Extension

For many households, the Christmas tree is the star of the show when it comes to holiday decorations. However, there are several other plants that can add a festive flair to the holiday season. With proper care, these plants can be kept as potted plants indoors or find a place in the landscape next spring.

 

One of the most popular Christmas plants is the poinsettia. This subtropical plant evolved into a symbol of Christmas due to its festive red and green colors. However, over the years, poinsettias have become available in a variety of colors, including pink, yellow, white and variegated. Poinsettias need lots of bright, filtered sunlight to help prevent them from becoming leggy. Keep them away from drafty doorways and heating vents. They’re easy to overwater, so hold off watering until the top 2 inches of the soil feel dry.

 

What holiday isn’t complete without a little bit of mistletoe hanging around? The foliage is a festive evergreen, and female plants will produce white berries. Fresh mistletoe requires very little care, so it’s a great choice for novice gardeners; to help live mistletoe last longer, mist it with a light spray of water once a day.

 

Although it doesn’t feature evergreen needles or bright red berries, the Christmas cactus adds to holiday décor. Unlike other succulents, this plant needs a healthy watering on a regular basis. Give it a drink whenever the top 2 inches of the soil feel dry.

 

Amaryllis are typically grown as a winter household plant. The red, pink and white trumpet-shaped blooms can add a pop of color to any holiday décor. These bulbs like full sun to partial shade and make sure the soil is well-drained. Water them when the top 2 inches of the potting medium are dry.

 

Most people likely think of rosemary when preparing savory dishes in the kitchen, but it has become associated with the holiday season due to people trimming it into a Christmas tree-shaped topiary. Thanks to their green-needled foliage, they look like miniature fir trees. And, as a bonus, they smell great. Place them by a south-facing window to help ensure they get at least six hours of direct sunlight each day.

 

If you’re looking for a lovely plant to serve as a centerpiece on the dining room table, consider cyclamen. Their beautiful white, pink or red blooms emerge over the holidays, and if kept cool, will continue to bloom for about six months. The silver-frosted leaves add to the plant’s beauty. Cyclamen doesn’t like the summer heat, so it’ll go dormant, but as a perennial, will rebound each year.

 

For those looking for a low-maintenance plant that can withstand the harsh winter cold, look no further than the holly bush. With branches filled with bright red berries around Christmastime, holly is perfect for decking the halls. Centuries ago, holly was considered good luck because it never died.

 

While the Christmas tree is the most popular horticultural decoration, there are many different plants from which to choose that will brighten up any holiday décor.