Christmas flowers and plants brighten your home during the holiday season. The iconic red, green, and white colors vibe with the Christmas theme and get everyone into the holiday spirit just by their lush and decorative appearance. Let’s have a closer look at all the different types of Christmas flowers and plants you can decorate your home with this season.
The 12 Days of Christmas Flowers and Plants
1. Poinsettia
The scientific name for a poinsettia is Euphorbia pulcherrima. Poinsettias are the hallmark of American Christmas holiday displays. It originated in 1834 when it was identified as a new species in the spurge family. The iconic red and green colored foliage brightens up a kitchen table during the holidays as families gathering for a holiday dinner.
Poinsettias should be stored in rooms that are about 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Be mindful of temperature drops because severe ones can wilt the leaves too quickly. Mist the leaves daily to maintain their luster.
For more information on poinsettia care, visit here.
2. Evergreen
Evergreen trees are the popular type used for real Christmas trees in American homes during the holiday season. The tree’s leaves stay green the entire year hence its name “evergreen”. The green of the leaves is more lush in the warmer climates, while the green decreases in its lushness in colder temperatures.
Most species of conifers are considered evergreens such as blue spruce, pine, red cedar, and hemlock. The green giant arborvitae and eastern white pine are known as some of the fastest growing evergreen trees. They grow about 2 feet per year. Now you see why evergreens are most used for real Christmas trees in people’s homes during the holidays.
3. Paperwhite Narcissus
Narcissus papyraceus is the scientific name for the paperwhite narcissus flower. Originating from the Mediterranean region, you can see these flowers at international destinations such as Greece and Morocco. American natives can find paperwhites locally in Texas, Azores, Louisiana, California where they are naturalized.
Don’t paperwhites look like daffodils? You’re right! The higher classification of paperwhites are daffodils. Their musky odor is distinct and almost an earthy scent even though some people says it smells like dirty socks or feline urine.
Don’t let that discourage you from trying out this beautiful flower in your home for the holiday season. Pair it with a filler that has a pleasing aroma to offset the musky smell if you do not like that. You’ll also achieve a beautiful flower display with filler pairings.
4. Cyclamen
Cyclamen perennial flowers come from the Primulaceae family that is made up of 23 different species. They originate from the Mediterranean Basin in the eastern portion to Iran as well as Europe. There’s only one species of Cyclmanen in Somalia. Cyclamen come in a variety of patterns of pink and white, purple and white, or even solid colors like red and white
Their upswept petals are their defining feature that make them a popular Christmas flower. White cyclamen adds an elegant, classy touch to any of your home Christmas decorations.
5. Amaryllis
Amaryllis is a special flower that only has two species in its small genus of flowers. They were otherwise labeled as lillies in the 18th century. Amaryllidinae is the only subtribe of the genus where amaryllis originates. Amaryllis belladonna is the more well-known and popular species of the genus which comes in pink varieties. You can amaryllis belladonna in the Cape Province in South Africa.
However, Holland is known as the key grower and exporter of the Christmas amaryllis plant. Dutch varieties and South African types come in red, white, and pink, but more thank likely, you will want red and/or white for your Christmas decorations.
6. Rosemary
Rosemary is a woody and earth scented perennial herb. With evergreen like leaves, the herb is used as a variety of mini Christmas trees during the holiday season. The way their leaves grow up on their stems makes it a great alternative to evergreen Christmas trees with less clean up involved.
Pruning shears and floral clippers are ideal for trimming a rosemary Christmas tree. You must clean your trimming tools in between each treatment, so bacterial growth does not occur on the tools that could be transferred to the rosemary plant.
Find more information about caring for a rosemary Christmas tree here.
7. Christmas Cactus
Christmas cacti’s key features include leaves that are flat with round teeth on the leaves’ margins. Leaves on a Christmas cactus will not bloom if it does not have enough sunlight. Make sure that your plant receives enough sunlight if you see that it is not blooming properly.
You will need to change out the fertilizer every 2 weeks during spring to early fall. Once it hits the winter months, you can change out the fertilizer on a monthly basis. Remember the catchy phrase “prune in June” so you know this is the time to trim your Christmas cactus plant.
For more information on how to treat a Christmas cactus, visit here.
8. Norfolk Island Pine
Araucaria heterophylla is the scientific name for the Norfolk Island Pine. As its namesake, the plant is indigenous to the island of Norfolk which is nearby New Zealand. These pine trees must be indoors during the winter to survive because it is a tropical variety that cannot withstand the cold winter temperatures.
A Norfolk Island Pine’s branches can only hold so much weight. Therefore, heavy Christmas are discouraged when trimming this type of tree. Try smaller ornaments and lightweight lights to successfully trim a Norfolk Pine.
9. Holly
The holly Christmas plant is popular because this is what Jesus wore when he was crucified on the cross. The red berries symbolize Jesus’ blood drops that were a result of the crucifixion. Scandinavians call holly the “Christ thorn”.
During the pagan time period, holly was recognized as male plant while ivy was thought to be a female plant. There was an old tradition from the Midlands of Europe that stated whichever plant was brought to your home would be the gender in the household that ruled during that year. If you brought either of that into the household before Christmas Eve, it was deemed unfortunate.
10. Phalaenopsis Orchid
Phalaenopsis orchids are also known as moth orchids. Orchidaceae is the family where these moth orchids originate and have a genus of 70 species. This species is a winter, spring, and early summer thriving plant because it loses its bloom usually between June and July. Some moth orchids can stay bloomed past July.
Feed your plant who likes low light and damp soil with new fertilizer on a weekly basis. Moth orchids require a 50% increase in their food supply from May to September. New leaves come in the summer, their spikes grow in the fall, and blooms occur in winter and spring. Their blooms in winter are just in time for the Christmas season.
Access more care information for moth orchids here.
11. Christmas Rose
The helleborus niger is more well-known as the Christmas rose. While these flowers may look like roses, they do not belong to the rose family. They are actually apart of the crowfoot family.
Christmas roses come in white or light pink varieties. November to February is their usual flowering and life cycle period. Water your Christmas rose in the early morning and evening.
Since they are a poisonous evergreen, be sure to only have this plant if there are no young children or pets in the house. Find more care instructions for the Christmas rose here.
12. Mistletoe
Let’s end this list with a kiss of class! That’s right. The mistletoe has a long standing tradition that if two people are under the plant, they must share a kiss.
Coming from the Santalales order, mistletoe is a hemiparasite plant. Bird pollinate the tropical varieties. Dwarf mistletoes are known to be parasitic only on coniferous trees. The European mistletoe has roots dating back before the Christian time period where it is renowned in Christmas celebrations and literature about these celebratory festivities.
Get all of your mistletoe facts and history here.
Don’t Forget Water!
Water hydrates your plants and helps the roots to get the nourishment it needs to help them grow and thrive. Set one or more alarms on your smartphone daily to remind you about completing your Christmas plant maintenance. Remember to follow the special care plan for each Christmas plant and flower in your household because not all of them have the exact same needs as the other.
Types of Christmas Cactus Plants (Varieties and Colors)
