As I write this, it’s officially the first day of the second week in January. Already, it feels like the year is flying by at a lightning speed! Now that the holidays are over (some of you are probably saying ‘finally‘ in your head) you’re left with a messy house and tons of holiday plants to care for. Or, at least I do anyway! I have a whopping 4 poinsettias to care for, as well as an amaryllis plant, a mini pine tree, and a few succulents gifted to me by a coworker. Though the holidays have officially come to a close, I plan on keeping my holiday plants alive for as long as I can, so it’s time to brush up on my holiday plant maintenance tips. My tips and tricks for holiday houseplant care will keep holiday plants alive well into February and beyond!
Holiday Houseplant Care
Poinsettias
I get it, there’s this myth that poinsettias don’t last a day past Christmas, but that’s super far from the truth! As long as you keep your poinsettia plant in indirect sunlight it can look beautiful for months past Christmas. Poinsettias are bred to thrive indoors, so your indoor conditions are actually perfect for sustained growth. Keep soil moist and home temperatures between 65 and 70 degrees. You may just have to repot it to a more holiday-neutral container…at least I know I will! Throw the plant away as soon as it starts looking really bad.
Christmas Cactus
While I’ve never grown Christmas Cactus personally, my grandmother was known for having one every year. Just like poinsettias, these plants are bred for growth indoors and can thrive way longer than you expected them to! Keep soil conditions moist, but allow the soil to completely dry out between waterings. Just basic holiday plant maintenance! Repot as necessary, as the cactus grows, and fertilize them several times a year.
Amaryllis
I was so excited when one of my good friends (and coworkers) gifted me an Amaryllis plant for Christmas. It has brightened up my desk space like you wouldn’t believe! Amaryllis blooms will last for a few weeks at a time but should be immediately trimmed the moment they start looking wilted. Cut off the stalk just below the flower bloom. After the stalks are trimmed, place the pot in an area of your home that receives bright sunlight. The plant should receive good drainage. After a few weeks, you will notice thick leaves starting to sprout. Leave those be, as they are the food for next seasons’ blooms. Expect blooms to appear again come Spring! I told you these beauties weren’t dead!
Mini Pine Tree
One of my cute neighbors gifted me this and it really did wonders for a drab corner of my living room! Though they’re mostly known around Christmas, mini pine trees can be grown indoors almost any time of the year. To keep your mini looking great all year long, place in an area of your home that receives great morning sun. This plant loves the dark come the afternoon! Water when the first two inches of soil seems moist and fertilize every 60 days. Most indoor gardeners will notice that the mini tree should be repotted every few months. I hope these holiday houseplant care tips help you!
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