How to Keep Holiday Plants Looking Beautiful

Do you find it difficult to keep your Christmas plants alive once you have them home? Maybe you received you plants as gifts early in the season, or you added them as a special touch to your holiday decorations. Learn these tips for keeping those holiday flowers and plants looking their best throughout the entire holiday season. Using colorful flowers will spruce up any table or room.

Christmas Cactus

Most Christmas cactus' will bloom anywhere from October to December. This is why they are called Christmas cactus. The flowers on Christmas cacti differ from one to another. Some are red while others are pink, or violet. Christmas cactus grows best with indirect sunlight, moist soil, and a temperature of 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit. When properly taken care of Christmas cactus will last for many years.

Poinsettia

Poinsettia by far is the most popular Christmas plant. The big bright red leaves are easily recognizable. At Christmas time you will see poinsettia everywhere from churches to post offices. This cheerful plant is a traditional Christmas flower. Poinsettia grows the best under maximum natural light, but not direct sunlight. Place poinsettias in room where there is indirect bright light.

Poinsettias are very aware of temperature changes so keep them away from drafty areas. When watering used tepid water and be sure not to give the plant too much water. Poinsettias dislike hot and stuffy conditions so be sure to keep them away from direct heat sources like vents and stoves. Poinsettias typically last for 4-6 weeks.

Cyclamen

Cyclamen grow very much like the poinsettia. Make sure that you keep the cyclamen at a cool temperature around 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Smoke will discolor the cyclamen and like the poinsettia it also dislikes drafts. After the cyclamen flowers decrease watering, but make sure the soil remains humid. Remove any dead blooms from the pot. After the cyclamen has flowered you can store it away until the spring.