How to Look After the Plants You’ve Been Given Over Christmas
Want to keep your houseplants thriving through the chilly months? Follow these tips to ensure a long display of colour
If you were lucky enough to receive a colourful indoor plant this Christmas, or have bought one for yourself, you might be wondering how to look after it.
Tropical varieties don’t fare well in cold weather, so if you’re planning to purchase one, protect it from the cold air as you bring it home, and provide it with an even temperature once it’s settled. Don’t place it near a fireplace or heat source, though, as this will dry it out.
Read on to find tips to help you keep these and other botanical winter jewels in top condition.
Tropical varieties don’t fare well in cold weather, so if you’re planning to purchase one, protect it from the cold air as you bring it home, and provide it with an even temperature once it’s settled. Don’t place it near a fireplace or heat source, though, as this will dry it out.
Read on to find tips to help you keep these and other botanical winter jewels in top condition.
Go for a classic
Euphorbia pulcherrima, or poinsettia, originates from Mexico and is probably the most common Christmas plant or perennial shrub. The colourful petals are actually ‘bracts’ (specialised leaves) and are used to direct pollinating insects to the tiny flowers. The plants come in various colours, from red, pink and salmon to white and a soft yellow.
Poinsettias hate cold draughts and often suffer when bought from a shop, as they’re taken outside into the cold. They need to dry out slightly between waterings, so do this around once a week over the sink, letting the water drain through. They are photoperiod plants, which means they bloom in response to natural changes in daylight.
As a shrub, a poinsettia can be pruned if it becomes leggy, so pinch off any new buds that exceed your desired size and remove any dead or diseased leaves and branches.
Be aware that poinsettias produce a thick sap that can cause skin irritation to people with a latex allergy, and may cause nausea in children and pets.
Euphorbia pulcherrima, or poinsettia, originates from Mexico and is probably the most common Christmas plant or perennial shrub. The colourful petals are actually ‘bracts’ (specialised leaves) and are used to direct pollinating insects to the tiny flowers. The plants come in various colours, from red, pink and salmon to white and a soft yellow.
Poinsettias hate cold draughts and often suffer when bought from a shop, as they’re taken outside into the cold. They need to dry out slightly between waterings, so do this around once a week over the sink, letting the water drain through. They are photoperiod plants, which means they bloom in response to natural changes in daylight.
As a shrub, a poinsettia can be pruned if it becomes leggy, so pinch off any new buds that exceed your desired size and remove any dead or diseased leaves and branches.
Be aware that poinsettias produce a thick sap that can cause skin irritation to people with a latex allergy, and may cause nausea in children and pets.
Enjoy a Christmas cracker
Schlumbergera truncata, or Christmas cactus, originates from the tropical rainforests of southern Brazil and is really more of a succulent. The flat, segmented stems bloom during the festive season in colours ranging from white to pink, red, orange and even purple.
Well-drained soil is best for these plants, and they like indirect sunlight, so a north- or east-facing windowsill will suit them best. Wait for the top of the soil to dry out before watering, as too much moisture can cause brown spots and root rot.
The Christmas cactus needs good humidity to thrive and is happiest in a small pot to confine the roots.
A change in temperature, lighting and humidity might cause the buds to drop. Moist, well-drained soil and a steady temperature of 24ºC should help with this, as it replicates the plant’s natural habitat beneath the canopies of tropical forests.
Schlumbergera truncata, or Christmas cactus, originates from the tropical rainforests of southern Brazil and is really more of a succulent. The flat, segmented stems bloom during the festive season in colours ranging from white to pink, red, orange and even purple.
Well-drained soil is best for these plants, and they like indirect sunlight, so a north- or east-facing windowsill will suit them best. Wait for the top of the soil to dry out before watering, as too much moisture can cause brown spots and root rot.
The Christmas cactus needs good humidity to thrive and is happiest in a small pot to confine the roots.
A change in temperature, lighting and humidity might cause the buds to drop. Moist, well-drained soil and a steady temperature of 24ºC should help with this, as it replicates the plant’s natural habitat beneath the canopies of tropical forests.
Add a touch of spring
Narcissus papyraceus, or paper-white daffodil, originated in the Mediterranean. Its fragrant blooms make for a wonderful houseplant at this time of year, but, due to its long stalks, it may need support with twigs.
The bulbs need to be grown in a well-drained, moist soil with a strong to medium structure, and maybe some added grit to support the bulbs.
The bulbs will last longer if they’re placed in a cool spot in diffused light, rather than direct sunlight. They can also be grown in a small glass forcer, as they don’t need a cold period to bloom indoors. Paper-whites will not bloom again once they’ve flowered.
Planning an outdoor revamp? Find garden designers in your area.
Narcissus papyraceus, or paper-white daffodil, originated in the Mediterranean. Its fragrant blooms make for a wonderful houseplant at this time of year, but, due to its long stalks, it may need support with twigs.
The bulbs need to be grown in a well-drained, moist soil with a strong to medium structure, and maybe some added grit to support the bulbs.
The bulbs will last longer if they’re placed in a cool spot in diffused light, rather than direct sunlight. They can also be grown in a small glass forcer, as they don’t need a cold period to bloom indoors. Paper-whites will not bloom again once they’ve flowered.
Planning an outdoor revamp? Find garden designers in your area.
Ramp up the colour
Azalea is a flowering shrub in the rhododendron genus that comes in many strong, vibrant-coloured varieties. The plant naturally prefers living under trees and, as it’s part of the Ericaceae family, likes an acidic compost. Indoors, azaleas prefer indirect sunlight on a west- or east-facing windowsill during the day.
Azaleas normally flower in the spring, so a winter-bought one will have been forced into bloom early. This means it will need to be in a moist soil and away from draughts to survive.
Azaleas prefer rainwater where possible and it’s best to submerge the whole pot in room-temperature water. Once the pot has stopped producing bubbles, take it out and let it drain thoroughly. Do this two to three times a week and more often with smaller pots.
You could also use a mister on the plant, as it does prefer to be cool, and remove any faded flowers carefully.
Azalea is a flowering shrub in the rhododendron genus that comes in many strong, vibrant-coloured varieties. The plant naturally prefers living under trees and, as it’s part of the Ericaceae family, likes an acidic compost. Indoors, azaleas prefer indirect sunlight on a west- or east-facing windowsill during the day.
Azaleas normally flower in the spring, so a winter-bought one will have been forced into bloom early. This means it will need to be in a moist soil and away from draughts to survive.
Azaleas prefer rainwater where possible and it’s best to submerge the whole pot in room-temperature water. Once the pot has stopped producing bubbles, take it out and let it drain thoroughly. Do this two to three times a week and more often with smaller pots.
You could also use a mister on the plant, as it does prefer to be cool, and remove any faded flowers carefully.
Show off a cyclamen
Cyclamen is in the primulaceae family and originates from the Mediterranean. However, many that are sold for indoors are native to the Middle East, so it can be tricky to identify which variety you have.
These plants prefer to be in a well-drained, slightly acidic soil. The Mediterranean varieties do best on north-facing windowsills, at temperatures between 10ºC and 20ºC. Cyclamen doesn’t like drying out or becoming waterlogged, so look at using a soil similar to that used for African violets, as it will drain better.
The varieties from the Middle East include the modern hybrids with silver marbled leaves, frilled petals and fragrant blooms. These can cope a little better with the compost drying out between watering. Remove any spent flowers by gently twisting the stems and giving a sharp pull.
Be careful if you have dogs, as cyclamen can cause irritation when ingested.
Tell us…
Which is your favourite winter houseplant? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Cyclamen is in the primulaceae family and originates from the Mediterranean. However, many that are sold for indoors are native to the Middle East, so it can be tricky to identify which variety you have.
These plants prefer to be in a well-drained, slightly acidic soil. The Mediterranean varieties do best on north-facing windowsills, at temperatures between 10ºC and 20ºC. Cyclamen doesn’t like drying out or becoming waterlogged, so look at using a soil similar to that used for African violets, as it will drain better.
The varieties from the Middle East include the modern hybrids with silver marbled leaves, frilled petals and fragrant blooms. These can cope a little better with the compost drying out between watering. Remove any spent flowers by gently twisting the stems and giving a sharp pull.
Be careful if you have dogs, as cyclamen can cause irritation when ingested.
Tell us…
Which is your favourite winter houseplant? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Hippeastrum, or amaryllis, is often given as a bulb kit or pot plant for the festive season. The plant originates from Chile and requires tropical warm and humid conditions. This also means it doesn’t need a period of cold to bloom. Although amaryllis likes bright sunlight, it isn’t keen on direct sun, and it prefers to have its roots confined to a small pot.
When planting, a third of the bulb should be sticking out of the surface of moist soil. Never pour water over the bulb or it will end up rotting. As the stalk may want to lean towards the sunlight, it’s best to turn the plant occasionally and support the stem with hazel or bamboo stakes.
After you’ve watered the plant, let the top half inch of soil dry thoroughly before watering again.
Amaryllis bulbs need soil contact for nutrient absorption. Once the blooming period comes to an end, cut the stalk above the bulb and place the pot in a cool, dark place until you see new signs of life, which should be in around two to three weeks.