Holiday Gift Plant Care: Keeping Poinsettias, Amaryllis, and More Thriving

Holiday plants (poinsettia, Easter lily, cyclamen, amaryllis, Christmas cactus, living Christmas tree) need specific care to rebloom or survive year-round.

Key Care Tips

• Cyclamen/Kalanchoe: Deadhead, fertilize monthly. In Sept, give 4–6 weeks short days for rebloom.
• Poinsettia: 14–16 hours total darkness daily for color.
• All: Remove foil wrappers; repot in well-draining unglazed clay. Don’t overwater. Use moisture meter. Christmas cactus stays drier.
• Amaryllis/Paperwhites: After bloom, leave foliage to feed bulb. When spent, cut back, dry bulb, store in peat in paper bag in cool dark room. Repot next fall.
• Living Christmas Tree: Keep watered; repot before spring; plant outdoors as keepsake.

Seasonal needs change—learn them for lasting enjoyment.