Discover the best Christmas flowers & plants to create a cozy cottagecore holiday home. From poinsettias to Christmas cacti, find festive inspiration here!
When it comes to Christmas, flowers and plants make exceptional gifts and decorations. They bring the beauty of the outdoors in, adding life and vibrancy to the holiday season.
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Why We Love Christmas Flowers and Plants
- Thoughtful Gifts: From traditional bouquets to modern terrariums, there’s a floral arrangement to suit every taste and personality. You can personalize your gift by choosing blooms that match your recipient’s preferences, making it a truly special gesture.
- Expressive Symbolism: Flowers hold deep meanings, and each bloom carries its own unique symbolism. Incorporating these meanings into your gift adds depth and significance. For example, red roses symbolize love and passion, while white lilies represent purity and rebirth.
- Long-lasting: While some flowers may fade, others, like potted plants, can be enjoyed for months or even years. A Christmas cactus or amaryllis can become a cherished reminder of the holiday season long after the festivities have ended.
The Stars of the Christmas Season
Some flowers and plants are synonymous with Christmas. Here are a few beloved classics:
Poinsettias
With their vibrant red, white, or pink bracts, poinsettias instantly infuse any space with holiday cheer. These pretty plants make excellent gifts and can effortlessly elevate any setting.
- Why We Love It: The poinsettia’s association with Christmas originates from a Mexican legend. A young girl, unable to afford a gift for Jesus, was told that even the humblest gift given with love was worthy. She gathered weeds from the roadside, and when she placed them at the altar, they miraculously transformed into brilliant red poinsettias.
- Care Tip: Poinsettias prefer bright, indirect light and moderate watering. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot. To encourage reblooming, provide at least 12 hours of darkness each day from October until Thanksgiving.
You can typically find these in nurseries, greenhouses, and markets after Thanksgiving. And while I love them, keep in mind they are generally bred to be enjoyed during the holiday season. Is it possible to keep them year-round? Absolutely. But they can be very fussy plants to grow as an indoor plant if you don’t live in the tropics.
For more information about caring for your poinsettia plant, read this comprehensive guide so you can keep it alive.
Christmas Cactus
This unique succulent boasts stunning blooms in shades of pink, red, or white, bringing a touch of exotic festivity to your home.
- Why We Love It: The Christmas cactus symbolizes endurance and persistence, as it thrives in harsh conditions. Its long lifespan makes it a treasured heirloom that can be passed down through generations.
- Care Tip: Christmas cacti thrive in bright, indirect light and prefer to dry out slightly between waterings. To encourage blooming, provide cooler temperatures (around 60-65°F) and 12-14 hours of darkness each day in the fall.
It’s a great easy-care indoor plant that blooms indoors a few times a year if you treat it right. And it is totally worth getting one this year if you don’t have one. To me, it’s the plant that keeps on giving all year round. A must-have for sure!
To learn more about how to care for you Christmas cactus and get it to bloom throughout the year, read this comprehensive article.
Amaryllis
With its towering stems and breathtaking blooms in rich reds, whites, or pinks, the amaryllis adds an undeniable wow factor to any setting. This regal flower makes an excellent gift choice for those with a flair for elegance.
- Why We Love It: The amaryllis symbolizes pride, determination, and radiant beauty. Its dramatic blooms bring a touch of splendor to the holiday season.
- Care Tip: Amaryllis bulbs prefer well-draining soil and bright, indirect light. Water sparingly until growth appears, then increase watering as the plant develops.
And if you start the bulbs from September through December, you can time indoor blooms all winter long. I personally love the double-flowering varieties, but there are so many great options to choose from.
Did you buy amaryllis this year? To learn how easy Christmas Amaryllis is to grow and care for, read this comprehensive article that shares planting and growing tips.
What Are Some Traditional Christmas Flowers and Plants and Their Meaning?
- Holly: Symbolizing hope, protection, and goodwill, holly is often used in wreaths and garlands. Its glossy green leaves and bright red berries add a traditional touch to Christmas decor. Caution: Holly berries are toxic if ingested.
- Mistletoe: Hung from doorways to encourage kisses, mistletoe represents love, romance, and friendship. Its association with affection and togetherness makes it a symbol of love during the holiday season. Caution: Mistletoe berries are also toxic.
- Christmas Rose (Helleborus niger): This winter-blooming flower represents hope, purity, and rebirth. Its ability to bloom even in the midst of winter symbolizes the triumph of life over darkness.
- Cyclamen: With heart-shaped leaves and delicate blooms in shades of pink, red, and white, cyclamen symbolizes love, joy, and maternal care. It’s a popular choice for Christmas arrangements, conveying warmth and the spirit of giving.
Decking the Halls with Floral Splendor
Flowers and Christmas greenery play a crucial role in creating stunning holiday decor.
- Winter Whites: Combine white roses, chrysanthemums, or hydrangeas with evergreen branches and pinecones for an elegant, wintry centerpiece. Add a touch of shimmer with silver ornaments or candles.
- Vibrant Reds: Embrace traditional Christmas colors by arranging red roses, amaryllis, or carnations with sprigs of holly, berries, and cinnamon sticks.
- Woodland Charm: Bring a touch of rustic charm by incorporating birch branches, pinecones, and red berries with roses and chrysanthemums for a cozy woodland-themed centerpiece.
13 More of the Best Christmas Plants and Flowers
Here’s some more inspiration to bring festive cheer to your home:
- Christmas Fern
- Easter and Thanksgiving Cacti (can also bloom during the holiday season)
- Rosemary
- Paperwhites
- Juniper
- Winterberry
- Snowdrops
- Norfolk Island Pine
- Ivy
- Christmas Orchid
- Christmas Begonia
- Christmas Moss
- Christmas Palm
Experiment with different combinations of flowers, plants, and festive elements to create unique and personalized Christmas decorations that reflect your style and bring joy to your home.
Where to Buy the Best Faux Christmas Flowers and Greens
So what if you don’t have the greenest of thumbs and want to keep things easy for yourself? Faux is the way to go when it comes to winter greenery and Christmas flowers. They look good all the time and there are some incredibly realistic-looking faux options out there that are worth the price because you have them for several years.
To me, they are a great investment. And the thing is? You don’t have to buy it all now. Start your collection and add to it each year. But whatever you decide to buy, get them now because the best ones sell out really early. And you can easily miss the boat.
So here is my hit list for the most gorgeous faux winter greens and flowers.
- This juniper and berry garland.
- This spruce and pine cone garland.
- Love this faux cedar greenery garland.
- This long pine needle garland.
- This faux cedar pine garland.
- And this real touch table garland is fabulous!
- I have to get this mixed garland – WOW!!! There’s already a waitlist!
- I have a few of these and always pick up more every year to add to my collection.
- This Norfolk pine garland is gorgeous!
- But you can’t beat the fullness of this garland.
- If you want a pretty boxwood garland, check out this one.
- These mantle swags are really pretty too.
- I need this vintage-looking jingle bell garland!
- This magnolia leaf garland.
- These preserved orange slices make beautiful Christmas decor.
More About Christmas Flowers
This Christmas, transform your home into a cozy cottagecore haven with the magic of holiday blooms. Fill your space with festive flowers and lush greenery to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Think vibrant poinsettias, delicate Christmas roses, and fragrant evergreens. Arrange them in rustic baskets, vintage planters, and antique pitchers for a touch of old-world charm.
Let nature’s beauty infuse every corner of your home this Christmas, bringing the spirit of the season to life.
What is your favorite Christmas flower or plant? I would love to know more in the comments below.
For more ideas about what Christmas flowers to add to your home, please read this article from House Beautiful.
Thank you so much for following along.
Enjoy a beautiful day! xo
