What looks like a butterfly, but is really a plant?

In winter, many of our plants are sleeping — except the Christmas cactus, with its profusion of butterfly-like flowers. Native to mountainous tropical rainforests, it must not be treated like an ordinary cactus. Christmas cactus likes cool weather, indirect light and a regular watering regimen.

Because it doesn't need direct sunlight, it makes a great indoor plant. It can even adapt to low light conditions but you will get more blooms if you put it in a brighter area. Direct sunlight may cause leaf burn, so keep it indirect.

With colors such as fuchsia, metallic rose, purple, apricot, white, gold, or red, the Christmas cactus will give you beautiful butterfly flowers indoors — especially in winter.

The redder the better, especially if they are poinsettias.

The Aztecs cultivated poinsettias near present day Cuernavaca. Today there are pink, white, orange, and even multi-colored poinsettias, all hybridized to complement any holiday décor.

The designer colors are beautiful, but many still prefer the traditional holiday red.

To keep the bright red bracts of your potted poinsettias at their peak, place them in bright light, maintain approximately 50 percent humidity, and don't over-water them.