Traditional favorites such as poinsettias, mistletoe, Christmas cactus and holly bring color and life to many celebrations. And many of these plants can be kept alive from year to year.
The colorful parts of a poinsettia are actually bracts, or modified leaves. The flowers are the small yellow nubs in the center of the foliage. Check the plant’s maturity by looking at the flowers: green or red-tipped and fresh-looking flowers indicate that the plant will “hold” longer than if the yellow pollen is covering the flowers.
Poinsettias
Poinsettias are one of the most widely purchased plants during the holidays. With more than 100 varieties, poinsettias come in a variety of colors from traditional red to pink, white and even gold. When choosing a poinsettia, there are a few things to look for:
Choose a plant that’s about two times taller than the diameter of the pot. Look for a well-formed, round, full shape and good color in the leaves.
Make sure the bracts are completely colored with no green tips. Brown edges may indicate damage from improper handling, over-fertilization, cold or excessive heat.
Look for flowers (the small yellow nubs at the center of the foliage) that are fresh — and either green- or red-tipped — and not covered with pollen.
Yellow leaves or loss of lower leaves can indicate that the plant is suffering from dryness.
Check the soil. If it’s wet and the plant is wilted, this may be a sign of root rot.
In USDA Zones 5 and colder or anywhere the temperature is below 50 degrees, make sure the plant is completely covered when you take it out of the store.
Remove the plastic protective covering when you get home. Plants left covered deteriorate quickly.
Ideal daytime temperatures for poinsettias are between 60 and 70 degrees, with a nighttime low of about 55 degrees. Place the plant in a sunny window, but be sure no leaves touch the window. Also be sure no drafts or heat sources are nearby. Check the soil daily. Water when dry and make sure the container has proper drainage.
To add cut poinsettias to flower arrangements, just sear the cut ends for a few seconds with a flame or boiling water. You can also soak the stem in ice water for several minutes. Doing this will help them last up to 10 days.
It’s possible to keep your poinsettia year after year, but there’s effort involved in forcing its dormancy in the fall. Here are the steps:
Fertilize it with a houseplant fertilizer once a month after the holidays. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers that can promote leggy, weak growth in winter.
Slowly reduce watering until the soil is nearly bone dry.
In February or March, prune the stems back to a height of three inches. Remove leaves and repot the plant into a container that is two to three inches bigger than the original container.
After all danger of frost has passed, leave the plant outdoors until fall.
Around October 1, bring the plant indoors and force dormancy with 15 hours of total darkness each day. The plant can receive light during the day.
Around Thanksgiving, bring your plant out and it will begin to bloom.
Be sure that a Christmas cactus is potted in a container that’s right for the plant’s size. These cacti prefer to be root bound.
Christmas cactus
Christmas cactus is another holiday bloomer. Like poinsettias, breeding has increased the color range available. To do well, it needs excellent drainage, several hours of bright light, medium temperature and medium to high humidity. Here are a few tips for caring for you Christmas cactus:
Increase the amount of indirect light by lining whatever the plant sits on with aluminum foil.
Water thoroughly when the top half of the soil feels dry to the touch. Water thoroughly and discard excess water.
After the holidays, keep it in a sunny, indoor spot or a semi-shady area outdoors.
Keep it cool at 55 degrees and water it infrequently in February and March.
In fall, bring the plant indoor slowly. Gradually increase the amount of time the plant spends inside.
Force the plant to rebloom in much the same way as a poinsettia, by putting it in total darkness starting in early October to Thanksgiving.
Stratification for holly seed cultivation consists of a layer of sand covered with a mulch of evergreen needles.
Holly
Holly has been as much a part of the season’s traditions as the evergreen tree. Holly bushes can be planted in the garden for year-round color. You’ll have to be patient, though, as cultivation of this plant can take two years:
Squeeze the seed from the berry and place it in a stratification.
Put it outside. The alternate thawing and freezing will crack the seeds.
Toward spring, plant the seeds outside in a semi-shaded location.
Mistletoe
Mistletoe is traditionally believed to bring good luck to those who kiss under it. This decorative plant is actually a parasite that grows on the branches or trunk of a tree. Be sure to hang it high in a doorway — the berries are poisonous. Although most commercially sold mistletoe comes with the berries replaced with plastic ones, it’s still a good idea to keep it away from children and pets
