Christmas in bloom!
When I look back on Christmas nights from my childhood, I remember my uncles, aunts and cousins, a packed table
and… Christmas flowers! Poinsettias, of course, but also the Christmas cactus, a succulent that is passed
down from one generation to the next, and amaryllis, a flower that grows for weeks and miraculously blooms just in
time for the holidays! For me, these flowers set the stage for festivities filled with love and warmth. Here’s
how to plant them, care for them and make them bloom.
Poinsettias
These are the classic Christmas flower and also one of the best-selling plants in North America! But poinsettias
are temperamental. They don’t like drafts or rooms that are too warm. Avoid placing them next to the patio
door you use to take your dog out! Poinsettias are often sold in non-perforated packaging, so take the time to poke
a few holes in the packaging so water can drain out. If the leaves on the bottom of your plant begin to shrivel,
that’s a sign it’s been overwatered. Water your poinsettia every three to four days: the top layer of
soil should be slightly damp, but not soggy.
Christmas cactus
This is one of my favourite holiday plants! The Christmas cactus is easy to propagate: simply cut off the tip of a
stem and plant it to create a new plant. The trick to making it bloom is simple: it needs cool temperatures to start
flowering. In the fall, leave it outside until the first frost, or place it near a window inside the house so it can
feel the temperature difference. Once it starts to flower, you’ll see plenty of buds popping up quickly, which
will hide almost all the leaves! Remember that this is a cactus, so let it dry out between waterings.
Amaryllis
Amaryllis is a multi-week project, making it a great activity to do with the kids! Start by planting the bulb four
to six weeks before you want your plant to bloom. Don’t panic if you don’t have enough time, since you
can get bulbs that have already been potted. When it comes into contact with water and soil, the bulb will awaken
and start to grow. A long, straight, nearly two-foot stalk will emerge from the ground. Flower buds will then appear
all around the top of each stalk, eventually opening up to reveal shades of red, pink or white. I can confirm
it’s absolutely spectacular.
New varieties:
While the classics are always trendy, several other holiday plants are becoming increasingly popular.
Aeonium
This beautiful succulent is sometimes called the Christmas rose. I love it for its low-maintenance nature,
versatility and vivid hues of pink, yellow and green. Anyone can grow it and it stays beautiful for a long time! You
can even keep it from one Christmas to the next. Let the soil dry out between waterings and place your plant in a
sunny spot, which will bring out its colours. Aeonium is also a great year-end gift for teachers!
Have a very floral Christmas!
