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How to Care for the Season’s Most Popular Holiday Plants

Holiday graphic featuring evergreen branches, red berries, and gold stars.

MANY OF THE SEASONS FAVORITE INDOOR PLANTS ARE SURPRISINGLY EASY TO CARE FOR.

Most classic holiday houseplants — including Poinsettia, Amaryllis, Peace Lily, Orchid, and Christmas Cactus — thrive in bright, indirect light and evenly moist soil. A few festive favorites enjoy slightly more humidity and can tolerate small amounts of direct sunlight, such as Norfolk Pine, Lemon Cypress, Frosty Fern, False Holly, and Bluepoint Juniper.

Discover Suburban’s full collection of holiday plants through our Christmas & Holiday Plants department, filled with fresh seasonal favorites ready to brighten your home. And if you ever need personalized guidance, our friendly experts are always here to help — connect with one of our knowledgeable Garden Advisors for recommendations tailored to your space, style, and plant-care confidence.

Plant by Plant Care Guide

Poinsettias

Euphorbia pulcherrima

Place your poinsettia in a sunny window or the brightest part of the room, keeping the leaves from touching cold windowpanes. Ideal temperatures are 65–75°F during the day and 60–65°F at night. Never allow the plant to wilt — leaf drop will follow quickly. Water when the soil feels dry, using lukewarm water until it drains from the bottom, and discard excess water. Move outdoors in summer to a protected location, then bring indoors in September. To encourage reblooming, give the plant 14 hours of darkness nightly starting October 1, along with 6 hours of bright daytime light.

Suburban Recommends

Keep your poinsettia looking its best with a controlled-pour watering can that helps prevent splashing and overwatering. A moisture meter ensures correct hydration, especially during winter. For a polished holiday presentation, place your poinsettia inside one of our festive Christmas containers.

Christmas Cactus

Zygocactus truncatus (formerly Schlumbergera)

Christmas cactus thrives in bright indirect light but can tolerate medium to bright direct light. Allow the soil to dry one-third to halfway down before watering to avoid oversaturation. Use cactus and succulent mix with rock, sand, or perlite for excellent drainage. With proper care, Christmas cactus rewards you with beautiful cool-weather blooms.

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Give your Christmas cactus a healthy home in a breathable ceramic container that reduces moisture buildup. Pair it with a fast-draining indoor & specialty soil blend and feed during the growing season with indoor & tropical plant food for fuller blooms.

Rosemary Topiaries

Rosemary topiaries prefer cool indoor temperatures (45–65°F), slightly dry soil, and bright indirect light. Place near an east-, south-, or west-facing window and avoid heat vents. Maintain shape with occasional trimming and move outdoors in summer for refreshed growth.

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Maintain the sculpted shape with precision snips and shears. Repot into a sturdy ceramic container for stability, and use a gentle watering can for careful hydration.

Amaryllis

(Hippeastrum spp.)

Plant bulbs in a pot 1–2 inches wider than the bulb, keeping the upper half exposed. Place in bright, indirect light and rotate regularly. Water sparingly to avoid rot. Fertilizer isn’t needed during blooming.

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Support tall bloom stalks using a weighted ceramic pot. Use premium indoor & specialty potting soil to maintain proper moisture and encourage healthy roots.

Norfolk Pine

(Araucaria heterophylla)

Norfolk pine thrives in bright, indirect light, evenly moist soil, and high humidity. Ideal temperatures range from 55–65°F. Yellowing needles often indicate low humidity or underwatering. Fertilize monthly April–October and rotate weekly.

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Boost humidity with a decorative container or tray filled with pebbles and water. Maintain steady moisture with a slow-pour watering can, and support evergreen color with indoor & tropical fertilizer.

Let Suburban Help You Keep Your Holiday Plants Thriving

From beautifully grown seasonal plants to the tools that help them flourish, Suburban makes holiday plant care simple and joyful.
If you’re ever unsure about what your plant needs, our friendly experts are here to help every step of the way. Stop by our Martin City, Roe, or Lenexa locations or send us an email  Garden Advisors  

Our team is happy to help our valued customers.

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Holiday graphic featuring evergreen branches, red berries, and gold stars.
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