Chrysanthemums, hydrangeas, azaleas, callas, kalanchoes and miniature roses can not really be as happy as they seem to be while in full bloom at the florist counter. Then there are all the seasonal blooming plants like Easter lilies and poinsettias. Wrapped in undraining mylar, often with ribbons and bows, they are actually quite humiliated.
All are forced to bloom in artificial greenhouse environments that are nothing like the home environments that they ultimately go to. As they finish bloom, most get retired directly to the garden where many are unable to adapt quickly and efficiently enough to survive for long. Many do not make it that far, but get sent to the compost or the trash by those who prefer to not prolong their agony.
These potted plants (which are actually known as ‘pot plants’ in the horticultural industries) are not like houseplants, since they are not actually expected to survive for long in the home. They are only expected to perform for a limited time while in bloom.
Adapting to the home environment is not the difficult part. Most potted plants can manage that for a while, but eventually want more sunlight. Hydrangeas, roses, Easter lilies and other deciduous plants also eventually want a cool winter for their dormancy. The problem is adapting to exposure to the sunlight and weather that these plants crave. Foliage can get scorched, frozen or desiccated.
As unsightly as plants can be during transition, most can eventually replace their greenhouse foliage with foliage that is adapted to their new environment in the garden if transitioned slowly and carefully. Large ‘forced’ flowers will eventually be shed or can be pruned off as they deteriorate. The more sensitive types of plants should be moved to a sheltered spot on a porch or in partial shade for a few months before being moved to more exposed spots. Once in the garden, they will want regular watering until their roots disperse.
Deciduous plants and bulbs can stay in the sheltered spot until they defoliate for winter. If put into their permanent location while dormant and bare, their new foliage that emerges in spring will be adapted to the new exposure.
Aloes, Christmas cactus and various other succulents are considerably more resilient and adaptable than the more common potted plants. Both rosemary and small olive trees that have become trendy during the past many years can likewise be adaptable if not kept in the home too long. Olive trees can stay potted indefinitely if pruned regularly, or can go into the garden where there is room to grow. Christmas trees are just as adaptable, but do not want to stay potted for long. Sadly though, most get much too big for home gardens.
Tony Tomeo 
I am one that always tries to get them to continue growing.
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So am I. It is embarrassing. People give me their old plants with the expectation that I will find homes for them. Actually, I used to grow Christmas trees long enough to recover from their shearing, and then plant them in Los Angeles. They are stone pines and Canary Island pines, so are practical for medians in San Vicente Boulevard. I planted a few here also.
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It’s a bit much, really. In the rose industry, I used to hear it said that the roses that looked best for longest on a garden centre’s selling benches were not necessarily the best ones long term in the garden. My pet hate is roses sold in those narrow, tall cardboard boxes, designed to maximise plants per square foot.
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Gads! Marketing is SO offensive! We get bedding plants that were ‘grown with less water’, as if that somehow makes them less consumptive. It is a lie anyway, since growers give their crops what they require, but no more. Seriously, what grower would waste water? What exactly is ‘less’?
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Too many rewards for doing things the bad way, although there are decent ways to market products.
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