Festive houseplants are elegant and glamorous
An opportunity to leaf through 10 of the best Christmas buys for your home
Whether you are a traditionalist, prefer minimalist styles or want a riot of colour in your house this Christmas, festive houseplants will add elegance and glamour to your home. There are so many to choose from – and here’s your chance to leaf through 10 of the best… 1. For traditionalists… Poinsettia
By far the most popular houseplant in this country – and available in shades ranging from traditional red to pink, cream and white and even variegated (check out ‘Red Glitter’, a red and cream combination) – the poinsettia brings plenty of colour to the Christmas scene.
It can, however, be temperamental if you put it in the wrong place. Keep the plant draught-free in bright, indirect light and don’t overwater. 2. For colourful characters… Christmas cactus
These eye-poppingly colourful plants come in a wealth of colours, from fuchsia pinks to oranges, whites and yellows. They thrive even if you’re a bit neglectful in the cooler months, provided they get plenty of indirect winter light and you don’t overwater them.
They benefit from being misted every few days, and will need to rest in a cooler room after flowering to boost chances of blooming again. 3. For clean air addicts… Anthurium (Flamingo lily)
These elegant plants with deep green shiny leaves and striking red, white or pink flowers should be given pride of place in any festive household. They’re also effective at removing formaldehyde and ammonia from the air, according to a NASA clean air study.
They like warmth (but don’t put them next to a radiator), plenty of indirect light and high humidity, so a steamy bathroom might be the place for them.
4. For houseplant killers… Kalanchoe
These pretty plants with succulent leaves and clusters of longlasting flowers are ideal for the houseplant enthusiast who can’t seem to keep anything alive.
Give them plenty of good light in normal room temperatures, and allow the compost to partly dry out between watering. In winter, water them sparingly from the bottom.
Make sure you buy them when the flowers are in bloom. 5. For scent lovers… Madagascar jasmine (Stephanotis floribunda)
Unlike the more compact star jasmine, the Madagascar variety is a more striking plant for Christmas, with its deep green glossy leaves and large droopy white buds, opening to
reveal beautifully scented flowers. It likes a light position, but not where it’s draughty.
When it’s flowering, keep the soil damp – but not saturated – and don’t let the roots sit in water. 6. For modernists… Paperwhite narcissi
These fragrant narcissi bring height and structure to Christmas plant displays, pairing well with sprigs of wood such as silver birch and lower-growing greenery, or moss to line the pot.
They’re ideal for those who yearn for spring and for cool, minimalist customers who want structure and a subtle white palette. 7. For minimalists… Moth orchid (Phalaenopsis)
The white moth orchid still spells elegance when positioned in a stylish pot. Water them thoroughly about once a week, and let the water drain out of the pot on a draining board before putting them back into their containers. 8. For low-maintenance fans… Succulent mix
Succulents are ideal for people with little time or space, but who
still want some plant colour over the festive season – carrying on beyond the New Year.
They need plenty of light, a really gritty compost – such as a cactus mix potting soil – and very little water over the winter. 9. For exotic enthusiasts… Bromeliad guzmania ‘Hope’
These striking houseplants, with their eye-catching scarlet flowerheads and white-tipped petals, sport a more tropical look than other conventional Christmas plants.
The glossy green leaves will provide interest throughout the year. They’re easy to look after, too, as long as you keep them warm – let the soil dry out between watering and don’t overwater. 10. For statement makers… Pineapple plant (Ananas comosus)
These exotic beauties produce fruits that are not for eating so just grow them for their novelty value.
Claire Bishop, senior houseplant buyer for Dobbies Garden Centres (dobbies.com), suggests: ‘This striking houseplant is happiest on a sunny windowsill and needs little care, with year-round foliage.’