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Holiday Houseplants
Garden Tips Newsletter - November 26, 2001

The time for gift giving is approaching so why not give a living gift -- a plant. Below is a list of plants that are typically available during the holiday season and can be used to brighten up any home. Most of these plants will do well inside a home if their cultural requirements are met. Many of these plants will also do well outside and can be kept long past the holiday season.

Poinsettia - see MSU publication IS227 "Caring for Poinsettias"

Thanksgiving Schlumbergera truncata and Christmas Cactus, S. bridgessi

  • Thanksgiving cacti blooms come in a wide range of colors and bloom late November to early December
  • Christmas cacti blooms typically come in red and white and bloom later in December
  • Require bright light and high humidity
  • Will not bloom if kept too warm (keep away from heat sources such as vents, TVs, refrigerators); keep in cooler part of the house
  • Do not move once they start to bloom
  • Soil medium should be moist, NOT WET - Christmas cactus have a tendency to be over watered and will rot

Cyclamen, Cyclamen persicum

  • Keep cool - 55-60º F, will tolerate temperatures down to 40º F.
  • Bright, indirect light while in bloom
  • Set the bare pot on a plate of wet pebbles to provide extra humidity.
  • Keep the soil moist while in bloom; don't allow it to dry out.

Kalanchoe Kalanchoe blossfeldiana

  • Will tolerate most light levels, prefers medium light
  • Water thoroughly, let soil dry between watering
  • Prefers cool temperatures 50-70º F day; 40-65º F night
  • Average humidity
  • Fertilize every 3 weeks while in flower

Norfolk Island Pine Araucaria heterophylla

  • "Living Christmas Tree"
  • Appears to be a cold weather plant, but it is actually a tropical plant
  • Prefers high to medium light (east or west facing window)
  • Cool temperatures 50-70º F day; 45-65º F night
  • High humidity, good ventilation
  • Does not like wet feet

These archived newsletters were written by Dr. Lelia Scott Kelly. Kelly is a Horticulture Specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service. Her office is in the North Mississippi Research & Extension Center, Verona.

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