Yahoo Finance 
12 Christmas plants that'll instantly make your home feel more festive
Christmas trees, Holly and Ivy wreaths and Poinsettias might be the first plants we think of at Christmas, but they're not the only way to add colour and life to your home on chilly December days.
Online garden centre GardeningExpress.co.uk has revealed the best plants and flowers for decorating homes throughout the festive season – from traditional winter Poinsettia, to big, blooming Azaleas and even the Christmas cactus.
Chris Bonnett, from GardeningExpress.co.uk, says: 'Think of Christmas decorations, and you’ll likely think of the traditional tree in all its glory, some tinsel, baubles and ornaments, and maybe a garland or two.
'But behind all the artificial glitz and sparkles are some fantastic plants and flowers which are not only easy to care for throughout the chillier months, but they really add to the spirit of Christmas and festivities.
'With growing concerns about plastic use, they’re much more eco-friendly options too. Many of them also make fantastic presents, so are worth bearing in mind when buying for green-fingered friends or family members.'
Here are 12 plants to get you in the festive mood this Christmas...
1. Rosemary
Rosemary has been associated with the Christmas period long before Poinsettia became the poster child, as the herb is believed to have been one of the plants in baby Jesus' manger.
In the Middle Ages, people believed that if they smelled rosemary on Christmas Eve, they would be healthy and happy throughout the new year.
So, they walked on Rosemary spread across the floor, starting a tradition of Rosemary in Christmas decorations that we continue today – with the table top Rosemary Christmas trees, wreaths, festive swags, and evergreen bouquets.
2. Holly
Holly has long been a symbol of eternal life and fertility. People
believed that hanging the plant in their homes would bring good luck and protection all year round.
Christians continued the Holly tradition from Druid, Celtic and Roman traditions, changing its symbolism to reflect Christian beliefs.
Today, Holly is symbolic of Jesus Christ in two ways: its red berries represent the blood that Jesus shed on the cross, and the pointed leaves refer to the crown of thorns Jesus was wearing when he died.
3. Ivy
Although it has a bit of a reputation for covering the floors and walls of gardens with its creeping vines, Ivy is actually a very popular plant during the Christmas period.
Its distinctively-shaped, rich green leaves are often a key component of floral wreaths and other festive decorations. They're also said to represent the shape of Christ’s crown of thorns.
4. Christmas Cactus
Despite its name, and the fact it flowers over the Christmas period, the Christmas cactus actually has nothing to do with either the Christmas tradition or the story of Christ’s birth!
But, these succulents do make for a great Christmas gift. They’re affordable, long-lived, easy to maintain in the cooler months, and look great.
5. Mistletoe
Having long been a symbol of love, peace, and goodwill, the custom of using Mistletoe to decorate houses at Christmas is a Druid tradition.
Yet, despite its pretty appearance and associated affectionate gesture, Mistletoe berries are actually toxic to humans!
6. Poinsettia
Instantly recognisable due to its pointed red bracts and rich red and green leaves, Poinsettia has become a symbol of the festive season due to a Mexican legend.
The story goes, a poor girl’s present to Jesus (a bouquet of weeds) was transformed into the bright red flowers we now call Poinsettia.
7. White Chrysanthemums
As the Chrysanthemum symbolises optimism and joy, it comes as no surprise that it’s now synonymous with ‘the most wonderful time of the year’.
However, White Chrysanthemums also have another sweet link to the festive season. German homes are filled with the flowers on Christmas Eve because of an old legend in which a peasant family ushers a beggar man in from the cold. Claiming to be the Christ Child, he then fled, leaving two of the flowers behind.
8. Cyclamen
Cyclamen thrives in cooler temperatures, so its bright blooms and beautiful heart-shaped leaves are a great choice if you want to add some colour to your home over the winter.
9. Azaleas
Often overlooked in favour of other festive plants and flowers, Azaleas’ bright colours and big, open blooms make them the perfect addition to indoor planting displays at Christmas.
10. Christmas Rose
The Christmas Rose is revered during the festive season for the deep green foliage and delicate white flowers it brings to cold, dark winters.
But, despite the resemblance it bears to wild roses and the fact that it’s known as the Christmas Rose, this delicate evergreen perennial is actually quite deceptive as it is, in fact, a member of the buttercup family, Ranunculacea.
11. Amaryllis
The massive, six-pointed Amaryllis bloom makes an impressive festive decoration on grey days.
If you want to have a blooming amaryllis for Christmas, you should plant the bulbs no later than the beginning of November, although it’s always safer to just buy one already in bloom.
12. Christmas Tree
Although the evergreen fir tree has traditionally been used to celebrate winter festivals for thousands of years, the pivotal Christmas tree is a relatively modern addition to British Christmas traditions.
Bringing a tree inside and decorating it in the way we know today first happened in 16th century Germany, and became popular elsewhere in the 19th century. The first Christmas trees came to Britain sometime in the 1830s and became an annual fixture almost a decade later, when Queen Victoria and her German husband Albert had a Christmas tree set up in Windsor Castle.
You Might Also Like
