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Index : Container Plants & Patio Gardening
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- 19. Caring for Holiday Plants - Top
- What would the holidays be without the beauty of seasonal potted flowering plants. Next to the Christmas tree itself, the poinsettia is the plant most identified with the holiday season. Others popular types include the Christmas cactus, amaryllis, and kalanchoe.
Most are easy-care plants if you give them the right treatment. Be sure to read the care tag that comes with most pot plants. In addition, here are a few more suggestions for keeping your holiday plants looking good.
Poinsettias are tropical plants native to Central America, so they like warm temperatures. Their leaves will drop if placed in a cold, drafty spot near doors and windows. They will also drop leaves and red petallike bracts (modified leaves) if they don't get the light and moisture they require. Provide at least 4 hours of direct sunlight, ideally from an east facing window. Keep poinsettias back some from south and west facing windows were it could get too hot. Be consistent with your watering. Poinsettias don't like fluctuations in soil moisture. Water thoroughly, but let the soil dry slightly between waterings. If your poinsettia has a decorative foil wrap around the pot, poke holes in the bottom to allow water to drain out.
Holiday cactus can refer to either Thanksgiving or Christmas cactus. Denoted by the season they bloom, these are true cacti from mountain regions of Brazil, rather than the desert. Flowers which can be red, pink, lavender or white, burst forth on the ends of cascading green stems.
Stems are broad and flattened, and like other cacti, serve the purpose of leaves. Holiday cactus respond to cool temperatures and shortened days by blooming. Therefore, keep these plants in a cool spot at night. During the day keep them in a bright location, but away from direct sunlight. Keep the soil evenly moist, not wet. Fertilize every 2 weeks with a liquid plant food such as 15-15-15 or similar analysis.
Kalanchoe have beautiful star shaped flowers in clusters covering the plant. Leaves are succulent, broad and dark green. Traditionally plants have either red or pink flowers, but sometimes can be found with coral or yellow blooms.
With their thick, succulent leaves for water storage, kalanchoe don't need a lot of water. Allow the soil to dry out sufficiently between thorough waterings. Shiny leaves become a dull green when its time to water again. Kalanchoes like full sun, at least 4 hours a day. At night, kalanchoes prefer a cool location. If temperatures are too warm indoors, move the plant to the patio overnight.
Amaryllis are spectacular flowering bulbs which bear gigantic trumpet blooms in a wide range and mix of holiday colors. You can find them for sale in florist shops, garden centers and nurseries in bloom or potted, ready to grow and bloom for the holidays.
When growing amaryllis from the bulb indoors, give it plenty of water and keep it in a warm, sunny location as leaves and flower stalk grow. As soon as the buds develop move it to a spot where it has indirect light. Water regularly, as blooming amaryllis are thirsty! Heat shortens the bloom life, so move blooming amaryllis to a cool location at night.
When finished blooming, amaryllis may be kept as a house plant for next year's bloom. As flowers fade, cut off the bloom spike, not the leaves. Apply water soluble fertilizer, such as 20-20-20 or similar analysis every two weeks, for the next 6 months. At the end of the period the plant will go dormant and leaves will yellow. At that time store the bulb, pot and all, in a cool, dark place. Don't water until the following November. Amaryllis can also be planted directly outside in a shady location. The north side of the house is best. Every couple of years divide the bulbs in the fall and replant the largest spacing them out several inches apart.
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Written by John Begeman, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the University of Arizona 626-5161.
Material originally appeared in Arizona Daily Star gardening column, on December 21, 1997
- Updated: December 21, 1997
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