Santa Claus is now preparing to fly out on his annual promotional tour with a scheduled stop at Bylands Garden Centre in Westside on Saturday at 11 a.m.

One of Santa’s favourite stops, once he has landed he will spend some of his valuable time with the children, giving each one time to sit with him and talk.

Santa also asks if it is possible to please bring along a small non perishable item for the food bank. He will make certain it gets to a deserving family. Christmas is a time when bringing life into the home in the form of plants and flowers means so much.

Growing up around the floral industry, I saw first-hand the joy in people’s eyes when they received floral gifts.

So with that in mind, let me outline a list of ideal Christmas plants and how to care for them.

Potted Chrysanthemum: Perhaps the most popular flowering plant used for year round giving and available in a host of colours and forms. At Christmas, the most popular are the whites, often they are decorated for seasonal effect. The flowers on Chrysanthemums usually last a long time and the plant is very forgiving. Let it go on the dry side between watering and try and place it near a source of light however because this plant is pretty much a one time use it can be enjoyed even in very low light situations. When the blooms have finished it can be kept for a while as a foliage plant but eventually it is compost.

Christmas Cactus: Exactly the opposite to Chrysanthemums when it comes to longevity for this plant can stay in the family for decades. I’ve heard of them being as old as 60 years handed down from Great Grandma. Don’t think of these as a regular desert cactus as they are actually a rain forest species. They don’t want to get nearly as dry as their desert cousins.

Cylamen: Are somewhat more difficult to care for but very exotic looking and still quite popular at Christmas time. Keep Cyclamen cool by placing in a cool north window and water them from he bottom. Never let them sit in water for more than a few hours.

Azaleas: Are very popular throughout the year but make an especially nice gift at Christmas. Never let your Azalea dry out but if you do but you must re-charge the root ball, which is generally straight peat moss, with moisture by soaking the entire root ball in a bucket or sink full of water.

African Violets: Are perfect for folks in a nursing home or any where when space is at a premium. They come in several colours but choosing a white or pink and dressing it up for Christmas always works. Water African Violets from the bottom after the soil becomes slightly dry.

Poinsettias: Are the most popular flowering plant at Christmas and perhaps the largest selling seasonal plant overall. Millions are grown and sold all over the world every Christmas

High light locations are preferred by your poinsettia. This means bright light (near a sunny window). To determine this, place your hand one foot above the area you’ve chosen as its home —you should get a definite shadow. Soil should get slightly dry before a thorough watering. Don’t let your plant get dry enough to wilt and never let it stand in water for an extended period. Temperatures found in most homes are acceptable, but warm locations will greatly improve the lasting quality, ideally 18 to 21 C.

Tune in to The Don Burnett Garden Show on the new AM 1150 News Talk Sports Saturday mornings from 8 to 10 a.m.