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Bettesworth Construction
amaryllis

Get Festive With Christmas Flowers and Plants: Poinsettias, Amaryllis and Holiday Cactus

Choose a poinsettia for immediate color, an amaryllis for flowers in six to eight weeks, or a holiday cactus for a flowering houseplant that can last beyond Christmas.

By Bettesworth Construction Team 5 min read
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For immediate Christmas color, choose a poinsettia; for dramatic flowers you can grow to a planned date, start an amaryllis bulb six to eight weeks ahead; for a flowering houseplant that can last beyond the holidays, consider a holiday cactus. The best fit also depends on how much watering and light you can provide—and whether pets or children might reach the plant.

Which flowers and plants feel festive at Christmas?

Poinsettias, amaryllis and holiday cactus offer three distinct kinds of seasonal display. Local retailers’ stock and exact colors vary by season, so treat these as plant choices rather than a promise of what is currently available.

Plant Display and timing Care and after the holidays Access and safety
Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) Colorful bracts provide an immediate display. Available bract colors can include red, pink, cream and white. Needs bright light and attentive watering. Its display is seasonal; reblooming requires additional care and timing. Sap can irritate skin; eating it may cause mild stomach symptoms. Keep it beyond reach of pets and children.
Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) Large, trumpet-shaped flowers on tall stalks. UVM estimates six to eight weeks to flower using its described growing method. Needs a sunny window and watering when the soil dries. Keep the bulb after flowering if you want to try growing it again. Bulbs, leaves and flowers contain toxins. Keep the plant away from pets and children.
Holiday cactus (Schlumbergera) A flowering potted houseplant; UVM says blooms may last four to six weeks with minimal care. Bright light and watering when soil just below the surface is dry. It can continue as a houseplant beyond the season. UVM says Christmas cactus is not poisonous to people or pets, though eating its fibrous segments may cause digestive trouble.

The familiar colored parts of a poinsettia are modified leaves, not petals. Its actual flowers are the small structures at the center of the bracts. Also check the identity of a plant sold as a Christmas cactus: Thanksgiving cactus is commonly sold at the same time, and the shapes of their leaf segments differ. The University of Vermont Extension’s holiday plant overview and holiday plant selection guide explain the distinctions and growing options.

How do you choose the right plant for your home?

  • Choose poinsettia for color now. It is the clearest choice when you want a full seasonal display without waiting for buds to open.
  • Choose amaryllis for a flower you can grow to a schedule. Allow six to eight weeks for flowering under UVM’s described method; a bulb is not an instant bouquet.
  • Choose holiday cactus for a longer-lived potted plant. Its flowers can last several weeks, and the plant can remain in your home after the Christmas display comes down.
  • Consider your routine. Poinsettias need careful watering and protection from drafts and heat. Amaryllis requires a sunny spot and patience. Holiday cactus should not be left bone-dry or sitting in soggy soil.
  • Plan for access. If a pet or child may chew a plant, amaryllis is the one to avoid within reach because all its parts contain toxins. The other two still merit sensible precautions.

How do you care for a poinsettia?

Choose a healthy plant

Look for dark green foliage and bright, undamaged bracts. Avoid plants with wilted leaves, broken stems or visible insects. Protect the plant from cold on the trip home; cold exposure can damage it before it reaches a warm room.

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Give it light, steady warmth and careful watering

Place it in bright light, away from cold drafts and heat sources. Water when the soil feels dry, then let excess water drain away. Decorative foil can hold water around the pot, so check that the plant is not left standing in it.

Colorado State University Extension’s November 2025 guidance gives preferred temperatures of 67–70°F during the day and 60–62°F at night, and warns against temperatures below 55°F. These are care conditions, not a guarantee that every home will produce the same result. See its poinsettia care tips.

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How long does amaryllis take to bloom?

UVM estimates six to eight weeks from planting to flowering with its described growing method. Amaryllis is sold as a bulb, a bulb kit with soil and a container, or a potted bulb closer to blooming. Choose the format that fits your timing, but do not expect a newly planted bulb to flower immediately. UVM describes the options and timing in its holiday plant guide.

Grow the bulb

  1. Plant the bulb in moistened potting mix.
  2. Set the pot in a sunny window.
  3. Rotate the pot regularly so the flower stalk does not lean toward the light.
  4. Water when the soil is dry beneath the surface.

Keep it after flowering

When the flower fades, continue watering and leave the foliage in place until it dies back naturally. Then store the bulb in a cool, dry place for a later planting.

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How should you care for a holiday cactus?

Give it bright light and water when the soil just below the surface is dry. Avoid both bone-dry soil and waterlogging: persistently soggy soil can cause root rot. After flowering, continue watering as needed. UVM recommends bright indirect light in summer and bringing the plant indoors before frost.

If the plant has outgrown its pot, repot it in cactus or succulent mix using a container only slightly larger. Repotting is for an overcrowded plant, not a required seasonal purchase. UVM’s holiday plant care guidance covers care and safety.

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Which holiday plants are safer around pets and children?

The safety differences matter: amaryllis is the clear plant to keep entirely out of reach, while poinsettia is not considered highly poisonous but can still cause irritation or mild illness. UVM warns that amaryllis bulbs, leaves and flowers contain toxins. It says poinsettia is not considered poisonous, though its sap may irritate skin and ingestion can cause mild stomach symptoms. Colorado State describes poinsettia as mildly toxic to cats and dogs and recommends keeping it out of reach.

For context, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach reports 22,793 poinsettia exposure cases in its selection and care guide; 98.9% were accidental, 93.1% involved children, there were no fatalities, and fewer than 5% led to medical-facility treatment. The guide does not show a publication date, so these are historical case figures, not the number of exposures in 2026 or a prediction of what will happen in an individual case. See Iowa State’s poinsettia selection and care guide.

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UVM says Christmas cactus is not poisonous to people or pets, but chewing its fibrous segments may cause digestive trouble. If a person or animal eats a plant and develops concerning symptoms, contact a poison-control service or veterinarian.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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