Christmas Flowers: Care of Christmas Cactus, Hippeastrum, Cyclamen, Poinsettia

In brief: Traditional Christmas flowers include the Christmas cactus, hippeastrum (often incorrectly called amaryllis), cyclamen and poinsettia. All four can be kept growing all year round, and with proper care during the rest period they will bloom again next Christmas instead of ending up in the bin after the holidays.

Christmas is approaching and shops are filling up with Christmas cacti, hippeastrums, cyclamens and poinsettias. After the holidays many people throw them away, yet with a little care they last for years and bloom again every year. You can find more about growing them in the article Christmas Flowers and How to Grow Them.

Christmas Cactus

The Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) belongs to the cactus family, although in appearance it does not much resemble classic cacti. It is an epiphytic genus that in nature grows in the crowns of trees in the tropical part of Brazil, and that is why it needs more humidity in the home than desert cacti. It likes a bright position, but not direct sun.

After flowering, move the plant to a cooler room, for example on the north side, water only moderately and do not feed until spring begins. In spring, once the frosts are over, you can put the cactus outdoors for the summer, water it more generously but without overwatering, and occasionally feed it with a fertiliser without lime. Settled or rain water is best for watering.

For bud set the key is shortening days and cooler temperatures; with traditional cultivars a rest period begins approximately from mid-September, which together with the shortening day leads to the setting of flowers. At a temperature above 22 °C the plant grows lush but does not flower. Move the cactus into the warmth only after the buds have set, just before Christmas.

Hippeastrum (Not Amaryllis)

Hippeastrum is often sold in shops under the incorrect name amaryllis, but it is a different genus. It comes from tropical and subtropical America, from Costa Rica to northern Argentina. A tall stalk with bell-shaped flowers grows from a massive bulb, and there are many cultivars from large-flowered to trumpet-shaped.

Plant the bulb in a larger pot with a well-drained, slightly acidic substrate, a universal garden substrate or one for house plants, and put expanded clay drainage at the bottom. The bulb should be at least half above ground. Water carefully at first, as a sprouting bulb easily rots, and increase watering once the whole flower stalk is visible. A freshly repotted bulb does not need feeding, as it has enough nutrients in the new substrate.

After flowering the plant grows new leaves; for the summer put it in a sunny, drier outdoor spot. From mid-August start reducing watering, and once the bulb withdraws, store it in a cooler overwintering place at around 10 °C for at least three months of dormancy, without which it will not flower next season. The bulbs contain the poisonous alkaloid lycorine, so keep them out of the reach of children and animals.

Cyclamen

Cyclamen (Cyclamen) appears in shops all year round. In nature it grows in shade and in damp, loose soil, and tolerates neither alkaline soil nor dry spells or permanent waterlogging.

After flowering, move the cyclamen to a cooler position, ideally 10–15 °C, for example to the space between window panes by a north or east window, but beware of frost, as even there the temperature drops in hard frosts. In winter water regularly in small amounts, pouring the water only into the saucer, as watering from above can cause rot of the tuber or spots on the leaves and flowers. In drier flats a bowl with moistened expanded clay under the pot will help.

In summer put the cyclamen in a shady place protected from rain and water it minimally. When new leaves grow, repot it into a well-drained substrate and give the first watering only 14 days after repotting. Cyclamen prefer a cooler environment and will not thrive in dry flats by the heating. Cyclamen tubers are poisonous; cooking removes this property, but still keep them out of the reach of children and animals.

Poinsettia

The poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is, together with the Christmas cactus, the greatest evergreen favourite among Christmas flowers. The best known is the red-leaved variant, but white, pink and variegated forms have been bred too.

It needs a warm, bright position, ideally a constant temperature above 20 °C; it does not like cold air from windows or direct sun, and during flowering it appreciates higher air humidity. After flowering move it to a cooler place and reduce watering and humidity; in spring cut it back to a height of about 10 cm and repot it. White milky sap flows from cut wounds, which irritates the skin and above all must not get into the eyes; you stop the flow with hot water or a candle flame. Over the summer the plant benefits from being outdoors with sufficient watering and feeding.

In autumn comes the most important step: to colour up the upper leaves the poinsettia needs at least 14 hours of uninterrupted darkness a day for 6–8 weeks, because in its homeland it flowers in the season of short days. Here it therefore has to be artificially darkened, otherwise it stays green. Despite its widespread reputation, the poinsettia is not markedly poisonous, eating a leaf can at most cause mild nausea, but still do not needlessly let the sap get on the skin or into the eyes.

Overview of the Requirements of Individual Plants

Bulbs as a Christmas Decoration

Bulbs are rather messengers of spring, but with forcing they can be made to flower even at Christmas.

1. At the beginning of November plant bulbs of crocuses, hyacinths, daffodils or grape hyacinths in a bowl with substrate.
2. Place the bowl in a warm room; warmth speeds up growth and flowering.
3. Water regularly, keeping the substrate moist, not wet.
4. As soon as buds appear, move the bowl to a cooler and brighter place so the flowering lasts longer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is hippeastrum the same as amaryllis?

No, it is a different genus, even though hippeastrum is commonly sold in shops under the name amaryllis. The true genus Amaryllis comes from southern Africa.

Why does my Christmas cactus not flower?

Most often because of high temperature or a lack of darkness in autumn. It needs a cooler position and shortening days to set buds.

Is the poinsettia poisonous?

Less than is generally believed. The milky sap irritates the skin and eyes, and eating a leaf usually causes only mild nausea. Even so, it is better to keep the plant out of the reach of small children and pets.

How long must a cyclamen be kept cool?

If you want it to flower regularly, give it a cooler position of around 10–15 °C throughout flowering, not just briefly after purchase.

Can a poinsettia be made to flower again at home?

Yes, but it requires discipline – for 6 to 8 weeks it must have at least 14 hours of complete darkness a day, otherwise the upper leaves stay green.

Sources

• Wikipedia: Hippeastrum – confusion with amaryllis, cultivation and toxicity of the bulb
• Wikipedia: Schlumbergera – epiphytic cactus and short-day requirements
• Wikipedia: Cyclamen – habitat and toxicity of the tubers
• Wikipedia: Euphorbia pulcherrima – irritating milky sap and photoperiod for colouring up

Updated: 10 October 2026