Holiday plant bring such joy to our homes during the merry season , do n’t they ? From their vibrant colors to their upbeat presence , they experience like hold out ornament . But what hap after the holiday are over ? Many people clamber to keep these plant life alive , and I get it — I’ve been there , staring at a fade painted leaf and wondering where I went wrong . The good newsworthiness is that with a small understanding of their biological science and some attentive care , these plant can thrive long after the vacation , even well into natural spring .
Whether it ’s the light horizontal surface , lacrimation schedules , or the fearful post - holiday temperature sack , each plant has unequaled needs that can make or weaken its natural selection . I have sex how frustrating it is to swarm love into a plant , only to see it wilt . That ’s why I ’m here to guide you through the cognitive process , go a petty science with practical tip . get ’s turn those temporary holiday laurel wreath into long - lasting fellow traveller !
Poinsettias: A Tropical Treasure
Poinsettias are the quintessential holiday plant life , with their sheer red bracts ( often false for flush ) stealing the glare . Native to Mexico , they thrive in warm , tropical status , which explain why they struggle when exposed to draught or cold temperatures . If you want your poinsettia to last until spring , the first whole step is find the double-dyed point — somewhere with bright , indirect light and aside from cold-blooded windows or heating vents . I always get hold that pose them near a sunny south - face window does the joke .
Watering is another decisive factor . Overwatering is the number one cause of poinsettia decease , but let them dry out whole is n’t great either . Keep the soil slimly moist , and always let excess weewee drain away . If you ’re feeling adventuresome , you may even coax your Christmas star into blooming again next yr by mimicking its native surroundings — this include a period of darkness each evening starting in the spill . Trust me , it ’s a rewarding challenge !
Amaryllis: The Star Performer
Amaryllis bulbs are another holiday favorite , thanks to their arresting , trumpet - like flush . These looker originate from South Africa and thrive in ardent , sunny consideration , so repeat that environs indoors is key . I adore the striking peak they bring out , but keeping them alive after flowering takes a footling know - how . Once the blooms fade , it ’s metre to focus on foliage . Place your amaryllis in undimmed , indirect sunlight and feast it regularly with a balanced plant food to refill the bulb ’s energy reserves .
After the mature season , amaryllis bulbs need a rest full point to bloom again . This involves shorten back on watering and letting the leave-taking naturally wither before storing the bulb in a cool , saturnine space for about 8 - 10 weeks . If you ’re patient and give it the fear it needs , you ’ll be rewarded with another round of striking blooms in natural spring or even next wintertime . I ’ve done this a few time now , and each class feels like a piffling miracle !
Christmas Cactus: A Hardy Survivor
The Christmas cactus is a dead on target gem , know for its vibrant blooms that brighten up the dark days of winter . Native to Brazil ’s tropical rainforests , this works thrives in condition that mimic its innate home ground : bright , indirect light and high humidity . One of the most significant thing to remember is that this is n’t your typical cactus — it loves moisture ! Keep the soil lightly moist , and mist the industrial plant occasionally if your home ’s air is ironical .
One thing I jazz about the Christmas cactus is how exonerative it can be . If you supply it with a reproducible schedule of watering and light , it will pay back you with blooms year after year . To encourage flowering , insure the industrial plant gets a period of continuous dark for about 12 - 14 hours a night in the weeks contribute up to its blush rhythm . look out those buds develop is always so exciting , like nature ’s piddling gift !
Cyclamen: A Cool-Weather Beauty
Cyclamen plants , with their delicate flowers and hit heart - shaped farewell , are wintertime stopper . Native to the Mediterranean part , these plants in reality thrive in cooler temperatures , get them ideal for bright but slightly chilly post in your rest home . One of the biggest challenges with cyclamen is overwatering — it ’s a plant that prefers to quell on the wry side . Water meagerly , aiming to keep the soil moist but not soggy , and invalidate getting water on the leaves or pennant to preclude rot .
Once the flowers pass , do n’t cast away your cyclamen ! Many people recall they ’ve killed it , but it ’s just going abeyant — a natural part of its aliveness cycle . Move the plant to a cool , shaded area and reduce watering , allowing the genus Tuber to rest . In spring , you may repot it in fresh soil , give it a small H2O , and watch it follow back to life . It ’s like check a small miracle unfold in your living way !
Norfolk Island Pine: A Year-Round Companion
Norfolk Island pine are often used as miniature Christmas trees , but they ’re so much more than a seasonal medal . Native to the South Pacific , these trees can thrive indoors year - round with the right attention . They choose bright , indirect light and high humidity , so placing them near a sunny window and mist them regularly is ideal . Just do n’t let them dry out completely — they’re not as drouth - tolerant as you might carry for something resembling a pine tree diagram .
One of my favorite things about Norfolk Island pines is how adaptable they are . They grow slowly , which makes them thoroughgoing for indoor space , and they add together a touch of greenery to your home well beyond the vacation season . Keep in mind that they do n’t like sudden temperature variety , so avoid place them near drafty window or heat sources . With a little beloved , these Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree can grow with you for years !
Paperwhite Narcissus: A Fragrant Delight
Paperwhite narcissus are a fragrant addition to any holiday display , and their frail white flowers are simply enchanting . These bulb are native to the Mediterranean and do n’t necessitate a scary catamenia to bloom , which makes them incredibly light to grow indoors . I always enjoy impel these bulbs in shallow bowls filled with pebbles and water — it ’s such a simple mental process , but the solvent are wizard !
Once your paperwhites have finished blooming , maintain them live can be tricky . They tend to use up all their muscularity in one burst of growth , so it ’s often better to address them as an yearbook . However , if you ’re determined to carry through them , permit the foliage develop until it yellows naturally , then store the bulbs in a cool , juiceless place until outpouring . Replanting them outdoors can sometimes yield bloom of youth in future years , though it might take a little longanimity .
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Credit: Unsplash
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