Festive foliage is always top of our list when it comes to Christmas decorations. Winter wreaths, ivy garlands and of course, the star of the show, the glittering Christmas tree, all conjure up scenes of cosy nights by the fire and frosty weather outside. Traditional Christmas flowers and plants are also a great way for adding a festive twist to a nature-inspired decor scheme or indoor garden.
Plants make lovely Christmas gifts, too. How about swapping a Christmas bouquet for a gift that keeps on giving all year long? We've chosen a selection of Christmas plants that should stand the test of time, and in some cases, can even be planted outside once the weather warms up.
Check out our round-up of the best places to buy houseplants and biodegradable plant pots here too.
How to take care of Christmas plants
Christmas plants are plants that bloom in the winter and fair as well in the colder months as they do the rest of the year. Winter houseplants are a great choice if you don't have an outside space or if you are missing the time spent out in the garden.
Here are some key things to remember when it comes to looking after Christmas plants and winter plants:
- Don't overwater, houseplants generally need less watering in the winter period. Only water when the soil is dry to the touch and, if you can, use room temperature water
- Keep houseplants away from cold draughts and sources of heat such as radiators and fireplaces
- Ensure your houseplants get sufficient daylight, indirect light is best
- Use a dry cloth to gently wipe away any build up of dust that can land on your plant leaves
Best Christmas plants gifts
Christmas cactus
Flowering from November to January, the Christmas cactus is a great choice for anyone after some bright blooms in the winter season. After its winter flowering period, the Christmas cactus makes a great statement house plant too thanks to its fun spiky leaves.
It's also easy to look after, pop it in a humid area with bright indirect light and only water when the soil is dry. To help it reflower next year, repot it in March and water regularly from April to September along with liquid houseplant fertiliser.
- Buy Schlumbergera 'Red' Christmas cactus from Crocus (£12.99)
Holly plant
Possibly the most festive of plants, holly is a wonderfully cheerful shrub that is hardy all year long and easy to maintain at home. It likes sunlight, but will be fine in partial shade too, and does best with frequent watering on warmer days and regular pruning to keep it in tip-top shape. Why not use the pruned sprigs as decorations on your table or shelving and mantelpieces?
More Christmas gift ideas
Azalea
This pretty, snow-white azalea plant is a lovely alternative to a bouquet of Christmas flowers as it will last much longer. You can keep it as a houseplant, or, once the warmer weather arrives it can be planted outdoors too.
During the festive period, keep your pot in a cool, well-lit room and water it enough that the soil never dries out. It also enjoys a daily misting. Pair it alongside festive red roses or a Christmas cactus for a pop of colour! It would look fab as a table centrepiece as well.
Moth orchid
If you're a new plant parent or are gifting to someone who is new to houseplants, an orchid is a great plant to get started with. It's easy to maintain, even when you miss the odd day watering it or place it in the wrong patch of light, and its flowers will bloom for months (even a whole year if you care for it well!).
They like bright, humid conditions, so a bathroom window is ideal, and in winter they require watering only when the top layer of soil feels dry to the touch.
Rosemary bush
Rosemary is another popular Christmas plant choice. Its fern-like stems are reminscent of a Christmas tree, they bring a delicious scent to your home and can be used in a range of warming winter recipes as well!
As with most herbs, they prefer a warm, sunny spot so during winter it's important to position a rosemary pot on a sunny windowsill. Water only when the top layer is dry.
- Buy Fragrant Rosemary Bush from Gardening Express (£7.95)
Asparagus fern
This soft, fuzzy houseplant can grow to great heights, making it a fun plant to dress up with the odd quirky bauble at Christmas! It's a humid-loving plant that needs misting regularly, especially in winter when the air can be dry from central heating.
Watering in the festive season should only be done when the soil feels dry, and then slowly increased as the weather gets warmer.
- Buy Asparagus Setaceus from Waitrose (£6.39)
Yucca plant
M&S has come up with this snazzy plant for Christmas, with pom-poms and all! The Yucca plant is a low-maintenance houseplant that will add a fresh vibe to your home (as well as a hanging spot for Christmas decs!)
In terms of plant care, the Yucca plant likes bright, indirect light and can go a long time without watering (try once a month to start with).
- Buy Yucca Plant from M&S (£40)
Feeling inspired? Check out our favourite outdoor Christmas decorations here, and don't forget to take a look at our pick of the best Christmas trends for 2022, so you can get ahead of the decorating curve and impress your loved ones.
