The Holiday season is just around the corner and it’s hard not to fa la la la fall in love with all of the gorgeous plant variations that sprout to life this time of year. From Christmas cactus to Amaryllis, Paperwhites, Poinsettias, and more, our Greenhouse is quickly filling up with sure-tell signs that sleigh bells, turkey dinners, and sweets galore are in our future.
As we look forward to a beautiful, blooming winter season, we’re here to share our top tips for your favorite holiday plants and how to take care of them throughout the chaotic Christmas season!
Christmas Cactus
While the concept of a Christmas cactus may seem like an oxymoron to some given the wintery nature of Christmastime and the stereotypical dry environment needed to take care of traditional cacti and succulents, we’re here to set the record straight. Christmas cactus are truly a gift that keeps on giving throughout the holiday season thanks to their long-lasting blooming period and ability to bloom again and again throughout the year.
If you’re looking for a low maintenance leafy gift for a friend or the perfect earthy touch for your holiday décor, Christmas cactus are for you. Best grown in an indoor setting, Christmas cactus thrive in moderate light and a climate between 60 and 70 degrees. Whereas most cacti require low humidity and a great deal of direct sunlight to grow, Christmas cacti are best grown with some humidity and lower levels of indirect sunlight, making your life easier than ever. When it comes to watering, you never want your Christmas cactus’ soil to ever be completely dry, otherwise it can hurt your plant. With a weekly watering regime and appropriate exposure to light over time, your Christmas cactus will showcase a brilliant display of color just in time for Christmas!
Amaryllis
Like Christmas cactus, Amaryllis are the perfect addition to the festive scenery of your home! Grown from bulbs of varying sizes, Amaryllis come in a variety of species that produce gorgeous flowers just in time for the holidays if planted at the right time. The best time to plant Amaryllis bulbs for a holiday season bloom is in the middle of November. Traditionally grown over a period of 4 to 6 weeks or less, Amaryllis rely on a watering regime of twice a week. With the right amount of moisture and adequate access to sunlight (but not too much sunlight) in popular places like windowsills, your Amaryllis bulbs will sprout to life, showcasing vibrant hues of red, pink, and white, depending on the bulb.
What’s more, once your Amaryllis blooms, you’ll enjoy a dazzling display of color for up to three weeks before your flower reverts to its dormancy period. Once the bloom is over, easily trim down the stalk to about two inches above the soil, with the leaves attached and you’ll be able to start preparing your Amaryllis for another brilliant bloom next year!
Paperwhites
If you’ve got a planter or glass vase and some pebbles laying around, we’ve got the perfect festive plant for you: Paperwhites! Grown from bulbs, Paperwhites may be one of the easiest plants to grow, besides air plants. Out of soil? Don’t worry, Paperwhites grow best without soil! Simply place Paperwhites bulbs in a shallow container filled with two to three inches of rocks and fill with water until it reaches the base of the bulbs. Once “planted”, place your Paperwhites somewhere with access to bright light in a cooler climate between 60 and 65 degrees and you’ll be delighted at what you see in 3 to 6 weeks. Before you know it, you’ll see leafy greens sprouting, and eventually dainty white flowers blossoming too. As your plant continues to grow, you’ll only ever need to water your plant when you can see the water level is lower than the bottom of your bulbs. If planted in November, you should have blooming Paperwhites just in time for Christmas, with a blooming period of about two weeks.
No matter your skill level, you can’t go wrong with Christmas cactus, Amaryllis, or Paperwhites. From their low maintenance to their radiant payoff, you’re certain to spread the holiday cheer with these plants in your home, office, or as a gift to a loved on.
If you live in the beautiful Black Hills region of South Dakota, make sure to come see us at Jolly Lane Greenhouse in Rapid City! We’ve got loads of Christmas cactus in a variety of different planters, a great variety of Amaryllis bulbs that are sure to bloom to your heart’s content, Paperwhites, and Poinsettias galore.
Looking to ring in the holiday season the Jolly Lane Way? Join us at our Winter Open House, November 26 – 28!