Popular plants at this time of year include orchids, cyclamen, poinsettia and amaryllis. Caring for these indoor plants is fairly simple, as most of them are low maintenance.
Orchids
Orchids are not hard to grow. In fact, we find people who ignore their plants do well growing orchids. The most common orchids are epiphytic and lipophilic-type cymbidiums, which means they grow in tropical climates in trees or on rocks. In your home, they prefer indirect light and cool temperatures — 17 to 24 degrees Celsius is best. A cool, bright window works well. Fertilize once a month with an orchid fertilizer and it’s best to let the roots get dry between watering. When you do water, soak the roots by leaving the pot in the kitchen sink overnight.
Cyclamen
Easy to grow, cyclamen don’t demand much attention. Like orchids, they enjoy cool temperatures and indirect but bright light.
You do not need a green thumb to take care of cyclamen. Fertilize with 20-20-20 once a month. Water when the soil feels dry. Gradually cut back on watering as the flowers fade and the plant goes dormant in the spring. Cyclamen need relatively high humidity, especially during the dry winter months. Mist it with water every day or two and keep it in the coolest room in your house for best performance. Doing this will ensure it survives and blooms next winter.
While in bloom, place it in a bright window. While dormant, keep it in a cool dark place with good air circulation. Avoid getting the soil wet while the plant is dormant, as the root tuber can rot.
Cyclamen will emerge from dormancy in September. Start watering and fertilizing regularly at this point. Move the plant to a bright room but keep it away from direct sunlight until it blooms. Available in pink, red, white and a variety of lipstick-bright colours, cyclamen can continue to bloom for up to four months.
Poinsettia
This is the number-one seasonal flowering plant this time of year. Originally from the desert of Mexico, this tells you that it likes to be dry between watering. It does not like drafts from open doors and mostly enjoys the brightest natural light you can offer.
Note that the bright red “flowers” are not flowers at all, but coloured leaves. The flowers are smallish and yellow, appearing in the middle of a leaf cluster on the top of the plant. When you buy a poinsettia, look for one that is not in flower to ensure the longest possible bloom time. To care for these tropical plants, place them near a sunny window and keep the temperature constant, around 18 to 23 degrees Celsius. Water the plant when the soil surface feels dry to the touch. Most poinsettia problems are due to overwatering.
In low humidity seasons, water as often as once a day. However, do not let it sit in water, as this will kill it. Remove the plant from the decorative wrap when you first bring it home and place it in a saucer where the water can drain freely through the bottom.
Amaryllis
You may buy amaryllis as a bulb or a flowering plant, depending on the time of year. Right now, both are available at most garden retailers. The bulbs are fun and very easy to grow. Plant the amaryllis bulb in a pot about 2 cm wider than the bulb, using quality, well-drained potting mix. Place in a bright room near a sunny window. Warm temperatures hasten blooming. When it does bloom, usually about six to eight weeks after you pot the bulb, pull the plant back from the bright light to prolong the blossom time. Don’t lose patience if it takes its time pushing up a stem and blooming. Sometimes they are just a bit lazy.
Remember to look for a quality bulb: The larger the bulb, the greater the number of flowers and flower stems. Make sure that it is firm, like a good onion.