Festive Plants for the Holidays

As the holidays approach, many people will begin decorating their homes with poinsettia, holly, and mistletoe along with other seasonal favorites that add color for the festivities. While those are all great choices, there are some lesser-known options that may be fun to include in your holiday plant additions this year. Our location in Florida is perfect for several unique indoor or outdoor vegetation choices that can add color for the holidays and cheer up your favorite spaces through winter.

Red and White Christmas Cactus

This low-maintenance, colorful bloomer starts its flowering process when the days get shorter, and the air is cooler. The Christmas cactus comes in a variety of colors and can even be purchased with both red and white blooms for the holidays. This plant does not like full, direct sun locations or a full shade location. In nature, these plants can be found hanging from rock cliffs or tree branches in the rainforest. This plant does best in well-draining soil with frequent watering. Do not allow it to become waterlogged, make sure the soil drains or only water once soil becomes dry. Plant indoors or outdoors to add some holiday cheer.

Cyclamen

This cool season annual can get up to 10 inches high with vibrant green or silver, heart-shaped or rounded leaves and gorgeous, twisting flowers that come in red, white, and pink. These flowers will benefit from a bright location without direct sunlight and to be watered when the soil dries out. These plants appreciate cooler weather but do not last in a prolonged freeze without protection. This plant should do well outdoors throughout the winter in our area of Florida but most likely would not be able to endure our rainy season. Great for adding whites and reds to a holiday planter or indoor display for our winter months.

Poinsettias with a Twist

A great way to brighten up any space, poinsettias can be grown indoors and outdoors in Florida, sometimes lasting until the following winter. Try the Ice Punch cultivar that starts with red bracts but turns white as the plant grows and Peppermint Twist with a unique pattern on every bract to add color and texture to potted arrangements or additions to outdoor gardens as an annual. Get creative and utilize this plant when decorating indoor flower displays or holiday presents. This plant grows best in bright, indirect light, with drier soil, lightly mist or only water once top of the soil feels dry to the touch.

There are several other wonderful options to create holiday plant displays, for instance try red and white geraniums with rosemary or order bulbs in November and have shining star amaryllis in full bloom. Choose flowers with different heights and colors to create a striking holiday display. You can even use your plants to create Christmas bouquets, add to wreaths or as gifts for loved ones. We wish you all the warmth and cheer this festive season has to offer, happy holidays and happy new year from Local Roots Landscaping.

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