Seasonal Splendor: Christmas Plants and Flowers to Decorate Your Home

If you’re a self-admitted Grinch, you’ll probably scoff at a Christmas tree laden with lights and be really irate with Mariah Carey’s incessant All I want for Christmas is You. But even those without Christmas cheer can be appeased with a bright pot of flowers. Gardeners will opine that there’s a flower for every occasion, and Christmas is no exception. Red, the quintessential color of Christmas, is a beautiful color that many plants wear well. 

Here’s a list of holiday-inspired plants and flowers to decorate your home this holiday season. Bring a few of these festive plants into the house for Yuletide, and soon, you’ll be back in the game. 

1. Christmas Cactus       

There’s nothing that says “I’m alive,” more than a festive profusion of colors from a Christmas cactus. It’s not the most show-stopping plant, but it does the trick on a coffee table or mantel. To prompt your Christmas cactus to bloom, keep it in a dark, cool area until buds start to form, then relocate to a sunny, draft-free area. If cared for properly, Christmas cactus can live for decades, expanding to impressive proportions laden with bright flowers during the flowering season. 

2. Anthurium 

With heart-shaped blooms that can last two to three months, this attractive plant will soon become a permanent fixture in the house. Its glossy spathes, ranging in color from bubblegum pink to crimson, contrasts vividly with its green foliage. 

3. Candy Cane Sorrel

With its notable resemblance to candy canes, the aptly candy-cane sorrel boasts spiral red-and-white blossoms that look good enough to eat. However, instead of a minty taste, the high oxalic content gives it a sour taste. Plant bulbs in fall for flowers in the winter. Native to South Africa, candy cane sorrel is not a typical houseplant and is best suited in areas with mild winters. 

4. Rosemary   

 If you’re not keen on large plants, substitute a full-sized pine tree with a pot of rosemary, which can be grown indoors in self-watering planters. A woodsy herb with a piney scent similar to eucalyptus, rosemary doubles both as a nice table décor and an aromatic herb that you can add to your dishes. To harvest rosemary, use a scissors or a sharp knife and cut it just above a set of leaves. 

5. Amaryllis     

Since its widespread cultivation in the 19th century by the Victorians, amaryllis has always been regarded as a beautiful flower with vintage glam – and most gardeners would not disagree. Although this elegant flower is available in various colors, including a candy cane variety, the signature hues have remained red and white. 

6. Red Kalanchoe

This is a reliable plant that is easy to maintain and requires little fuss. As they are actually a type of succulent, water only sparingly, when the top two inches of soil are dry, especially during the winter. The red varieties, which are characterized by tiny clusters of crimson flowers, are often brought as Christmas ornamental plants. 

7. Crown of Thorns          

Crown of thorns is a thorny plant with symbolic significance, linked to the crown of thorns placed at the head of Christ during his crucifixion. As a houseplant, it is slow-growing, reaching a height of two feet with its wiry branches, tipped with black thorns. The sap of the plant is toxic to humans and pets, so avoid skin contact. 

8. Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) 

Wintergreen is a creeping groundcover seldom seen as a houseplant, but its popularity is on the rise. Its scarlet red berries, which last all winter long, and cold tolerance make it a lovely indoor plant for the holidays. An added benefit is that it enjoys shade, allowing it to thrive in areas of the house with less optimal conditions. 

9. Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchids)

Moth orchids have a reputation for being your grandmother’s orchids, but they’re still easy on the eyes, especially for those who desire a minimal setup. Plop one down on your office desk or the dinner table, and they’re here to stay. They’re tough, long-blooming, and familiar, which can appeal to those that prefer their day-to-day to be without variance. 

10. Araucaria heterophylla (Norfolk Island Pine)

Unlike disposable houseplants like the poinsettia, the Norfolk Island pine is like a small version of a Christmas tree that hangs around even after the holidays end. While it can reach up to 100 ft in its native habitat, indoors it typically reaches 5 – 8 ft. 

11. Lavender       

Lavender is more difficult to grow indoors, as it needs dryer soil and plenty of sun, though it’s still possible. During the holidays, some are trimmed into the shape of a Christmas tree. For some extra sparkle, decorate it with a garland of twinkling lights or any decorations you see fit. 

12. Bromeliad 

The bromeliad family is vast, comprising more than 3,000 species – pineapples are in fact a type of bromeliad and are available as an ornamental decoration. Originating from a wide range of tropical environments, it’s become a popular houseplant known for its striking, vibrant foliage. The resemblance of its variegated foliage to ribbons naturally makes it an ideal Christmas plant. 

13. Paperwhites        

Some paperwhites are sweetly scented while others are notorious for their unpleasant odor, often likened to cat pee. The reason is that the Israel variety, Narcissus papyraceus 'Ziva,' has come to dominate the marketplace. If you’re sensitive to smell, a few older varieties that possess their trademark scent are still available, such as ‘Geranium,’ ‘Inbal,’ ‘Erlicheer.’ 

14. Cyclamen 

Despite its springtime appearance, cyclamen bloom come wintertime, and are a welcome respite from the gloomy grays of the season. Its upswept petals, some of which are tipped with frost, allude to dancing fairies.