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By: Melissa Dittmann Tracey

Think beyond traditional holiday plant favorites to spice up your home this season – and maybe your yard all year long.

Poinsettias have long been a staple in holiday decorating. After all, although their sales period is only about six weeks a year, poinsettias often rank as the nation’s best-selling potted plant. Yet, at the end of the holiday season, millions of these bright, red leafy plants get tossed into landfills. And let’s face it. It might be time to introduce some less traditional Christmas plants and flowers.

That’s why some households are looking to alternative Christmas plants and flowers to bring some yuletide cheer to their décor this year but that can be used beyond just the holiday season. Some can even do double duty, planted outside to grow your yard’s curb appeal.

“The holiday season presents an exciting opportunity to reimagine traditional holiday décor,” says Jeanna Liu, a plant expert and inventor of Cowbell, a company that develops sustainable consumer agriculture tech. “When looking beyond traditional holiday plants, I’ve found several stunning alternatives that bring fresh energy to indoor holiday décor.” Liu says her nontraditional favorites are a mix of lavender, small olive trees, sage, eucalyptus, blue spruce, and soft leafy plants — such as Dusty Millers (also known as Silver Ragwort). It creates a “frosty holiday aesthetic,” she says.

“Live plants are the antidote to all the artificial holiday plastic overload,” says Valeria Nyman, chief product officer at Taim.io, a website devoted to teaching the public about gardening and plants. “They add texture, scent, and life, which are things plastic garlands just can’t replicate. Unlike single-season decorations, plants can thrive well beyond the holidays.” Plus, plants can make a great gift for the holidays — one that keeps giving and maybe can be planted in an outdoor landscape in the spring, she adds.

Another benefit to celebrate: Live plants may make you — and your house — feel better, says Scott Seargeant, an internationally known arborist, landscape contractor, and owner of Seargeant Landscape & Arboriculture in Visalia, Calif. “They give off oxygen, and caring for plants can give some people great satisfaction and purpose,” he says.

20 Christmas Plants and Flowers

You can choose from a smorgasbord of choices in Christmas plants and flowers: plants with natural ornaments likes berries and peppers, flowering plants, leafy plants, succulent plants, and mini Christmas tree alternatives. No matter what appeals to you, you can get a fresh look and festive cheer. Plus, you’ll enjoy your plants inside or in your yard after the holiday season. Here are 20 options to consider:

Christmas Plants With Natural Ornaments

#1 Christmas Pepper Plant

Characteristics: Globe-shaped peppers in an array of bright colors pop against its green leaves

Maintenance: Needs two to four hours of sunlight per day; water regularly (keep moist but not soggy)

Care level: Low

The name of the Christmas pepper plant is spot-on because of the plant’s colorful, small peppers that resemble holiday lights or ornaments. This Christmas plant features chilies that grow upright in constantly changing colors of yellow, orange, red, and purple. Its uniqueness can make it the perfect holiday housewarming gift. The peppers are also edible and taste spicy, although the plant is more often used for its decoration than as a food source.

#2 Holly

Characteristics: An evergreen with spiny leaves, often in dark green, that can include bright red berries

Maintenance: Grows in full sun to partial shade; water regularly (once or twice a week) until established; prefers moist but well-drained soil

Care level: Low

“Hollies are the forgotten holiday tree or shrub,” Seargeant says. “They make a great addition to the holiday feeling with their green-pointed leaves and red berries.” Place the holly in pots or weave its red berries into your greenery, including wreaths or even the Christmas tree, he says. After the holidays, plant the holly in your yard; it can be a slow-growing shrub or small tree for accenting a landscape, he says.

Flowering Plants for Christmas

#3 Amaryllis

Characteristics: Large colorful, trumpet-shaped flowers

Maintenance: Water sparingly (allow soil to dry between waterings); bright and indirect light; prefers temperatures 60 degrees to 70 degrees Fahrenheit

Care level: Low

The red amaryllis can make a perfect Christmas flower and serve as a bright, colorful accent for your home. Its flowers range in colors, like red, pink, white, orange, and burgundy; it can also come in two-toned striped varieties, like red and white. Small bulbs of the amaryllis can produce two to three flowers; larger bulbs can produce three to five flowers. The flowers can bloom for four to six weeks at a time.

No worries about a short lifespan, since the amaryllis can continue to bloom for 75 years. Use a potted amaryllis as a festive centerpiece for your holiday tablescape or add its colorful flowers to enhance your Christmas wreaths.

#4 Orchids

Characteristics: Asymmetrical flowers that range in colors of white, pink, purple, yellow, red, orange, and green; highly fragrant, with a sweet or spicy scent

Maintenance: Place in a bright spot with indirect light; requires minimal watering (typically every seven to 10 days); allow the soil to dry in-between waterings

Care level: Low

Orchids offer an exotic elegance and tropical feel that can “provide exquisite blossoms for a festive look,” says Andrew Porwol, an international landscape expert and founder of Sapcote Garden Centre in the United Kingdom. “These plants not only brighten your Christmas décor, but they also thrive year-round with proper care, making them adaptable and long-lasting options” for inside a home. White orchids can create a serene wintery look while a red orchid can add that traditional holiday color pop. They can be used as the color pop in holiday arrangements, such as alongside pinecones and evergreen branches.

#5 Paperwhite Daffodils

Characteristics: Clusters of small white, yellow, or orange flowers

Maintenance: Water regularly; prefers bright, indirect light (direct sunlight will cause their flowers to fade); turn pot every few days to encourage straight stems

Care level: Low

“Paper white daffodils are gaining popularity during Christmas,” Seargeant says. They come in several varieties, some offering a strong, sweet fragrance to your home. They can be purchased in a pot or grown from bulbs; their flowers bloom for about four to eight weeks at a time. “They offer a splash of color and fragrance for any table or front porch during the holidays,” Seargeant says. “Plant them in your landscape after frost has gone for year-after-year flowers.”

#6 Red or White Cyclamen

Characteristics: Heart-shaped, green leaves with five-petaled, cup-shaped flowers that face downward

Maintenance: Water thoroughly but wait until soil is dry to water again; prefers high humidity (set on a tray of wet gravel or frequently mist); sensitive to overwatering but needs moist soil to continue blooming

Care level: Low to mid

This petite flowering plant, often just six inches to nine inches tall, has a light floral fragrance. “Nothing says Christmas like the nontraditional use of red and white cyclamen,” says Seargeant. “They can be used indoors or out. They have the true Christmas red and the snow-white varieties.” A bonus: They can bloom year after year, for up to three months in the fall, winter, and spring. (Don’t throw them out when they lose their flowers; they go dormant in the summer.) Seargeant says these colorful plants also can be “great for shady planters and shady areas in the landscape.” (Beware: Cyclamen is toxic to pets.)

#7 Red Osier Dogwood

Characteristics: Vibrant red twigs and branches in the winter; green with white or bluish-white berries in the summer and fall

Maintenance: Water regularly; tolerates a range of light conditions; regular pruning needed to promote regrowth

Care level: Low

This versatile plant, also known as red twig dogwood, can be a popular plant for winter and holiday arrangements because of its bright red stems. The branches can easily be configured into sculptural elements, allowing them to be woven into wreaths and centerpieces for a more rustic, natural holiday aesthetic. Its slender branches also can be used outdoors, like with the red branches collected in a pot for a festive display. The red osier dogwood is known to be hardy and long-lasting even once cut.

#8 Rosemary

Characteristics: A fragrant plant with needle-like leaves and purplish-blue and white flowers

Maintenance: Water regularly (but let the soil dry completely between waterings); at least six hours of sunlight per day; prefers full sun and warm weather (can’t survive below 30 degrees Fahrenheit)

Care level: Low to mid

In the Middle Ages, Rosemary was spread on the floor of a home at Christmas time to release its aroma while fending off evil spirits. Today, the versatile plant is used for holiday décor or as an herb for cooking, or even as a bushy shrub for an outdoor landscape. You can also prune it to the shape of a miniature Christmas tree. A representative of national plant nursery Monrovia says their Tuscan Blue Rosemary has become a popular holiday plant “Its beautiful, clear blue flowers add to its charm,” she says. Monrovia also offers many topiary forms of rosemary that can be used in holiday tablescapes. Indeed, Nyman says a rosemary topiary can grace the dining table in December and then flavor soups in January.

Leafy Plants for Christmas

#9 Christmas Fern

Characteristics: Leathery, glossy fronds that remain green through the winter season

Maintenance: Hardy plant that thrives in well-drained soil; water weekly; keep out of direct sunlight — prefers shade or partial sun

Care level: Low

If you Google “what plants survive during Christmas,” you’ll find the Christmas fern at the top of many lists. The Christmas fern earned its name because it keeps its green colors through the holiday season. Cut off some of its evergreen foliage to weave into your holiday arrangements or for a wreath. Later, the Christmas fern can be grown indoors as a houseplant or outdoors. Outdoors it’s often used as an evergreen border, an accent plant, or groundcover (it’s known to help prevent erosion). It grows about two-feet tall. The Christmas fern keeps its green fronds all winter, then sheds them for new silvery green leaves in the early spring.

#10 Coleus

Characteristics: A tropical plant with square stems and leaves in colorful patterns; colors include magenta and green combo

Maintenance: Adapts to either full sun or full -shade; keep soil well drained; thrives in high humidity (add pebble tray or mist spray); don’t expose to temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit

Care level: Low

Coleus is known as a low-maintenance plant that can be a great, long-living houseplants, Seargeant says. They sport a retro style: “Take a trip back to the 60s with multicolor leaves of the coleus plant,” Seargeant says. “These are fun to grow indoors during winter and Christmas. They offer a nontraditional array of colors.” He suggests growing the coleus indoors in areas with freezing outdoor temperatures, but once the frost is gone, they can be planted outdoors in a shady spot to decorate a landscape.

#11 Eucalyptus

Characteristics: Long, slender leaves that hang downward from a single stalk

Maintenance: Full sunlight (at least six hours of direct sunlight per day); water thoroughly; prefers moist but well-drained soil; thrives in warmer temperatures and typically doesn’t tolerate frost

Care level: Mid

Eucalyptus can add some greenery to your holiday décor: Drape it over a mirror or a stairway or along a mantel. It can also be used as a greenery table runner for your holiday tablescape or as a wreath. But a big part of eucalyptus’ charm is the fragrance — a cool freshness with minty undertones. Its fragrance is known to minimize smoke and cooking odors.

#12 Fiddle-Leaf Figs

Characteristics: Large glossy, fiddle-shaped leaves, typically dark green

Maintenance: Needs bright, indirect light; let the soil dry between waterings; avoid overwatering; thrives in moderate to high-humidity conditions

Care level: Low

Porwol likes the fiddle-leaf fig for holiday décor because of its “luxuriant greenery,” which boasts a tall, architectural shape (can grow up to six or 10 feet indoors). The fiddle-leaf fig is often a popular accent in modern and minimalist interiors. Dress it up for the holidays in a festive pot, with ribbons, or match your existing holiday décor with colorful ornaments and miniature fairy lights draped around the leaves. Consider combining it with seasonal flowers like amaryllis or orchids for holiday arrangements. Its lush green leaves will remain during the winter months and thrive beyond the holidays.

#13 Frosty Fern

Characteristics: Light green, feathery foliage with silvery-white tips

Maintenance: Thrives in high humidity and needs regular misting (often grown indoors or in terrariums); prefers indirect light and temperatures between 60 degrees to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (not cold hardy)

Care level: Mid

The frosty fern has become more popular for the holidays because of the frosty, wintery vibes it can bring inside a home. But despite its name, the frosty fern is a type of clubmoss and not a true fern. However, the “frosty” part of its name reflects it silvery-white tips that make the plant look-covered. The frosty fern does require more attention than many other lower-maintenance houseplants, particularly since they require high humidity and conditions that mimic tropical or subtropical environments. Without enough humidity, the frosty fern can brown or lose its leaves. Mist it regularly or place it on a tray of water and pebbles to maintain moisture and humidity.

#14 Pothos

Characteristics: Thick green, heart-shaped leaves with a yellowish tint

Maintenance: Thrives in either bright, indirect light or low-light conditions; water every week or two and let the soil dry between watering.

Care level: Low

Pothos is commonly used as a hanging plant or a climbing vine. It can grow up to 65 feet long (although it’s usually kept six feet to eight feet as an indoor houseplant). “If you need something to replace the traditional greenery on the mantel, try using pothos,” Seargeant recommends. “A great vining-type plant that comes in several varieties, from light green to dark green and variegated too. Drape the runners along the top of the mantel for a nice festive-alternate look.” (A word of caution: Make sure pothos doesn’t hang in front of a lit fireplace, as it can pose a fire hazard.) Seargeant suggests placing a pot of pothos under the Christmas tree and carefully wrapping the vines around the tree like garland.

Succulent Plants for Christmas

#15 Christmas Cactus

Characteristics: Tubular flowers that bloom around the holiday season

Maintenance: Prefers bright, indirect light; sensitive to cold temperatures (ideal temps are between 60 degrees to 70 degrees Fahrenheit); water when the top inch or so of the soil is dry

Care level: Low

As part of the succulent family, the Christmas cactus, as its name implies, can be a great houseplant addition for the holidays, particularly since the plant typically blooms in December. It offers festive flowers in white, pink, red, purple, or orange. The flowers can bloom for four to six weeks at a time. Porwol likes the Christmas cactus because it’s easy to grow and can offer a modern touch to holiday décor. Plus, it can make a great gift; it has been associated with good luck, hope, and resilience.

#16 Echeverias

Characteristics: A succulent with large rosette shapes — often in a symmetrical, circular form in a range of colors — with thick, fleshy leaves

Maintenance: Bright, indirect light; water sparingly (only when the top inch or two of soil is dry); thrives in warm temperatures and low humidity

Care level: Low

Even with its desert-like, exotic look, a succulent conveys holiday cheer — and can become a low-maintenance houseplant after the season. Liu favors Echeverias, which have large rosettes in colorful hues, for the holidays. “While I love the traditional pine wreath, I’ve recently been turning to succulent rosette wreaths as my go-to,” Liu says. “Just like traditional wreaths, succulents can be displayed vertically or as table-top centerpieces with candles.”

Mini Christmas Tree Alternatives

#17 Aptos Blue Redwood

Characteristics: Evergreen tree with blue-green needles and reddish-brown bark

Maintenance: Regular watering (until established, then reduce frequency); keep soil well drained; thrives in full sun to part sun

Care level: Low

“Coastal redwood trees are my favorite live trees to bring indoors for the holidays,” says Seargeant, who likes the redwood as a Christmas tree alternative. It offers up a woodsy feel and it’s known for its blue-green foliage. “They have a great pine scent, especially if you brush against the branches or needles,” he says. “After the holidays, plant them outdoors if they’re in your growing zone.” The Aptos Blue Redwood is slow-growing and known for its much more compact size than its related, more well-known relative — the Giant Sequoia. The Aptos Blue Redwood still can grow tall, up to 60 feet to 90 feet tall over several decades. But it can be kept as an indoor houseplant in its earlier growing stages.

#18 Blue Spruce

Characteristics: Silvery-blue needles; grows in a symmetrical cone shape; strong branches

Maintenance: Prefers full sun but can tolerate some shade; prefers moist soil; water frequently throughout the week (until established, then only when the top three inches of soil are dry)

Care level: Low

A blue spruce can be used as a Christmas tree, with its blue-silvery needles. Its dense branches, which are much stronger than other evergreens, can easily support hanging ornaments, decorations, and lights. It also offers a fresh, crisp pine scent. Its unique blue color makes the blue spruce an eye-catching choice for wreaths, garlands, or table centerpieces. The blue spruce can be used as a full outdoor tree or as a live indoor Christmas tree. Indoors, keep it well-watered, because a cut tree can dry out quickly. Also, keep the tree away from direct heat sources, like fireplaces or radiators, so it doesn’t pose a fire hazard.

#19 Dwarf Alberta Spruce

Characteristics: A slow-growing conifer with dense, green needles and a cone-shaped body

Maintenance: Water when the top three-inches of soil is dry; it’s cold hardy and can withstand temps of minus 45 degrees Fahrenheit; drought-tolerant

Care level: Low

The Monrovia representative says their “Tiny Tower Dwarf Alberta Spruce” is one of their top-selling plants each year. “It’s perfect as a living holiday tree, indoor seasonal décor accent, or outdoor container plant,” she says.

While its larger Alberta Spruce cousin makes for a popular living full-sized Christmas tree, the dwarf versions can be used as a mini or tabletop tree. They can still be adorned with ribbons, ornaments, and fairy lights. The Dwarf Alberta Spruce grows about two inches to four inches per year, reaching about four feet to six feet tall. They’re cold-weather, hardy plants and can be used as an outdoor Christmas plant to enhance your holiday landscape.

#20 Norfolk Island Pine

Characteristics: Soft, fern-like foliage with feathery needles in a symmetrical cone shape

Maintenance: Low watering needs, but keep soil lightly moist (too dry will cause branches to turn brown and crispy); prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate some direct sunlight

Care level: Low

This tropical evergreen, native to Australia, comes in multiple sizes, from tabletop plants to smaller indoor houseplants (up to six feet to eight feet tall) to those that can reach 200 feet tall outdoors. Although they aren’t a true fir or spruce, their resemblance to a traditional Christmas tree makes them a perfect addition for a festive display. You can string the Norfolk pine with lights and ornaments. But beware that the branches are more delicate than a fir tree, so be careful not to overload the branches with heavy ornaments. After the holidays, it can thrive as a houseplant or as part of your outdoor landscape.

How to Display Your Christmas Plants and Flowers

When you’re thinking about how Christmas plants and flowers can make your home merry and bright, don’t be afraid to get creative. Display indoor holiday plants using ornamental pots, baskets, or even terrariums, suggests Porwol. His ideas include:

• Wrap the pot’s base in burlap or decorative cloth and tie it with ribbons for a rustic aesthetic (and perfect complement to Scandinavian holiday décor).

• Hang succulents or air plants in macramé holders or glass baubles for a unique, modern look.

• Use tiered plant stands or floating shelves to add height and visual depth.

• For smaller trees, use steel buckets or wicker baskets.

• Add fairy lights to taller plants or thread garland through the branches for a festive glow.

• Arrange plants of varied heights on a mantel or table centerpiece to create a lush, unified display, and then personalize it with added ornaments.

Think outside the pot, too, adds Nyman. “For an indoor centerpiece, nestle succulents or tillandsia (air plants) into glass baubles or shallow bowls of moss,” she says. “Hang olive branches or sprigs of eucalyptus as garlands on mantels. Yes, they’re minimalist, but stunning. For outdoor impact, place potted junipers or winterberry shrubs in oversized planters with fairy lights. These are low-maintenance and visually quite dramatic.”

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