Holiday Plants

Here’s how to care for five seasonal favorites….

You may have received a beautiful Holiday plant as a Christmas gift.  Five popular plants that are gifted are: Poinsettias, Paperwhite Narcissus, Amaryllis, Christmas Cactus, and Norfolk Island Pine. So now you may be wondering how to care for them. Well here are some quick tips to keep those plants healthy and growing so you can continue to enjoy them in the coming year. 

Poinsettia.

These festive beauties need indirect light, warm temperatures during the day and about 55 degrees at night. With your care, the colorful flowers, which actually are leaves, can last until Valentine’s Day. Fertilize monthly after blooming. It’s tricky to get poinsettias to bloom a second time. Enjoy them as green plants or compost them after the holiday.

Paperwhite Narcissus.

Fragrant paperwhites are easily grown in water. Place 2” of pebbles in a vase or bowl and pack with bulbs, pointed ends up. Add water to just below the bottom of the bulbs. Keep bulbs cool 50 to 60 degrees and add water as needed. When roots appear, move to a sunny spot. Use small branches or skewers to stake the tall stems. Paperwhites are inexpensive and bloom only once indoors. 

Amaryllis.

Colorful amaryllis often are sold prepotted. But you can plant your own bulb in a potting mix leaving the top one-third exposed. Water when the mix feels dry and keep it near a sunny window. Amaryllis need care to rebloom, so plan on replacing each year. 

Christmas Cactus.

These undemanding plants like indirect light. Let the top inch of soil dry between waterings  Avoid drafts. To encourage blooming for the holidays, keep the plant in total darkness 12 hours a night for six to eight weeks.or until flower buds appear. 

Norfolk Island Pine.

You can decorate these tropical evergreens like miniature Christmas trees for the season. To use as houseplants, keep them out of direct sunlight and in average home temperatures. Fertilize every three to four months. Don’t let the roots stand in water.