Make your home the merriest on the block with these gorgeous holiday plants. It’s a new, refreshingly chic way to welcome your holiday guests!
Holiday plants are a huge, important part of decorating your home this Thanksgiving and Christmas. Aside from adding cheer, color, and life to your home at the chilliest time of the year, it also adds a touch of authenticity and an earthy feel to your place without spending too much. Additionally, they also work wonderfully as affordable gifts for your family and friends.
This season, as part of going au naturel with our holiday decor, we also selected a few of our favorite holiday plants that can withstand the cold weather. From the classics like Poinsettias to sweet-smelling Rosemary, these holiday plants will make your home even more special for the holidays and wow your guests.
Amaryllis
Amaryllis is one of a kind because it’s the easiest to bring to bloom. It usually flowers for 7-10 weeks, around late December until the end of June. The Amaryllis, also known for its botanical name Hippeastrum, originated in South America’s tropical regions. It comes in many beautiful varieties, including orange, pink, salmon, shades of red, and white. There are also multicolored varieties, usually combining these colors.
Amaryllis thrives under partial shade. Avoid putting it under too much sunlight since it can lead to leaf burn. Also, Amaryllis prefers well-draining soil. Water the Amaryllis plant until the soil becomes moist.
Christmas Cactus
Christmas Cactus is one of the most popular holiday plants because of their pretty flowers in pink, purple, red, white, and yellow. It can grow up to 3 feet long, and each bloom lasts for several days. The Christmas Cactus can bloom all holiday season long if you provide it with a little TLC.
It’s best to place the Christmas Cactus in an east-facing window where it can get moderate light and some direct sun. Keep the soil evenly moist, and mist it frequently. Make sure to maintain the room’s temperature to 65°F. To encourage more blooming, keep the Christmas Cactus in a room with a temperature between 55°F to 65°F. Provide 10 hours of light and 14 hours of total darkness alternatively for 4-6 weeks after the growth appears.
Christmas Rose
The Christmas Rose is one of the most rewarding holiday plants to grow because of their ability to bloom in the chilliest and darkest months of the year. It will also produce flowers from late fall up until early spring. The Christmas Rose can grow from 12 to 15 inches tall. It also has shiny, dark green leathery leaves.
It should be planted in deep, fertile, well-draining soil and place it in a spot where it can receive partial shade sunlight. Keep the soil evenly moist, but avoid overwatering.
Christmas Tree
Christmas Tree is the most iconic holiday plant. Christmas wouldn’t feel complete without it. You could decorate your home with a fake Christmas Tree since it lasts longer, but we recommend selecting a fir or pine for that authentic Christmas scent. Check for insects and pests when purchasing a Christmas Tree. Also, check if there are broken branches or other damages. To check the freshness of a pre-cut tree, simply pull on a branch. The needles should be flexible, and the branches should be sturdy to hold ornaments. Lastly, consider the height of your room, and make sure you have a way to water it.
Cyclamen
It’s a petite flowering holiday plant that has sweet-scented, small blooms that comes in shades of pink, purple, red, and white. Cyclamen is one of the most popular holiday plants because it grows well during the winter season. It can grow from 6 to 9 inches tall and wide. Provide bright, indirect light for your Cyclamen plant in the winter. It’s also best to plant it in a regular potting mix combined with some sphagnum peat. Water whenever the top inch of the soil feels dry. Avoid getting water on the leaves because it can cause root rot.
Holly
Female varieties of Holly produces bright red berries, which we use to decorate Christmas wreaths and to brighten up the winter months. English Hollies are pretty stunning holiday plants that are most commonly associated with the Christmas holiday. They have glossy, spiny leaves, which leaves a bold statement both indoors and out. Holly plants thrive in full sun. They also need to be planted in well-drained loamy soil that is slightly acidic. Water moderately and avoid overwatering.
Mistletoe
Mistletoe symbolizes love, and it’s the most common holiday plant, but did you know that it’s a parasite that attacks living trees? Yes, it’s definitely not your typical shrub. They are actually hemiparasites that grow by extracting nutrients and water from healthy trees. The care of Mistletoe is pretty minimal, but you will want to give some extra TLC to the host plant as the Mistletoe saps some of its energy. Provide fertilizer in spring. Keep the host tree watered, and check if there are diseases and pests.
Pansies
Pansies are the colorful holiday plants you need to cheer your home this season. They have heart-shaped, overlapping petals. Plus, they go perfectly well on their own in a monochrome scheme or combined with other cool-season flowers, such as primroses and violas. Pansies can tolerate frost, which makes them a great addition to your houseplant collection for fall and winter. Pansies like full or partial sun combined with cooler temperatures to thrive. Plant it in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil. Water it regularly, and feed it with a general, all-purpose fertilizer.
Paperwhites
Paperwhites are an excellent plant choice for beginners or as a holiday gift. These beautiful holiday plants are low maintenance, and they make wonderful centerpieces for Christmas dinners. Paperwhites need bright, direct sun indoors. Keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy. If you want to grow Paperwhites indoors, place it in a dish with stones with a little water. Usually, Paperwhites will bloom in about 2-4 weeks.
Phalaenopsis Orchid
Phalaenopsis Orchid, also known as Moth Orchid, is the most common orchid because of its ability to bloom easily all year-round. Plus, they can stay in bloom for a very long time. Phal is also a great holiday plant for beginners because they are easy to care for. Place it in a moderately bright windowsill or some spot where it can get plenty of light. Water it when the soil begins to dry out, usually once a week.
Poinsettia
Poinsettia plants are one of the most popular holiday plants. You will see these familiar red blooms as Christmas decor. They can grow up to two feet. Since Poinsettias are tropical plants, they prefer direct sunlight. Plant it in a loose, well-draining peat-based potting soil, and water it whenever the surface feels dry to the touch. Make sure the container has proper drainage, and let the excess water drain completely to avoid root rot.
Rosemary
Rosemary is a great herb, popular for its needle-like leaves and shrub appearance. It’s also a drought-tolerant plant and thrives under bright, direct sun. Best of all, it’s delicious to cook with it, and it smells delightful. Rosemary can quickly grow, from 12-14 inches tall and 6-12 inches wide. It also prefers dry, well-drained soil. Water your Rosemary plant when the top of the soil has dried out, but never let the soil dry out completely. It’s also best to mist the plant every ten days or so.
Try decking out your home with these gorgeous holiday plants! Trust us, it will surely add a cheerful vibe to your wintertime decor. Merry Christmas, plant-lovers!
Grow your plant knowledge. Check out our Plant Care blog to learn more about different houseplants and tips on how to keep your plants alive and healthy.
