RBC | Well once again, Christmas has come and gone. Maybe you received some gifts you aren’t sure you are ready to call your own. I can’t help you with the slippers that aren’t your size or the decor that isn’t your style, except to say, we really should embrace regifting as a society. But, I can help you understand two of the most common holiday houseplants a little better.
Let’s start with the queen of the season, Poinsettias. Real fast, you should know the white sap of this plant can be mildly toxic to cats and dogs, causing drooling and possibly vomiting. If you have an animal that is prone to snacking on random things you may want to revert to the regifting idea.
The Poinsettia plant is native to Mexico, but the plant we find on every counter across the land today has changed in big ways. Let us face the fact that the “flowers” or “blooms” are not flowers at all. They are leaves called bracts. Thanks to talented botanists we can find these plants sporting bracts in a wide variety of colors, but that Christmas red is our classic.
One of the biggest mistakes made with Poinsettias is overwatering. This can be tricky because normally these plants are purchased wrapped in those shiny, foil sheets that make them gift and display ready. Unfortunately, those sheets also trap water and turn the bottom of your plant into a little swamp, leading to root rot and death. To avoid this remove the foil entirely, water your plant from the bottom by placing it in a few inches of water for an hour or two then remove it to a plant tray. Discard any water that drains into this tray. If your plant came in a pot without drain holes, you may want to add some drainage holes, or repot the plant in a pot of a similar size that already facilitates drainage. Check on your Poinsettia every three to five days. It is okay to let it dry out a bit between waterings, and when it is dry, water it again. If the bracts are curling in at their edges, it is very thirsty.
Light is also an important factor for your Poinsettia. The plant will burn from direct sunlight, rather, the Poinsettia prefers bright, indirect lighting until the bracts fall away. When this happens, you may want to discard your plant. But, if you are up to the challenge of bringing your Poinsettia back for another holiday season, you can relocate it to a cool, dark area and reduce how often you water it. In the spring it can return to bright, indirect light and a more regular watering schedule. Then in September move it to a room where it will have at least 12 hours of darkness, this encourages those colorful bracts to return.
Now maybe you are thinking, “this isn’t a Poinsettia.” You might be right. Maybe, what you have is another holiday favorite who’s name says it all, a holiday cactus. Were you expecting “Christmas cactus?” Well, this is where the technicalities get a bit muddled. There are three different cacti you may have received, known respectively as the Thanksgiving cactus, Christmas cactus, and Easter cactus. No matter what holiday we are celebrating, the most common cactus to give or receive year round is the Thanksgiving cactus. This is because it is the most reliable for growers to ship in a state of good health and beautiful blooms. Luckily, all of these cacti require the same type of care, and we can call them a holiday cactus in the company of anyone who may want to split hairs and still be correct.
Poinsettia – Euphorbia pulcherrima
Similar to the Poinsettia, a holiday cactus needs bright, indirect light to thrive. Unlike the Poinsettia however, the holiday cactus will thrive in that bright, indirect light all year long. To water your holiday cactus, give it a good soaking, they love water. But ensure that water will drain out completely or their roots will rot and they will die.
Good luck with your gift. And this New Year remember, responsibility doesn’t have to be a chore, helping something grow can be an amazing joy. Who knows, maybe next year you’ll start gifting plants, too.
By ADRIENNE WIX – Special to the Herald Times
