Care and Keeping of Holiday Plants

By: Mandy Hatman
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The holiday season brings a burst of color indoors with festive plants that brighten our homes. With proper care, these seasonal favorites can thrive well beyond the holiday season. Let's explore how to keep your holiday plants healthy and happy.

Poinsettias: The Classic Christmas Plant
Poinsettias are synonymous with the holiday season, known for their vibrant red bracts (modified leaves).
Care Tips:

• Light: Bright, indirect sunlight for at least 6 hours a day
• Water: When the surface of the soil feels dry to the touch
• Temperature: Prefer 65-70°F during the day, and no lower than 60°F at night
• After holidays they can be kept as a houseplant or planted outdoors in frost-free areas of Louisiana
• Common Issues: Leaf drop: Often due to drafts, temperature extremes, or dry soil; Yellow leaves: Usually a sign of overwatering

Christmas Cacti: The Long-Lived Holiday Favorite
These long-blooming succulents can live for decades with proper care.
Care Tips:

• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Water: Keep soil lightly moist, not waterlogged
• Temperature: Prefer 70-80°F during the day and 60-65°F at night
• To encourage blooming: Provide 12-14 hours of complete darkness each night for 6-8 weeks before desired bloom time
  
• Common Issues:
  
  • Buds dropping: Often due to sudden temperature changes or overwatering
    
  • Lack of blooms: Usually due to incorrect light exposure