11 Holiday-Friendly Plants That Aren’t Poinsettias
As the holiday season approaches, it is time to think about ways to bring nature into your home. While poinsettias are often the go-to choice, there are many other plants that shine just as brightly. Whether you want something colorful or more subtle, there is a plant that fits your style. These plants can add elegance and warmth to your home.
This post may contain affiliate links, which helps keep this content free. Please read our disclosure for more info.
Christmas Cactus
The Christmas Cactus is a beautiful plant that blooms around the holiday season, adding vibrant colors to any space. Its flowers come in shades of pink, red, or white, making it a festive choice for the season. This plant thrives in cooler temperatures and can even tolerate a little neglect, making it easy to care for. Its long-lasting blooms will brighten up any room during the holidays.
Caring for the Christmas Cactus requires minimal effort. It prefers indirect light and should be watered sparingly, allowing the soil to dry between waterings. This plant can be placed in a decorative pot to match any holiday decor. It’s a perfect addition to your home for its beauty and ease of care.
Amaryllis
Amaryllis is known for its large, trumpet-shaped flowers that come in rich red, white, or pink hues. This plant’s striking blooms make it a standout in any holiday display. It is often given as a gift, making it a popular choice during the festive season. The flower stalks grow quickly, and the blooms last for weeks, adding holiday cheer to your home.
The Amaryllis is simple to care for, needing only bright light and occasional watering. It can be grown in a decorative pot, with its tall blooms reaching up to 2 feet in height. This plant makes a stunning statement in any room and is ideal for holiday tables or windowsills. Its dramatic flowers are sure to impress guests and create a festive atmosphere.
Norfolk Island Pine
The Norfolk Island Pine is a small, attractive tree that can serve as an alternative to a traditional Christmas tree. With its symmetrical branches and soft green needles, it brings a touch of the outdoors inside during the holidays. It’s a popular plant for those looking for a low-maintenance, holiday-friendly tree. This tree can be decorated with lights and ornaments for a festive look.
Caring for the Norfolk Island Pine is easy as it does well in bright, indirect light. It should be watered regularly, but the soil must not be kept soggy. This plant grows slowly, so it can be kept indoors for years, providing seasonal cheer year after year. It’s an excellent choice for those looking for a long-lasting, holiday-friendly tree.
Cyclamen
Cyclamen plants are known for their charming flowers that bloom in shades of pink, red, and white. Their unique, heart-shaped leaves make them an eye-catching addition to any room. Cyclamens are perfect for the cooler months and add a touch of elegance to holiday decor. They thrive in low-light conditions, making them great for places with less sunlight.
Cyclamens require minimal care, needing only moderate watering. The flowers last for several weeks, making them a great long-lasting option for the holidays. They should be placed in a spot with cool temperatures and indirect sunlight. This plant is perfect for adding a delicate touch of color to your home during the festive season.
Paperwhites
Paperwhites are small, fragrant flowers that bloom in white, making them a popular choice for holiday decor. Their delicate, star-shaped flowers and pleasant scent fill a room with festive cheer. This plant is often grown indoors during the winter months and is ideal for those who want a simple yet beautiful holiday plant. Its easy care requirements make it a great option for busy holiday hosts.
Paperwhites should be grown in a shallow dish with water and pebbles, allowing their roots to take hold. They thrive in indirect light and should be watered regularly. These plants bloom quickly, with flowers appearing in as little as three to four weeks. Their clean, bright white flowers make them a perfect match for any holiday setting.
Ivy
English Ivy is an evergreen vine that can be used in a variety of holiday decor settings. It’s perfect for hanging baskets, wreaths, or cascading down a mantel. Ivy’s deep green leaves contrast beautifully with the bright colors of holiday decorations. It can be shaped and trimmed to fit into any display, making it a versatile choice for the holidays.
Ivy prefers indirect light and should be watered when the soil feels dry. It’s a low-maintenance plant that grows quickly, allowing you to shape it as needed. This plant can also be used as a ground cover in outdoor settings, bringing holiday cheer both inside and outside your home. It’s a great addition to your holiday decor.
Christmas Fern
The Christmas Fern is a low-maintenance, evergreen plant that can add a touch of greenery to your holiday display. Its delicate, feathery fronds bring a natural, forest-like feel to any space. This fern thrives in low light and is perfect for placing on a windowsill or as part of a holiday centerpiece. Its vibrant green color stays throughout the season, making it a lasting addition to your decor.
Caring for the Christmas Fern is simple. It requires moist, well-draining soil and can tolerate a variety of indoor conditions. This plant does not need direct sunlight and prefers moderate humidity. Its evergreen fronds make it a perfect plant to add greenery to your home throughout the holiday season.
Red-Leafed Japanese Maple
The Red-Leafed Japanese Maple is an elegant tree that provides striking color in the winter months. Its deep red leaves make it a beautiful focal point for any holiday setting. This plant is perfect for those looking for a smaller tree with stunning foliage during the winter season. It can be kept indoors or placed in a decorative pot for a festive touch.
This plant needs indirect light and should be watered regularly but not overwatered. The Red-Leafed Japanese Maple is well-suited for cooler temperatures, making it an ideal choice for winter decor. It adds a unique, natural element to your holiday arrangements and is perfect for creating a peaceful, serene atmosphere.
Lavender
Lavender is known for its fragrant purple flowers and calming properties, making it a great addition to holiday decor. Its beautiful scent and elegant flowers add a touch of warmth and comfort to any room. Lavender is perfect for the holidays because it blooms in winter and can be enjoyed both indoors and outdoors. It also makes a lovely gift for holiday hosts.
Lavender prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil. It should be watered sparingly, as it is drought-tolerant. This plant is low-maintenance and can be grown in decorative pots or used in wreaths and garlands. Lavender’s calming fragrance and lovely color make it a wonderful addition to any home during the holidays.
Holly Fern
The Holly Fern is an evergreen plant that adds texture and contrast to any holiday display. Its glossy, dark green leaves resemble those of the holly plant, but without the sharp edges. This fern is a great way to bring natural beauty indoors, especially when paired with other holiday plants. It does well in shaded areas and is ideal for placing on a mantel or windowsill.
Caring for the Holly Fern is simple, as it prefers low to moderate light and moist, well-drained soil. It thrives in humidity, making it perfect for bathrooms or kitchens. The Holly Fern’s ability to thrive in various indoor environments makes it a versatile addition to holiday decor. Its evergreen foliage ensures it will stay vibrant throughout the holiday season.
Ivy Geranium
The Ivy Geranium is a trailing plant that blooms in bright red, pink, or white flowers, adding a splash of color to holiday settings. Its cascading vines make it ideal for hanging baskets, window boxes, or as part of a centerpiece. This plant thrives in cooler temperatures and can be used both indoors and outdoors during the holidays. Its cheerful blooms are perfect for adding a festive touch to any room.
Ivy Geraniums prefer bright, indirect light and well-drained soil. They should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings. These plants are low-maintenance and can be easily pruned to maintain their shape. Their vibrant flowers and trailing vines make them a great addition to any holiday arrangement.
This article originally appeared on Avocadu.