How to Care for Christmas Plants After the Holidays

What to Do With Your Christmas Plants After the Holidays

Ah, the holidays are over, and the decorations are packed away—but what about your festive plants? Those poinsettias, Christmas cacti, and amaryllises can keep thriving (and even rebloom) with a little post-holiday care. Instead of tossing them out, let’s show these beauties some love and extend their magic into the new year. Don’t have your holiday plants yet? No worries, shop them here!

Poinsettia: Beyond the Red and Green Glow

Poinsettias are famous for their bold, colorful bracts (often mistaken for flowers), but they don’t have to be a one-season wonder. Here’s how to keep them going:

After the Holidays: Place your poinsettia in a bright, sunny spot away from drafts, heating vents, or cold windows. Water it when the top inch of soil feels dry, but don’t let it sit in water—good drainage is key.
As Spring Approaches: Around March or April, cut back the stems to about 4–6 inches. Don’t panic—it’ll grow back fuller! Keep watering and fertilize once a month with an all-purpose houseplant fertilizer.
Reblooming Challenge: Want it to turn red again? Starting in September, give your poinsettia 14–16 hours of complete darkness each day (a dark closet works well) and bright light during the day. Do this for about 8 weeks, and voilà—holiday colors return!

Christmas Cactus: A Gift That Keeps on Giving

Christmas cacti are hardy, low-maintenance plants that can bloom year after year with proper care.

Post-Holiday Care: Keep your Christmas cactus in a spot with bright, indirect light and water it when the top inch of soil feels dry. These plants enjoy a bit more humidity, so placing them near a humidifier or on a pebble tray will keep them happy!
Year-Round Maintenance: After the blooms fade, trim back any leggy growth to keep the plant tidy. Feed it monthly during the growing season (spring through summer) with a cactus fertilizer or diluted houseplant food.
Reblooming Tips: To trigger new buds, Christmas cacti need cooler temperatures (50–55°F) and 12–14 hours of darkness each night for about 6 weeks in the fall. Once you see buds forming, move it back to its usual spot and resume regular care.

Amaryllis: The Star of the Show

Amaryllis bulbs produce stunning, trumpet-shaped flowers that steal the spotlight during the holidays. With a little effort, they can bloom again next year.

After the Blooms Fade: Once the flowers wilt, cut the stalk down to about 1 inch above the bulb, but leave the leaves intact. These leaves are essential for photosynthesis, which feeds the bulb for future blooms.
Summer Vacation: In spring or summer, you can move your amaryllis outdoors to a sunny spot (after the risk of frost is gone). Keep watering and fertilizing every few weeks to help the bulb recharge.
Reblooming Prep: In late summer or early fall, bring the bulb back indoors and let it rest in a cool, dark place for 8–10 weeks. Stop watering during this dormancy period. After the rest, repot the bulb, start watering, and wait for new growth to signal it’s gearing up to bloom again.

Paperwhites: One-Time Wonders (But Worth It!)

Paperwhites are delightful and fragrant holiday blooms, but they’re typically one-and-done when grown indoors. Once the flowers fade:

After Bloom Care: Allow the foliage to die back naturally, which helps the bulb store energy.
Outdoor Options: In warm climates (zones 8–11), you can plant them in the garden for future blooms. Otherwise, compost the bulbs—they rarely rebloom indoors.

Cyclamen: A Cool-Weather Superstar

Cyclamen are known for their vibrant flowers and heart-shaped leaves, and with the right care, they can bloom for months!

Post-Holiday Care: Keep your cyclamen in a cool spot (60–65°F) with bright, indirect light. Water when the soil feels dry, but avoid letting water sit on the leaves or crown.
Summer Dormancy: When blooming slows down, don’t worry! Cyclamen often go dormant in summer. Stop watering and let the foliage yellow and die back naturally.
Reblooming: Once fall rolls around, repot the tuber, start watering again, and watch for new growth—your cyclamen is ready for another season of beauty!

With a little extra care, your holiday plants can bring beauty and joy for years to come. It’s like carrying a little bit of Christmas spirit with you into the new year! So, don’t be too quick to part with these seasonal treasures—give them the love they deserve, and they’ll reward you with blooms and greenery season after season.

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