22 Christmas Plants for a Festive Green Home

Christmas plants bring living color and scent into the house for the holidays. Some bloom in red and white, while others stay a calm evergreen. Many last well past the season with simple care. These twenty-two Christmas plants suit shelves, windows, tables, and porches. Pick ones that match your light, then match the pots to your decor.

In this post: 22 ideas

Red poinsettia in a woven basket
White Christmas cactus on a shelf
Amaryllis in a ceramic pot
Rosemary miniature tree
Paperwhite narcissus bulb bowl
Cyclamen window display
Mini Norfolk Island pine
Olive tree with simple ornaments
Ivy trained on a wreath hoop
Hellebore porch planter
Lemon cypress tabletop tree
Kalanchoe with red blooms
Holly in a doorway pot
Wintergreen berry plant
Orchid in a festive pot
Succulent tree arrangement
Fern in a hanging basket
Anthurium red heart flowers
Mini juniper in a galvanized pot
Hyacinth bulbs in glass
Eucalyptus in a corner
Mixed evergreen window box

1. Red poinsettia in a woven basket

Christmas plants, red poinsettia in a woven basket

Set a red poinsettia in a woven basket for a warm holiday look. Slip a liner inside to protect the basket.

Keep it in bright, indirect light. Water when the top soil feels dry. Avoid cold drafts near doors.

2. White Christmas cactus on a shelf

Place a white Christmas cactus on a shelf where it can trail. It blooms around the holidays.

Give it bright, indirect light. Water when the top inch dries out. Cool nights help it set buds.

3. Amaryllis in a ceramic pot

Grow an amaryllis bulb in a ceramic pot for tall red blooms. Plant it with the top third showing.

Keep it in a bright spot. Turn the pot so the stalk grows straight. Stake the stem if it leans.

4. Rosemary miniature tree

Trim a rosemary plant into a small cone tree shape. It adds scent and a tree look in one.

Give it plenty of light near a window. Water when the soil feels dry. Snip sprigs for cooking.

5. Paperwhite narcissus bulb bowl

Force paperwhite bulbs in a shallow bowl of stones and water. They bloom white and fragrant.

Keep the water just below the bulb base. These Christmas plants bloom in a few weeks. Set them in a cool, bright spot.

6. Cyclamen window display

Line a bright window with cyclamen in red, pink, and white. The upswept blooms last for weeks.

Water from the base to keep the crown dry. Keep it cool, away from heat vents. Remove spent blooms often.

7. Mini Norfolk Island pine

Use a mini Norfolk Island pine as a small living tree. Add a few tiny ornaments.

Give it bright light and steady moisture. Mist it in dry rooms. It keeps growing after the holidays.

8. Olive tree with simple ornaments

Dress a potted olive tree with a few small ornaments. The silvery leaves suit a calm scheme.

Keep it in the brightest spot you have. Water when the top soil dries. These Christmas plants stay green all year.

9. Ivy trained on a wreath hoop

Train trailing ivy around a wire hoop for a living wreath. Tuck the vines through as they grow.

Give it bright, indirect light. Keep the soil lightly moist. Rotate it for even growth.

10. Hellebore porch planter

Plant hellebores in a porch planter for winter blooms. They handle cool weather well.

Set them where they get some shade. Keep the soil moist, not soggy. These Christmas plants bloom into late winter.

11. Lemon cypress tabletop tree

Shape a lemon cypress into a small tabletop tree. It smells fresh and citrusy.

Give it full sun near a window. Water when the top soil dries. Trim lightly to hold the cone shape.

12. Kalanchoe with red blooms

Choose a kalanchoe for clusters of long-lasting red blooms. The thick leaves store water.

Keep it in bright light. Let the soil dry between waterings. Pinch off faded flowers.

13. Holly in a doorway pot

Set a potted holly shrub by the doorway for red berries and glossy leaves. It handles cold well.

Give it a bright, sheltered spot. Keep the soil evenly moist. These Christmas plants work indoors or out.

14. Wintergreen berry plant

Use a small wintergreen plant for red berries and dark leaves. It stays low and neat.

Keep it cool and moist. Bright, indirect light suits it. The crushed leaves smell minty.

15. Orchid in a festive pot

Slip a white orchid into a festive pot for a dressy bloom. The flowers last many weeks.

Give it bright, indirect light. Water with a few ice cubes or a small pour weekly. Keep it off cold sills.

16. Succulent tree arrangement

Stack small succulents into a cone tree shape in a pot. Pick greens with a few red tips.

Give them bright light and little water. Let the soil dry fully between drinks. This lasts well past the season.

17. Fern in a hanging basket

Hang a full fern in a festive basket for soft green texture. It fills a corner well.

Keep it in indirect light and high humidity. Mist it often in dry rooms. These Christmas plants suit a shaded spot.

18. Anthurium red heart flowers

Choose an anthurium for waxy red heart-shaped blooms. It flowers on and off all year.

Give it bright, indirect light. Water when the top soil dries. Wipe the leaves to keep them glossy.

19. Mini juniper in a galvanized pot

Set a mini juniper in a galvanized pot for a rustic evergreen. The needles smell fresh.

Give it full sun and good drainage. Water when the top soil dries. It moves outdoors after the season.

20. Hyacinth bulbs in glass

Force hyacinth bulbs in clear glass vases of water. The blooms are bright and fragrant.

Keep the water just below the bulb. Chill the bulbs first for best blooms. Set them in a cool, bright spot.

21. Eucalyptus in a corner

Place a potted eucalyptus in a bright corner for silvery, scented leaves. It suits a calm palette.

Give it full sun and steady water. Trim sprigs for wreaths and vases. Good airflow keeps it healthy.

22. Mixed evergreen window box

Fill a window box with mixed evergreens, berries, and cones. Layer tall and trailing pieces.

Keep it watered in mild spells. These Christmas plants hold up through winter. Add a string of lights for dusk.

Caring for your Christmas plants

Match your Christmas plants to the light each room gets for the best results. Water most of them only when the top soil dries. Keep blooming types cool and away from heat vents.

For more holiday greenery, see our farmhouse Christmas decor and Christmas garland ideas. Growing a classic? This poinsettia overview covers care, and our DIY Christmas ornament ideas dress a living tree well.