University of Wisconsin - Extension

Whether we receive them for a gift or we buy them for ourselves, holiday plants add beauty to the season and our homes. With a little care, you can get the most out of your holiday plants and enjoy these beautiful decorations of the holiday season well into the New Year.

It's a fact. December in Wisconsin is cold. And because of this, all plants need protection when you bring them home. Cover plants with paper or plastic, or a box for insulation against the cold. Move plants in a warm car and never leave plants in cold or extremely hot cars.

Holiday plants usually come with decorative foil around the pot. Remember to remove this foil or punch holes in the bottom to allow excess water to drain away. Failure to do so may result in root rot and may cause the plant to die.

The following are some specific recommendations for three of the most popular holiday plants - poinsettia, amaryllis, and Christmas cactus.

Poinsettia

Poinsettias love a bright and sunny location. Without bright light, the colorful bracts and green leaves will lose their luster and dry out quickly. In a good spot, they'll retain their color for months.

One thing poinsettias do not like are drafts. Keep them away from radiators, air registers, fans, open windows, and doorways, and don't let any part of the plant touch a cold window. If possible, place your poinsettia in a cooler room at night to extend the blooming time. A nighttime temperature of 55 to 60 degrees is ideal.

Examine the soil of your poinsettia regularly and water only when it feels dry. Always water enough to soak the soil to the bottom of the pot and discard any excess water.

Amaryllis

The big, beautiful flower of the amaryllis is a welcome addition in any home. Place your amaryllis in a sunny window away from cold draft and hot spots. Rotate the plant every day or so to prevent the flower (and the plant) from leaning toward the light too much. To extend the life of the amaryllis flower, use a tweezers to remove the long pollen-bearing stamens as they develop inside the flower.

Water amaryllis only when the soil is fairly dry. Too much moisture can cause the roots or bulb to rot. Be especially careful not to over water in plastic pots. If the plant gets too top heavy you may need to stake the plant.

Christmas Cactus

If you feel there isn't a "green thumb" in the house, you'll be happy to learn that the Christmas cactus often thrives more on neglect than care. One common problem with Christmas cactus though, is flower bud drop. Flower bud drop commonly plagues Christmas cactus for many reasons.

Correct watering is especially important. Make sure you water properly, especially during blooming. From fall to spring, you should allow the soil to go dry before watering. From spring through summer, keep the soil evenly moist. Letting the soil dry out too much or over watering can both cause buds to drop.

Warm or cold drafts can also cause bud drop. And, even slight environment changes can prompt buds to fail. Do not move your Christmas cactus to another site if it has buds or open flowers. Also, give your Christmas cactus high (direct) light during winter, but indirect light during summer. Too much direct light can hurt this plant.