Home decoration with anthurium and poinsettia

Decorating the house with anthurium and poinsettias during the holidays. Create a festive mood for Christmas and New Year with two quintessentially festive plants.

Anthurium, Christmas decoration for its wonderful flowers

The tropical anthurium with its unique shape and bright colors is a timeless indoor plant. At the same time, its long and straight flowers have many applications in flower arranging.

The origin of the anthurium is from Colombia, Guatemala and the regions of Brazil around the Amazon. Its name comes from the words “flower” and “tail” which of course refer to its appearance! In many countries the anthurium is also known by the name flamingo flower.

Ornamental value of anthurium

Anthurium as a plant grows slowly. Depending on its species and variety, it can be approximately 25-60 centimeters tall. Like a succulent plant, it blooms all year round but more intensely in the summer months. The ornamental value of the anthurium is due both to its magnificent flowers and to its foliage. Anthurium leaves are heart-shaped, with a bright and glossy green color. They also have a leathery texture and obvious ribs. Anthurium leaves have an important use in floristry. They participate in many compositions from the flowers. Anthurium flowers have a long flower stem. They grow in a pith described by a spathe leaf.

The pith is usually white-yellow or green in color

However, it can be purple, pink, red, orange and even blue. It also very often combines two or three colors. The most known and popular colors for the sword are red, white, green and pink. Nevertheless, the anthurium mainly as a cut flower has other colors such as: orange, yellow, purple, salmon, burgundy, brown and even blue and black.

In addition, there are anthuriums whose spathe has two colors. Anthurium in flower arrangements and as a cut flower.

As a cut flower, anthurium symbolizes hospitality, friendship and exotic beauty. It is available all year round. It is stored at temperatures of 11-17oC and has a long shelf life in the container. Depending on the variety, the anthurium flower can be kept in the pot 10. up to 45 days! To extend the life of the pot it is necessary that the water remains clean.Anthurium flowers should be kept away from heat sources and direct sunlight. Anthurium is an accent flower and is very often used alone. It is combined with foliage and complementary flowers. We also create beautiful compositions with other tropical flowers such as Gloriosa, strelitzia and even calla.

Anthurium as a wedding flower is combined with many flowers such as roses, hydrangeas, orchids and others. Its mini varieties are also particularly loved. Many times in compositions it is what determines the direction and leads the eye accordingly.

The anthurium in the pot and as an indoor plant

In the anthurium of the environment it grows as an epiphyte. Lives and grows above on tree trunks. From there it draws its nutrients with its small root system. Also in its natural environment the anthurium receives enough sunlight but not direct. In general, it is a plant that loves a warm environment as well as atmospheric humidity. In the pot, the anthurium grows like an indoor plant. The ideal temperature
for its growth it is 20-25 oC. The appropriate location is a bright spot without receiving direct sunlight. Also, no draft should pass through the place where the plant is placed. Anthurium needs watering usually once a week in winter and twice a week summer. In the summer when the plant blooms strongly, it needs fertilization every 15 days.Liquid fertilizer for indoor plants is used for fertilization. For the proper maintenance of the plant, dry leaves and flower stems must be removed. Like most houseplants with large leaves, Anthurium should be dusted with a damp cloth.

Poinsettia or Alexandrine and the Christmas decoration takes off

In winter, flowering plants add a colorful and pleasant note as well both indoors and outdoors. The poinsettia or poinsettia is par excellence the Christmas plant. It is the most popular and most beloved festive plant both in our country and abroad. Strong lines and expressive colors allow the creation of simple and at the same time impressively frugal compositions. The origin of the poinsettia is from Central America and more specifically from Mexico.

The poinsettia is a bushy ornamental plant with dense and thick foliage and with red, white, cream or yellow bracts; In southern Greece and Crete it can also grow as a shrub in the garden. Nevertheless, in our country the poinsettia is considered an indoor plant with great decorative value. As an indoor plant, the poinsettia usually lasts 1-2 years. Of course it can survive even longer with a lot of care and the right location. Most of the time, however, it loses a large part of its decorative value.

Ornamental value of the poinsettia

The ornamental value of the poinsettia is mainly due to its colored “flowers”.
they grow in such a way that they look like a star. Actually this colored part of the plant is not flowers but bracts and leaves. The true flowers are small, yellow, without ornamental value. Finally there are mini poinsettia varieties with low growth and smaller leaves. The bracted leaves of alexander can be red, pink, yellow, cream or white. They remain on the plant for 2-3 months, usually throughout the winter.
The right place in the house for the poinsettia

Place the plant in a bright spot and it will thrive. The alexandrina as an indoor plant prefers bright places. Nevertheless, in the southern regions where there is strong sunshine and in winter it needs protection from direct sunlight. Poinsettias should not be placed near heat sources such as radiators. Also, very dry or very hot air (such as air conditioning) will cause the plant’s colored foliage to suffer. The appropriate temperature for the proper growth of the plant is 10-21 ºC. Usually indoor spaces in winter have a higher temperature per hour. This is also one of the reasons why the alexander plant does not have a long lifespan as an indoor plant.

Poinsettia decoration

Choose alexanders in bright red, bright white, elegant cream or cheerful
color combinations. They will light up the space and banish its dull gray colors
winter. Decorate the tables with the adorable mini alexandrias. Accentuate your space with a rich Alexandrino shrub. Large poinsettias in decorative planters can decorate from small interior corners to house and shop entrances. The poinsettia can be decorated with natural materials and various Christmas accessories. It is combined with Christmas balls, fir branches, cinnamon sticks, walnuts, pomegranates. Thus it creates the right atmosphere for someone to stay “inside” on cold winter days.

Tips for preserving poinsettias after the holidays

• The video in bright places. In winter, prefer places with direct exposure in the sun, while in the summer months avoid direct sunlight.
• The plant needs watering 1-2 times a week while it is in bloom. after dropping flowers once a week is enough.
• Poinsettias do not need pruning. A climax with the end of flowering is enough.
• Choose organic fertilizer for fertilization.