Poinsettias to Pothos: Picking Holiday Plants

by Dawn Oldfield, CCMGA Public Relations Chairperson

"With ivy and laurel,
and bright holly berry,
be Christmas to you
both happy and merry."
        - Author unknown

Busy lives don't leave much time at the end of the day to do anything extra, especially around the holidays. Deadlines at the office and the kids' homework are enough to make your head spin any day. Add shopping for gifts and cards to write, cookies to bake, lights to string, garland to hang, and the tree to trim…decorating can become downright dizzying!

Holiday plants are easy ideas that add a finishing touch to make your home look festive and extra special. Pair them with your usual décor to create an unexpected twist or elegant look to the usual seasonal theme. Create a quick centerpiece for your dining room table. Add elegance to the fireplace mantle. Jazz up a boring corner.

Staid and true, poinsettias reign queen when it comes to holiday plants. While this traditional holiday plant remains a sentimental favorite, don't be afraid to think outside the box; almost any plant can sing "holiday" when presented in a festive setting. Tradition has a whole new twist! Poinsettias come in so many new, gorgeous colors! They aren't just red anymore. Blue, gold, salmon, marbled, and cream are just a few of the beautiful colors to compliment your decorating scheme. To make poinsettias last longer, don't over water, but don't let them dry out, either. Even moisture is key.

Christmas cactus is an old-fashioned holiday favorite. Treat it with a little extra care, and it can become a wonderful houseplant that will flower year after year. With two-inch blossoms in colors ranging from peach, salmon, red, pink, white and more, you're sure to find one you'll enjoy for a long time. The best thing to do is put your Christmas cactus outside in the shade in April or May. Bring back into the house around Halloween, and you'll be amazed at all the buds and flowers you'll have at Christmas!

Cyclamen is often an underused plant. Popular during the holidays with its red, white or pink blooms, it also makes a wonderful houseplant. Keep in a bright window. When it quits blooming, and it will, don't fret. The heart-shaped foliage is just lovely.

Consider color coordination, selecting plants that blend harmoniously with their surroundings. Plants in similar shades add subtle sophistication, while different textures add interest. Try grouping white poinsettia, white cyclamen, and paperwhite narcissus to bring quiet harmony to a master suite or dining room. Red ornamental peppers, rosemary, and Christmas cactus or red amaryllis add spice to the kitchen.

Enjoy plants even longer by going evergreen. Decorate Eldarica pine, Leland cypress, Rosemary, or Arborvitae and enjoy indoors as living Christmas trees. Plant them outdoors after the holidays for a wonderful addition to your landscape. Evergreens, succulents, hollies, and ivy transition beautifully from holiday to daily décor. They not only add beauty to the room, but, as a bonus, are beneficial in improving indoor air quality.

Get more bang for your buck by accenting the special plants of the season with popular houseplants. Think of houseplants as living art. The architectural lines of the Mother-in-law tongue add interest to the arrangements or corners. English ivy, with its trailing trait, is ideal as a container plant, and it makes wonderful topiaries. You can't go wrong with Pothos. This easy-care houseplant has a trailing habit with beautiful heart-shaped leaves that tolerate low-light and minimal watering. Add some whimsy by tucking in fun holiday picks at your favorite craft store.

For easy, inexpensive holiday decorating, displays of magnolia leaves, Possomhaw, or Yaupon holly branches keep it natural. Hanging mistletoe is an ancient tradition that continues to be popular. A hug or kiss under the mistletoe is said to be a sign of affection, peace, and forgiveness.

Decorations are great, but many people are unaware that some of the holiday decorations they bring into their home may be toxic, and they need to take extra care around pets and small children. Just as adults get caught up in the festivities, pets and kids get over-excited during the holidays, too. All the pretty new plants, shiny balls, curly ribbon, and sparkly tinsel are just too tempting to touch or chew on. Be sure to pet-proof your home.

Any plant you have has the potential to cause an upset stomach. Some are just more toxic than others. Consider fake mistletoe for those Christmas kisses. The real stuff is highly toxic, as is Holly. Display poinsettias and Christmas cactus up high. They aren't fatal but can cause stomach upset and vomiting. Common sense is the best defense.

If you are concerned your pet has possibly ingested a toxin, call your veterinarian for advice or call the ASPCA Poison Control Center Hotline at 888-426-4435.

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