During the holiday season the Poinsettia is the traditional indoor blooming plant; however, did you know there are other blooming plants that add color to the holiday season?

A holiday favorite of mine that thrives in normal household conditions is the Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera buckleyi). This popular houseplant is native to Brazil and is available in a wide variety of colors including red, rose, purple, lavender, peach, orange, cream, and white. In Brazil, the Christmas Cactus grows as epiphytes (an air plant) among tree branches in shady rain forests, and their pendulous or overhanging stems make them an excellent choice for hanging baskets. Epiphytes are plants that grow on another plant but are not considered parasitic. Flowering can last up to seven to eight weeks if the plants are kept at 68–70-degree Fahrenheit temperatures.

Thanksgiving Cactus (Schlumbergera truncate) are often sold as Christmas Cactus during the holiday season. To tell the two apart, look at the shape of the flattened stem segments, botanically called phylloclades. On the Thanksgiving Cactus, these stem segments each have 2 to 4 saw-toothed serrations or projections along the margins. The stem margins on the Christmas Cactus are more rounded. A second method to distinguish between these two Schlumbergera species is based on the color of the pollen- bearing anthers, or male part of the flower. The anthers of the Thanksgiving Cactus are yellow, whereas the anthers on the Christmas Cactus are purplish brown.

If you have a cool part of your home like a finished basement or breezeway, you just cannot beat the Florist Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum). The Florist Cyclamen is a relative of the Primrose family. For maximum bloom of the long-stalked, pastel-colored flowers, purchase the Cyclamen with no more than five flowers open. The Cyclamen should have several buds coming and have more buds buried under the canopy of the plant. You will have to check the Cyclamen for moisture levels daily and water when required. Flowers will last longer if the plant is kept cool in a 50 – 60-degree Fahrenheit area.

To enjoy another flowering plant after the holidays, check out the Amaryllis (Amaryllis spp.), often sold as a kit containing the soil, container, plant, and growing directions. After planting, the Amaryllis bulb will bloom in six to seven weeks. Native to Africa, the genus Amaryllis which comes from the Greek word amarysso, which means “to sparkle.” Bulbs were brought to Europe in the 1700s and have been known to bloom year after year indoors for up to 75 years. Most popular colors are red and white, flowers may also be pink, salmon, apricot, rose or a deep burgundy.

Another flowering plant sold as a kit that you might enjoy after the holidays is the Paper White Narcissus (Narcissus tazetta) and one of the easiest bulbs to force. The name “tazetta” in Italian means “small cup” meaning the flower petals sit in a small white cup like structure. It is considered a daffodil and originated in the Mediterranean region and adjacent areas of central Asia but was an early item of commerce. They arrived in China during the Late Sung period, about 1,000 years ago, probably introduced by Arab traders. They became intimately associated with the Chinese New Year celebrations.

Flowers are all white and about the size of a quarter borne in a cluster. After planting the Paper White Narcissus, bulbs will flower in three weeks with up to a dozen blossoms having a strong, musky, sweetness-type fragrance.

Often these holiday plants are received as a gift or purchased and come decorated with foil or a pot cover. Slit or cut holes in the bottom of these covers to allow for escape of excess water. Also, discard any excess water that might accumulate in the saucer.