Christmas Gardening – Christmas-flowering houseplants

Most flowering houseplants will last longer if kept cool, such as a constant 50-60F, but always avoid chills at night – this is a common problem when plants are kept on windowsills and can be an overnight killer, as can excessive warmth from central heating. Water plants by standing the pot in a few centimetres of water, and allowing to drain before replacing the pot in its flowering position.

Cyclamen persicum hybrids - also known as the Indoor cyclamens - these vary in height from six to twelve inches and come in a range of flower colours. With care, a cyclamen will bloom for several months in the winter and will flower again in future years, although probably not as well as in the first year. To get the best from them, choose a plant with plenty of buds and avoid any evidence of drooping or yellow leaves. Choose a brightly lit situation away from direct sunlight and heat sources. After flowering, continue careful watering and feeding until leaves yellow, then reduce watering as the plant becomes dormant for the summer.
Rhododendron simsii – also known as the indoor or Indian azalea, is only half-hardy. The species will grow to between eight to eighteen inches tall and although they usually flower in spring, they are forced into early flower for the Christmas trade. They need similar growing conditions to outdoor azaleas - cool, moist and shady. If the compost dries out the plant will almost certainly die. Water the indoor azalea by plunging the pot into a deep container of tepid water (preferably rainwater) until bubbles cease and then set on a pebble tray to maintain humidity. Plants can be stood outdoors in a cool, shady site for the summer if kept constantly moist, but must be brought indoors before danger of frost.
Solanum capsicastrum - The winter cherry is a half-hardy evergreen shrub, with white flowers produced in summer, followed by inedible fruits that gradually ripen to orange or red. To get this plant to give of it’s best, choose a cool, bright situation on a sunny windowsill but avoid a dry atmosphere or over-watering. After the berries have begun to fade, prune the stems back by half their length and reduce watering so that the compost is almost dry. In April, re-pot and resume normal watering, starting to feed from May. Growth and winter fruit production will be better if plants are stood outside for the summer.

Christmas gardening cyclamen photograph by Santa Rosa OLD SKOOL, used under a creative commons attribution licence