Holiday plants bring seasonal greetings
Flowering holiday plants and bulbs inspire us to decorate our homes, share memories, and invite color and cheer into our lives. Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) and Christmas cacti (Schlumbergera spp.) are traditional flowering plants while flowering bulbs such as amaryllis (Hippeastrum spp.) and paperwhite narcissus (Narcissus papyraceus) add drama and flair to home decor. Consider these plants and bulbs as gifts for others or your own pleasure.
Poinsettias are native to Mexico and Central America. The colored parts of the poinsettia are not technically the flowers but are modified leaves called bracts. The poinsettia flowers are the small, yellow cyathia found in the center of the bracts.
Purchase poinsettias that are well-watered and cared for with cyathia that are tight and free of pollen. Avoid purchasing poinsettias with dried, wilted, or damaged leaves, have signs of pests, are kept in plastic covers, and have not been watered or appear neglected.
Cover your poinsettia during transport to your home, where you can remove the plastic or foil pot cover or punch drainage holes in it. Place a saucer under the plant. Keep the poinsettia away from drafts and heating vents. Water when the soil is slightly dry.
Poinsettias are not poisonous, but the white sap from broken leaves and stems can cause an allergic reaction in individuals with latex allergies. Always wash your hands after handling broken stems or leaves.
Place poinsettias out of reach of pets and children, as ingesting large quantities of poinsettia leaves may cause gastric distress.
Native to Brazil, Christmas cacti grow on the surface of trees as epiphytes rather than in soil. They have flat, jointed, leafless stems. Each stem segment is about 2 inches long with rounded teeth on the edges. Tubular blooms of brightly colored flowers emerge from the tips of the stems. Purchase Christmas cacti that have buds and open blooms, are in moist soil, and are free of pests. Avoid plants whose buds are dropping off without opening, have stems that are separating from the plant, have pests, or appear neglected or underwatered.
Remove the foil after receiving your cactus at home and place a saucer under the pot. Christmas cacti prefer well-drained soil and bright, indirect light. Remove spent blooms by pinching or snipping them from the stems.
Amaryllis bulbs are a hybridized version of bulbs in the Hippeastrum genus, native to South America. These bulbs produce stalks of large, colorful trumpet-like flowers that emerge on leafless stalks called scapes that may reach one to two feet in height. Purchase forced bulbs whose flowers are set and ready to open. When purchasing forced amaryllis bulbs, look for rigid leaves, moist soil, a firm bulb visible above the potting medium, and a straight-growing stalk. As a bonus, look for bulbs producing more than one flower shoot.
Once purchased, remove the foil wrapping from the plastic pot and place the pot in a decorative cachepot or on a saucer. Bulbs in cache or plastic pots and glass cylinders retain moisture, so be careful not to overwater. Water only the potting mix, as watering the bulb neck may cause rot.
Paperwhite narcissus are Mediterranean natives. Their fragrant, delicate white blooms, reminiscent of daffodils, sprout atop a green stalk. These bulbs are purchased at garden centers and nurseries and require 30 to 40 days to bloom. While you may not have blooms for Christmas, you can still start the bulbs, use them for decorating, and enjoy their blooms in January. Decide in advance the number of bulbs you would like to display, the type of container you will use, and the location of the bulbs in your home. Choose containers that are shallow and festive. Select paperwhite bulbs that are firm and similar in size; you can mix and match paperwhites by their bloom color and fragrance.
Select your containers, and place fine gravel, glass beads, or marbles in about one-third of the container; nestle the bulbs into the stones. Space the bulbs two to three inches apart. Fill the container with enough water to cover the stones. Keep the stones wet throughout the growth and bloom periods. Control the stalk height by limiting the temperature; too much warmth creates long, weak stalks. Allow the growing stalks to be part of your holiday decor. When the stalks have reached their desired height, place the container in a warm, bright area of your home to encourage blooming. Flower blooms will last for a week or so, depending on the bulb variety and ambient temperature. After blooming, remove the dead flowers and secure the green foliage with ribbon or twine to maintain a festive look. Once the foliage dies back, you can discard the bulbs and clean and store your containers.
Penn State Extension offers additional information on caring for poinsettias and Christmas cactus at extension.psu.edu/poinsettia-and-christmas-cactus-care and extension.psu.edu/care-of-holiday-plants; paperwhite narcissus extension.psu.edu/enjoying-paperwhite-narcissus-in-winter; and amaryllis extension.psu.edu/forcing-flowering-bulbs-for-indoor-beauty.
Celebrate the holiday season with flowering houseplants and bulbs! If you have questions about holiday plants, call the Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Butler County Garden Hotline at 724-287-4761, ext. 7, or email the Master Gardeners at butlermg@psu.edu.
Lisa Marie Bernardo is a Penn State Extension Butler County Master Gardener.
