riviera’s climate
Dear Santa,
Bonjour from Nice. My name is Camille and I am 8 years old. We keep our Christmas cactus outside on the balcony every single month of the year, rain or shine, and my neighbour upstairs recently asked my mother if that was actually a sensible thing to do.
My first question is: can a Christmas cactus actually live outside permanently?
My second question is geography: what sea does Nice sit on?
My third question is from school: why is the French Riviera such a famously mild place to live?
I left you a socca, a chickpea flatbread, and a small cup of hot chocolate.
Love, Camille, age 8, Nice, France
From the Desk of Father Christmas
Dear Camille, socca was a delightfully savoury surprise, thank you very much. Now, to answer your neighbour’s question properly, and your others.
Can a Christmas cactus live outside permanently?
In a place with your mild, frost-free climate, yes, a Christmas cactus can live happily outdoors all year round, especially on a shaded or partly shaded balcony that mimics the dappled light it would naturally get growing in Brazilian forest trees. It genuinely dislikes harsh, direct summer sun and cannot tolerate freezing temperatures at all, so the key is simply making sure your particular spot stays gentle and frost-free through every season. Given how mild your coastline stays throughout the year, your family’s balcony arrangement sounds like a perfectly sensible choice, and your neighbour can rest easy.
What sea does Nice sit on?
Nice sits along the Mediterranean Sea, on the stretch of coastline known as the French Riviera, famous for its clear blue water and pebbled beaches.
Why is the French Riviera so mild?
The Riviera benefits from a Mediterranean climate, protected by nearby mountains that block much of the cold northern wind, while the sea itself helps keep temperatures gentle throughout the year, rarely too hot or too cold, which is exactly why the region has attracted visitors seeking pleasant weather for centuries.
Tell your neighbour the balcony cactus is in very good hands, and I shall see you very soon.
Ho ho ho, Santa
