The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Seeds of an idea on festive flowers
A plant is for life, not just for Christmas. If you have a festive flower and no idea what to do with it, this guide from gardening writer Julianne Robertson will give you inspiration
Have you ever received a potted plant at Christmas with no real idea of what it is or how to look after it? There are many healthy plants gifted at Christmas and forgotten by the time January comes around. But all is not lost, and there are actually a few simple things you can do with the most common of Christmas flora...
Poinsettia
What is it? These plants are perfect for spreading Christmas cheer with their bright-red-coloured leaves (also known as bracts), and can make a beautiful centrepiece for the festive table.
How do I look after it? Water sparingly and keep it in a bright and warm position, but not a windowsill. They like humidity so mist regularly or place on a dish of pebbles and water.
Keep or compost? A well cared for poinsettia can keep its leaves for up to 12 weeks, so should see you well into the New Year. However, it’s not really worth trying to keep it until the following year – it needs very specific heat and light requirements to return to growth and, even if you’re successful, it will never look as good as in its first year.
So when the leaves have all dropped, it can go in the compost bin.
Amaryllis
What is it? Amaryllis is the common name given to the bulb Hippeastrum, usually gifted as a ready-to-plant bulb with a small amount of compost and a pretty pot. If you plant it in December/January, it should flower in early spring.
How do I look after it? Simply place it in the pot with some compost, with about two-thirds of the bulb showing above the soil.
These South African natives love heat so place them somewhere warm – 20C or above – and don’t let it dry out.
Once the shoots are ready to bloom you may have to stake them, as the flowers can be very large and will easily tip the pot; a short piece of bamboo is the stem to keep it upright.
Keep or compost? Keep! It’s fairly easy to get amaryllis bulbs to bloom again: cut off the faded flower stalks and once all the leaves have died, cut these away too.
Place the bulb, still in its pot, in a dry garden shed or greenhouse until next autumn. When temperatures start to drop again, bring the pot back inside the house and the warmth, along with a little water, should trigger regrowth.
Christmas Cactus Mini Christmas tree
all you need – tie this next to
What is it? So-called because they flower from November to January, these houseplants are also known as Schlumbergera.
Their blooms are usually various shades – from pale pink to deep red – and they have a pleasing ‘weeping’ shape which makes them well suited to a hanging pot or a high shelf.
How do I look after it? Christmas cactus likes bright (but not direct) light and humidity. When it’s finished flowering, move it to a cooler spot until springtime.
Keep or compost? It’s a keeper! These are plants with staying power and they can live for years.
They’re also very easy to propagate to make more plants – simply break off two or three sections of any branch and place into a pot with a 50/50 mix of soil and grit.
What is it? Usually a younger, smaller version of the full-size fir tree you’ve got in your living room, often a Norway spruce.
How do I look after it? Don’t let the pot dry out but don’t drown it, either. Too much water and it will rot; too little and the needles will turn brown and fall off.
Keep or compost? It depends. If it’s managed to survive the festive season with its needles intact, you could replant in the garden.
However, bear in mind that your mini tree will soon turn into a big tree, which will be difficult to bring into the house next Christmas and will need plenty of space.
So if your tree is looking sorry for itself, or just won’t fit in your garden, compost it. Most local authorities offer Christmas tree recycling – for example, Dundee City Council will uplift any tree left beside the brown bin – so contact your council for full details.