Christmastime plants: more than just poinsettia

The Christmas season is here and it is time to decorate the home in the spirit of the season.

Poinsettias dominate the holiday-plant market, but many people like to complement their homes with different greenery.

Unfortunately, many beautiful plants meet a premature demise through neglect and improper care. Plants that could be attractive for many days, weeks or even months can look unattractive in only a few days if they are not given proper care.

It is important to realize that many potted flowering plants have a limited display life in the home. The length will vary considerably among species, but is strongly influenced by the environment in which they are placed and the care they receive.

Plants generally should be placed in high-light areas (under lamps, near windows and glass doors). Avoid drafts, excess heat from appliances, radiators, or heating ducts. Place plants away from traffic, and out of the reach of unmonitored children and animals. A pot in or on a water-proof container will protect furnishings. Water the plants when the soil is dry to the touch. Discard excess water that collects in the saucer.

Here are some colorful plants to complement the traditional poinsettias and evergreens in your dcor:

CHRISTMAS CACTUS. Actually, three related cactus species dependably bloom on different holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. All have been extensively crossbred to produce flower colors including magenta, white, pink, salmon and orange. All holiday cactuses need bright light and moderate moisture to grow and flower best. A south-facing window is the perfect spot for them. After the six weeks of holiday blooming, remove the spent flowers and apply a houseplant fertilizer.

CHRISTMAS PEPPERS are garden pepper cultivars selected for fruit color and form. The fruits can be globe or cone-shape and yellow, orange, red, green or purple. Their peak color lasts one to two months. These peppers can be extremely hot, so keep them away from small children. The peppers will be brighter and longer if you'll keep the plants in bright light, mild temperatures and moist soil. Fertilized them weekly with a soluble fertilizer.

GLOXINIAS have single or clustered red, violet-blue, pink, white or bicolor, trumpet-shape flowers. A 6-inch plant can have a dozen flowers over four weeks, each lasting up to six days. Keep gloxinias out of direct sunlight and cold or hot drafts. Water them from the saucer with warm water. Keep them moist but not waterlogged. When the leaves start dying back, water them less often. Let them dry out for two to four months. Resume watering when new growth begins.

BEGONIAS. Rieger begonias look much like garden tuberous and nonstop begonias. The leaves are somewhat glossy and can break easily. Both single and double flowers can be on the same plant. Riegers are fairly tolerant of sun and temperature. They prefer slightly moist soil. A high-quality plant will be at least half covered by flowers.

KALANCHOES have fleshy leaves and bright clusters of yellow, orange or red, long-lasting flowers. New multicolored selections are available, too. They will be happiest if you keep them warm and dry.

Drought stress, though, will shorten the flowers' life. Feeding with houseplant fertilizer once a month helps.

AMARYLLISES have spectacular orange, red, white, pink and multicolored blooms. They flower four to six weeks after you plant them, with each bloom lasting three to four days. To get them to reflower, place them in bright light. Move them outdoors when the weather warms. Water and fertilize them, and let the foliage develop all summer. As the leaves begin dying, water them less often. When they die, let the soil dry out. Keep the bulbs in a cool, dry place for a month or two and then start watering again.

CYCLAMENS have attractive foliage and white, pink, lavender, purple, red or bicolor blooms. They can flower for four months with proper care. Place them in a cool east or north window. Water them carefully, not too much or too little. When they stop flowering, gradually water less often. After the leaves die, let the stem dry for six weeks. When you resume watering, new foliage will appear. Bright light and cool temperatures sometimes get them to reflower.

BLUSHING BROMELIADS have an open rosette of strap-shape, toothed, midgreen or variegated leaves, with the inner leaves purplish to red. The flowers are violet or lavender. Bromeliads like bright light and warmth. Don't overwater them, but keep the central vase, formed by the leaves, fill with rain or distilled water. Feed them by spraying the leaves with a diluted fertilizer solution.

SID MULLIS IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA EXTENSION SERVICE OFFICE IN RICHMOND COUNTY. CALL 821-2349, OR SEND E-MAIL TO SMULLIS@UGA.EDU.