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CACTI & SUCCULENT PLANTS
Hardy cacti and other succulent plants are accustomed to desert conditions and prefer bright, indirect light or direct sun. Water them thoroughly and evenly, allowing them to dry out completely in between waterings. If the soil becomes too hard and causes water to run off, place the pot in water just to cover the soil, and allow it to soak for about 30 minutes.
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CALLA
Callas thrive in slightly cool, sunny spots, especially after their blooms open. Check their soil frequently and keep it moist but not soggy.
These bulb-like plants grow from rhizomes, and when they're finished blooming, you can plant them outdoors in mild climates. They need a winter rest period before reblooming, so allow them to dry out over the winter.
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CHRISTMAS CACTUS
The Christmas cactus, with flowers ranging in color from yellow, salmon, pink, fuchsia and white (or combinations of those colors), isn't just for the holidays – it can be grown indoors throughout the year.
While it adapts to low light, it will produce more abundant blooms if you place it in a sunny spot. In the summer, you can move it outdoors, but keep it in a shady or semi-shady location, since too much direct sunlight can burn the leaves. When it's time to bring it back indoors in the fall, do so gradually to allow it to adjust. Since it relies on shortened daylight in the fall to induce budding, help it along by placing it in a room that receives no additional evening light. Once buds begin to appear again, bring it back into the living room or kitchen.
Despite its name, the Christmas cactus isn't a true cactus, and it's not quite as drought tolerant as you might think, so water it thoroughly when the top half of the soil feels dry to the touch. During the summer, keep it continually moist, and when fall arrives, water it only well enough to prevent wilting. During the month of October, give it no water at all, and then cautiously resume watering in November, being careful not to let the stems get full from over watering.
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CHRYSANTHEMUMS
Chrysanthemums like bright light, place them near an open window to encourage their buds to open (but avoid allowing them to be exposed to direct sunlight once in bloom, as that can burn their flowers).
While they're in-bloom, water them every two days or so – even at the risk of over watering, since wilting will shorten their life. When not in bloom, keep their soil moderately moist, watering thoroughly only when the soil surface feels dry to the touch.
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CYCLAMEN
Characterized by heart-shaped leaves and blossoms that fly over the leaves like miniature colorful birds, cyclamen plants are sensitive to over watering and under watering. Keeping the soil moist (not wet) to the touch is the trick to having them last long in a home or office setting. Allowing the plant to dry out will prevent unopened buds from opening and maturing. Spent blossoms should be removed immediately to make space for new buds to open and unfurl. Cyclamens prefer cooler temperatures 55 to 65 degrees F and diffused bright light.
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DAFFODILS (NARCISSUS)
As trumpets of spring, pots of daffodils like moist soil and cool temperatures with high light sources. Placing the plants in low light once they are blooming can cause “stem topple” where the stems that emerge from the bulbs become askew instead of being parallel in the container. Using a series of bamboo stakes and some twine or raffia - the stems and foliage can be corralled within the dimensions of the pot. Depending on their stage of openness, daffodils can last from 5 to 12 days.
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DIEFFENBACHIA
Dieffenbachias are popular plants because they thrive so well indoors and handle a wide range of light conditions, though they do best when you place them in bright, indirect light. In the winter, make sure they receive more light.
Water your dieffenbachia thoroughly, allowing the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out in between waterings. Allowing the plant to become bone dry will cause it to wilt.
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EASTER LILY
Easter lilies prefer moist soil and diffused light. As the blossoms open, you may want to remove the yellow anthers with a tissue to prevent the white blossom from discoloring and the pollen from damaging clothing or home surfaces. As flowers pass their prime, they can be removed to keep the plant looking healthy and to make room for new buds to open.
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