The botanical offerings of the holiday season haven't changed much from those early years in mother's store and neither has their care. Most Christmas plants are easy to grow and will reward with years of seasonable blossom if cared for correctly. Poinsettias are probably the favorite and most purchased of all holiday plants. It's possible to find a poinsettia for every decorating scheme with ranging from brilliant red to creamy white and new varieties like 'Jingle Bells' displaying pinkish red bractf flecked with dark red spots. Regardless of color, all poinsettias prefer cool locations away from chilly drafts and heating vents.
Colors remain intense if the plant is displayed in bright indirect sunlight.
The soil should never be allowed to dry out between waterings but should not be saturated either. Cyclamen are perhaps the most delicate and unusual of Christmas plant offerings. The downturned blossoms remind me of butterflies perched above round waterlily leaves in summer. They're easy to grow in bright indirect sunlight and prefer cooler temperatures at night The key to success is to water with tepid water and a diluted solution of fertilizer only at the edge of the pot. Water directed on the drown causes it to deteriorate.