How to Care for Holiday Houseplants

The holidays can be a time of stress, but your houseplants shouldn’t contribute to that. I do not have a green thumb, and struggle with most plants, indoor or out. But luckily when it comes to the holiday season, your poinsettia, holiday cacti, and amaryllis only need sunlight, moisture, and proper drainage (according to my research!). Thankfully these plants have vibrant color, but are simple to care for. Here is a quick guide about what your houseplants want this holiday season!

Your Plant’s Holiday Wishlist

Sunlight 

Light alone isn’t enough - your plants want and need natural light so it is key to make sure they get bright, indirect sunlight. If you’re wondering what indirect sunlight will look like, it will be bright enough to be able to read indoors without needing to squint from the brightness. Your plant should have a blurry shadow - this is a great indicator that it is getting enough indirect sunlight.

Water

The top plant killer is overwatering. Considering their vulnerability because of the cold, it is very important to water your plant based on their needs. To keep from overwatering, wait for the top inch of the potting mix to be dry. When you water the plant, be sure to water the potting mix until it is moist from top to bottom and avoid watering the leaves themselves.

Drainage

The first step to proper drainage is transferring your plant into a real flowerpot from the cellophane wrapped plastic pot it is usually purchased in. Make sure you have a saucer to place under your flowerpot’s drainage hole to prevent any furniture stains.