It’s that time of year again, when we stock up on small gifts for family, friends, work colleagues, teachers, and service providers, to express our appreciation. I love to give (and receive) showy house plants that can complement holiday décor with pretty flowers or foliage and extend their cheer through the doldrums of January.
Poinsettias are the traditional holiday plants for gift –giving, but why not mix it up this season and select a variety of striking, contemporary house plants that can please all year long? Here are a few selections you can find right now at your local plant nursery.
Anthurium (Anthurium andraeanum): With waxy, heart-shaped, long-lasting blooms, anthurium plants make a stunning centerpiece on a holiday tablescape, mixed in with traditional greenery. The tropical “flowers” are really modified leaves, called spathes, in colors of white, red, pink, and salmon. These easy-care plants thrive in bright but indirect sunlight, and prefer temperatures between 75-85 degrees during the day, with high humidity. Water them well, but allow the top two inches of soil to dry out before watering again. If you have small children or pets, keep anthurium out of reach since the plant is considered toxic when ingested.
Bromeliad (Bromeliaceae): Some of my decorator friends buy loads of inexpensive bromeliads instead of purchasing cut flower arrangements, to add elegance, color and texture to a holiday table. These tropical plants with spiky, long-lasting blooms (called bracts) and beautiful foliage are easy to grow and maintain. Blooms come in a variety of colors including red, burgundy, pink, orange, yellow and white. Considered a succulent, bromeliads have low water needs and start to decline when over-watered. After blooming, the plant will send out “pups” of new bromeliads, so you’ll get more plants for your buck!
Croton (Codiaeum variegatum): When looking for stunning color, it’s not just about the blooms! The variegated foliage of crotons shout to be seen and admired. The stiff, leathery leaves come in a kaleidoscope of red, yellow, green, black and orange colors and are a favorite addition to floral arrangements. Place crotons in bright light to maintain the leaves’ intense color combinations. They thrive in high humidity and temperatures. Please note, this plant is considered poisonous, so keep it out of reach of small children and pets.
Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana): Kalanchoe plants are colorful members of the succulent family and prized for their long-blooming flowers and glossy dark green foliage. The striking clusters of red, orange and yellow flowers are prolific for weeks at a time and add a splash of color during the holiday season. These compact plants placed in pretty containers make thoughtful hostess gifts, so keep several on hand as you make the rounds of get-togethers. To keep the flowers coming, fertilize every two or three weeks during the blooming season. Considered highly toxic when ingested, kalanchoes should be kept away from children and pets.
Orchids (Orchidaceae): With over 30,000 different orchid species in the world, you are sure to find a few that will please any gift recipient! Prized for their unusual shapes, colors, (and even “facial” expressions), orchids convey a tropical feel and a bit of whimsy. White orchids add an elegance and sophistication to holiday decor. Orchids symbolize “love,” so give one to those you truly care about!
Other house plants to consider – all types of succulents, Christmas cactus, and topiaries shaped from rosemary or ivy. Add a charming bow to the pot and you have the perfect holiday gift!
