Caring for Holiday Plants

December 16, 2011

Caring for holiday plants doesn't have to be difficult.

Caring for Holiday Plants by Sally Cunningham

 If you were given a Christmas plant, I hope you also received some tips on keeping it alive for awhile. Too many plants go into their new homes only to dry up or drown. (Too much or too little water are the most likely cause of plant death.)

Some general tips:

Don’t let any plant sit in water unless you’re told it’s a water plant! If your poinsettia came in a pretty foil “cap”, definitely dump the water out after you’ve watered. Or simply cut a hole in the foil and put the plant in a dish like any other plant. All plants like some humidity and our homes are too dry. (Actually they’re too hot too, adding to the drying effect.) If you can, set your plants above (not in) a tray of water, perhaps resting on pebbles above the water. Consider a humidifier (nice for your hair and skin too). Misting is often touted as a good idea, but honestly it would take hours of misting to make much difference—and you do have a life, don’t you? Temperature matters. As I’ve mentioned, many homes are too hot for optimum plant health. Even tropical plants usually have cooler nights, and a winter period of cooler temperatures when they rest awhile and stop flowering. So set the thermostat down to 60 degrees F. or so at night. On the other hand, some plants really don’t tolerate temperatures in the 50 degree range. (I’ve personally had trouble when my old farmhouse kitchen reached 45 degrees a few times and the Plectranthus in particular really expressed some panic!) Each plant has a preference and tolerance level of its own. Water when they need it, not by the calendar. Some people like a ritual of watering on Sundays, for example, and that can work out if you really check to see which plants need more than that (or aren’t ready for water that soon, as in succulents). What’s ideal for the plant: Get used to its weight when it’s been watered. Just lift it. Soon you’ll know it’s ready for water when it feels light. If you wait until a plant droops, you have stressed it—eventually bad for the plant’s health. For particular plant care, see separate articles in this section on Amaryllis and Christmas cactus, and ask me questions on WIVB-TV (Channel 4 on Sunday mornings) at 8:20am. If you want help with house plants, Lockwood’s also stays open in the back barn where our staff can usually help you with supplies or questions. Call 649-4684 to see if someone is there before you drive far. Remember—the gift shop is closed only from late December to early March, and we can’t wait to see you again!