These festive plants add a pop of color during the holiday season with their bright winter blooms. They’re simple to care for and make thoughtful gifts for friends and family. Or you can enjoy them at home as part of your Christmas decor. Their seasonal flowers bring an instant touch of holiday spirit to any room.
If you don’t already have any or all of these holiday houseplants, now is the time to get them. Look around locally or order online and have them shipped to your door!
Poinsettia – Amaryllis – Christmas Cactus – Cyclamen – Kalanchoe – Paperwhite Narcissus – Moth Orchid
Keep your plants away from cold drafts and strong heat sources. Water when the top of the soil feels dry, and be sure excess water can drain properly.
To keep your Christmas plants looking fresh, remove any yellowing leaves or faded blooms as they appear. This helps them stay healthy and may even encourage new flowers.
Poinsettias
Poinsettias are the classic red Christmas plant and a long-time holiday favorite. They show up everywhere during the season and instantly add a festive touch to any space.
Their bold red “petals” are actually bracts that surround the small yellow flowers in the center. While many people toss their poinsettia once it drops its leaves after the holidays, you can keep the plant and encourage it to bloom again next year.
Amaryllis
This tall flowering bulb is a holiday favorite and is often sold already potted in a decorative container. Give it water and bright, indirect light, and in six to eight weeks you’ll see big trumpet-shaped blooms. Waxed Amaryllis bulbs covered in wax are even easier—they don’t need any water at all!
If you want flowers for Christmas, plant the bulbs by early November. After it finishes blooming, let the bulb rest in a cool, dark spot so it can go dormant, then bring it out again next holiday season for another round of blooms.
Christmas cactus Schlumbergera
The Christmas cactus is a classic holiday plant that brings color to homes during the darker winter months. Its blooms come in shades of red, white, pink, and fuchsia, and many families pass these plants down through generations because they’re so easy to propagate.
Once mature, they’ll bloom each year as the days get shorter. Try not to move the plant while it’s developing buds or flowering, shifting the light source can cause buds or flowers to drop.
Cyclamen
The cyclamen, with its heart-shaped leaves and elegant upright blooms, makes a lovely tabletop Christmas plant. It can flower again and again through winter, with blossoms in white, pink, or red that often last for weeks. Give it bright, indirect light and water from the bottom to keep it looking its best.
Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana
The Kalanchoe is a popular, easy-care succulent known for its clusters of small, colorful flowers that can last for weeks. With proper care, it can bloom year after year. When choosing one, look for a plant with a few open flowers and plenty of unopened buds, and remove faded blooms to encourage new ones.
Because Kalanchoe stores water in its leaves, be sure not to water it too often.
Paperwhite Narcissus
Paperwhite narcissus, a member of the daffodil family, grows tall stems topped with delicate white blooms. You can plant the bulbs in potting soil or place them in a vase with water to grow. Their sweet, musky-scented flowers usually last for two to three weeks.
Moth Orchids
Phalaenopsis orchids, often called moth orchids, produce elegant flowers in a wide range of colors. Their long-lasting blooms can stay beautiful for months. Since they thrive in warm indoor conditions and often flower around the holidays, they’ve become a popular choice for Christmas gifting.