Sally Scalera

Brevard County Horticulture Extension Agent
3695 Lake Drive -- Cocoa FL 32926 -- 321-633-1702

Something green for Christmas

Dec. 22, 2007

Since this is the season for giving, why not give a plant? The first two plants I associate with the holidays are poinsettias and Christmas cactus, but if you go to a garden center, you also may find rosemary plants pruned in the shape of a Christmas tree, or Christmas cactus, amaryllis, paper whites, hyacinth and crocus. Some of these plants will be only temporary gifts, but many of them can be grown for years.

Poinsettias are everywhere now and come in a number of colors. Poinsettias can be grown in a container or planted in the yard after the holidays. Be sure to place them in a sunny spot but away from floodlights or streetlights. The plants require 14 hours of uninterrupted darkness starting in October so they flower by late December.

The Christmas cactus is another gorgeous blooming plant that can be found this time of year. More like a succulent than a true cactus, the Christmas cactus can be grown in a container and placed in a shady location throughout the warm months of the year. Plant it in a lightweight, well-draining potting mix and a container with plenty of drainage holes. Since they are succulents, they will require ample water, otherwise their stems will begin to shrivel.

Christmas tree-shaped rosemary plants also are in the garden centers now. Rosemary is a great culinary herb to grow and is very drought- and cold-tolerant. Be sure to plant a rosemary tree in a larger container or the landscape as soon as possible. The plants are sold in a small container and easily can be killed by a lack of watering. Because rosemary is drought-tolerant, it doesn't wilt when it needs water. Many plants left in their small container die because of lack of water.

Amaryllis bulbs are great as a gift, because they can be planted in the landscape or grown in containers for years to come. Amaryllis bulbs can be planted outside anytime between September and January. The bulbs may be left in the ground for a number of years and periodically divided and replanted. The bulbs should be planted 10 to 12 inches apart and set so that the top of the bulb is just covered with soil and the neck of the bulb is protruding above the ground. his is very important because bulbs planted too deeply will not produce flowers, only foliage.

Another bulb plant you will find boxed as a gift is paperwhites. Paperwhites are in the same family as daffodils, but they are much smaller and have a strong fragrance. They can be grown in containers or planted out in the landscape.

Hyacinth is another bulb plant, but these are more of a temporary gift. They have a heavenly scent, but after they bloom they will not bloom again here in Florida. The blooms are a pretty color, so along with their fragrance they are neat to have growing on a window sill.

The last bulb plant to mention is crocus, and once again these are a short-term gift. Crocus is a member of the Iris family and requires cold temperatures and low rainfall. Those are two things Central Florida doesn't typically get. Often, when you see pictures of crocus blooming, there is snow on the ground around them. Therefore, the forced bulbs you buy now will flower and be beautiful, but won't be around for long.

If you're out there shopping for that perfect gift for a plant-loving friend or family member, you may want to consider all of the plants listed here. Not only will they be attractive through the holidays. but many of them can easily be enjoyed for years to come in either a container or the landscape.