Poinsettia
Select plants with uniformly green foliage and no lower leaves missing.
Moderately moist soil; water thoroughly whenever the soil feels dry to the touch. Ideal temperatures are 60F to 70F.
Poinsettia plant parts are not edible, and they are not poisonous when eaten.
Those whom are sensitive to latex sap, may develop a skin irritation when handling poinsettias.
Christmas Cactus
Let the plant dry out slightly between waterings (soil should be rich and porous).
Ideal temperatures are 60F to 70F. (medium to bright light without direct sun).
This tropical, jungle plant needs to be kept from cold windows and drafts.
Amaryllis
Indirect light (heat and bright light cause the blooms to wither prematurely).
Water whenever the top 1″ of soil is dry-no more than once every 3 days. If possible, water from
the bottom to keep top of bulb from rotting.
Ideal temperatures are 60F to 70F.
Place a support close to the bulb (do not pierce the bulb) to support the heavy flower stem as it
develops.
Azalea
Azaleas as houseplants do best at cooler temperatures, ideally around 60-65 F. (16-18 C.). Cooler temperatures will also help the blooms last for several weeks. Keep them well lit, but out of direct sun. Managing moisture should be your greatest concern. Never allow your plant to dry out. Keep them damp, not soggy, and don’t fertilize until flowering is complete. At this point, the lives of most azaleas as houseplants are over.
Anthurium
Anthurium flowers will last for several months with proper care. It grows best in bright, indirect light. Anthurium plants do not like continually moist soil. Only water your anthurium when the soil is dry to the touch. Care of anthurium plants does not require too much fertilizer. Proper care for anthuriums is not hard. Once you have the plant in the right soil and the right location, watering is simple. An anthurium growing in your garden or home will reward you with wonderful, long lasting flowers.
Cyclamen
Cyclamen prefer a cool bright indirect light location in your home. Cool temperatures will help them bloom longer. Cyclamen are sensitive to both over and under watering. Water your cyclamen plant only when the soil is dry to the touch, but do not leave the plant in this dry state so long that it shows visible signs of not being watered, such as droopy leaves and flowers. When you water the plant, water from below the leaves so that the water does not touch the stems or leaves. Only fertilizer once every one to two months with water soluble fertilizer mixed at half strength.
Lavender & Rosemary Trees
Lavender and Rosemary plants shaped like a Christmas tree are fun to decorate and display around the holiday season. Provide bright light conditions and keep well watered. Harvest for cooking or aromatics as you go. Available in 4″ or 6″ pot sizes.
Norfolk Island Pine
Norfolk Island Pines are a festive houseplant for the holiday season that evokes the look and feel of a Christmas Tree. They are not hardy outdoors. A Norfolk Pine does best in bright indirect light. Allow the soil to become dry to the touch in between watering’s. A nice houseplant all year around.
Kalanchoe
Kalanchoes are available in a variety of colors to be enjoyed in the home to be enjoyed for several weeks. This flowering succulent plant prefers bright indirect light and allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings.
General rule of thumb for holiday plant care
Evenly moist (soil should feel like a squeezed out sponge) do not let plant stand in water, drain drip trays.
Keep plants from drafts, cold windows, and dry heat (room temperature range 60F – 70F is ideal).
Indirect light is light which streams through an east facing window or south/west window facing in the winter.
Fertilizing, (during winter months Nov-Feb) 1 time per month at half the normal rate noted on the
product. (i.e. Normal Rate for granular: 1 Tablespoon per gallon of water – convert to 1-1/2
teaspoons per gallon of water). Plants are in their dormant period and not producing much new
growth.
