In spite of some snowfall in October we have been experiencing an extended fall with above average temperatures. But we have been preparing for the next season for quite a while so now we can turn our thoughts to the coming holidays, and fortunately that can include many indoor plants – both for holiday decorating and to be given as gifts.
Besides a live Christmas tree the plant most associated with the holidays is the poinsettia. Poinsettias often appear in home holiday decorating and they are probably the number one plant given as holiday gifts, but there are several other plants that would make nice gifts for the holidays and would add to interior landscapes for many weeks or even months after the festivities are over.
There are several “cool” plants that make nice gifts because they can add to the holiday décor and continue to bloom afterwards. By cool I mean plants that thrive in temperatures between 50° F and 65° F. Being conscious of our energy consumption these days, many of us have dialed down our thermostats, making our homes the ideal ‘climates’ for these plants.
Cyclamen: Is a wonderful flowering plant, with flower colors ranging from pink to deep red and even snowy white. The red and white could add to any holiday décor, and if properly watered and kept in cool to cold temperatures they can continue to bloom for up to two months. Select a plant with many buds, but only a few open flowers to lengthen the blooming time. Cyclamens prefer daytime temps below 65°, and night time temps between 40° and 50°. Few of us are going to lower our nighttime temps this low – but the plant could be placed in a cooler spot in the house at night at long as it is placed back in the sunlight during the day. Cyclamens are tubers so it is important that the soil is not too moist or they will rot. They should be watered from the bottom but if you water from the top be sure to keep the crown dry.
Azaleas: With their showy flowers of pink, salmon, red or white indoor azaleas can make a spectacular holiday accent. They also like cold night time temperatures between 45° and 55° , but will tolerate daytime temps as highs 68°! They like four hours of indirect sunlight daily and the soil should be kept constantly moist. If they become too dry or the humidity is too low they will begin to drop leaves. Purchase plants with many buds but only a few open flowers for many weeks of beauty beyond the holidays.
Christmas cactus: They are not true cacti, but are epiphytes similar to many bromeliads and orchids. Christmas cacti enjoy bright sunlight without high temperatures and can have flower colors ranging from red, pink and magenta to white. They require regular watering but the soil should be allowed to dry between waterings and can live to up to 30 years and beyond. They are called Christmas cactus because in their natural habitat conditions are such that they bloom each year at Christmas time. Because the flowering period is greatly affected by both length of day and temperatures it can sometimes be difficult to get them to bloom at Christmas in an indoor environment.
Amaryllis: Besides the poinsettia, the flowering plant given most often for the holidays is amaryllis. They are usually given as bulbs, so they are not often part of the holiday décor but can display their gigantic showy flowers from late January through February. Amaryllis bulbs are tender bulbs that, unlike other flowering bulbs, require no special cold treatment to bloom. Very often gift bulbs will come with both a container and growing medium in which to plant your bulb. If it does not, any container that is 1”-2” larger than the bulb and any light rich soil will do. The bulb should be planted so that the upper half is exposed, watered and kept in a cool dry space. Let the soil dry out until the leaves emerge then move the plant into a warm sunny spot, watering when the soil feels dry and until the flower bud begins to show color. Keep the flower out of direct sunlight while in bloom. Cooler temperatures will let the flowers last longer, however amaryllis are sensitive to cold so keep them out of cold blasts from opening doors and windows.
Happy holidays! Enjoy giving and receiving living gifts.