5 Decorative Holiday Plants You Can Keep Alive And Thriving

During the holidays, grocery stores and nurseries fill their entrances with poinsettias, Christmas wreaths and small trees wrapped in colorful paper and decorated with ornaments.

Used to add a festive touch to centerpieces and tables, these plants end up in landfills when they rot. When you are a holiday plant, it is like the circle of life.

But some botanists say that this is not necessary, and taking care of holiday plants is not particularly difficult.

"People think it's complicated," said Paige Santana, co-owner of Anaheim's indoor market plant store, Your Plant Plug. According to Santana, it is not common for people to keep these types of plants after the holidays.

Dana Horst, owner of Folia Collective in Eagle Rock and author of Houseplants for Everyone, also recommends staying put.

"I hate to see all the plants die this year," Horst said. "Growing the plant has a carbon footprint, so to speak, and when we buy it to throw it away, that's an unfortunate side effect."

Although each of the following plants has specific needs, they all need good drainage. This can crush plants.

"If you're going to leave it in a decorative wrapper, make sure you can water the pot, water it, let it drain, and then put it in the decorative wrapper," explains Horst.

Here's what experts have to say about five types of holiday plants.

1. Poinsettias: According to Horst, poinsettias do best in bright, filtered light and should ideally be placed in a south- or west-facing window with afternoon sunlight.

Horst says it's best not to leave poinsettias outside when temperatures drop below 50 degrees. The normal room temperature should be normal.

They should be watered only when the surface of the soil is dry to the touch, and it is important not to let it dry out, he said.

Horst says that when the plants start receiving constant sunlight, the plants lose their red, white or pink color and start turning green, but there is a process to regain it.

Santana at Your Plant Plug recommends providing about eight hours of light a day and then constant darkness throughout the day. It is recommended to keep the poinsettia in a closet or similar low-light place.

Horst recommends starting this process around September for holiday foliage.

2. Christmas cacti: Like poinsettias, Christmas cacti need bright, filtered light, says Horst. It is recommended to water again when the third of the planted soil is dry.

As with poinsettias, there are tips for getting cacti to bloom. They should be kept at a temperature of 50 to 60 degrees for at least 14 hours a day.

According to Horst, if these conditions still do not produce flowers, the plants can be placed outside even in temperatures of 45 degrees.

Before waiting for the flower to bloom, it is recommended to keep the plants in light and low temperature for a month and a half.

3. Small Christmas Trees: Small Christmas trees that fill the vegetation can be of different species. To really understand that kind of demand, buyers need to examine what they're buying, Horst said.

Common species are Norfolk pine; Cyprus; And herbs like rosemary or lavender are cut like pine.

Since plants need more light and outside conditions are better for health, it is better to plant them outside after the holidays.

Norfolk Island pines need bright light to survive but high humidity, making them particularly suitable for indoor storage near windows.

Since cypress trees come from cool but humid climates, they need constant moisture and bright light. They can be indoor or outdoor plants after the holidays, but they require a lot of water, which means they are not the best choice for a water feature, according to Horst.

4. Cyclamens: Andrea Kemp, a California-based certified horticulturist and member of the Plant Depot San Juan Capistrano team, says cyclamen are popular holiday landscapes. Often found in shades of red and white, this bulbous plant prefers morning sun, afternoon shade and moderate watering (doesn't like too wet). Kemp often pulls this plant because it loses its leaves in the summer.

"If you leave them in the ground, a lot of times they'll come back the next season," Kemp said. "This is never a guarantee, but instead of wasting and throwing away the plants, it is worth leaving them in the ground to give them a chance to come back and bring something else that is seasonal at that time."

He advises gardeners to let the cyclamen die on their own and plant plants around them next season.

"I'm hoping that cyclamen will replace the other colors you use in winter or Thanksgiving," she says.

5. Amaryllis and Pepperwhite: These two bulbs are commonly sold in pots of water. Amaryllis produce large red and white flowers, while Paperwhites produce small white flowers.

Once plants are established, they usually don't need much more than bright, filtered light, Horst said. If they haven't grown yet, they usually come with simple growing instructions.

After the first holiday, plants can grow again. Horst says you can cut the bulb and store the bulb in a cool, dry, dark place for up to eight weeks.

When it's time for the bulb to bloom again, it should be removed in 6 to 8 weeks, returned to bright filtered light and watered regularly.

Horst encourages plant owners to give these plants a chance, but says it's okay if they die. But when they do, it's something special.

"You can get a reward by having something bloom next year," Horst said. “And I think most people are very excited when something that hasn't grown for most of the year starts to grow again. You really feel like you've accomplished something.