How to replace a Christmas tree: poinsettia, mistletoe and holly

Poinsettia

The main symbol of Christmas among indoor plants. In Europe and England, poinsettia (or Euphorbia is the most beautiful) is also called the “Christmas star” for its beautiful bracts (no, these are not flowers at all, as many think). Red, pink or white, they last for 2-6 months. Therefore, when buying, pay attention to the small central inflorescences: the plant will bloom longer if they are not opened. At home, put the poinsettia on a well-lit window, protect it from drafts and heat from the batteries – spray often. After flowering, the plant is thrown away, but if you are not looking for easy ways, you can leave it until next new year. In order for the poinsettia to bloom again, in the fall you will have to keep it in complete darkness for 14 (!) Hours a day.

Mistletoe and holly (holly) are traditional symbols of Christmas in Northern Europe and the UK. And this is no coincidence, because unlike the sleeping nature, these plants are covered with elegant berries in winter.

Under the twig mistletoe (by the way, this is a poisonous plant-parasite) since the time of the ancient Romans, it has been customary to kiss, and even with strangers.

So if you manage to find this plant with white berries, hang a twig over the door and boldly greet everyone who comes in with kisses.

Concerning paduba, then it is customary to decorate the house and the festive table with the branches of this evergreen thorny shrub with red berries, they are woven into Christmas wreaths and sometimes even used instead of a Christmas tree.

We are only left with images of holly on Christmas cards, napkins and gift wrapping.

Samşit

This ornamental shrub has recently been grown as a houseplant. It tolerates coolness and drafts well. But in winter, he needs good lighting – so keep the pot by the window. Does not tolerate waterlogged soil. Since boxwood grows very slowly, you can prune branches and form a bush at any time of the year. In the summer, put the pot on the balcony – boxwood loves fresh air.

Laurel tree

The well-known “lavrushka” grows well in indoor conditions, if this southern plant has enough light and fresh air (it is not afraid of drafts). A common cause of plant death is waterlogging of the soil in winter. Therefore, do not frequent with watering. Expose the laurel outdoors in summer. Prune the branches to form a beautiful bush. Make sure that the height of the plant does not exceed 1–1,4 m, otherwise the laurel will lose its decorative effect.

Nertera

This creeping plant, completely covered with peas of bright orange berries, looks festive like New Year’s. They appear in the fall and stand all winter. After the berries fall off, the plant is usually thrown away. Although with proper care, the nerter will live for several years. For this, the rest of the winter is kept in Spartan conditions – cool and with minimal watering. As soon as new growth appears, watering is increased and taken out to the loggia. Nertera needs coolness (she can easily endure a drop in temperature to + 6 ° C). As soon as the berries appear, the plant is transferred indoors.

Nightshade

Pepper nightshade with large orange or red berries on New Year’s Eve is sold in many stores. If this festive bush is placed on a sunny windowsill in a cool room and sprayed daily, the berries will last until February, or even more. Be careful: nightshade berries are poisonous! When the berries and leaves fall off, they treat the plant in the same way as with nertera – they either throw it away, or cut it off, transplant it, put it out in the fresh air for the summer, and return it to the room in the fall and rejoice in the berry scattering.

Araucaria

This plant with tough branches arranged in tiers and thorny leaves is very similar to a Christmas tree. It can reach a height of 1,6 m. It grows slowly, even more slowly in a cramped pot. Araucaria is an easy-to-grow coniferous plant that prefers coolness and good lighting. In a heated room, this mini-tree needs regular spraying.

Cypress

Just like araucaria, it grows rather slowly. If you buy a cypress tree on New Year’s Eve, you tell him the fate of a houseplant, you will have to cut the roots from time to time so that it does not grow too much. In addition, it will not be easy for the cypress tree to survive the winter in a warm apartment. He will need abundant watering (in the morning with settled water), frequent spraying and bright diffused light.