Selecting and Caring for Winter Holiday Plants

Picking holiday plants is always a fun time of the year for you and the family. Whether you are just now transferring your outdoor plants and shrubs inside, or are beginning to select your holiday plants and favorite holiday tree, we have a great list for you!

Poinsettia

Poinsettias

Poinsettias are the quintessential Christmas and winter holiday plants. They are everywhere. Artistically eclectic in color, you can purchase the traditional red flowers (a perfect choice for Christmas decorations) or go with a more neutral colored poinsettia such as pastel or shades of pink and white. Since they are live plants, you may want to consider caring for them in the long-term and having them re-bloom just in time for spring! If this is the case, January – March you’ll want to continue watering them whenever the surface is dry. Come April, wean down your watering and allow your plant to get dry between waterings. In May, cut the stems down to about 4 inches deep and repot in a slightly larger container with new potting soil. Come June, you can move you newly potted poinsettia outside and enhance you outdoor, green living space! Check out this guide for more information to year-round Poinsettia grooming.

Christmas Cactus

The name “Christmas Cactus” sounds quite clashing, but this winter, holiday plant is certainly a symbol of the joyous holiday. First, cacti make superb houseplants as they thrive in dry, warm places. This indoor house plant requires very little grooming attention. They thrive on your neglect and do not require lighting and heating changes unlike most outdoor and indoor plants. With these plants, you can absolutely kill them with kindness. You never want their soil to be completely wet. If you want these plants to thrive long indoors this holiday season, be sure to keep them in a secluded room away from any entry-points and doorways in the house. A Sudden draft will drop their buds or flowers if exposed. For more information on the Christmas Cactus.

Live Christmas Trees

Evergreen Christmas Tree

Maybe you don’t really consider these holiday plants, but they absolutely are! If you stop and think, a live Christmas tree is just that – a tree. After the cool holiday months, if tended to correctly, you can easily plant your tree outdoors. If you plan on going this route and keeping you Christmas tree or potted evergreen this year, be careful in your selection of trees as it’s only going to get bigger!

Paperwhites

Paperwhites are considered one of the most instantly gratifying indoor plants because of their fast 3 week bloom period. They are very easy to plant as they do not require soil. They are very pretty plants they survive throughout the winter months. You can start new batches every couple of weeks if you are interested in continuous blooms.

Easter Lilies

Similar to most holiday and seasonal plants, these white lilies sold around Easter time have been forced into bloom. It’s required they do that, to guarantee plants will be blossoming at the right time. But they’re still just lily bulbs and there’s no reason you can’t enjoy them at Easter and then plant them outdoors to see what happens. They don’t all adapt, but you never know until you try.

Happy Holidays from the Green Lawn Team!