Poinsettias, Christmas cacti, and Norfolk Island pines with their pops of color make great holidays gifts. But to make these winter plants last as long as possible, you need to know how to take care of them.
Poinsettias
When you envision a festive holiday plant, poinsettias likely are the first to come to mind.
While these beautiful blooms do bring an extra boost of holiday cheer to any room, they also require some effort to keep happy.
“Having your poinsettias last throughout the season and beyond can sometimes be a bit difficult, but it’s not impossible,” notes Lily Cox, co-owner of Rewild, a plant store with locations in Ballston Quarter and Washington, DC.
While they tend to be more of a seasonal plant, because they bloom when the days get shorter, some people do have success with keeping the green foliage alive after the holidays.
It all comes down to the care.
“The main tip that we give people when they purchase poinsettias is to never let them dry out completely,” says Cox. “That is one of the things that this plant is least forgiving of.”
With poinsettias, you want to keep the soil consistently moist, only allowing the top 1 to 2 inches to dry out between waterings.
Cox recommends using your finger to feel the soil and see if it’s dry before watering.
“This allows for the plant to dry out enough to avoid overwatering but still maintain the moisture level that they need to thrive,” she says.
Poinsettias also like plenty of bright, indirect light.
“Think about somewhere that has a decent view of the sky, but is maybe not directly in the window, as they can be susceptible to too much sun,” Cox says.
Another important factor is temperature.
“Poinsettias are very sensitive to cold, which is very often why they end up dying shortly after the holidays,” she says.
A room where the temperature falls in the 60- to 70-degree range is recommended.
“Poinsettias are a great gift idea around the holidays, but there are a lot of boxes to check with them,” says Cox. “If you can embrace the fact that the colorful foliage will die off and keep in mind that it may not be a forever plant, then that is a good expectation to set with them.”
Christmas Cactus
Another popular gift this time of year is a Christmas cactus.
This stunning plant is actually not a true cactus, but rather a succulent that typically grows in tropical climates.
“What makes this so popular is that the cold darkness of the winter months actually triggers the blooming process,” Cox says.
It’s also a plant that can live for a long time when given a little love.
“I’ve heard of some people having them upwards of 70 years,” says Cox. “The clippings can be taken and rooted and shared with family or friends, which makes it a very special and sentimental plant.”
A Christmas cactus is relatively simple to care for.
“You want to let the top one-third of the soil dry out between waterings,” says Cox. “And they can also tolerate a cooler climate than a poinsettia.”
A spot with bright, indirect light is the best choice for these plants.
“Too much light can make the green parts turn red, which is actually a stress response,” Cox says.
The blooming phase for a Christmas cactus can last for weeks.
“And just keep in mind that it’s normal for those blooms to fall off and die,” Cox says. “That is not an indication that anything is wrong. It’s a really incredible plant.”
Norfolk Island Pine
The Norfolk Island pine, while not a floral plant, is another fun option.
“This plant originates from a small territory off the coast of New Zealand, and while botanically, it is not a true pine, it is an evergreen and has that wintery, Christmas-tree appearance,” says Cox. “And the best part is that it also has the capability to be a house plant year-round.”
It makes for a sustainable alternative to a cut Christmas tree.
“And it is easy to take care of,” Cox says.
Like the Christmas cactus, let the top one-third of the soil dry out between waterings.
This plant can tolerate both direct and indirect lighting, which makes finding a place for it simpler.
“It is just a classic, beloved houseplant,” says Cox. “And while they do grow gradually, with the right care, they can grow to be quite large.”
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
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