This post may contain references and links to products from our advertisers. We may receive commissions from certain links you click on our website. As an Amazon Associate Rhythm of the Home earns revenues from qualifying purchases.
Looking to brighten up the home during Christmas with the help of plants? There are lots of great flowers to choose from if you want to enhance the holiday atmosphere with some gorgeous blooms. Aside from traditional plants that are known to contribute to the magic of Christmas indoors, there are many other great low-maintenance options to consider. Choosing more resilient flowers could be a smart decision if you wish to enjoy attractive blooms next year as well.
1. Holly
If you don’t want to bother too much with maintenance, you will probably appreciate the simple work required to take care of a holly. This colorful shrub is traditionally used to decorate the home during Christmas. Thanks to the striking combination of red berries on dark green leaves, hollies are often used to craft decorative wreaths.
As holly is an evergreen plant, it remains attractive during wintertime. It earned a reputation for bringing good luck thanks to its natural resilience. There’s minimal maintenance involved in growing this classic Christmas plant. You just need to ensure that your holly bush never gets waterlogged. Provide acidic soil which helps to preserve the health of the foliage.
2. Mistletoe
When it comes to traditional Christmas plants, it’s safe to say that mistletoe occupies a special place. There’s a romantic significance attributed to hanging mistletoe during Christmas as those who pass beneath it should declare their love through a kiss. The tradition supposedly originates from Norse mythology among other reasons.
Aside from the fun tradition of kissing, mistletoe can also be used as a beautiful verdant decoration that adds some holiday cheer. The plant stays green in winter due to its parasitic capabilities that allow it to feed on various host trees like poplars and apple trees.
3. Poinsettia
Often considered the most recognizable Christmas flower, poinsettia houseplants can bring charming visual appeal to any festive decor style. Although most people are familiar with vibrant red poinsettias, the plants also feature other colors such as pink, yellow and white. This means you can safely incorporate this traditional Christmas flower in more distinctive interior color schemes.
Caring for a poinsettia isn’t very difficult but the plant will start to lose its beauty if you neglect its needs. As a houseplant, poinsettia requires balanced light and soil that’s a little damp. Keep it in a cooler area if the leaves of the plant turn yellow.
4. Amaryllis
Lots of modern Christmas arrangements can make use of the eye-catching blooms of amaryllis. The flower can look stunning by itself when surrounded by other festive decor elements. The main appeal of amaryllis is the bold color of its blooms. You can find this plant available in various intense shades of red and pink.
Although the vibrant quality of its blooms makes amaryllis stand out, the plant’s entire structure can elevate Christmas decor. Growing your own amaryllis indoors shouldn’t be particularly complicated. Stick to a minimal watering regimen and find a properly lit spot that will encourage the development of beautiful blooms.
5. Rosemary
A staple in terms of Christmas table decor, rosemary doesn’t just match the festive atmosphere with its appearance but it also brings a pleasant aroma anywhere it’s placed. The characteristic scent of rosemary is oddly similar to the one produced by pine trees. It’s not surprising to see that some decorators shear rosemary bushes to resemble miniature Christmas trees.
Want to grow this invigorating herb in your home? Rosemary has fairly simple requirements. As long as you provide it with sufficient light and consistent soil moisture, the plant will remain happy. Remember that rosemary is adapted to Mediterranean regions where the soil offers excellent drainage.
6. English Ivy
English ivy is a drought-resistant climber plant that can finish off your Christmas home decor with its evergreen beauty. Thanks to its frequent use in pagan festivals, the plant has begun to be associated with Christmas in modern times. English ivy is also considered a symbol of fidelity and eternal life.
Whether you plan to grow it outdoors or indoors, it’s safe to say that you can easily grow this type of ivy. A favorite festive use is to bring a touch of green to colorful Christmas wreaths that decorate the table. Depending on the chosen cultivar, you can take advantage of an impressive selection of green styles for its leaves ranging from pale to dark gray.
7. Norfolk Island Pine
Often used instead of a larger Christmas tree, Norfolk Island pines are practical plants to add a festive element to your Christmas decor. Despite its diminutive size, the Norfolk Island pine features beautiful needles with a similar charm to its larger tree counterparts. It doesn’t take a lot of effort to create a miniature Christmas tree from it.
Aside from requiring less space than a typical Christmas tree, this type of pine also comes with the great advantage of being mess-free. In terms of decorations, it’s usually best to use only delicate pieces to avoid putting too much pressure on the branches.
8. Anthurium
Whereas other plants struggle indoors during the wintertime, anthurium is a notable exception. With proper care, this gorgeous flower can easily thrive while being able to make a bold statement among your Christmas decorations. Anthurium is sometimes called the “Flamingo Flower” because of the characteristic structural appeal of its blooms.
Most varieties show vibrant red flowers with oddly heart-shaped spathes. They make a stunning pairing with the glossy green foliage. Keeping anthurium healthy indoors is simply a matter of placing it in a good area where it can receive sufficient indirect light. Minimal watering works best during the winter.
9. Paperwhite
With its snowy white blooms arranged in fragrant clusters, the paperwhite plant represents an excellent choice for Christmas decor. It grows indoors without too much effort and you might even be able to start it so it blooms right around Christmas time.
Paperwhites thrive when exposed to full sun and require good soil moisture. Make sure you avoid too much heat for this plant because it has the tendency to grow in a leggy style from excessive warmth. Thanks to their elegant flower petals, paperwhites can reflect the calming winter vibe from outdoors into your home.
10. Christmas Cactus
Easy to maintain and affordable to buy, Christmas cactus is another popular option for home decor during the winter holidays. The name of the species comes from its supposed ability to bloom at Christmas year after year. However, the plant will often bloom earlier, usually at Thanksgiving.
The unique tubular flowers of the Christmas cactus can provide some fresh character to any holiday decor style. Pick a red variety that seems to have a more defined festive vibe. As this is a succulent plant, it takes minimal care. Just make sure you water the cactus only when the soil seems dry.
11. Juniper
Prized for its attractive needle foliage, juniper shrubs are frequently used in Christmas decor. As opposed to the vibrant red fruits of other evergreen shrubs, juniper produces blue-hued berries that give the plant a more understated look. Aside from visual style and textural appeal, the shrub also features a pleasant fragrance.
If you’re interested in growing a juniper plant, it’s good to know that you can choose from lots of varieties, including ground covers and tree forms. Full sun and well-drained soil are essential but there’s minimal maintenance required for this plant otherwise. Young junipers might need staking to develop upright as expected.
12. Cyclamen
A more recent Christmas favorite, the cyclamen plant works like a charm for indoor displays. Take your pick from a nice assortment of bloom colors ranging from delicate white to striking red and pink. Thanks to its characteristic growth habit, it’s highly recommended to grow cyclamen in winter hanging baskets.
This plant features good resistance to freezing so you can even grow it outdoors during the winter in suitable climates. If you prefer to keep cyclamen indoors, it’s recommended to place it in indirect light and not very close to heating radiators. Overwatering could also be a serious issue for this plant.
13. Christmas Rose
Although it’s called a Christmas rose, the hellebore plant is part of the buttercup family and not a true rose. The association with Christmas exists thanks to the plant’s impressive cold hardiness which allows it to bloom during the winter. Hellebores feature waxy evergreen foliage that works as a lovely backdrop for the vividly-colored petals.
The Christmas rose can bloom around Christmas time but flowers can naturally appear anywhere from late fall to early spring. As long as you select a well-draining location, it’s not unexpected to be able to grow this plant outdoors in the winter. Hellebore can withstand chilly weather and can even bloom in shaded areas.
14. Gardenia
Thanks to its lovely fragrance and ability to bloom during the winter, gardenia is a great greenery choice to display during Christmas. This evergreen shrub shows off snowy white blooms that form an elegant look together with the dark-green foliage. Gardenias can be relatively easy to grow indoors as long as you take good care of them.
The plant thrives in partial sun exposure and well-drained soil. It’s recommended to pay attention to the organic matter content of the potting soil because gardenia can be a heavy feeder. As this flower is adapted to tropical regions, you need to consider adding a humidifier to ensure an adequate level of humidity in the air.
15. Moth Orchid
The moth orchid is one beautiful flower that experienced a surge in popularity when it comes to decorative Christmas plants. Many people give moth orchids as gifts because their gorgeous blooms can add an elegant touch anywhere. Despite its delicate visual appeal, this plant is fairly easy to grow and maintain healthy for years.
You can expect a moth orchid to bloom around Christmas time as long as you meet its needs. The most important one is bright indirect light. You need to be careful to provide balanced sun exposure and adequate warmth indoors as the plant can be sensitive to the cold. Another essential aspect is humidity. Moth orchids can struggle to grow properly in low-humidity environments.
