21 Christmas plants

Christmas is almost here, so it’s time to get some gorgeous Christmas plants! Christmas plants are plants that either bloom around the holidays or are used in Christmas decorations. These festive plants are sure to spread some holiday joy this season, so keep reading to figure out which ones are best for you!

1. Potted mini Christmas trees

Potted Live Mini Christmas Trees are perfect plants for when you want a real Christmas tree but don’t want the hassle of a huge tree. Mini Christmas trees can be found at almost any plant nursery or garden centers such as Home Depot or Lowes. These trees are a one-time-only plant that will usually only last a month with proper care. Often referred to as “Tabletop Christmas Trees,” these trees look great on countertops, tables, and any other heightened surface where you can see them!

Read more about Mini Christmas Trees.

2. Poinsettia

Poinsettias have velvety-red petals with dark green leaves that add a pop of color to any home! Poinsettias can be found at almost any garden store and typically last around 4-6 weeks with proper care. While these plants are usually discarded after the holidays, they are actually tropical perennials that can be kept for years as potted plants if given warm temperatures as well as lots of water and light.

3. Mistletoe

It’s not Christmas without Mistletoe! You can buy Mistletoe from your local florist, online, and sometimes at big box stores. Many people often use Mistletoe as decor in a doorway for guests and family members to stop and kiss under. One thing to note about Mistletoe is it is extremely poisonous to animals, so make sure to keep it far away from your furry friends.

4. Paperwhites

Paperwhites are white flowers with long green stems that bloom during the winter. These plants can either be bought at a garden store like Home Depot or you can grow them yourself! You can find Paperwhite bulbs at almost any plant nursery and plant them as early as late fall.

Read all about the Paperwhite flower

5. Holly

Holly is a shrub with bright red berries and dark green prickly leaves. You’ve most likely seen a Holly bush or tree growing in someone’s yard or as a wreath hanging on a door. Holly is an evergreen plant and can live at least 100 years or more! However, once Holly is cut, it only lasts a week or so. Although, if you decide to get a Holly wreath for your front door, it can last up to 4-5 weeks!

6. Amaryllis

Amaryllis is a small flowering plant with white, pink, or red flowers. You can either buy Amaryllis at a garden store or you can plant bulbs and grow them yourself! Amaryllis flowers only bloom for 3-7 days after 4-8 weeks in the ground. However, Amaryllis can become perennial with proper care, so you can enjoy it year after year!

7. Christmas Cactus

Christmas Cacti are cactus plants that bloom from early to mid-winter. These plants can be found at almost any garden store or plant nursery and can last for decades with proper care! If you want a hardy plant that will stand by you every Christmas, Christmas Cactus is the way to go!

8. Rosemary

Rosemary is an herb that you can either grow yourself or buy as a fully grown plant. You can plant Rosemary either indoors or outdoors, depending on your preference. Rosemary is an evergreen shrub, which means it can last for at least 10 years with proper care, so you can enjoy it year after year!

Read about other festive herbs and spices here.

9. Ivy

Ivy is an evergreen climbing plant that you typically see spread across houses, college campuses, or over archways. You can buy Ivy plants from a garden store in small containers for planting. Although an evergreen plant, Ivy was used by Christians during Christmastime to celebrate the Winter Solstice and ward off evil spirits!

Read more about Ivy plants

10. Red Twig Dogwood

Red Twig Dogwood is a shrub that has bright red branches with white flowers. During the winter months, the red branches provide a bright contrast to your garden. You can buy Red Twig Dogwood shrubs and plant them in your garden and allow them to grow year after year!

11. Lemon Cypress

Lemon Cypress is a small evergreen shrub that is native to California. This shrub looks good either indoors or outdoors and provides a wonderful citrus fragrance. Lemon Cypress is considered a Christmas plant because of its Christmas tree-like shape. People also give small Lemon Cypress trees as gifts to celebrate a baby’s first Christmas!

12. Snowbells Christmas Rose (Helleborus)

Snowbells Christmas Rose is a flowering plant that blooms from winter to spring and is associated with the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas Rose is a perennial plant that is extremely easy to care for. You can either plant this flower in a pot or in your garden to enjoy year after year!

13. White Christmas Caladium

White Christmas Caladium, also known as Angel Wings, is a perennial plant with white heart-shaped leaves with dark green veins running through them. You can buy Christmas Caladium at almost any garden store and can plant them either indoors or outdoors. White Christmas Caladium is a common Christmas plant because of its unique festive coloring!

14. Snowdrops

Snowdrops are flowering plants with long green stems that bend with a white flower on the end like a snowdrop. These flowers thrive in cold weather, making them perfect Christmas plants! You can either buy these flowers at a garden store or buy bulbs to plant in your garden! Snowdrops tend to bloom in the garden in February or March but can be “forced” indoors to bloom in December.

See more about Snowdrops

15. Yuletide Camellia

Yuletide Camellia is an evergreen shrub that blooms in the winter with dark green leaves and bright red flowers. This shrub is relatively easy to care for and can be bought at almost any garden store or plant nursery. Add a touch of Christmas cheer to your home with this Yuletide Camellia plant!

16. Cyclamen

Cyclamen is a hardy flowering plant with lovely flowers and dark green leaves. There are both white and red Cyclamen plants available for the Christmas season. You can buy Cyclamen from your local garden store and keep it in a pot in your home. With proper care, Cyclamen flowers can become perennial. This plant blooms from late fall into early spring, making it a perfect addition to your home this Christmas!

Read more about Cyclamen plants

17. Maranta

Maranta, also known as a prayer plant, is a beautiful evergreen perennial plant with dark green leaves. You can buy Maranta plants at a garden store and can either be planted indoors or outdoors depending on your climate. Maranta is considered a Christmas plant because of its festive dark green leaves that pair well with contrasting red Christmas decorations!

Read all about Maranta plants

18. Anthurium

Anthurium is a perennial plant with dark green leaves and bright red flowers. You can buy Anthurium as a cultivated plant from a garden store and keep it as an indoor plant! Although a tropical plant, Anthurium is often seen around the holidays because of its festive coloring.

Read more about caring for Anthurium plants

19. Christmas Fern

Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) is named for its evergreen fronds that last all year round. This is a hardy plant and is known for keeping its vibrant coloring all year long, including the winter season. You can buy Christmas Ferns from a garden store or plant nursery and plant them in your garden. Give your garden a long-lasting splash of green with a Christmas Fern!

20. Gardenia

Gardenia is a flowering plant with dark green leaves and bright white flowers. Known for their fragrant smell, Gardenias bloom throughout the winter and make lovely fragrant bouquets. You can buy Gardenias from any garden store and can keep these plants in your garden year after year!

21. Tiny Tim Tomato

The Tiny Tim Tomato Plant is a small tomato plant that produces cherry tomatoes! You can grow this plant either from seeds or buy it from a garden store. These plants are great for small spaces and do well planted in pots! Although this plant doesn’t fare well in the winter, its name comes from Charles Dickens’ novel, A Christmas Carol, where Tiny Tim states, “Merry Christmas, everyone!”

Read all about the Tiny Tim Tomato.

22. Boxwood

Boxwood is an evergreen shrub that adds a vibrant touch to your garden all year long! These bright green shrubs can either be bought as small live shrubs or as wreaths and are commonly used as decorations during the holidays!

There are many types of boxwood plants that make wonderful outdoor landscaping plants. Top choices include Japanese Boxwood and Winter Gem Boxwood. Both of these options are low-maintenance in the landscape and provide a nice source for evergreen trimmings during the holiday season.

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