Zeidler's Flowers

Zeidler's Flowers

Posted by Zeidler’s Flowers on December 16, 2019 | Last Updated: November 10, 2020 Flowers

5 Live Winter Plants for the Holidays and Beyond

Winter may be a time when outdoor plants are dormant, but you can bring living plants inside to brighten your home. Many plants that grow in the winter do quite well indoors, and some plants that thrive in the cold can also grow well outside. If you are looking for a gift to give this winter or simply want some beautiful plants of your own, Zeidler’s Florist in Evansville, IN, offers several winter plants that are a great option.

Christmas Cactus with Pink Flowers

Christmas Cactus – A Family Heirloom

If you are interested in plants that bloom in winter, you may want to add a Christmas cactus to your life. This succulent gets its name due to its tenancy to bloom in the winter. Unlike many other holiday plants, this one is not poisonous to pets. For a Christmas cactus to bloom it must either have a nighttime temperature between 50 and 55 degrees or 13 hours of uninterrupted darkness in a home that does not get above 70 degrees. If the temperature is above 70, it will need 15 hours of uninterrupted darkness.

To encourage Christmas bloom, count back eight weeks from the holiday. Start using the proper light and temperature for the plant at this time, and it will bloom in time for the holiday. The hardy Christmas cactus is often a family heirloom. With proper care, it lives a long time, getting passed down from one generation to the next.

Holiday Merriment

Poinsettia – A Holiday Favorite

When the holidays come, the poinsettia hits the stores in mass numbers. This popular Christmas plant is known for its bright red color, but it comes in many shades. Interestingly, it’s the leaves of the plant, not the flower, that take on the brilliant hue. Poinsettias are excellent when used as decorations, and they thrive throughout the winter. They are, however, poisonous to animals, so use caution with pets.

If you’re looking for an arrangement that pairs the poinsettia with another attractive plant, consider Holiday Merriment. This arrangement has a live boxwood tree and four-inch red poinsettia paired together in a wooden planter.

All Abloom - Cyclamen

Cyclamen – Color All Winter

With proper care, the cyclamen can bloom for eight weeks, giving you a winter full of color. This plant grows from a hardy bulb that can grow both indoors and outdoors. It requires temperatures between 55 and 60 degrees to bloom, and it will go dormant in the summer. Cyclamen is quite popular among seasonal winter plants. It brings color and cheer to a home during a normally dreary season. Certain varieties are grown for indoor use, but some have hardy bulbs that will bloom outdoors in late fall or early winter.

If you receive a cyclamen arrangement this winter, consider replanting florists bulbs outdoors after they are done blooming. To do this, allow the blooms and leaves to die off completely, then remove the bulb to let it dry. In mid-summer, replant it outdoors, and wait for the temperatures to drop in early winter so the plant will bloom again.

Amaryllis Plant with Red Blooms

Amaryllis – Blooms Year After Year

Amaryllis is an indoor plant that grows bright, vibrant flowers in the winter. Learning how to plant an amaryllis bulb will help you enjoy this flower year after year. If you receive amaryllis as a gift, enjoy the blooms during their season. You can cut the flowers and put them in a vase, and they will last up to two weeks this way. Once the flowering season is over, prepare the bulbs for the next year’s growth.

Over the spring and summer, your amaryllis will grow leaves. Allow this until mid-August, at which time you should stop watering the plant so it dries completely. Place the bulb in a cool, dark, dry place for at least eight weeks.

About six weeks before you desire new flowers, plant the bulb in a fresh pot and place it near a light source. Soon, you will have another plant full of brilliant blooms.

Boxwood, Pine, and Berries

Boxwood – Brilliant Green All Year Long

Finally, consider the boxwood for both indoor and outdoor foliage. This evergreen stays green when planted outdoors throughout the winter and summer, providing a base for your outdoor garden. The boxwood is one of the best plants for winter gardens.

If you receive a boxwood as part of a floral gift, allow it to grow for a while indoors. After winter, replant it outdoors. Replanting florist bulbs and plants outdoors allow you to continue enjoying the gift long after it was given.

Whether you are shopping for live plants for your own home or to send as a gift, winter gives you many opportunities to add flowers to your day. With the help of live plants from Zeidler’s Florist, you can brighten your home with winter flowers, then plant them again to enjoy in the years to come.