Learning to care for your holiday plants

You may already have purchased a seasonal flowering plant or received one as a gift.

Keeping that lovely holiday color as long as possible is the goal.

One of the most popular plants in the home this time of year is the poinsettia. The poinsettia needs bright light but doesn't do well in direct sunlight. They are especially sensitive to drought, and they don't like drafts by a frequently used door.

The poinsettia can be damaged in transporting it from shop to your home. The plant prefers temperatures over 55 degrees, and so requires that it be wrapped to the top of the foliage to transport it.

Be careful in extreme cold weather of wrapping it in plastic wrap because the plastic provides no insulation and can freeze onto the leaves. Paper wrap is preferred.

Once your plant is at home, water it sparingly. Only water it when the surface of the soil has started to dry out. It needs well-drained soil. Oftentimes the plant pot will be wrapped in festive foil paper.

This wrap holds water and essentially creates a standing water dish which will water log the roots. Make sure to puncture the foil wrap to allow the water to drain out.

The poinsettia can be overwintered, taken outside in the summer and forced into re-blooming in the winter.

Call the ISU Hotline at (319) 447-0647 to get complete details for this procedure.

Another popular seasonal plant is the kalanchoe. The kalanchoe has many of the same requirements as the poinsettia.

It prefers temperatures between 55 degrees and 80 degrees. Water when soil surface is dry. After it blooms, prune the plant back, set the pot back away from bright light and do not water for a month. Bring the pot back into bright light, water, lightly fertilize and your plant is likely to re-bloom.

Cyclamen is another popular winter blooming plant. This plant requires some humidity. Set the pot on a saucer full of pebbles and water. It also requires bright light but prefers a cooler location.

If your plant is showing very spindly growth, it's not getting enough light. This plant seems to do better if watered from the bottom.

When surface soil dries, set the pot in lukewarm water for a few hours, allow it to drain and return to your favorite viewing area.

Any of these seasonal flowering plants add a real dash of color to your home. It can be difficult finding just the right spot for your plant but do place it where your family can enjoy it.

When it finishes blooming, place it back in its preferred location and pamper it into future flowers. Most of all enjoy.

l Judy Stevens is a Linn County Master Gardener.