Deck the Halls With Holiday Houseplants

Caladiums are tropical beauties that come in many varieties. For the holiday season, options with green and red leaves are especially festive.

Place your new caladium in an east- or north-facing window for best results. Water it when it arrives and then give it more to drink whenever the top-fourth of the soil is dry. Nourish your plant with fertilizer
once a month during the spring and summer to support growth, and you can use it as a holiday decoration for years to come.

Safety: Caladium is toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of your fur babies.

This holiday houseplant looks great during Christmastime and in the right location can provide years of blooms. The ruffled flowers range in color from reds and fuchsias to creamy white.

Christmas cactus plants needs bright but indirect light and occasional watering. Let the potting soil dry out between waterings and make sure the plant doesn’t sit in water.

Many varieties of coleus have festive flair. Look for ones with two-tone green and red leaves to spice up your space for the holiday season.

Coleus is a great option if you have limited light. In fact, the leaves may lose their color if exposed to the direct sun for most of the day. Put your plant in an area where the temperature stays within 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit for best results.

Water your holiday houseplant whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Because it loves humidity, coleus does well when placed atop small pebbles in a tray filled with water.

This miniature Christmas tree is festive either unadorned or decorated with ornaments in small spaces, on tabletops or in children’s rooms. Decorate your own with mini LED lights and homemade ornaments or select a fully decorated Norfolk Island pine.

Indoors, Norfolk Island pine houseplants prefer medium to bright light. Water only when the potting soil feels dry. If your Norfolk Island pine begins dropping its lower branches, they’re in need of water or to be placed in brighter light. Over time, Norfolk Island pines can grow to be 6 feet tall indoors, if you let them.

Elegant and sophisticated, orchids look beautiful as holiday houseplants but do so much more for your indoor space. The blooms can last for months and orchids come in a wide range of colors. They make fantastic houseplants, even for beginners.

Orchids grow best when placed in a bright area that doesn’t get direct sun. Because they’re sensitive to drafts, avoid putting them near outside doors and vents. Support growth by feeding your plant once per month with an orchid fertilizer.

Once all the flowers wither, cut the stems back halfway. If the stems are brown or dead, trim all the way to the base of the plant to encourage growth to restart.

Red poinsettias are the classic holiday houseplant. Add a twist by selecting from several different colors to fit any decorating scheme. Take it to the next level with poinsettias that are speckled, marbled, striped or two-tone. d.

Place poinsettias in a sunny window or bright location. Don’t let leaves or flowers touch cold windowpanes. Avoid drafts of cold or hot air, which can cause leaves to drop. Water when the soil is dry. A plant that’s too dry will drop its lower leaves, while overwatering causes lower leaves to turn yellow. Do not leave the plant in standing water.

The red aglaonema is a great choice of holiday houseplant for beginners because it’s easy to care for. Choose a spot that gets bright indirect light and water whenever the top inch of soil is dry.

Fertilize once per month in the spring and summer to keep it healthy. When the plant looks bushy, use pruning shears to cut it back to its new buds. If you see your red aglaonema start to droop, relocate it to a bigger pot.

With its hint of festive color, the red-edge dracaena looks merry during the winter holidays and adds drama to rooms during the rest of the year. To meet its needs, put your houseplant in an area that gets bright, indirect light and water when the top inch of soil is dry.

After one month, start fertilizing your red-edge dracaena every month. Cut it back with pruning shears when it grows too tall for your room.

Tip: When cutting back multiple plants, wipe off shears with disinfectant before moving onto each one.

If you’re busy, travel frequently or are guilty of a little neglect, cacti and other succulents are the holiday houseplants for you. There’s only one rule: Don’t overwater! They will rot. Also, be sure your containers drain well.

• Contrasting. Group holiday houseplants in odd numbers for high impact. For a classic look, stick with one color, or mix contrasting colors for a more modern look.
• Lining. Going up the stairs, around fireplace hearths, on top of mantels and tables, add holiday houseplants for a decorative look that is consistent through the entire home.
• Cuttings. Treat poinsettias and Christmas cactus blooms as cut flowers. Snip the blooms and place them into individual vases or use them to adorn a wreath. Use assorted plants to make succulent or air plant Christmas wreaths.
• Welcoming. Create a dramatic welcome with plants in an entrance hallway.
• Layering. Use miniature plants on upper shelves and other high places.
• Containing. Group them in decorative containers. A shiny ceramic or metal pot gives an elegant look. Baskets or wooden boxes lend a rustic feel.
• Centering. Feature smaller plants on a dining or buffet table, where their smaller size won’t block guests’ views of one another.