The holiday season is here, and the decorating will be non-stop between now and January! One of the nice things about plants as indoor décor is that they’re long-lasting, vibrant, and (generally) easy to care for. Some plants are perennial holiday favorites either due to their symbolism or their wonderful ability to bring color and life indoors during the colder months of the year. So if you’re an indoor gardener looking for some new additions to your garden space or just looking to brighten up your holiday decorations, we’d like to offer some suggestions of indoor plants for the holidays—and beyond!
· Holiday cactus is a popular choice, and there are many varietals to choose from for year round greenery and holiday color. Holiday cacti are often named after the holiday during which they bloom, so you may see names like Thanksgiving cactus, Christmas cactus, and Easter cactus. They’re often for sale at this time of the year, and if you’re looking for a fun year-round addition to your plant collection or an easy start on the world of growing cacti, give them a try!
· Amaryllis is really more of a collection of plants than a single varietal, but they’re a wonderful choice for indoor growing at any time of the year. Like holiday cacti, they’re often on sale this time of the year and easy to start and care for indoors. They do well in any bright, sunny indoor location and generally start flowering within eight to ten weeks. The blooms can last for weeks and are a wonderful burst of color, but amaryllis makes a lovely houseplant even when it’s not in flower.
· Volumes have been written about poinsettia, and we’ve discussed this plant in previous blogs. It’s an absolute holiday classic, replete with symbolism and history from its native Mexico to contemporary holidays worldwide. There’s a lot to learn about this plant—and more than a few popular myths to dispel—so please check out our blog here for more details about how to best enjoy this beloved holiday plant!
· African violets are some of the most popular indoor plants out there. Many of us have been given one as a gift at some point, and for good reason: they’re beautiful, colorful, and the leaves have a lovely soft texture. They do need good sun and not-too-much water to thrive and flower, but that’s a small price to pay for their year-round flowers and classy, restrained beauty. Most of the African violets sold in stories are varietals of Streptocarpus ionanthus, with some of the more popular cultivars being “Pink Amiss”, “Red Velvet”, and “Red and White”.
· Callisia repens (also known as creeping inchplant or turtle vine) isn’t typically considered a holiday plant, but if you’re looking to add some indoor greenery and visual interest year round it’s an excellent choice. The small succulent leaves grow in layers and add some texture to an indoor garden. Inch plant also prefers partial shade, so it’s a good choice for spaces that don’t get quite as much sun. Inch plant can be invasive in some places, so we recommend it as an indoor plant in a controlled space.
· Tradescantia spp are hard to beat as a holiday plant, as they add both greenery and color with their leaves. They’re one of our favorite plants for indoor gardening, as they add color, texture, and visual interest to an indoor plant space. While they’re fairly easy to care for, they can be toxic to both people and pets, so please read our blog about them here for more details about how you can best grow them in your space!
As we wrote this article, it occurred to us that it’s as much about indoor gardening as it is holiday plants. In a way, it’s as much about celebrating our indoor garden spaces and houseplants as it is about seasonal décor. We hope you’ll take that to heart and use the holiday season as an excuse to explore houseplants and indoor gardening as well as celebrating all the festivities this time of the year offers!
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