For people who want to grow more food with less work. 🌱 This is my weekly newsletter loved by 38,000+ subscribers—here's what one of them had to say: "These are not the regular run-of-the-mill garden-based emails. You actually touch on more unusual tidbits that encourage me to keep growing and learning."
most people throw out this plant (but you don't have to)
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Yes, it's true. There's a common plant that many people grow this time of year, not realizing it's actually a perennial, and they throw it out as soon as the holidays are over. I'm talking about poinsettias—the gorgeous Christmas plant in bloom that you're now seeing everywhere. (And while I have your attention here, "bloom" is what I call it but it's not actually the flowers that are blooming—it's the modified leaves, called bracts, which change color in winter. The actual flowers are nothing to write home about.) Poinsettias grow outside year-round in warm climates (they're actually shrubs that can grow to the size of small trees!) but we most often keep them as seasonal houseplants. With a little extra care, however, you can keep yours healthy as a year-round plant and get it to bloom again next winter. ​Here's what you need to do when you bring home a poinsettia this month.​ (By the way, it's often said that poinsettias are toxic to pets—but that's a myth! They are generally safe around cats and dogs unless a VERY LARGE amount is eaten—like, the entire plant.) Speaking of holiday greenery... here's a surprising fact why Christmas trees are a thing this time of year! 🎄We know that Christmas is a Christian holiday and a Christmas tree is one of its most recognized symbols, but is it actually rooted in religion? After all, my family and I (and likely many others) celebrate the holidays as a season of joy and giving and togetherness. And our Christmas tree (which I guess should really be called a holiday tree) brings life and light to an otherwise dreary winter. Turns out, we're not the only ones who feel that way since the tradition of bringing a tree into the home didn't originate with Christianity, as many people think. It actually goes way back to the time of the ancient Egyptians! Every year at the winter solstice, ancient Egyptians decorated their homes and temples with evergreen trees and wreaths to symbolize everlasting life, peace, and opulence. This was an important tradition for them because it was a time when their sun god, Ra, was weak and ill. After the solstice, Ra would start glowing brighter and stronger, and an evergreen's immortality signaled the triumph of life over death. The ancient Egyptians weren't the only folks to bring their plants indoors in winter. In Scandinavia, the Vikings believed evergreens were gifts from Baldur, god of the summer sun. (This is the same Baldur associated with one of the reasons we kiss under the mistletoe.) The Druids (ancient Celts) started bringing evergreens into their homes around the 8th century. It wasn't until the 16th century that German Christians began building wooden pyramids adorned with evergreens and candles—the precursor to today's Christmas trees—to celebrate Jesus' birth. But the practice was considered odd and even a "pagan mockery," according to a Plymouth Colony governor who outright banned any observance of December 25 that wasn't a church service, including decorations. Fast forward to the late 19th century, and Christmas trees finally grained traction after Queen Victoria appeared in a sketch with her family next to a decorated tree in Windsor Castle. This was 1846, and the Christmas tree—as we know it today with all its lights and ornaments—suddenly went mainstream. (Fun fact: Thomas Edison created the first strand of electric string lights in 1880, and by 1903, General Electric offered pre-assembled kits that people could use to decorate their trees with, replacing their traditional candles.) I'm not sure who gets credit for the Christmas tree tradition these days. 🤷‍♀️ But I don't think it really matters. It's simply a beautiful thing to bring plants indoors to brighten our homes over the darkest days of winter. And over the next couple months, I'll be sharing more about my favorite houseplants with you! Cheers! P.S. Poinsettia is a perennial that can thrive as a year-round houseplant. Here's how to take care of it winter and all year long so it blooms again next year.​ P.P.S. Stumped on what to get your favorite people for the holidays? I've picked out some of my favorite gift ideas here (many of which I actually own and love): |
Garden Betty
For people who want to grow more food with less work. 🌱 This is my weekly newsletter loved by 38,000+ subscribers—here's what one of them had to say: "These are not the regular run-of-the-mill garden-based emails. You actually touch on more unusual tidbits that encourage me to keep growing and learning."