What are the most common Christmas plants and flowers?

Popular choices for Christmas celebrations include Poinsettia, Holly, Amaryllis, Paperwhites, Juniper, Cyclamen, Christmas Cactus, Helleborus, Red Roses, White Roses, Noble Fir, Cymbidium, Anthurium, Princettia, and White Phalaenopsis, and classic Christmas trees such as Norway spruce and Nordmann Fir. Each Christmas flower has cultural significance and symbolic meaning: poinsettias from Central America, now a popular ornamental plant, symbolize love and bring life and holiday cheer indoors during winter. These festive plants also pair beautifully with other trees, berries, vibrant flowers, and garden greenery, so every tree, table, and doorway feels part of the same bright festive spirit.

Which Christmas plants grow well indoors?

Many Christmas plants adapt well indoors. Poinsettias, amaryllis, Christmas cactus, Anthurium, Paperwhites, and white Phalaenopsis all prefer well-lit rooms with indirect light or gentle indirect sunlight rather than harsh full sun. In warm climates, you can later move pots to a sheltered garden corner. Their green leaves, pink or orange blooms, and occasional lavender tones help rooms thrive through winter and into spring, especially when grouped near a window or small decorative tree in Southeast Asia–inspired interiors.

Can Christmas plants survive after the holidays?

Yes, many Christmas flower choices are not disposable decorations. After Christmas celebrations, you can keep poinsettias and other festive plants indoors until winter eases, then gradually acclimate them to the garden. With patient care they thrive again in spring, producing fresh green leaves or new buds. Woody shrubs and a small tree used in containers can be planted outside once the colder months pass, extending color and structure well beyond the season into another bright spring in the garden.

Which Christmas plants are suitable for outdoor spaces?

Great outdoor Christmas plants include hardy Christmas trees and evergreen shrubs. Norway spruce (Picea abies) is a classic tree for gardens, with dark green leaves that cope well with winter winds. Many people choose this tree or another Norway spruce for decorating trees outside, while a third Norway spruce or similar Nordmann Fir can stay in a container near the door. Plant holly and Helleborus in partial shade or full sun, and they’ll handle colder months in the garden.

Are any Christmas plants toxic to pets or children?

Yes, some Christmas flower traditions involve plants that are highly toxic if eaten. European Mistletoe (Viscum album) and some forms of John’s Wort produce berries or small red berries that can upset pets and children. Holly with spiky leaves and clusters of red berries or bright red berries should also be kept away from curious hands. Always research each tree or shrub before adding it to the garden, especially in winter and early spring.

Why are Poinsettias so popular at Christmas?

Poinsettias are iconic at Christmas because they link living color, family traditions, and global trade. Part of the spurge family and promoted worldwide by the Ecke family, they now brighten almost every tree stand and window during winter. Their red, pink, or even orange bracts frame Christmas trees, doorways, and the garden path while people share mulled wine indoors. No other tree links festive memories so strongly or keeps interest until spring buds appear in the garden.

How do I keep Christmas plants healthy through winter?

To keep Christmas plants healthy through winter, protect roots and foliage from extremes. Indoors, avoid placing poinsettias, Mistletoe, or cut Christmas trees directly over heaters or in scorching full sun; choose gentle indirect sunlight instead. Outside, water trees and shrubs deeply but less often, so roots stay strong in the garden through late winter and early spring. During holiday celebrations with mulled wine or John’s Wort tea, remember pruning, feeding, and checking orange berries also support vigorous spring growth around each tree.

The Most Loved Christmas Plants and Flowers for the Holiday Season

Around Christmas, many people exchange flowers, shrubs, trees, and indoor plants as gifts. Their sizes and care needs vary widely. Some fit comfortably on a windowsill while others require garden space. These fifteen Christmas plants and flowers bring a natural, festive presence during the holiday season and winter months.

Here are fifteen Christmas plants and flowers to help you make the most of the holidays. Each one contributes its own unique seasonal character, whether indoors or outdoors.

How to Choose Christmas Plants and Flowers for Your Home

Selecting Christmas plants and flowers depends on how much space you have, how much light enters your home, and how long you want the plant to last after the holidays. Indoor spaces benefit from compact plants such as Poinsettia or Princettia, Cyclamen, Paperwhites, Christmas Cactus, and white Phalaenopsis. These options adapt well to room temperatures and controlled light.

*A mixed Christmas bouquet, picture by @Pollination_flowers*

Wider choices such as Noble Fir, Holly, Juniper, and Helleborus work best in entryways, balconies, or outdoor corners where they can stay cool and receive natural light. When gifting, choose plants that match the recipient’s lifestyle. Low-maintenance plants like Anthuriums, Amaryllis, and Cymbidium orchids are ideal for people who enjoy long-lasting houseplants with minimal effort.

1. Poinsettia (Euphorbia Pulcherrima) and Princettia

If you celebrate the holidays, you have likely seen the classic Poinsettia. This plant signals that Christmas is near. Known for its strong association with the season, the Poinsettia originates from Mexico and is tied to the story of the Star of Bethlehem. Because it is prone to root issues, avoid overwatering and place it in a pot with good drainage.

Bright filtered light helps keep it compact and healthy. It remains the most recognized Christmas plant in the world and appears in nearly every shop during December.

The official Christmas flower is the poinsettia — The official Christmas flower is the Poinsettia
Photo: @_mirandajewel_

Princettia is a newer addition within the same family and has become a favored choice among Christmas plants and flowers. With a compact structure and dense branching, it is easy for anyone to grow. These pink or white varieties can be placed indoors or outdoors before the first frost and have become a modern seasonal favorite.

2. Holly (Ilex Opaca)

Holly keeps its structure even through cold winters. During Christmas, its branches bear red berries, widely used for wreaths and seasonal arrangements. Historically, holly symbolized good fortune because it remained green through winter.

*Holly, a.k.a, Ilex Opaca, picture by @Maria Jacob*

Holly prefers well-draining soil with an acidic pH to maintain deep green leaves. It remains a core part of Christmas plants and flowers, and plays a strong decorative role in the season.

3. Mistletoe (Phoradendron Leucarpum)

Mistletoe is known for the Christmas tradition of sharing a kiss underneath it. The plant forms naturally on mature trees and produces white berries on female plants. It requires minimal attention once established on a strong host tree.

Mistletoe is linked to themes of connection, vitality, and romance. It remains one of the most symbolic Christmas plants and flowers and is often used in wreaths or hanging pieces.

American Mistletoe Phoradendron Leucarpum — *American Mistletoe, picture by @ashevillebotanicalgarden*

This is one of the 15 most popular Christmas plants, with a special meaning. Ever heard someone say 'Under the Mistletoe' during Christmas? This plant historically represents romance, fertility, and vitality. Here's all you need to know about mistletoe, its Christmas nuances, and why it is known as the famous kissing plant.

4. White Roses

White roses are widely used in Christmas arrangements – their clean look pairs well with green, red, gold, or neutral seasonal tones. White is associated with calmness and winter landscapes, making the rose a fitting option for the season.

*Rose Nova Vita from the breeder, United Selections*

Every home or event can incorporate white roses into winter styling. They work well as a central flower or alongside other holiday greens.

5. Noble Fir (Nobilis)

Noble Fir is a leading choice for wreaths, garlands, table pieces, and outdoor containers during Advent. The branches of tall fir trees are widely recognized for their strong structure. Noble Fir is one of the most used Christmas plants and flowers in the world and is central to holiday décor.

*Designed Noble Fir for Christmas, pictured by @Craigend Nursery*

Its scent and texture make it ideal for arrangements that stay fresh through the season.

6. Amaryllis (Hippeastrum)

Amaryllis is a favorite winter houseplant. Many people grow it indoors so it can flower around Christmas. The bulbs typically take six weeks from planting to reach complete form. Amaryllis comes in several seasonal colors, including red, pink, and white.

a man holding two potted Amaryllis flower — *Two potted Amaryllis flowers, picture by @Swedish Plantguys*

The plant works well in centerpieces and stands out when paired with pine or holly. It brings immediate seasonal character to homes and shops and is a consistent part of Christmas plants and flowers worldwide.

7. Paperwhites (Narcissus papyraceus)

Paperwhites are commonly grown indoors in water with gravel. They develop tall green stems topped with clusters of small white flowers that carry a gentle scent. They are also recognized as one of the December birth month flowers.

A man with his Paperwhites also know as Narcissus papyraceus — *Potted Paperwhites also know as Narcissus papyraceus, picture by @flowerprincegarden*

Once the roots appear, place the container near a sunny window. Paperwhites make excellent table pieces throughout the holiday season.

8. Juniper (Juniperus)

Juniper has broad needles and a strong seasonal scent. It appears in many forms, including low groundcovers, shrubs, and small trees. Some even use juniper as an alternative Christmas tree.

*A young potted juniper plant, picture by @Sam Schalk*

Young juniper plants may need support until they establish. Mature plants require minimal care and thrive in moist but not waterlogged soil. Juniper branches are used widely for wreaths and holiday styling.

9. Red Roses

Red roses for Christmas - it seems like such a natural fit. Whether you want to add the most festive touch to your home with the traditional symbolism of red for the holidays or send flowers to a friend or loved one this holiday season, red roses will do the trick. Red is a classic Christmas color, from Santa's robe to Rudolph's nose, but it's also the color of love and warmth.

*Design by Martijn Schevernels using Rose Red Naomi! by Porta Nova*

They are one of the most liked choices for Christmas festivities, along with the most popular flower of all time - the beautiful red poinsettia. Read the article 'These Are Some of the Most Beautiful Red Roses for Christmas' to find out all about the red favorites for the season.

10. Cyclamen (Cyclamen Persicum)

Cyclamen appears during the holiday period with red, white, and pink tones. The plant performs best at cooler indoor temperatures and maintains fresh leaves with a soft silver pattern.

Cyclamen can remain in flower for several months if placed in a cool location. It becomes dormant during the summer and returns yearly as a reliable seasonal plant.

11. Helleborus Niger

Commonly known as the 'Christmas Rose', the Helleborus niger bears large, round, white, flat-faced flowers above low-growing mounds of leathery, deep green foliage. As the weather warms, it produces large masses of bright white flowers on short stems. As with many landscaping plants, all parts of the Helleborus plant are toxic to both humans and pets, but that doesn't take away the fact that it's a stunning, popular Christmas choice.

*Helleboros from the breeder HilverdaFlorist*

Learn from the floral coach Amy Balsters why the care and handling of your hellebores is so essential.

12. Cymbidium

Cymbidium orchids are highly decorative and are often seen in homes during the Christmas season. The plant has beautiful flower spikes and is relatively easy to look after. These orchids are also known as 'boat orchids' and are the oldest cultivated orchid, with evidence that they were grown in China 2,500 years ago. Make sure to get your hands on these splendid orchids to know what one of the most popular Christmas plants will look like in your home.

*Colorful potted Cymbidium, flowering indoors, picture by @Adriane*

13. Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera x Buckleyi)

Schlumbergera x buckleyi, commonly called Christmas cactus, is a hybrid, flat-stemmed, frost-intolerant, winter-flowering, epiphytic perennial cactus that is typically grown indoors as a container plant for the enjoyment of its colorful flowers, which bloom during and after the Christmas season.

14. Red Anthuriums

A relative newcomer to the Christmas scene, Anthuriums are among the more unique plants to gift this holiday season. With its open and welcoming heart shape, the plant has come to symbolize hospitality and is a popular host gift. Although red is the most sought-after color for the season, white anthuriums will also look divine for the holidays. Anthurium flowers are the gift that keeps giving, as the colorful spathe can last for months and re-blooms throughout the year.

15. White Phalaenopsis

The eyes that see them are treated to an absolute feast and delight, especially for the uniqueness of the Christmas season. White orchids are associated with elegance and grace, making them the ideal choice for your indoor spaces this Christmas. Orchids are also often regarded as symbols of rarity and delicacy, reflecting the one-of-a-kind nature of cherished relationships.

How to Care for Christmas Plants and Flowers After the Holidays

Many Christmas plants and flowers can continue thriving long after December if given proper care. Poinsettias and Princettias should be kept in bright filtered light and watered only when the surface soil feels dry. Cyclamen, Paperwhites, Christmas Cactus, and Amaryllis can be kept indoors until warmer months, after which they can rest or be moved to protected outdoor spots.

*A beautiful mixed vase with Christmas flowers, picture by @The flower lounge*

Holly, Juniper, and Helleborus adapt well to outdoor conditions and can be planted in the garden once temperatures are stable. Orchids and Anthuriums remain indoors year-round and only need consistent room temperatures and steady moisture. Extending the life of these plants reduces waste and keeps your home fresh well into the new year.

Christmas plants and flowers play a quiet but meaningful role during the holiday season. They add life to shared spaces, brighten quiet corners, and bring a sense of ease to homes as the year comes to a close. Whether you prefer classic choices like Poinsettia, Holly, and Amaryllis or modern favourites such as Princettia, Anthurium, and white Phalaenopsis, each plant offers its own presence in December. Many of these plants can also continue well into the new year with steady care, making them more than seasonal decorations.

Christmas plants and flowers for holiday decor — *Christmas plants and decor, picture by @Bayview Flowers*

If you enjoy learning about seasonal plants and the stories behind them, continue reading more features on Thursd and explore new ideas for your holiday styling.

Header image by @alstonvilleflorist.