We adore the winter season. A home full of dazzling red poinsettias or amaryllis striped like candy cane can keep moods cheerful even when the brutal cold of winter threatens to turn even the cheeriest among us into Scrooge. Therefore, it makes sense that these two plants are such well-liked Christmas presents. Although amaryllises and poinsettias get a lot of attention during this season, there are a few additional winter bloomers that may add charm to your holiday festivities, such kalanchoe, cyclamen, and Christmas cactus. Here’s how to utilize these gorgeous, low-maintenance blooms for gift-giving or seasonal décor.
- Huge and Bold Amarillis
During the holidays, poinsettias are everywhere, but based on Instagram captions, amaryllises could be more common. And it makes sense! With no maintenance, amaryllises may produce breathtaking flowers for weeks at a time. They are also available in a variety of hues, including pink, burgundy, coral, red, and white. Bicolor flowers, such as the ‘Apple Blossom’ amaryllis with its lime green throat and white blossoms dusted with pink watercolor, are also available. The petals of red ‘Stargazer’ flowers are covered with snow-white stars. The large bulbs may even rebloom after a period of dormancy with a little care.
Put a basic pot in a pretty container to make it seem more festive, or cut off the long stems of the flowers and submerge them in water treated with floral preservative. Tall, transparent glass cylinders filled with cut flowers look gorgeous, but watch out that they may be a little top-heavy, so make sure the vessel you choose won’t topple over.
- Conventional Poinsettias
The poinsettia is a perfect example of a houseplant that embodies the spirit of Christmas. Seek them in festive hues such as hot pink, cream, white, apricot, or red; they may also include marbling, streaks, or speckles. We like ‘Peppermint Ruffles,’ in light pink and cream with dark pink specks, and ‘Jingle Bells,’ a scarlet beauty with white splashes. And sometimes, as if their natural beauty wasn’t stunning enough, they are spray-painted in blue and other whimsical colors (with or without glitter).
Potted poinsettias look good enough to stand on their own or in any location with brilliant indirect light. Cut flowers may also be tucked into water picks to adorn a Christmas tree, wreath, or garland. These delicate perennials detest drafts from the cold near windows and doors, but if you live in USDA Hardiness Zones 9–11, you may use them to flank an outside door. Also, in contrast to common opinion, dogs and young children are not at risk from poinsettias.
- Gorgeous Kalanchoes
Kalanchoes, with their brilliant blossoms and lush, green foliage, are another Christmas favorite. Varieties with white, pink, or red blooms complement seasonal hues and bloom for weeks. They also come in vivid orange and yellow.
Succulents are kalanchoes. Though they dislike the sun, they like strong light. For some winter happiness, place one in your home office, kitchen, or bathroom. In order to keep roots from decaying, water when the soil feels dry and allow extra runoff drain away. It takes some effort to get these low-maintenance perennials to blossom again. But even without blooms, they make beautiful evergreen houseplants.
- Nonchalant Cyclamens
While cyclamens aren’t as well-known as poinsettias or amaryllis as Christmas plants, they may nevertheless add a lot of brightness to your décor. Whether left alone or combined with other houseplants, its heart-shaped leaves and blossoms in a variety of hues, including violet, red, white, and pink, look charming. Simply tie a ribbon on it! Presenting foil-wrapped cyclamen to colleagues, neighbors, and educators is a kind gesture.
Grow your own cyclamens outdoors only if you are in one of Zones 9–11; most cyclamens seen in garden centers are tropicals. If stored in a cool environment, they will continue to bloom throughout spring. After flowering, these houseplants fall dormant, although they frequently come back after a time of rest.
- Festive Christmas Cacti
It’s evident that Christmas cactus is a festive plant—just look at the name! It also typically blossoms over the holidays. The unique blossoms on these eye-catching succulents come in a variety of hues, including magenta, red, pink, coral, and white. They may live up to 100 years, and they also have extended lifespans. Some fortunate gardeners even own plants that their great-grandparents planted!
Propagate a piece for a particular someone as a kind present, especially if you have a family heritage plant. The optimum time to accomplish this is in the late spring. Slice off a couple of pieces, let them to air dry for a day or two, and then plant them an inch deep in a moist mixture of potting soil and sand. Water sparingly until new growth appears. After that, move them into ordinary potting soil. The Christmas cactus requires little irrigation and bright, cold light.
You may grow them outside on a porch or deck year-round if you reside in Zones 9–11. After the long-lasting blossoms fade, use them as accent plants inside or enjoy them as low-maintenance houseplants.
