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How to Care for Your Holiday Plants

how to care for your holiday plants

Written by Gardens of Babylon

December 4, 2024

The holiday season is here, and that means seeing the classic festive plants roll into the shop – Poinsettias, Christmas Cactus, Norfolk Pines, and more. But these plants aren’t just holiday decorations! They can live for many years with the right love and care. With these tips, caring for all your holiday plants will be easy as enjoying a slice of your favorite holiday pie:

Poinsettias

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Lighting: For the holidays, place your poinsettia in bright, indirect light.

Soil: Plant in a nutritious, well-draining soil.

Watering: Allow the soil to dry moderately between waterings so that the roots don’t stand in water. If your poinsettia came wrapped in colorful foil, punch holes through the bottom of the foil to allow the pot to drain.

Fertilizer: To encourage reblooming, fertilize in spring every 2 weeks!

Tips: Maintain temperatures between 70ºF and 75ºF during the day, with nights no lower than 60ºF—protect the plant from cold drafts.

Christmas cactus 

101 Lschneider Gob Holiday11242020 Websize

Soil: Use a quality soil rich in humus and other nutrients.

Temperature: Maintain an optimal climate of 65 degrees.

Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist while your plant is blooming, misting it frequently.

Light: Place the cactus in an east-facing window for moderate light and some direct sun.

Fertilization: Apply a high-potassium fertilizer every two weeks once buds form.

Cyclamen

Pexels Bizay Sunuwar 5362009 Scaled

Soil: Use a quality soil that is well-draining.

Temperature: Maintain an optimal climate of 65 degrees.

Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist while your plant is blooming, but do not overwater!

Light: Place your cyclamen in a cool spot with bright light, but not direct sun.

Fertilization: Apply a houseplant fertilizer every couple months in the growing season.

Amaryllis

Pexels Алекке Блажин 8124767 Scaled

Soil: Use a quality soil that is well-draining.

Temperature: Maintain an optimal climate of 65 degrees.

Watering: Water enough to keep the soil moist, and avoid wetting the bulb that is above the soil.

Light: Place your amaryllis in the sunniest spot you can find in your house!

Fertilization: Apply an indoor plant fertilizer every 2 weeks to promote reblooming.

Norfolk Pine

Gob Holiday Lauraschneiderphoto 24 Websize

Light: Indoors, Norfolk Island pine tolerates medium to bright light, but does best in brighter spots.

Watering: Like most houseplants, it’s best to water Norfolk Island pine when the top inch or two of the soil is dry. Avoid keeping the soil wet all the time, as this can encourage root rot.

Humidity: While these trees tolerate average household humidity, they really thrive with a little extra moisture in the air than you typically find indoors, especially during the winter.

Soil: Use a quality soil that is well-draining.

Fertilization: Apply a houseplant fertilizer every 2 weeks in the growing season.

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