Festive Florals and Holiday Plants

Poinsettias – The Quintessential Christmas Flower

No plant symbolizes Christmas quite like the Poinsettia. Originally native to Mexico and Central America, Poinsettias have become a cherished part of Christmas decorating throughout North America. Their spectacular displays of colour come from specialized leaves called bracts, which surround the plant's small, yellowish true flowers. Although traditional Christmas red remains the most popular choice, modern Poinsettias are available in beautiful shades of white, cream, pink, salmon, and marbled combinations.

Poinsettias are popular because they provide an instant splash of festive colour and remain attractive for weeks with relatively little attention. They look wonderful arranged around the Christmas tree, displayed in decorative baskets, or grouped together to create a dramatic holiday display. Try combining red and white Poinsettias for a classic Christmas look, or choose creamy whites and soft pinks for a more contemporary decorating style. Place them in a bright indoor location away from cold drafts and heating vents, and water when the upper surface of the soil begins to dry.

Amaryllis – Spectacular Blooms for the Holidays

Few Christmas flowers are as impressive as the Amaryllis. Known botanically as Hippeastrum, these remarkable flowering bulbs produce tall, sturdy stems topped with enormous trumpet-shaped flowers. Their magnificent blooms are available in deep reds, pure whites, soft pinks, salmon, and beautiful striped or bicoloured varieties. A single bulb can produce multiple flowers, creating a spectacular display that brings elegance and sophistication to holiday decorating.

Part of the appeal of Amaryllis is watching the flower stalk emerge from the bulb, grow rapidly, and eventually reveal its magnificent blossoms. They are particularly popular as Christmas gifts because they can be purchased as bulbs, attractive growing kits, or plants already approaching bloom. Display an Amaryllis in a decorative ceramic pot on a dining table, sideboard, or bright windowsill. For an especially dramatic arrangement, group several Amaryllis together in complementary colours. Their bold flowers are beautiful enough to stand alone, requiring very little additional decoration.

Waxed Amaryllis – A Beautiful, No-Fuss Christmas Favourite

For something truly unique this Christmas, consider a Waxed Amaryllis! These remarkable flowering bulbs have become increasingly popular as holiday decorations and gifts because they require no soil, no pot, and absolutely no watering! Each specially prepared Amaryllis bulb is coated in a decorative layer of wax, often available in festive colours such as red, gold, silver, white, or even sparkling glitter finishes.

The bulb contains all the stored energy and moisture it needs to produce a spectacular flower display, with tall stems topped by large, trumpet-shaped blooms. Simply place your Waxed Amaryllis in a bright location with indirect light, away from excessive heat, and watch the magic unfold over the following weeks.

They make wonderful tabletop decorations, unique hostess gifts, and charming additions to Christmas centrepieces. Unlike traditional potted Amaryllis, waxed bulbs are generally intended for a single flowering season, making them an effortless and memorable way to enjoy one of Christmas's most magnificent flowers.

Prepared Hyacinths – Fragrance and Colour for Christmas

Hyacinths are traditionally associated with spring, but specially prepared bulbs allow us to enjoy their beautiful flowers and wonderful fragrance during the Christmas season. These bulbs have received the chilling treatment needed to encourage early flowering indoors. Their dense flower spikes are covered with small, star-shaped blossoms in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white. Perhaps their most memorable feature is their rich, unmistakable fragrance, which can fill an entire room.

Prepared Hyacinths are wonderful for adding a fresh, fragrant touch to Christmas decorating. They are particularly attractive planted in small groups in decorative bowls or displayed in traditional glass forcing vases that allow you to watch the roots and flower stems develop. White Hyacinths look especially elegant when combined with evergreen boughs, pinecones, and silver decorations, while blue and purple varieties provide a lovely contrast to traditional Christmas colours. Place them in a bright, cool location to help their flowers last longer, and keep the soil lightly moist without allowing the bulbs to become waterlogged.

Paperwhite Daffodils – Elegant and Beautifully Fragrant

Paperwhite Daffodils, commonly called Paperwhites, are another favourite flowering bulb for Christmas decorating. Unlike most spring-flowering daffodils, Paperwhites do not require a prolonged cold treatment before flowering, making them especially easy to grow indoors during the winter months. Their slender green stems support clusters of delicate, star-shaped white flowers with a distinctive, powerful fragrance. Their clean white blossoms and fresh green foliage give them a simple elegance that suits almost any decorating style.

Paperwhites are popular because they grow quickly, are easy to cultivate, and provide the pleasure of watching bulbs develop into beautiful flowering plants. They can be grown in potting soil or decorative containers filled with pebbles and water, making them especially versatile for holiday displays. Try planting several bulbs close together in a shallow ceramic bowl, surrounding them with moss, or arranging them in glass containers to showcase their roots. They make lovely centrepieces for Christmas dinner and thoughtful gifts for friends and family. Their fragrance can be quite strong, so a well-ventilated room is often the best place to enjoy them.

Christmas Cactus – A Holiday Favourite That Returns Year After Year

Christmas Cactus is a beloved holiday houseplant known for its graceful, arching stems and colourful flowers that appear during the shorter days of autumn and winter. Unlike desert cacti, these plants originate from tropical forests in Brazil, where they grow in sheltered, humid environments. Their distinctive segmented stems produce beautiful tubular flowers in shades of pink, red, white, purple, and occasionally orange or peach. Plants sold as Christmas Cactus may include several closely related Schlumbergera species and hybrids, many of which bloom around the holiday season.

One of the reasons Christmas Cactus is so popular is its longevity. With proper care, these plants can live and flower for decades, sometimes becoming treasured family plants passed from one generation to the next. Their cascading growth makes them particularly attractive in hanging baskets, decorative pots, or elevated planters where their flowers can be fully appreciated. A blooming Christmas Cactus looks beautiful on a side table or bright windowsill and makes a thoughtful gift for anyone who enjoys houseplants. Provide bright, indirect light, moderate watering, and protection from sudden temperature changes to enjoy its beautiful seasonal display.

Kalanchoe (Flaming Katy) – Cheerful Colour That Lasts

Kalanchoe, commonly known as Flaming Katy, is a compact flowering succulent valued for its cheerful colours and remarkably long-lasting blooms. Botanically known as Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, this attractive plant produces clusters of small, brightly coloured flowers above thick, glossy green leaves. Traditional varieties feature simple, four-petalled flowers, while popular double-flowered varieties have fuller, rose-like blossoms. Flower colours include vibrant red, orange, yellow, pink, and white, making Kalanchoe a versatile choice for holiday decorating.

Kalanchoe is especially popular at Christmas because it combines bright, festive colour with the easy-care characteristics of a succulent. Its compact size makes it perfect for small spaces, including coffee tables, kitchen counters, desks, and windowsills. Red and white Kalanchoes look particularly attractive arranged in small decorative containers, while orange and yellow varieties bring a cheerful warmth to winter interiors. Try grouping several plants in a rustic wooden tray with pinecones and evergreen sprigs for a simple seasonal display. Kalanchoes prefer bright light and well-drained soil, and should be allowed to dry somewhat between waterings.

Lemon Cypress – A Miniature Christmas Tree with a Fresh Fragrance

Although not a flowering plant, Lemon Cypress has become a delightful addition to Christmas decorating. Often sold as 'Goldcrest' or the compact 'Wilma' selection, this attractive evergreen is a form of Monterey Cypress, botanically known as Cupressus macrocarpa. It features soft-looking, feathery, golden-green foliage that releases a refreshing lemony scent when gently brushed. Its naturally upright growth and bright colour make it particularly appealing during the darker winter months.

Lemon Cypress is popular as a miniature living Christmas tree, especially for apartments, small homes, offices, and tabletops. Its cheerful golden foliage looks beautiful in simple white ceramic pots, rustic baskets, or festive containers. Add a few lightweight miniature ornaments or a delicate strand of small LED lights for a charming holiday accent.

Several plants grouped together can even create a miniature evergreen forest on a mantel or sideboard. Lemon Cypress prefers bright light, consistently moist but well-drained soil, and cooler conditions than many tropical houseplants. It is best enjoyed in a bright, cool indoor location during the holidays rather than beside a fireplace or heating vent.

Citrus - Fresh and Fragrant

Citrus trees bring a delightful touch of Mediterranean charm to Christmas decorating, combining glossy evergreen foliage, fragrant blossoms, and colourful fruit.

Popular varieties include Meyer Lemons, Calamondin Oranges, and other compact citrus trees that can be grown in containers. Their bright yellow and orange fruits contrast beautifully with rich green leaves, creating a cheerful display that feels especially welcome during the darker winter months. Citrus trees have a long association with Christmas traditions, when oranges and other citrus fruits were treasured seasonal gifts and special treats.

Living citrus trees are increasingly popular as festive decorations because they offer something a little different from traditional Christmas flowers. A small citrus tree covered in colourful fruit makes a wonderful centrepiece, kitchen accent, or unique holiday gift. Display one in a decorative ceramic pot, surround the base with evergreen branches and pinecones, or add a simple ribbon for an elegant seasonal touch.

Citrus trees require plenty of bright light, ideally several hours of direct sunshine, and prefer well-drained soil that is allowed to dry slightly between waterings. In Metro Vancouver, container-grown citrus should be protected from winter cold and generally kept in a bright, cool, frost-free location until warmer weather returns.

Norfolk Island Pine - The Perfect Living Christmas Tree

The Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla) is a beautiful evergreen tree that has become a favourite alternative to traditional cut Christmas trees. Despite its common name, it is not a true pine but a tropical conifer native to Norfolk Island in the South Pacific. Its soft, delicate-looking needles and gracefully layered, symmetrical branches give it the appearance of a perfectly formed miniature Christmas tree. Its naturally elegant shape and rich green colour make it a wonderful addition to holiday decorating, especially in homes where space is limited.

Norfolk Island Pines are especially popular as living Christmas trees for apartments, offices, tabletops, and smaller rooms. Their tiered branches look lovely decorated with lightweight ornaments, delicate ribbons, or tiny LED lights that do not generate significant heat. A simple decorative pot or basket is often all that's needed to create a charming Christmas display. Unlike traditional outdoor evergreens, Norfolk Island Pines are best grown as indoor plants in Metro Vancouver, where winter temperatures are too cold for them to remain outdoors. They prefer bright, indirect light, moderate indoor temperatures, and soil that remains lightly moist but never waterlogged. With proper care, a Norfolk Island Pine can continue growing as an attractive houseplant long after the Christmas decorations have been packed away.

Cyclamen - Elegant Winter Blooms with a Touch of Romance

Cyclamen are among the most charming flowering plants of the winter season, admired for their delicate, butterfly-like flowers that rise gracefully above beautifully patterned, heart-shaped leaves. Florist Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum) are available in a wonderful range of colours, including traditional Christmas reds, pure whites, soft pinks, deep magentas, and rich purples. Some varieties even feature ruffled or fringed petals, adding an extra touch of elegance. Their attractive silver-marbled foliage provides ornamental interest even when the plants are not in bloom.

Cyclamen are especially popular during the holidays because they flower naturally during the cooler months, providing weeks of beautiful colour when many other plants are resting. Their compact growth makes them ideal for decorating dining tables, coffee tables, windowsills, and entryways.

Try grouping red and white Cyclamen in decorative pots for a traditional Christmas display, or combine several shades of pink and white for a softer, more contemporary arrangement. Cyclamen prefer bright, indirect light and cool indoor temperatures, ideally around 10–18°C. Keep the soil lightly moist but never soggy, watering from below or around the edge of the pot to avoid wetting the central crown. With proper care, these lovely plants can continue blooming well beyond Christmas.

Hellebores - From the Winter Garden to Your Christmas Home

Hellebores, also known as Christmas Roses and Lenten Roses, are treasured shade-loving perennials that bring beautiful flowers to the garden during the coldest months of the year. Well suited to the mild winters of Metro Vancouver and the Pacific Northwest, these hardy plants are favourites for woodland gardens, shaded borders, and winter containers.

Their elegant, often nodding flowers appear in shades of white, cream, soft pink, rose, burgundy, and even deep purple, surrounded by handsome evergreen foliage. One of the most beloved varieties is the Christmas Rose (Helleborus niger), famous for its beautiful white flowers that can appear around the Christmas season.

But did you know that Hellebores also make wonderful winter houseplants? While traditionally grown outdoors, flowering Hellebores can be brought inside for a beautiful, natural Christmas display. Their sophisticated flowers and rich green foliage look especially lovely in decorative ceramic pots, rustic baskets, or elegant tabletop arrangements. White-flowering Christmas Roses are particularly attractive when paired with evergreen boughs, pinecones, and simple silver or gold decorations. Unlike many tropical houseplants, Hellebores prefer cooler conditions, so display them in a bright, cool room away from direct heat and strong sunlight. Keep the soil evenly moist but well drained, and avoid letting the pot sit in water.

Indoor displays are best enjoyed for a limited period, as Hellebores are naturally outdoor perennials rather than permanent houseplants. After the holidays, gradually acclimatize your plant to outdoor conditions before moving it into the garden or a sheltered outdoor container. With the right location and care, your Christmas Hellebore can become a long-lasting garden favourite, returning with beautiful winter flowers for years to come.