11 Christmas Plants That Will Enliven Your Holiday Decor

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Christmas is a time of tradition , nostalgia , gathering of phratry and ally , decorating , gifts , and skilful times . With wintertime in the northern hemisphere during the Christmas holidays , many are left yearn for the greenery of warmer days . Because of theireasy indoor color , Christmas plants are popular traditional gifts that double as seasonal decor .

Around the domain , the festive blooms of plant colligate with Christmas add seasonal joyfulness that can often last long after the festivities are over . There are many vacation plants from which to choose , from traditional Christmas flowers to evergreens . Here are 11 pop Christmas plants to smarten up up your house over the winter .

Potted poinsettia in bloom on a window sill in winter

Photo: istockphoto.com

1. Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)

The poinsettia is unremarkably regard the official flower of Christmas because of the folklore ring it . This Mexican indigene is also known as “ la flor de Nochebuena , ” or the flower of the holy night . The name is thanks to its resemblance to the Star of Bethlehem , and the poinsettia represents December and Christmas perhaps better than any other plant .

Technically a flowering shrub that can uprise 10 to 15 foot marvelous , the potted lobster plant reach about a ft high and features bright scarlet bract and fleeceable leaves with tiny green or yellow prime nestling in the center . This red Christmas industrial plant likes undimmed ignitor but not direct sun and moist ( but not wet ) soil . It ’s potential to save a poinsettia for next yr , but it will rebloom only under the right conditions . The plant ’s milky sap can be mildly toxic to nipper and favourite .

2. Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii,Schlumbergeraxbuckleyi)

In its native Brazil , the tropical Christmas cactus arise wild in rainforest , producing blossom of pinkish , crimson , purple , white , yellow , or orange . It features little , plane radical segment with smooth edges that distinguish it from Thanksgiving cactus , which has toothed edges on its root word . Tube - shaped double flowers come along at the end of these stem turn , with short proscribed petals kink back to reveal longer inner petal with delicate stamens .

Toencourage Christmas cactus bloomsthe next season , they require a rest period in February to March , during which they need less water . They should get at least 12 hour of darkness each day in the fall until flower buds appear .

3. Amaryllis (Hippeastrum)

One of the most popular Christmas gift plants is the amaryllis , perhaps because it ’s easy to give in bulb form . bunch of large cornet - shaped prime of red , livid , pink , salmon , or violent - and - white stripes top tall stalks up to 24 inches tall , flank by strap - comparable leaf . They typically flower for up to 7 weeks , make flowers for Christmas and the holiday season . pee sparingly at first , but more often as stems develop . After blossoming , this tropical Central American native can be stored in a coolheaded , dark place for reblooming the next holiday season .

4. Ivy (Hedera helix)

This subtlety - loving evergreen climber is among outdoor Christmas plants that can adorn a dwelling house ’s exterior . mutual Hedera helix ’s trailing tendrils are oft used in chaplet and garlands because of their flexibility and their attractive offset three- or five - dot green leaves remindful of the shuttlecock step patterns . The cut ivy will last about 3 calendar week .

This member of the ginseng family has been used since pagan time , symbolizing faithfulness and friendly relationship . Other forms of ivy are often let in in merry container gardens , such as placing variegate English ivy leafage near poinsettia to highlight the blood-red bracts .

5. Paperwhites (Narcissus papyraceus)

These perennial light bulb are often forced to bloom as Christmas indoor plants , requiring just a small dirt or a pipe bowl filled with water and pebbles . They need to be start up 5 to 6 weeks before the desired blooming period , but once the pure white flowers appear on tall theme , they can last 2 to 3 weeks . While blooming , paperwhites emit a strong fragrance . A congenator of the Narcissus pseudonarcissus , they can be grown outdoors in geographical zone 8 to 11 , but are seldom forced for indoor blush a second time .

6. Holly (Ilex opaca)

Originally a symbolisation of the Roman festival of Saturnalia , today ’s holly represent the iconic Christmas leaf of spiky , glossy green , punctuated with midget bright red Charles Edward Berry ( on the distaff plant only ) . More than 400 species of holly grow around the world , and American holly chaparral are commonly associated with Christmas . Native to muddy fringy regions of eastern and fundamental U.S. state , holly is an evergreen that grows in pyramidal strain , reaching up to 30 feet marvellous and 20 feet wide . Despite being mildly toxic to people and pets , its shiny , briery leafage and Battle of Magenta Chuck Berry are often used in garland and wreath .

7. Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla)

A congener of the rascal teaser Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , this subtropical flora looks enough like a Christmas tree diagram plant to be favor during the holidays . Its straight trunk grow as tall as 8 foot indoors and supports symmetrical branches with diffuse , inward - curve needles that are perfect for hangingChristmas decoration . After the holidays , discard the ornaments and keep the true pine in full sun away from drafts as a beautiful houseplant . It require weekly misting and even lacrimation to thrive . If needles turn chocolate-brown , it ’s either getting too much or too little water or it ’s stale .

8. Cyclamen

A classic winter bloomer , cyclamens feature sinister green heart - mold leaves with pallid green convention stemming from a fundamental item . upwardly - pointing , swept - back flower petal in white , pink , red , lavender , or multicolored patterns facilitate the flowers resemble shooting stars . bloom last at least 8 weeks .

A humble plant , acquire up to a foot high and wide , this gentle - care houseplant is sensitive to overwatering and underwatering . It also prefers cool temperatures and plenteousness of indirect sun . This perennial goes dormant after bloom , but can rebloom a few months afterwards with proper attention .

9. Azalea (Rhododendronspp.)

Just as potted mums signal autumn , minor potted evergreen azalea have been assume as a Christmas flush . With vivacious blooms in white-hot , pinkish , lavender , red , orange , and other colors , they put on a showy display for up to four hebdomad . There are more than 10,000 cross-file cultivar , each with a singular number of bloom and petal shape . Some are fragrant . They wish bright light , dampish soil , and cooler temperatures , so they ’re best kept aside from heat registry . Care should be guide , as they are toxic to pets and mass if consumed . After blooming , they can be planted outside , but are difficult to force to rebloom indoors .

10. Conifer

A conifer is a real Christmas Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , and the term handle the broad range of tree that turn out seminal fluid in cone . Most conifers keep their needle twelvemonth - round , so they often are called evergreen . An ancient group of plants , there are more than 600 species of conifer — many of which are used as traditional Christmas trees .

Although many people switch off down evergreens for Christmas only , it ’s possible to keep aliving Christmas treein the house for the holidays , but only for about 10 day and as long as it gets raft of sun and adequate water . After the holiday , it should be planted outdoors and not wreak back inside .

11. Orchid (Orchidaceae)

A untraditional but graceful Christmas works is the orchid . Of the legion orchid genera , theCymbidiummakes a respectable pick because it blooms naturally in the wintertime , prefer cooler temperatures . Large flowers of white , pinkish , yellow , or unripened bloom on plant life that turn over about 2 foot tall and sport apple - green - non-white foliation .

Theseorchids opt smart , collateral igniter , cool or cold temperatures , sight of water system during the growing time of year , a loose and racy potting mix , and high humidity . Blooms last 4 to 10 workweek on the plant , or 1 to 4 weeks if cut . To boost reblooming next year , they need indirect visible radiation and temperature between 40 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit .

Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners

Christmas plants - poinsettia plant

Photo: istockphoto.com

We ’ll aid you set up your first garden — whether that ’s a few pots on your patio , a raised bottom , or an in - undercoat plot of land out back — and choose the right plant for your territory and region .

Christmas plants - pink christmas cactus