Poinsettias, Norfolk Island pines, a variety of succulents and air plants are popping up all over holiday retail displays, and you might be thinking about buying one as a gift or for a special treat to yourself. These and other indoor plants provide many benefits besides looking pretty, including filtering the air we breathe, producing oxygen and making us feel less stressed and more focused. Here are a few tips for success with common holiday gift plants.

Poinsettias

Place poinsettias near a sunny window or an area that receives a lot of natural light. Although they have become a symbol of wintry holidays, poinsettias are tropical plants native to Mexico. Keep them wrapped up during transport and away from drafts in their new home.

To water poinsettias, take plants out of their foil wrappers or other decorative containers if double-potted. Ensure that the interior pot has drainage holes, then set plants in the sink or bathtub. Add water until soil is soaked through and water runs out the bottom of the pot. Remember that potting soil is like a sponge and may take a little time or a couple of applications to wick water all the way through. When the pot has finished dripping, return it to its sunny location and wait to water until the soil has started to dry out again.

Besides traditional red poinsettias, you can find pink, white, yellow, salmon, blue, silver, and multicolored plants. Some of these colors are the result of breeding; others (especially blue) are the result of painting. The blue color was initiated to make the poinsettia attractive for Hanukkah decorations, but its popularity has certainly contributed to the selection of other colors of painted poinsettias.

Norfolk Island pines

These pines are also tropical and must be kept indoors to survive in Kansas. They are native to the island for which they are named, near Australia. To keep them houseplant-sized, keep them in a small pot and prune as needed.

Place Norfolk Island pines in a location that receives bright, indirect light. Rotate plants as needed to keep them symmetrical as they will grow toward the light source over time. Like poinsettias, they should be allowed to dry out a little between waterings. When you do water, soak the potting mix until it is saturated and water runs out the bottom. Use a saucer if the plant is too large to be moved.

Succulents

Single plants and mixed succulent “gardens” are very popular right now. Although care depends a little on the species (of which there are hundreds), most succulents benefit from having at least a half day of bright light in either a sunny window or bright indirect light. Allow them to dry out even more than the poinsettias, and once again, make sure to thoroughly soak the soil when you do water.

Succulents are nice because they are pretty forgiving to forgetful plant waterers, many species take up little space, and they tend to be less messy than larger, leafy indoor plants.

Air plants

Air plants (Tillandsias) are so named because they absorb water and nutrients through their leaves (or seemingly, the air) rather than roots. There are hundreds of species ranging in sizes, shapes, and colors, but most commercially available air plants range from the diameter of a lime to that of a grapefruit. Some look like a green leafy pine cone, while other have long wispy tendrils. They are often sold in open glass bulbs meant for display.

Place air plants in bright indirect light rather than direct sun if possible. If a bright window is the only option, water more often than if the plant were in indirect light.

Most sources agree the best method of watering an air plant is to soak it in room temperature rain water for 20 to 30 minutes, 2 to 3 times per week. Thankfully, air plants are also forgiving. Try dipping them in tap water that has sat overnight (a watering can works well for this), mist them with a spray bottle, or even give them a gentle rinse under lukewarm water from the tap. Watering once a week will keep air plants going in most cases. Add in a longer soak once every few weeks if you can remember.

Other gift plants

If you pick up a plant that is unfamiliar to you or the recipient, do your best to find out a name for it before you leave the store. Then, look up care information and follow it as much as possible. Plants may be easier to care for than kittens or puppies, but they do need a few basics to survive.

— Jennifer Smith is a former horticulture extension agent for K-State Research and Extension and horticulturist for Lawrence Parks and Recreation. She is the host of “The Garden Show.”