Here are a few common holiday and gift plants and tips on their care. African Violet African violets are excellent indoor flowering plants. Available in many flower colors, they produce flowers year-round under the proper growing conditions. Individual flower clusters may last three to six weeks under good conditions. Poor flowering is often related to insufficient light.
African violets are highly subject to root and crown rot if overwatered.
Use only warm water, as cold water causes spots on leaves. Buy only high-quality plants, because African violet pests and diseases spread very easily among other violets. Be especially watchful for crinkled tight crowns, a possible sign of incurable cyclamen mites. Mealy bugs can also infest African violets. Amaryllis Amaryllis are generally available from Christmas to Easter.