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Top 5 Winter Indoor Plants: Caring for Orchids and Other Plants
Top 5 Winter Indoor Plants: Caring for Orchids and Other Plants
Do you miss having blooming plants around your house during the cold, winter months? Here are some winter indoor plants that will brighten up your home and are great Christmas gifts for family or friends who may have a green thumb.
Amaryllis
The Amaryllis produces huge, colorful flowers that will last a long time. They are sold as a bulb and often come in decorative pots. It does take some effort to get them to start, but if you follow the directions that come with the plant, you should see some spectacular results. There are numerous flower colors available and they are relatively inexpensive.
It takes about 10 to 12 weeks for the flower to bloom if the bulb is completely dormant, so don’t expect flowers at Christmas. With the proper after care, you can keep an amaryllis bulb for many years. If you want this particular winter indoor plant to flower at Christmas, you need to start the bulb in late September.
Paperwhites
This is another plant that grows from a bulb and produces fragrant, white flowers. Most of the time, the bulbs are placed in a shallow planter filled with pebbles or glass beads. As long as you keep the planter watered, they will bloom. Once they have finished blooming, remove the water from the pot and place it in a cool, dry location. Once it begins to warm up, the indoor bulbs can be planted outdoors.
I learned a new trick to keep both the amaryllis and paperwhite winter indoor plants from becoming too leggy. Once the bulbs have sprouted leaves that are about one to two inches long, replace the water with a mixture of water and hard liquor. Mix seven parts of water with one part of a 40-proof liquor, like gin, vodka or bourbon, and pour that into the pot. The alcohol reduces the amount of water the plants take up, which results in shorter, sturdier plants. The flowering is not affected. Be careful not to use too much alcohol, as it can be toxic to the plant. Do not use beer or wine either, as they contain too much sugar.
Christmas Cactus
The Christmas cactus is so named due to the general time they bloom, which is in winter. Ironically, my own Christmas cactus has bloomed in spring, summer and fall. Most Christmas cacti are usually in bloom (or just about to bloom) when purchased during this time of year. Getting them to bloom at Christmas time next year requires specific instructions.
Christmas cacti are tropical in origin, so don’t treat them like a desert cactus. They do require weekly watering and like it more humid. Don’t over-water, though. In general, if you stick your finger in the soil and it is dry, water.
Orchids
Orchids were once the plant only a seasoned orchid grower could have, but these lovely, flowering plants are now taking over the indoor plant world, and orchid care is a popular topic. There are numerous colors and varieties to choose from, and they can be fairly hardy as long as they receive filtered sun and weekly watering. For easy orchid care, I follow the “ice cube a week” rule, and some of my plants are going on five years. I place an ice cube in each pot every week, which seems to provide just enough water to meet their moisture needs.
This plant has become known as the Christmas plant. This plant, which is native to Mexico and Central America, grew in popularity due to savvy marketing of the Ecke family of southern California during the last 100 years. Here is a link to an article in the LA Times from 2008.
It is now considered a throw-away plant, much like a Christmas tree. Some people try to keep them alive after winter, but the after-care is time consuming, especially if you want it to bloom again the following year. I tried it and failed miserably. The plant is still alive and growing, but it looks a little like Charlie Brown’s fabled Christmas tree.
If you come across any other indoor winter plants that you care for, or have given as a gift, please share in the comments section. And don’t forget to read our lawn care guide for a comprehensive discussion of caring for indoor plants through the winter! Happy Holidays!