Just when color begins to disappear from the landscape. the beautiful blooms of indoor holiday plants like Christmas Catcus, Lemon Cypress and Poinsettia arrive in the northern hemisphere! It feels like all the stores have an abundance of holiday plant ideas just as soon as November 1st rolls around.
Shorter daylight hours and cooler temperatures actually induce blooming. Water the soil when it begins to feel dry, only enough to keep the leaves from shoveling. Overwatering, insufficient light or relocating during bud development can cause buds to drop.
Here are some indoor holiday plant ideas along with tips to care for them through the holiday season.
Lemon Cypress
Lemon cypress cone trees grown as houseplants also like cool indoor temperatures. A window with good sunlight is preferred, and turning the plant will help keep its uniform shape. Water when soil is dry to the touch. Feel free to prune new growth if you want it to keep its juvenile form.
Norfolk Pine
The Norfolk Pine does well with a few hours of direct sunlight and rotating for even light distribution. Water when the soil is dry, making sure excess water drains from the bottom. Norfolk Pines like humidity. One way to increase humidity near the plant is to place a tray fo river pebbles under the pine, filling the tray with water. as the water evaporates, it will increase the humidity.
Frosty Fern
Frosty Fern is also know as Selaginella for its lacy, creamy, white growth giving it a frosted appearance. Adding a bit of color to the house, this easy to care for fern like humid, low sun and cool places.
Poinsettia
Perhaps one of the most popular indoor holiday plants that is used for festive holiday decor is the poinsettia. This beautiful flower is actually a tropical plant that loves sunlight away from drafts and cold windows. Water when the soil feels dry and keep it well drained. Like the Norfolk Pine, Poinsettias do well with more humidity. A try of gravel underneath or a plant mister will keep it hydrated.
Fresh cut trees and greens
Sometimes just a simple fresh cut tree or green from your garden can do the trick. If you are cutting your own Christmas tree or buying a fresh cut tree, here are some tips
- Make a fresh cut straight across the base of the trunk, cut off about 1/2in before placing in a tree stand
- Use a stand that will hold at least a gallon of water or more
- Check water often and keep the stand full. A tree may take up to a gallon of water within the first 24 hours and a quart a day after that.
- Place tree away from heat sources, heating vents, fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators and sunny windows.
Plants make wonderful presents too. Bring the beautiful colors of the outdoors into every home this holiday season. Indoor holiday plants add life, texture and color to every decor. You can add Christmas and seasonal decorations around the plants and plant patterns for added charm and holiday cheer.
{Credit: Thank you Becca Massat from The Growing Place for these tips around indoor holiday plants and how to take care of them}
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