The term “Christmas Plant” primarily refers to a single species that has become a ubiquitous symbol of the holiday season. The winter months also bring a host of other flowering and decorative flora into homes, each playing a traditional role in festive decor. These living decorations provide vibrant color and a fresh atmosphere during the colder time of year. Understanding the history, appearance, and proper care of these plants ensures they bring cheer throughout the season.
The Definitive Christmas Plant
The plant most strongly associated with the holidays is the Poinsettia, or Euphorbia pulcherrima, which originates from Mexico. Its defining feature is not its tiny, yellow true flowers, but the large, modified leaves known as bracts that surround them. These bracts typically display brilliant red coloration, although varieties in white, pink, and marbled patterns are widely available.
The Poinsettia’s introduction to the United States is credited to Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, who sent cuttings back to his home in South Carolina in 1828. Its association with Christmas is rooted in Mexican legend, where the star-shaped arrangement of the bracts is thought to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem. In Mexico, the plant is known as “Flores de Noche Buena,” or “Flowers of the Holy Night.”
Common Alternative Holiday Flora
While the Poinsettia dominates, several other plants traditionally share the spotlight during the winter holidays. The Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera) is a popular choice, known for its segmented, pendulous stems and blooms in shades of red, purple, and pink. Unlike desert cacti, this plant is an epiphytic succulent that prefers humidity and has a specific blooming cycle.
Another common holiday plant is the Amaryllis (Hippeastrum), a bulb that produces large, trumpet-shaped flowers on tall, sturdy stalks. These blooms, often in rich red or pure white, can last for several weeks and serve as centerpieces. Traditional greenery also includes Holly and Mistletoe, which are used for their symbolic foliage and berries. Holly is recognizable for its glossy, dark green leaves and bright red berries, while Mistletoe is hung as a symbol of peace and fertility.
Essential Holiday Care and Maintenance
Proper care ensures that holiday plants remain vibrant through the season by managing light, water, and temperature. Most holiday flora, including Poinsettias and Christmas Cacti, thrive in bright, indirect light, often near a south- or east-facing window. Direct, intense sunlight can scorch the leaves, while insufficient light can cause leaf or bud drop. Watering should be done thoroughly but only when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, especially for Poinsettias and Christmas Cacti. Overwatering is a common problem leading to root rot, so decorative foil wraps should be removed or punctured for proper drainage.
Tropical plants like the Poinsettia prefer moderate indoor temperatures, ideally between 65°F and 75°F during the day, and should be kept away from cold drafts or heat vents. Encouraging a Christmas Cactus or Poinsettia to rebloom next year requires a period of controlled darkness, simulating the shorter days of late autumn. Starting in late September or early October, these plants need 12 to 14 hours of complete, uninterrupted darkness each night for six to eight weeks. This process, combined with cooler temperatures (50°F to 60°F), triggers the development of new flower buds. Amaryllis bulbs require a similar dormancy period of eight to ten weeks in a cool, dark place with no water before being brought back into the light.
Safety Concerns and Toxicity
A long-held belief that Poinsettias are highly toxic is largely a myth, although the plant is not entirely harmless. The milky sap contained within the stems and leaves can cause mild gastrointestinal upset, such as vomiting or diarrhea, if ingested in large quantities by pets or children. Contact with the sap may also result in a mild skin irritation or rash for sensitive individuals.
Conversely, the berries and leaves of other popular holiday decorations, like Holly and Mistletoe, carry a higher degree of risk. Holly berries contain saponins, which can induce severe vomiting and diarrhea in both humans and animals. Mistletoe, particularly the berries, is considered more dangerous, as ingestion can lead to severe gastrointestinal issues, slowed heart rate, and low blood pressure, requiring immediate medical attention.