The 7 Best Indoor Christmas Plants for Natural Cheer

Indoor Christmas plants naturally brighten the holiday spirit, whether used as decorations or given as gifts. While poinsettias and amaryllises steal the spotlight this season, there are many other winter beauties to make your holiday season magical. Here's how to incorporate these easy-care plants into your seasonal decor or gift-giving.

1. Big, Bold Amaryllis

Amaryllises are trending right now, and it's no surprise! Their striking blooms can last for weeks with minimal care. They come in various colors such as white, red, coral, burgundy, and pink. The 'Apple Blossom' variety has bicolor blooms with a lime green throat and white petals brushed with watercolor pink. The red 'Stargazer' variety features snowy-white star patterns. With proper care, these big bulbs can even rebloom after a dormant period.

To give a plain pot a festive makeover, place it in a decorative container or cut the long-stemmed blooms and display them in water with a floral preservative. Cut flowers look stunning in tall, clear glass cylinders but ensure the vessel is stable enough to prevent tipping.

Note: Be careful with these plants around pets, as they are toxic.

2. Classic Poinsettias

If there's a houseplant that screams Christmas, it's the poinsettia. Available in colors like festive red, hot pink, cream, white, apricot, or even with marbling, speckles, or streaks, they offer plenty of variety. 'Jingle Bells' has crimson leaves with white splashes, while 'Peppermint Ruffles' boasts pale pink and cream leaves with dark pink speckles. Some varieties even come spray-painted in blue and other whimsical colors, sometimes with added glitter.

Potted poinsettias make a statement on their own and can be placed wherever they'll get bright, indirect light. Keep their soil moist but be careful not to overwater. You can also use cut blooms in water picks to decorate garlands, wreaths, or Christmas trees. Although they dislike cold drafts near windows and doors, they can be placed outside to flank an entrance if you live in USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11. Despite common myths, poinsettias are not dangerous to pets or small children.

3. Charming Kalanchoes

With their lush green leaves and vibrant blooms, kalanchoes are another holiday favorite. They'll bloom for weeks in colors like white, pink, red, bright orange, and yellow, coordinating nicely with seasonal decor.

Kalanchoes are succulents that love bright light but not direct sun. They're perfect for adding cheer to spaces like the kitchen, bath, or home office. Water them when the soil feels dry and let the excess drain away to prevent root rot. Although they can be tricky to get to rebloom, they make lovely evergreen houseplants even without their flowers.

4. Carefree Cyclamens

Cyclamens might not be as well-known as poinsettias or amaryllises for the holidays, but they can brighten your festive decor just as much. With heart-shaped leaves and flowers in a range of colors such as lilac, crimson, white, and pink, they make charming gifts, especially when tied with a ribbon or wrapped in foil.

Most cyclamens sold in garden centers are tropical and shouldn't be grown outdoors unless you're in USDA Zones 9-11. They'll bloom into spring if kept in a cool place. After blooming, these plants go dormant but usually revive after a resting period.

5. Colorful Christmas Cactus

The Christmas cactus, true to its name, usually blooms around the holidays. These stunning succulents display flowers in magenta, red, pink, coral, white, and other colors. They can live up to 100 years, with some plants being passed down through generations.

For a meaningful gift, especially if you have a family heirloom plant, propagate a piece for someone special in late spring. Cut off a few segments, let them dry for a day or two, and then plant them an inch deep in a damp mix of sand and potting soil. Water lightly until you see new growth, then transplant into regular potting soil. Christmas cacti need cool, bright light and infrequent watering.

If you live in Zones 9-11, you can grow them outdoors year-round on a porch or deck. Indoors, they serve as lovely accent plants and continue to be low-maintenance houseplants even after their long-lasting blooms fade.

6. Tabletop Trees

Enjoy the charm of a Christmas tree in a compact size perfect for a side table. You can even decorate your small tree with tiny ornaments or twinkling lights for extra festivity.

One popular potted tree is the Norfolk Island pine (shown). Originating from the tropics, it can reach up to 80 feet tall in its natural habitat but only grows a couple of feet when potted indoors. It thrives in bright, indirect light.

Another great option is the dwarf lemon cypress, which has a lovely chartreuse color and a delightful lemon scent. It can be left to grow naturally or trimmed into a topiary. Place it where it gets bright, indirect light. Hardy in zones 7 and above, it can take a summer break outdoors in colder climates.

7. Dreamy Paperwhites

Snowy-white paperwhites add a touch of winter elegance wherever they are placed. These bulbs can be grown in late fall or early winter, either in a pot with soil or a shallow container with glass beads or pebbles and water. To have them bloom by Christmas, plant them no later than Thanksgiving.

For a centerpiece-worthy look or a gift, top dress the soil with tiny bulbs or add some red holly branches.