Christmas Flowers and Other Holiday Plants

By theadmin

The Christmas tree may be the best-known example of holiday greenery, but it’s far from the only option. Festive plants such as mistletoe, holly, poinsettia, and amaryllis double as home décor and gifts that last long after the holidays are over. Most of these feature dark reds and greens and bloom during the winter.

Christmas Cactus

With long stems and bright flowers, the Christmas cactus is a holiday favorite. Don’t let the word “cactus” fool you; this succulent comes from the tropics and needs some humidity to thrive. But not too much! After each watering, you’ll need to allow the soil to dry completely before you water again. Try keeping your Christmas cactus in a bathroom or other area of your home where steam collects.

This beauty does well as a hanging plant with about five hours of diffused light a day. When you’re ready for it to bloom, lower the temperature and give it 12 hours of complete darkness every night. Right after it blooms, prune your cactus to encourage new growth. Deadheading will help prolong the bloom.

Holly

Bringing evergreen plants into the home during the winter is said to promote fertility and assure the return of spring. The jury is still out on that one, but evergreens such as holly remain holiday favorites.

The easiest way to decorate with holly is to take cuttings from an existing bush or tree. Simply snip off a few long, healthy branches with sharp, angled cuts, and store them in water until you’re ready to use them. You can then craft the branches into wreaths or garlands. You can also, of course, buy potted holly specifically for this purpose. English holly is the variety most associated with Christmas, but yaupon holly is a gorgeous alternative native to Texas.

Poinsettia

The red, white, or pink “petals” of this vibrant Mexican plant are actually bracts (leaves) associated in their home country with the star of Bethlehem. Poinsettias need bright daylight but steady, moderate indoor temperatures between 65 and 70 F. The soil should be kept moist but adequately drained to avoid root rot.

To get the colorful leaves to return the following year, the plant must be deprived of light to stop chlorophyll production. Starting in late September, give the plant 16 hours of complete darkness and eight hours of bright sunlight every day. Continue this rhythm until Thanksgiving and replant in a sunny area, and the colorful bracts should return in time for the holidays.

These are just a few examples of holiday greenery; your local plant nursery will be happy to help you find others, including amaryllis bulbs, ivy strands, rosemary, or cyclamen. Cultivating plants is more work than buying artificial wreaths or flowers, but the lasting beauty makes it worthwhile. Enjoy your plants year-round, and if the familiarity makes them feel less festive, tie in ribbon, tinsel, or fairy lights for some extra sparkle.

Who says there’s only one way to deck the halls? Refresh your holiday decorations with these alternative ideas.