But as our founder Julie points out, “there is an overwhelming waste and frivolousness associated with some of our beloved holiday botanicals; it often comes as a big surprise when people realize that many of these classics we have come to associate with the holiday season, can be extremely long-lived if cared for properly.” Therefore, in the spirit of longevity and sustainability, we review three of our favourites and just how to care them for enjoyment for many holidays ahead.
Our Favourite Holiday Plants
Winter Cyclamen ~ lives up to 100 years
Have you ever considered a plant to be an heirloom? Most likely you haven’t. Winter cyclamens however, can survive upwards of a century which means several generations could care for the same living thing. Which is just such a heartwarming sentiment. Dainty yet bright, these unique florals bloom for several months at a time before entering dormancy. They also have stunning variegated leaves that add yet another layer to their visual complexity.
Basic Care
LIGHT: Aim for bright, but indirect light. These leaves are susceptible to scourching, browning and crisping around the edges, if placed in direct light.
WATER: As this plant relies on tubers underground, overwatering can quickly lead to root- or in this case tuber-rot; so only water when the top inch or so is dry and always from the “feet”, rather than the top. Watering from the “feet” simply refers to letting your pot sit in water for about 30 minutes or so, allowing the plant to “drink” what it needs.
TEMPERATURE: Surprisingly, winter cyclamens prefer cooler temperatures compared to many other holiday plants. Maintain a temperature of about 10-18˚C (50-65F) for Ideal growth and keep away from sources of heat, including heat-related workspaces (stove, oven etc.,) in the kitchen.
HUMIDITY: A higher level, about 50-60%, is needed. The common problem: many homes in the winter have a humidity of about 30%. Hence, another key care point that is often missed leading to the demise of these sweet florals. Opt for a higher humidity room, like a bathroom, try plant-grouping, pebble trays, or simply misting daily.
Additional Care
FLOWERING: Depending on the variety you bring home, this flowering time can vary. Deadhead spent blooms, to encouraged prolonged blooms.
DORMANCY: Expect the plant to enter into a dormant period following the blooms. During this time, usually spring through the summer (again depending on the particular variety you have), plants can be moved into darker locations, with cooler temperatures.
FERTILIZING AND REPOTTING: Fertilize only during the flowering period, and only about once a month. Repotting, as a rule, is usually completed once every two years, often in the summer, while the plant is in its dormant stage. To repot, select a pot that is only slightly larger than the current root ball and use, well draining potting-mix.
Note: Winter Cyclamens are on the toxic holiday plants list. Keep well out of reach of both children and pets.
Christmas Rosemary Tree ~ lives upwards of 30 years
A sweet salute to the beautiful evergreens that garnish the season, this selection is fragrant, festive and delicious. The Christmas Rosemary tree, however, is likely the most challenging undertaking of our holiday plant favourites. Mainly owing to the fact that if you purchase from a big-box or grocery store later in the season, your rosemary will already be dealing with the stress of unfavourable conditions. Therefore, Julie recommends, “[to] purchase from a reputable garden center or nursery, as they’ll have the best chance of being cared for properly prior to you bringing one home. Have it wrapped if temperatures are cooled outdoors and prepare its place in your home ahead of time.”
Basic Care
LIGHT: Similar to the cyclamen, you’ll want bright light, but in a location where it’s indirect and again not hot (see temperature below). If the sunlight is too strong, it will quickly lead to drying out the plant.
WATER: Only water when the top inch of soil is dry. Check often in the first few weeks until you get a hang of how other factors, like temperature and humidity affect your soil. Provide a hearty watering, and ensure that the rosemary is not standing in water for a prolonged time. Avoid wetting the foliage, and instead water at the base of the plant. Tolerating soil drought, overwatering can easily become an issue.
TEMPERATURE: Reminiscent of the cyclamen, cooler temperatures are necessary for success. Aim for about 10-18˚C (50-65F), with a cooler temperature resulting in less frequent waterings. Avoid any near-by heat sources or even very high-traffic areas.
HUMIDITY: Hailing from the seashores of the Mediterranean, humidity levels should be kept at around 55-65%, but with good air circulation to prevent powdery mildew. Invest in a soil hygrometer to monitor levels. Increase humidity by misting or by using a humidifier accordingly.
Additional Care
PRUNING AND HARVESTING: Shape gently to your desired form, without removing more than 1/3 of your plant at any given time. Often when we shape, we’ll set aside and dry our rosemary for culinary use throughout the holiday season.
FERTILIZING: Be wary, and fertilize only in subsequent years during the active growing season.
REPOTTING: Like with fertilizer, be careful. Rosemary should only be replanted when it’s rootbound. It enjoys confinement and can have a hard time transitioning if repotted too quickly.
Note: If you have a successful Winter and Spring, your rosemary christmas tree can be moved outdoors to enjoy the summer. But just like any indoor/outdoor movers, harden your plant by leaving it outdoors for small, increasing periods of time to avoid shock.
Poinsettia ~ can live 10-20 years
There’s a little bit of guilt felt when you realize that the poinsettia is not a short-lived annual. With proper care, as a year-round houseplant, you can have a few decades with this holiday plant icon.
Basic Care
LIGHT: Bright and indirect light is best. They require about 4-6 hours of sunlight when in bloom.
WATER: Check the soil daily. Once your top inch is dry, remove from the decorative foiling, or from its saucer and in a sink, water until water begins to pour out of the drainage holes. Once there is no longer water dripping out, replace in its setting. This plant cannot tolerate soggy soil, taking care in how you water will help avoid this.
TEMPERATURE: Poinsettias prefer a mild fluctuation in temperature; throughout the day maintaining around 15-24˚C (60-75°F) and 13-18˚C (55-65°F), which is often achieved in our own homes. Be sure that there are no drafts however that lower the temperature to dangerous levels.
HUMIDITY: These holiday favourites additionally prefer higher humidity. Which depending on your location may require additional boosting. Consider a pebble tray or humidifier to achieve this.
Additional Care
FLOWERING: In your first season (after purchase) you can expect your “blooms” which are actually coloured bracts, to “flower” for anywhere from 2-3 months before the leaves and flowers begin to fade and fall.
PRUNING AND REPOTTING: Once your bracts shrivel and fall, prune your plant to leave only a few leaves, encouraging new growth. Then in the early summer, repot into a larger pot with all-purpose soil. During the active growing season of July/August, pinch the top few inches from each stem to promote side-branching. This is what gives them a full, lush appearance.
REBLOOMING: The true test comes in your subsequent year. While not difficult, to encourage reblooming, at the right time, your plant will need short days and long nights. This process is called in “forcing”. In September, begin altering the day/nights with the use of a closet or even a large cardboard box. Uninterrupted darkness is what will trigger new bract., i.e., what we know as flower-growth. Aim for about 14-16 hours of darkness daily, with bright, indirect light for the remainder of the day.
Note: Poinsettias also make it on the toxic holiday plants list. Please be sure to keep out of reach of children and animals alike.
We wish you the best of luck as you endeavour to cherish these holiday favourites for years to come. If you plan on gifting any of the above to any friends of family, be sure to also send them this post! To continue getting into the festive spirit, keep reading all things home, gardening and lifestyle on The Wild Blog. Plus, if you don’t already, be sure to follow us on Instagram and Pinterest!
