Favorite Winter Houseplants

Christmas is just around the corner, and everyone has started planning for it. Along with the usual holiday decorations, you can also accentuate the beauty of your home by putting in some excellent winter house plants. They will add more color and texture to the room. Many beautiful plants can be grown indoors in pots or containers.

Apart from making the rooms look beautiful, these plants also ensure a fresh and clean air supply indoors. Some of the typical winter house plants include—

Orchids—Orchids are one of the most popular winter house plants. They add a tropical feel to the surroundings, and their tall-spiky foliage looks elegant. Orchids can be tricky to grow, but if maintained well, they have a long blooming period. Orchids are light feeders and do not require a lot of fertilization.

There are many different orchids available in the market, and some popular indoor orchid varieties include Cymbidium orchid, Moth orchid, and Black Jewel orchid.

Poinsettias—Poinsettias are possibly the most popular winter house plants. They are known for their striking and colorful foliage that can brighten up even the dullest corners of the room. Poinsettias pots are also great for gift purposes. You can gift them to friends and relatives during the festive season, and they will love them. Here are some essential tips on caring for poinsettias, including how to keep them healthy and vibrant:

Selecting a Poinsettia

• Healthy Leaves: Choose plants with dark green foliage down to the soil line. Avoid plants with yellowing leaves or those that are wilting.
• Colored Bracts: Ensure the bracts (the colored parts) are fully colored and not faded or discolored.
• Sturdy Stems: The plant should have strong, healthy stems without signs of breakage or wilting.

Caring for Poinsettias

Light

• Bright, Indirect Light: Place your poinsettia in a location where it can receive bright, indirect light for at least six hours a day.
• Avoid Direct Sunlight: Direct sunlight can cause the bracts to fade and the leaves to scorch.

Temperature

• Moderate Temperatures: Poinsettias prefer temperatures between 65-70°F (18-21°C) during the day and around 60°F (15°C) at night.
• Avoid Cold Drafts and Heat Sources: Keep the plant away from cold drafts, open windows, and heat sources like radiators or fireplaces.

Watering

• Even Moisture: Water the plant when the soil feels dry to the touch. Avoid letting the plant sit in water; good drainage is essential.
• Avoid Overwatering: Overwatering can lead to root rot. Ensure the pot has drainage holes, and empty any excess water from the saucer.

Humidity

• Moderate Humidity: Poinsettias prefer a slightly humid environment. If your home is very dry, consider using a humidity tray or a humidifier.

Container-grown poinsettias are readily available in the markets. They come in pink, white and red colors.

Christmas Cactus—Christmas cactus is a flowering succulent that produces beautiful flowers during the Christmas season. It is a low-maintenance plant that does well indoors. Christmas cactus is drought tolerant, and if you happen to forget to water it for a few days, it will still survive. It does well if misted regularly. Cyclamen—Cyclamen produces colorful and scented flowers.

The flowers are quite distinct as the petals are generally bent upwards. They can be found in pink, white, or purple color. It is a delicate plant that blooms during autumn and winter. The flowers are fragrant, filling the entire room with a pleasing scent.

Azalea—It is a flowering plant that produces beautiful and long-lasting flowers.

Azalea can tolerate shade and requires less maintenance, making it ideal for indoors. Azalea bears flowers of purple or pink hues. The distinct and vibrant blooms make this a popular house plant spotted in most households during winter.

Other Houseplants can include : 

• Stella De Oro Daylily
•  Geranium
• Sweet Violet

Source of Information on the Top 5 Winter Plants https://www.tnnursery.net