University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein urges people to keep safety in mind when decorating with holiday greenery this season.
Trinklein says evergreens, holly, mistletoe and other traditional yuletide plants could pose a fire hazard. He says with the holiday season beginning with Thanksgiving and lasting through New Year’s Day, plant material brought into the home at the beginning of the season is likely to dry by the first of January.
When it comes to greenery, freshness is always important. While relatively fresh greenery might be available from a local retail outlet, Trinklein adds, “the very freshest greenery comes from one’s own landscape and should be used whenever possible.”
Whatever the source of greenery, place cut ends in water and recut the stems if your greenery came from a retail outlet. Keep the plant material in the coolest place possible until it is time to move it indoors. Freezing temperatures will not harm the greenery, but unfrozen water should be available to the stems at all times during storage.
To promote safety and prolong useful life of holiday greenery, keep stems in water after moving them inside. Design decorations so branches fit into a container that holds water. He suggests adding floral preservatives such as those used for cut flowers and change the preservative solution weekly.
He also suggests that you don’t place decorations containing greenery near hot air ducts, radiators or other heat sources. Never put decorations with greenery near fireplaces.