October DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsWindows FixRecommendedWindows errors stealing your time? Find the fix fastScan stability, cleanup and performance issues.Fix NowOctober DealsAmazon USDeal season is back - check today's better picksAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
Bettesworth Construction
amaryllis

5 Houseplants for Holiday Decor: Flowers, Foliage, and a Mini Tree

Find a holiday houseplant that suits your space and household: compare five choices for seasonal color, blooms, evergreen form, care, and pet exposure.

By Bettesworth Construction Team 3 min read
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

For holiday decor with real plants, choose by the look and conditions you can offer: poinsettias bring classic color, Christmas cactus and amaryllis provide blooms, cyclamen adds cool-season flowers, and Norfolk Island pine gives you a compact living-tree shape. These five options suit different rooms and care routines; none is the best fit for every home.

Compare the five holiday houseplants

Plant Display effect Best role Care or household consideration
Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) Bright, colorful bracts Classic centerpiece Can be kept as a houseplant; post-holiday care and seasonal light management matter if you want it to rebloom. (University of Vermont Extension: Plants for the Holidays; Mississippi State University Extension: Holiday Houseplants)
Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) Segmented, fleshy stems and seasonal flowers Tabletop display that can last beyond the season Available flower colors vary; Vermont Extension describes it as an easy-care houseplant that can last for years. (Penn State Extension: Holiday Plants and Pets; Vermont Extension: Plants for the Holidays)
Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) Large, showy winter flowers Focal point for a side table or dining surface Bright light supports growth; poisonous to cats and dogs, with lycorine in all parts and concentrated in the bulb. (Utah State University Extension: Brighten Your Post-Holiday Home with Vibrant Indoor Plants; Penn State Extension: Holiday Plants and Pets)
Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla) Upright, evergreen, tree-like form Compact living-tree alternative A tropical evergreen houseplant, not a plant to assume will tolerate outdoor winter conditions. (Iowa State University Extension and Outreach: Alternative Christmas Trees)
Cyclamen Cool-season flowers and a distinct silhouette Flowering choice for a different seasonal look Care needs are plant-specific; consult guidance for cyclamen rather than applying a general holiday-plant watering routine. (Royal Horticultural Society: Christmas-Flowering Houseplants)

How to choose a plant for your room

For classic holiday color: poinsettia

Poinsettia is the familiar choice when you want vivid seasonal color in one plant. Vermont Extension describes it as a traditional holiday plant that can be maintained as a houseplant. Keeping it after the season is possible, but reblooming is not automatic: it depends on suitable care and seasonal light management.

For flowers that can return: Christmas cactus

Christmas cactus has a different profile from the upright poinsettia: its segmented stems and flowers suit a tabletop or shelf. Penn State Extension notes that flower colors vary, and Vermont Extension says it can last for years as a houseplant. That makes it a useful option if you want a seasonal display with potential to continue beyond one holiday.

For a dramatic bloom: amaryllis

Amaryllis makes a strong focal point with large winter flowers. Utah State Extension notes that it grows best in bright light, so choose a spot accordingly. Its household trade-off is important: Penn State Extension identifies it as poisonous to cats and dogs. Lycorine occurs throughout the plant and is concentrated in the bulb, so keep it where pets cannot chew it.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
Euphorbia Crown of Thorns Plant Decor, Perennial Plants Ready to Plant, Cactus Plants Live Houseplants, Outdoor Plants Live House Plants Live Plants Indoor Plants Live Houseplants by Plants for Pets
  • HOUSE PLANT & OUTDOOR PLANT: Grow crown of thorns as an indoor plant or with live outdoor plants and flowers. This houseplant is a lovely desk plant, among the easiest plants for inside the house. Euphorbia are full sun perennial plants, thriving as patio plants for outside.
  • EASY TO GROW HOUSE PLANTS DECOR: Invigorate your home with live indoor house plants. Display euphorbia as bathroom plants, office plants, or as plant decor for bedroom windows with potted house plants and live indoor plants.
  • LIVE SUCCULENTS & CACTUS PLANT ENTHUSIASTS: Euphorbias are unique plants that easily complement a unique succulent or unique cactus collection. They are moderately rare plants often found in boutique plant stores, making this live plant one of the best plant lover gifts for plant lovers.
  • DECORATIVE PLANTS FOR A UNIQUE YARD: Grow this flowering plant with live succulent plants, cacti, and drought tolerant plants. Choose its vibrant pink flowers to plant outside instead of the typical rose plant.
  • ABOUT PLANTS FOR PETS: Plants and animals make everything better, from simply raising our spirits to enriching our everyday lives. That’s why a portion of every purchase is directed to our mission to help place shelter animals in happy homes.

For evergreen form: Norfolk Island pine

Norfolk Island pine offers a natural, tree-like shape for a small space. Iowa State Extension describes it as a tropical evergreen houseplant that can serve as a living Christmas tree. Its resemblance to a conifer should not be taken as evidence that it can withstand outdoor winter weather; treat it as an indoor tropical plant.

For cool-season flowers: cyclamen

Cyclamen is another flowering option, with a silhouette distinct from amaryllis or poinsettia. The Royal Horticultural Society includes cyclamen among Christmas-flowering houseplants. Because care depends on the plant, use cyclamen-specific advice rather than assuming it shares the watering or temperature needs of the other choices.

Rank #2
Costa Farms Peace Lily, Live Indoor Plant, Air Purifying, Flowers, 6-in Pot
  • ELEGANT LIVE PLANT DECOR: The pure white blooms of the Peace Lily bring timeless sophistication to any space. Ideal as a tabletop centerpiece, living room accent, or serene office décor, this plant makes a thoughtful year-round or thoughtful gift for plant lovers and home décor enthusiasts
  • BREATHE EASIER WITH A NATURAL AIR PURIFIER: Beautiful Peace Lily Plant helps to filter the air, removing toxins for a healthier indoor environment. Elevate your indoor garden with this air-cleaning houseplant for a fresh home
  • CREATE A CALMING SANCTUARY: The Peace Lily's elegant white blooms and deep green leaves are perfect for setting a tranquil mood and enhancing your space's sense of wellbeing
  • PERFECT GIFT FOR ANY OCCASION: Features beautiful, colorful flowers, making it a unique and thoughtful gift for any occasion. A memorable present for friends and family
  • FRESH PLANT, READY FOR YOUR HOME: Your beautiful, healthy live indoor plant, fresh from our farm, arrives secured in specialized packaging right to your home
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Match care to the plant, not the holiday

Light, room temperature, watering, and humidity requirements vary among holiday plants. Mississippi State University Extension organizes its holiday-houseplant advice around those care factors, and the Royal Horticultural Society likewise emphasizes plant-specific guidance. Check the care instructions for the species you choose; a single schedule for all five is not reliable.

Pets also change the decision. Amaryllis has a clearly identified poisoning risk for cats and dogs. Penn State Extension discusses poinsettia and Christmas cactus separately, so avoid assuming that one plant’s risk applies to another—or that all holiday plants are safe to chew. Keep plants out of reach of pets that may nibble them.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Best Value
Sale
Miracle-Gro Indoor Plant Food for All Plants, 8 fl. oz. (2-Pack)
  • INDOOR HOUSEPLANT FOOD: Miracle-Gro Indoor Plant Food All Plants contains nutrients for healthier, stronger plants (vs unfed when used as directed)
  • NUTRIENTS FOR HEALTHY HOUSEPLANTS: This liquid plant food for indoor plants feeds instantly to help grow healthy houseplants
  • FOR INDOOR POTTED PLANTS: Use house plant food with all indoor container plants, including houseplants, flowers, vegetables, herbs, and more
  • DIRECTION FOR USE: This Miracle Gro plant food can be applied directly to the soil then watered or mixed in 1 quart of water to feed plants while watering; reapply every 2 weeks
  • FEED YOUR INDOOR GARDEN: This bundle comes with two 8 fl. oz. bottles of plant food for houseplants; for more spectacular results, use with Miracle-Gro Indoor Potting Mix for All Plants
Rank #4
Gardenia Plant (1G), Cape Jasmine Plant Outdoor Plants, Fresh Flowers for Delivery Prime, Live Plants Indoor Plants Live Houseplants, Gardenia Plants Live House Plants Indoors Live by Plants for Pets
  • ‘August Beauty’ is one of many popular perennial bushes and flowering shrubs near a privacy fence, raised garden bed, hedge wall, outdoor privacy wall, and flower box or flower bed. Each order includes 1 hand selected plant in a 1-gallon nursery pot.
  • These evergreen shrubs boast dark-green foliage and produce stunning gardenia flowers. You can look forward to cuttings from your jasmine plants as indoor flowers in a decorative vase next to planters for indoor plants and flower pots.
  • Grow these perennial plants within landscape edging, alongside outdoor garden decor, in flower bed edging, in garden edging, near other flowers and plants, and more. These blossoming, real plants are also excellent gardening gifts for plant lovers.
  • Order our fully rooted, live plants for delivery prime today to have landscaping plants, evergreen shrubs, spring flowers, privacy plants, succulents, live cactus, hanging plants, popular indoor plants, and more shipped to you.
  • Plants and animals make everything better, from simply raising our spirits to enriching our everyday lives. That’s why a portion of every Plants for Pets purchase is directed to our mission to help place shelter animals in happy homes.
Rank #3
12+ Bulbs Purple Shamrocks Oxalis Triangularis Lucky Lovely Flowers Bulbs Grows for Planting Indoors or Outdoors
  • Quality bulbs - 12+ Healthy bulbs of oxalis iron cross shamrock. Growing indoors or outdoors. Great for beginners and seasoned gardeners alike.
  • Good luck plant - Shamrocks are known universally as a good luck plant, brings fortune and wealth. Bloom year round indoors.
  • Planting Tips - Choose a position with full sun to light shade, and position tubers approximately 3-4 inches apart and at a depth of 1-1½ inches. Also suitable for indoor containers, it should be offered moderate water during periods of active growth. They are very easy to grow and require almost no care.
  • Planting suggestions - Step1:Germination in a warm and humid environment (greenhouse); Step2:Transplant to sunny, moist and nutritious soil; Step3:Continuously water and fertilize, if necessary.
  • Made in USA - It makes excellent for moms, and gardening box for men. Share with your family and friends its happiness from germination to flowering and fruiting.If the package is damaged, in insufficient quantity, or can not germinate, please contact us to replace it for you.

Which one fits your holiday display?

  • Choose poinsettia for the recognizable burst of seasonal color.
  • Choose Christmas cactus for a flowering tabletop plant with the potential to last for years.
  • Choose amaryllis for large blooms, provided pets cannot reach it.
  • Choose Norfolk Island pine for a compact living-tree look indoors.
  • Choose cyclamen for cool-season flowers and a different plant shape.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More from the Site Office

Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.