How to Grow Helleborus Indoors
The hellebore plant, also known as the Christmas rose, is a popular winter-blooming plant that is often grown indoors to spruce up the dull winter season. A native of the European Alps, the hellebore is a member of the buttercup family. Hellebores can flower for two months or more and produce five-petaled flowers that resemble wild roses. They're available in a fantastic variety of shades including white, rose, pink, magenta, yellow, green and plum. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Hellebore plants
- High-quality potting soil
- Organic plant matter
- Pebble tray
- Water soluble or slow-release fertilizer
Instructions
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Plant hellebores in a container with drainage holes, using high-quality, well-draining potting soil that retains moisture. If soil is not well-aerated, add some sand or peat moss.
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Add compost or other organic matter to the soil.
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Hellebores plants enjoy some humidity so if the air in your home is dry, place plants on top of a pebble tray filled with water.
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Place the plant in an east, west or south-facing window with bright, indirect sun.
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Water regularly enough to maintain moist soil; use warm water. Reduce watering during the plant's dormant season.
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Add water-soluble fertilizer every two weeks or a granular slow-release fertilizer every spring.
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Expect blooms in winter or very early spring.
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Tips & Warnings
Hellebores plants thrive in indoor temperatures between 65 and 70 degrees F.
Make your own potting soil for hellebores by mixing one part garden soil, one part perlite or coarse sand, one part peat moss or humus and a sprinkle of lime.
Remove yellow leaves and dying flowers.
When given quality soil and a proper start, hellebores are very low-maintenance and will tolerate a range of sun and water conditions.
Hellebores plants are toxic to humans and animals, so keep out of the reach of children and pets.
Hellebores can become infected with "hellebore black death," a disease that has no cure and is fatal to the plant. The cause of this disease is unknown but a virus is suspected. Symptoms of the disease include blackened leaf veins, black streaks on flower bracts and petioles, and brittle, black new growth. Infected plants should be disposed of immediately.
