At Christmas, living plants are always an appropriate gift. The poinsettia, sold only at Christmastime, is the second most popular indoor plant grown in America. Poinsettias have become the Christmas flower, and thousands of the plants are produced each year in greenhouses nationwide.
Poinsettias, which grow wild in Mexico, were first brought to the attention of the people of the United States by Joel Robert Poinsett, the nation's first ambassador to Mexico. He also was an avid botanist and sent cuttings home to his greenhouse. These he shared with friends. From there, the plants gradually spread throughout the United States. In their native Mexico, they gained an association with Christmas because they were one of the few plants that bloomed in winter and were used in processions of the Holy Nativity.Poinsettias bloom in late fall because they are a short-day plant. They must have long, interrupted night periods to produce flowers. Modern-day poinsettia growers are beneficiaries of poinsettia-growing ideas conceived by the Ecke family in Southern California. The Eckes propagate and ship more poinsettia starts than any other company in the world. Plant breeders have produced vast improvements in color and growth habits in the traditional red poinsettias and have developed white, pink and multicolored poinsettias.
Poinsettias are no longer just a short-lived plant for Christmas Day but will last for many months if watered as necessary, are given a bright, sunny area to grow in, and are protected from heat and cold. The highly colored bracts or leaves will stay on the plant for many months. They can be rebloomed with time and effort, but most people don't consider it to be worth the nuisance.
Many additional plants are available at Christmastime. Amaryllis bulbs are certainly a Christmas favorite. Perhaps no plant is easier to bloom indoors than the amaryllis. The care it was given in the nursery ensures it is going to bloom in your home. Large bulbs produce one or more flower stalks, with multiple blooms on those stalks. They are tolerant of most household temperatures and are not damaged by low humidity. More colors are available each season, and with a little effort they will rebloom in future years.
Paperwhites are being sold as bulbs or preplanted pots in many garden centers and nurseries. Paperwhites bloom easily without much trouble, although I find they won't rebloom the following year in most situations. Paperwhites like a cool growing area but are tolerant of the household humidity. They are members of the narcissus family, so the flowers look like clusters of small daffodils.
Miniature Christmas trees also make a popular gift. Some miniature Christmas trees are small trees of varieties that will grow well outdoors in our area. Others are not hardy and are meant for growing in milder climates. Check with the nursery to find if your tree is suitable for growing outdoors.
Hardy miniature Christmas trees are best kept in cool, bright areas until they can be planted outdoors. Many of these trees are grown in greenhouses or other protective structures, so they need gradual acclimation to withstand the movement to the outdoors. To lessen the transition from indoors to out, move the plant to gradually cooler areas and then plant them outside on a mild, winter day.
One tree often used as a miniature Christmas tree is the Norfolk Island pine. This pine is named after Norfolk Island, which is in the South Pacific, so it will not withstand cold temperatures. It must be kept indoors and requires bright light and high humidity.
Christmas cactus are epiphytes, meaning they usually grow on the trunks of trees in rain forests rather than in soil. They are popular as gift plants and will live for many years. I have seen several specimens more than 50 years old and know of one more than 100 years of age. These plants require bright but indirect sun. They form flowers after exposure to short day lengths and/or cool, but not freezing, temperatures. Grow them in well-drained soil and don't overwater them. Plants in flower often drop their buds because the buds turn toward strong lights after they are moved and then they twist off. Most varieties also require temperatures above 55 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent bud drop.
Living plants bring Christmas cheer, and they are even more welcome as we endure the long, dark winter season. Select one or several for yourself or a gardener friend as they are sure to be a highlight of your indoor garden.
Larry A. Sagers is a horticulturist with the Utah State University Extension Service.