REMEMBER: A plant is not just for Christmas. This time of year the poinsettia is our go-to Christmas plant. It looks so lush and bright, taking centre stage at the dining table surrounded by your Christmas feast – but after that more often than not it ends up in the bin along with all other Christmas waste.

Let’s get this beautiful plant alive and well throughout the year.

These plants are indigenous to Mexico – that should give you your first clue. They like daylight and warm temperatures (in other words, don’t buy poinsettias that have been displayed near an ever-opening door or outside).

The striking red that we love so much is the leaf, not the flower. Look for a poinsettia that has a good set of flower buds in the centre of the red leaves.

Water it just a little every couple of days with tepid water. Too much will lead to root rot, too little will cause its leaves to drop off.

HOUSEPLANTS: Here's the one you can't kill

HOUSEPLANTS: The big cheese is back

I’d recommend to position your poinsettia in a living room near a window.

If the poinsettia is not your plant love, why not go for Christmas cacti?

These produce beautiful flowers from about September. They like the same temperature as we do –and plenty of light.

The slight setback with this plant is that it does like about 12 hours of darkness a day before the bloom season. This is usually around late September to October – I’d pop it in a corner that doesn’t face a window.

Christmas is a beautiful time to show case your houseplants.

Make them part of the decorations by placing lights on them and switching pots for more decorative ones.

If you’re feeling extra creative this year, go grab yourself some plain terracotta pots, spray paint and masking tape and get your art on with your own designs.

If you have children, a great pre Christmas activity is to let the kids go crazy on some plain pots with paint or Sharpie pens.

I’d love to see any of your Christmas plant displays, or plant pot decorations. You can post on any of my social media pages. You might even inspire others.

Until next time, planters!

Plant One On Me is at 11 Upper Millergate, Bradford BD1 1SX, part of the Sunbridge Wells complex.

Instagram/Facebook: plantoneonmeyorkshire

Twitter: @plantoneonmebfd