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Fall and Winter
Holiday plants light up the waning daylight hours of late fall and early winter. They represent an ancient tradition of honoring seasonal cycles and celebrations.
With a bit of care, the most familiar and festive plants will delight you for weeks. In general, cooler temperatures and careful watering will keep plants healthy and attractive.
| Plant | Water | Light | Temp. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amaryllis | To force, water once thoroughly, then, water when dry to the touch. | Force in sunny spot; then, move to medium, indirect light. | Force at 65°‐70°; move to 55°‐65° | Will bloom 6 ‐ 8 weeks after potting. Failure to bloom is often a result of overwatering. Remove faded flowers and stems after bloom. Will bloom many years with proper care. |
| Cyclamen | Keep evenly moist, not soggy. | bright, indirect Try a north window. | 50° ‐65° | Blooms may last several months if kept cool, 50 ‐60 at night. Flowers dependably for one season. |
| Christmas + Thanksgiving Cactus | when dry to touch | bright, sunny | 60° ‐70° | Plants will live for years; may rebloom in spring. |
| Kalanchoe | when dry to touch | bright, sunny | 60° ‐ 75° | Flowers dependably for one season. |
| Narcissus ‐ Paper whites | Keep roots in water, or moist if in soil. | bright | 50° ‐ 65° | Settle bulbs down half way into pebbles + water, or soil. Discard after bloom. |
| Poinsettias | when dry to touch; do not allow to dry out! | bright, sunny | 60° ‐ 70° | Avoid drafts. Plants are not poisonous, but milky sap can irritate skin. Flowers dependably for one season. |
Tips for Success
- Remove decorative paper or foil ‐ or open a large hole in the bottom ‐ so that water drains freely from pot.
- Check plants daily ‐ if your home is cool, most plants need water only once a week.
- “Dry to touch” ‐ the top 1” of soil is mostly dry to the touch; below 1”, the soil feels moist.
- “Evenly moist” ‐ the top of the soil is slightly damp to the touch, not dried out. Avoid soggy soil; plant roots need air!
- Water just until the water flows out of the drainage hole. Do not leave pot standing in water.
Other Festive Plants
Anthuriums - have showy, waxy, bright red or pink flowers; good for warm homes >70°F.
Norfolk Island Pine - needs high humidity.
Rosemary - Often sheared to a Christmas tree shape; needs sunny window, welldrained soil; water when dry to the touch.
Resources
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-department-of-agricultural-reso…
www.massflowergrowers.com
http://ag.umass.edu/resources/home-lawn-garden