KalanchoeAmaryllis, cyclamen and other houseplants add a living touch to traditional holiday decor. Here's how to care for some of the common indoor plants that provide holiday cheer. (See Dec. 2 tip for poinsettia care.)
AMARYLLIS
(
Hippeastrum
)
Selection and planting:
Purchase large, firm bulbs. Provide good drainage with potting soil mixed with peat moss. Plant in a container a little larger than the bulb with one-third of the top of the bulb exposed above the soil.
Care:
Place in a sunny spot with day temperatures of 60-75 degrees and night temperatures of 55-65 degrees. Water sparingly until new growth appears. Then water when soil feels dry and rotate the pot every few days to encourage a straight stem.
Bloom:
Large-flowered varieties may need staking for support. Fertilize with a water-soluble houseplant fertilizer once a month. When buds are ready to open, move to an area with less direct light. This will prolong bloom and the flower colors will be more vivid. Remove spent blooms.
After-care:
When plant is finished blooming, place in a sunny window. Water and feed regularly to promote vigorous foliage growth. This will help the bulb store food for next year's bloom. In summer, move it outside. Water as needed and feed it once a week. About the beginning of September, the amaryllis needs to be deprived of light and water in order to bloom again. The earlier you start, the earlier the plant will bloom. Take the pot inside and store in a dark place, such as a closet or basement, for about two months. Then remove the old foliage, add an inch or two of fresh potting mix, a teaspoon of bonemeal, water and begin the growing process again.
PAPERWHITE NARCISSUS
(
Narcissus tazetta
)
Paperwhite bulbs most often are planted in shallow containers of gravel. Place the bulbs close together on a layer of gravel and add just enough gravel to hold the bulbs in place without covering them. Add water just to the root level and replenish as needed. Keep in a dark room, preferably at 45-50 degrees for three weeks or until roots form. Then move to a sunny spot to stimulate top growth. There is no need to fertilize. When bloom is finished, discard the bulbs; they will perform poorly in subsequent years.
CYCLAMEN
(
Cyclamen persicum
)
This evergreen plant flowers for several months and prefers cool temperatures. Keep in an unheated or cool room with good lighting. A peat-based potting soil is best for good drainage. Keep soil moist but not soggy. Do not water from the top. Sit the pot in a saucer of water for 10-15 minutes and allow extra water to drain. Fertilize with fish emulsion or slow-release granules.
After-care:
Cyclamen go dormant in summer, so when foliage dies back, store corms in a dry place. Repot in autumn for another season of bloom.
African violet.AFRICAN VIOLET
(
Saintpaulia
)
The popular African violet can flower almost any time of year. For vigorous blooms, keep the plant moderately root-bound (a 4-inch pot works well). African violets like bright winter light and filtered or indirect summer light. Keep the soil moist but not wet. Avoid cold drafts and widely fluctuating temperatures.
CHRYSANTHEMUM
Keep chrysanthemums cool -- 50 to 60 degrees is best. Provide either early morning or late-afternoon sun or indirect light, and keep the soil moist.
After-care:
When the bloom has finished indoors, keep the plant watered. In late spring or early summer, plant in the garden for a yearly display of fall flowers.
KALANCHOE
(
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
)
Kalanchoes prefer a bright, cool spot in winter and a warm spot in summer. Water thoroughly and let the surface dry out between waterings. Feed every three weeks. Plants need naturally dark hours of evening to form buds.
After-care:
For next year's blooms, prune tops, reduce water and place in shady spot. Once buds appear, return to bright spot and resume watering.
-- Homes & Gardens staff
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