Many of the plants we associate with the holidays have special symbolism dating back centuries, while others have only recently reached Christmas decor status. So, whether you’re looking for a bit of extra luck this holiday season, trying to find a seasonally appropriate gift for someone on your list, or just hoping to make your interiors feel more merry and bright, there’s a plant out there for you. Below, learn about 18 picture-perfect Christmas flowers and plants—and the meanings behind them.
Poinsettia
At the top of every holiday plant list, poinsettia is probably the most well known, but at the same time least understood, Christmas plant. The bright red “blooms” are not true flowers, but specialized bracts surrounding tiny yellow flowers in their centers. And though the plant has a reputation of being deadly, ingestion causes only mild irritation to humans. Native to Mexico and Central America, poinsettias are also known as the Christmas Star and have long been associated with the holiday. In Aztec tradition, the sacred plant symbolized purity, while Christian religions associate the blooms with the Star of Bethlehem. Today, the plant is given as a representation of good wishes and embodies the merriment of the season. Shop a poinsettia plant here.
Cyclamen
With delicate blooms and gorgeous foliage, cyclamen has long been a holiday staple. Cyclamen plants naturally bloom during the winter in red, white, lavender, and pink hues. The most common species for gift-giving is the Persian or florist’s cyclamen, Cyclamen persicum, which is grown indoors as a potted plant. Some species, such as Cyclamen hederifolium, can be grown outdoors in shade gardens and are hardy to zone 5. Cyclamen foliage is typically heart-shaped and heavily marked with silver patterns. The blooms stand atop thin vertical stems and nod downwards. The flowers are often associated with love and devotion, particularly motherly love. In both Christian and Muslim religions, the flowers are associated with the Virgin Mary, due to their nodding habit, akin to Mary bowing her head in reverence. Shop a cyclamen plant here.
Amaryllis
These exotic-looking blooms make a stunning holiday gift. Amaryllis blossoms are enormous, stretching 4 to 10 inches wide, and stand atop thick stems up to 2 feet tall. Plants can be purchased as bare bulbs as a DIY gift for your favorite gardener or as already planted bulbs in partial to full bloom. Amaryllis blooms also make long-lasting cut flowers and are commonly found in holiday bouquets. Red and white varieties are most popular for the holidays, as well as deep burgundy blooms and multi-colored cultivars with names like Candy Cane and Silver Snowflake. In Victorian times, amaryllis symbolized pride, with their grand stature and bold blooms. These same attributes, along with the Greek myth surrounding the plant’s namesake, lend additional symbolism to the flower including strength, determination, and patience. Shop an amaryllis plant here.
Paperwhite
Another flowering bulb grown indoors during the winter months is paperwhite, a type of daffodil. Paperwhites are sold as bare bulbs, often along with a decorative pot or vase. They are incredibly easy to force into bloom indoors and can be timed to bloom during the holidays. Paperwhite flowers represent hope and devotion. They are also a symbol of faithfulness. In Victorian times, to give a paperwhite was akin to saying, “You are the only one.” Shop a paperwhite plant here.
Norfolk Island Pine
Although it doesn’t flower, Norfolk Island pine is a Christmas classic. The soft, needled branches lend themselves to decorating with small ornaments and lights for creating graceful tabletop Christmas trees. After the holidays, the tree’s layered structure makes for a stately houseplant. Norfolk Island pine is not a pine at all, but a tropical plant belonging to an ancient family of conifers. The plant is named for the small island near New Zealand where the plant was first found. Today, the pine remains a symbol of Norfolk Island and can be found on the territory’s flag. Shop a Norfolk Island pine here.
Christmas Cactus
Few holiday plants flower as profusely as the Christmas cactus, which erupts into bloom between Thanksgiving and Christmas, depending on the species. Though red-flowered varieties are most popular for the holidays, Christmas cacti also bloom in shades of pink, yellow, orange, white, and purple. Christmas cacti are long-lived plants, often being passed from parent to child. As such, they are often considered a symbol of longevity and resilience. Christmas cacti will bloom year after year but require a period of dark nights to induce flower bud formation. Shop a Christmas cactus here.
Mistletoe
Mistletoe is ripe with symbolism, from Norse mythology to literary romanticism. The plant has long been associated with festivities taking place in December, from Saturnalia, an ancient Roman celebration of the god Saturn, to Celtic winter solstice celebrations. The Celtics believed the plant brought luck and hung it above their doorways. It has also been known to symbolize hope during the darkest days of the year. The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe dates back to Ancient Greek wedding ceremonies, where the plant symbolized fertility. If you are looking for mistletoe this Christmas, pay attention to the berry color, as mistletoe and holly are often confused. Mistletoe has white berries, not red, and the leaves are smooth-edged. Shop a faux mistletoe bundle here.
Christmas Rose
This winter-blooming flower brightens the garden when all else sleeps. Christmas rose (Helleborus niger) has evergreen foliage and large white to pink petals surrounding a golden ring of stamens. In warmer regions, the plant blooms around Christmastime, but flowering may be considerably later in colder regions of the plants range (Zones 3-8). The Christmas rose represents serenity and peace. In the Middle Ages, it was used to drive away evil spirits and madness. The plant also has religious connotations, as told in the story of the shepherdess Madelon, who had no gift for the baby Jesus. In the story, an angel saw the weeping girl and brushed away the snow at her feet. Where her tears had fallen, there bloomed beautiful white flowers, a gift of love and purity. Shop a Christmas rose plant here.
Holly
From Christmas cards to wreaths, holly abounds in holiday decor. And with those bright red berries ripening just in time for Christmas, it is no wonder why. Humans have been decking the halls with boughs of holly since ancient Roman times, when the plant was used in Saturnalia celebrations. In ancient Celtic tradition, the sacred plant harbored magical powers and was hung about the home to bring protection and good luck. As Christianity spread, old traditions blended with the new and holly came to take on new meaning, with the prickly leaves representing the crown of thorns worn by Jesus. Whatever your tradition, there is no denying the plant’s beauty and vitality even in the harshest winter conditions. Shop a holly shrub here.
Anthuriums
A relative newcomer to the Christmas scene, anthuriums are among the more unique plants to gift this holiday season. With their open and welcoming heart shape, the plant has come to symbolize hospitality and is a popular host gift. Although, the waxy red “bloom” isn’t actually a flower, it’s a specialized leaf called a spathe that protects the spadix within. The spadix is the yellow “tail” giving anthurium one of its common names, tail flower, and which produces numerous tiny flowers when in bloom. Anthurium is the gift that keeps on giving as the colorful spathe can last for months and re-blooms throughout the year. Shop an anthurium here.
Rosemary Tree
This plant is grown for its silvery foliage, not flowers. Trimmed to look like miniature Christmas trees, rosemary makes a lovely and delightfully fragrant tabletop tree. Decorate it with bows or miniature ornaments to up its festivity. The plant has long symbolized remembrance. Ancient Greek scholars wore crowns of rosemary during exams to sharpen their memories, while people across cultures use sprigs of rosemary to honor the dead. The plant is also associated with friendship and loyalty, with brides commonly carrying sprigs in their bouquets. Shop a rosemary tree here.
Camellia ‘Yuletide’
Dress up the porch or entryway planting beds for the holidays with Camellia ‘Yuletide.’ This evergreen shrub produces large, rose-like blooms in a festive shade of red just in time for the holidays. The flowers also make a lovely addition to cut flower arrangements indoors. In the garden, Camellia ‘Yuletide’ takes up a bit of room, reaching 8 to 10 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide, so be sure to give it plenty of room. Plants are hardy in zones 7 through 10. Camellias are native to China, where the plant has a rich history and represents the union of two lovers. In western culture, the flower symbolizes love and admiration. Shop a Camellia ‘Yuletide’ shrub here.
Orchid
Orchids represent prosperity, good health, friendship, and well wishes, making them an ideal gift on any occasion. They also make for an elegant centerpiece at the dining table. Phalaenopsis orchids with snowy white blooms are commonly used for holiday decorating, often in combination with evergreen clippings and brilliant red holly berries. There are also several orchids that go by the common name Christmas orchid, though they earn their name based on the timing of their blooms, not any special association with the holiday. Shop a Christmas orchid here.
Azalea
As the holidays approach, you will start to see potted azaleas for sale at the garden center. These evergreen azaleas have been produced specifically for the Christmas season and forced to bloom during the holidays. Azaleas are thought to symbolize abundance, as represented by the profusion of blooms covering the plant. Most azaleas available at the holidays have red blooms. Azaleas can be planted outdoors when spring arrives in hardiness zones 8 to 10. In regions with colder winters, plants can be grown in containers and brought indoors over the winter. After the initial winter bloom, plants will revert to their natural springtime blooming cycle. Shop an azalea shrub here.
Dwarf Alberta Spruce
While this plant doesn’t flower, it certainly embodies the Christmas spirit. Dwarf Alberta spruce is a favorite potted living Christmas tree, either in a compact desktop version or a larger specimen. This hardy evergreen is also often used for outdoor decorating in containers and window boxes. With its evergreen foliage, spruce represents resilience and hope during the dark days of winter. Shop a Dwarf Alberta spruce here.
Hypericum Berries
Another plant used for its berries rather than blooms, hypericum (St. John’s Wort) is a must-have for DIY florists. Clusters of bright red, pink, green, or white berries add a festive touch to any arrangement. The name hypericum comes from the Greek word “hyper,” meaning “above,” and “eikon,” meaning “picture," refers to the tradition of hanging sprigs over images and windows to protect against evil. As such, the plant symbolizes protection. Shop a hypericum plant here.
Red Roses
Roses for Christmas? Absolutely. Florists know that red roses lie at the heart of the holiday bouquet. Mixed with evergreen boughs, berries, pinecones, and white or green flowers, roses bring the colors of Christmas to life in any arrangement. Red roses symbolize love and have long been associated with the goddess of love herself, Aphrodite. Shop red roses here.
Frosty Fern
While this plant doesn’t flower, the unique “frosted” foliage makes it an interesting plant for holiday decorating. Not a true fern, the frosty fern is a close relative. The tiny, scale-like leaves grow in flattened, layered fans with new growth emerging white, giving the plant a frosted appearance. Frosty fern is often paired with other holiday plants in mixed containers or adorned with a cardinal, snowman, or other decoration on top. The plant does not carry any special meaning but is used to represent snow in holiday containers. Frosty fern prefers a warm, humid environment and consistently moist soil. Shop a frosty fern plant here.
A Note of Caution
Pet owners and parents: Take note that several plants on this list may be poisonous if ingested. ASPCA has a search tool on their website for looking up plants that might be toxic to dogs, cats, and other animals. The University of California maintains a similar database documenting human toxicity. So, just do your research before you decide to bring one of these festive plants into your home. As pretty as they may be, you may not want them within reach of any animals or small children.
