15 Indoor Plants That Show Off Just in Time for the Holidays

There is nothing more festive than having healthy indoor plants during the holidays. From wispy evergreens to Christmassy flowers, these striking plants make the holidays even brighter. Many of these plants also have fun backstories you can tell over holiday dinners. 

You can easily grow these late bloomers and evergreens indoors ahead of the season. By starting them early and giving them the light and nutrients they need, you’ll have robust indoor plants greeting you when the holidays roll around. 

No matter where you live, you’ll find indoor plants suited for your indoor spaces just in time for the holiday season. Below are the 15 indoor plants that show off just in time for the holidays. 

Norfolk Island Pine 

Norfolk Island pines, or Norfolk pines, are some of the most Christmassy evergreens you can grow indoors. They have bright green needles with a pleasant aroma that is hard not to love. Although they can grow to be giants, they work great in indoor spaces like living rooms and kitchens. 

These trees can grow to over 200 feet tall in their native habitat on Norfolk Island, Australia. Contrary to their name, they’re not pines but similar species to Chilean araucarias. Captain James Cook discovered the trees in their native coastal rainforests, and soon they arrived in Europe and North America. 

These trees are slow growers and adapt to containers. Replant them every three to four years in bigger containers to give their roots more room to grow. Keep them near a sunny window and water them after the top layer of soil gets dry. 

Peace Lily

Peace lilies are popular indoor flowers to plant during the holidays. Their sleek, dark green leaves and striking white flowers add a colorful touch to the home. On top of their beauty, they are low maintenance and thrive indoors. 

Plant these flowers in acidic soil and give them moderate water. After two or three years, you’ll see their oval leaf bracts pop out like a hood above their long stalks. They will brighten any holiday space and add dark green and white to dining rooms, kitchens, and hallways. 

According to studies, peace lilies filter your home’s air better than most houseplants. They absorb common pollutants found in household chemicals and even mold spores. This makes them not only beautiful but purifying additions to your indoor plant collection. Their only downside is their toxicity if ingested, so keep them away from young children and pets. 

Rubber Fig

Rubber figs are tall trees with thick glossy leaves that make them some of the best shade trees in the tropics. As indoor plants, they add a touch of the tropics during the holidays. They are easy to take care of and don’t need a lot of direct sunlight. 

Plant them in well-drained potting soil and water them every time the top two inches of soil dries out. Plant them by windows with a few hours of sunlight daily. Keep them away from cold temperatures below 55°F (13°C) or they will start to die. 

During the growing season, fertilize them every two to four weeks. Add organic high-phosphorus fertilizer to young plants to encourage robust growth. Once your plants are established, they don’t need pruning and require very little maintenance. 

Flamingo Flower

Flamingo flowers, also known as antheriums, produce bright pink, white, lavender, and red spathes indoors. They can grow anywhere indoors as long as they stay warm. They don’t require much light or maintenance and their blooms last throughout the year. This makes them popular housewarming gifts during the holidays. 

Plant them in well-draining soil rich in humus. Keep them near brightly lit windows in warm areas of your house. You can fertilize your plants with an organic 3:1:2 fertilizer diluted to a quarter of its original strength. 

Once they’re established, you won’t have to do much to keep them healthy. There are around 1,000 species of antheriums to choose from. They have several names, including Lady Jane, Heart Flower, and Pigtail Plant. 

Poinsettia

Poinsettias are one of the most iconic holiday plants you can have indoors. They are native to Mexico and have a long history of ceremonial and medicinal use. Today, you can find over 100 different varieties of poinsettias. Their colorful bracts and dark green foliage will bring a stunning holiday aesthetic to your home. 

Choose healthy-looking poinsettias with thick leaves and sturdy yellow center flowers in the middle of their bracts. Transplant your poinsettia into a new pot with well-drained and slightly alkaline soil. Keep them in a bright place with around six hours of indirect light a day. Give them a light watering once the top two inches of soil dries out. 

Once they’re established, they will grow and produce colorful bracts for several seasons. Because they’re so beautiful and easy to grow, it’s hard to find a better plant to show off during the holidays. 

Bleeding Heart Vine 

Bleeding heart vines have striking red flowers and white calices that resemble gorgeous ornaments on a tree. Their green foliage and vine-like structure make them ideal for indoor trellises and hanging containers. Plus, with just a little maintenance, they can last for several seasons. 

These festive flowers are native to tropical West Africa and need frequent but not excessive watering. Plant them in well-drained and slightly acidic soil rich in organic material. After the vines bloom, give them a good pruning so they don’t overgrow their containers. 

When these flowers are healthy, they’ll add endless holiday colors to your indoor space. Grow them with other festive indoor plants for a bouquet of red, white, and green. 

Hellebore

Hellebores have brightly colored flowers that bloom during the holidays. These plants are native to Southern Europe and were connected to ancient folklore and traditions. Their flowers shoot up from their stems and are surrounded by dainty dish-like sepals that last for months. 

Plant these flowers in containers with well-draining alkaline soil. They grow well indoors near windows with plenty of indirect light. They need very little maintenance and no fertilizing or pruning. 

One of the most popular varieties for indoor holiday gardens is the Christmas Rose. This plant produces bright white saucer-shaped flowers around Christmastime. 

Amaryllis

Amaryllis are easy to grow indoors and require very little maintenance. They’re also incredibly beautiful! When you plant amaryllis bulbs in a container, you’ll get colorful flowers in time for the holidays. 

Choose healthy-looking bulbs that feel firm. In October, plant their bulbs halfway in loose, well-drained soil and place them near a window. Water them right away and once the new sprout pops out, water them every time the top layer of soil dries out. 

Once the holidays arrive, you’ll get brightly colored flowers that last for the season. Once the flowers die, remove them and let your amaryllis live until its dormancy period. Take out the bulbs, remove the soil, and store them in a dark and cool place for eight to ten weeks. After this phase, your bulbs will be ready to be planted for the next holiday season. 

Candy Cane Sorrel

It’s hard to find more festive-sounding plants than candy cane sorrels. These ornamental flowers look like delicious treats straight from a holiday movie. Their flowers look like tiny candy cane trumpets, with red, white, and yellow swirls. 

You can plant their bulbs in containers with well-drained soil and organic compost. Water them frequently when the top layer of soil dries out and keep them near an open window with plenty of light. During the holidays, you’ll get whimsical-looking flowers. 

Plant these flowers near evergreens and dark green foliage to create the ultimate holiday arrangement. Several other species of Oxalis sorrels add a touch of color indoors. 

Paperwhites

Paperwhites produce bright white and intensely aromatic flowers that are perfect for indoor holiday gardens. These dainty flowers require very little maintenance and add tons of color through the winter. They also make perfect gifts for flower lovers. 

Plant your bulbs in well-draining gravel or sandy soil. They will even grow on rocks or in water. Once they take root, place them near the brightest window in your home. Once they grow, wrap their stems with string and spike their soil or growing medium with a light solution of vodka diluted with water. This stunts their growth and helps them produce fuller flowers. 

After four to six weeks, you should see stunning blooms that last for two weeks. Once they finish blooming, trim their flowers and let them enter their dormant phase. Store their bulbs in a cool dark place for winter to grow again during the next season.  

Christmas Cactus

Christmas cacti are easy flowering plants to grow in your indoor holiday garden. These beautiful succulents pop with color as the coldest days of winter arrive. They are easy to grow and require very little maintenance, making them perfect as gifts for people who aren’t into plants. 

There are six species of Christmas cactus, with two species being the most popular. They flourish in hanging baskets and add a ton of tropical flare to your indoor plant collection. Plant them in well-drained soil near bright indirect light. They’re from tropical Brazil, so keep them moist and ease up on watering from February to March.  

These succulent cacti have brightly colored flowers that last through the holiday season. To get them to flower, move them to a dark place for at least 12 hours during the winter. This will force them to bud just in time for the holidays. With the right care, these plants can live up to 100 years. 

Cyclamen

Cyclamens are Mediterranean flowers that form upswept red, white, and pink petals above silvery green foliage. They bloom in winter, making them great additions to your winter garden. Pair them with evergreens or other flowers or display them on their own on countertops and tables. 

You can find your plants in most nurseries and garden stores just before winter. Choose plants with healthy-looking buds and leaves. Transplant them into a clay pot with well-draining soil. They will thrive with four to six hours of light. 

The biggest issue with growing cyclamens is their love for humidity. Use a humidifier or spray them with a mister spray bottle a few times a week. You can even keep them in your bathroom for a holiday pop of color as long as there’s enough light. 

Rosemary

Rosemary is the perfect indoor plant for the holidays, especially if you’re a foodie! They fill your indoor space with woodsy aromas. If you’re cooking for the holidays, grab a few sprigs and use them in your holiday dishes. As indoor plants, you can prune them to look like tiny pine trees or even Christmas trees! 

Plant them in well-drained and slightly alkaline soil. These herbs need a lot of light, so place them in an open kitchen or near the window. They are perennials, so replant them if they outgrow their original containers. 

If you live in warmer climate zones, you can replant your plants outside once they reach maturity. They are highly drought-resistant and flourish in dry areas such as California and Arizona. In the summer, you’ll get bright purple flowers that make great garnishes for a variety of dishes. 

Pansies

Pansies are some of the best indoor flowers that pop with color during the winter. They come in a huge range of colors, from red to bright yellow. They are native to England and add a classic European touch to your home. 

Plant them in containers with well-drained organic soil. Water them frequently without making their soil soggy. Because these bright flowers need a lot of energy, fertilize them once every two weeks with a 20-20-20 fertilizer. 

One of the best things about pansies is their diversity. You’ll have several cultivars and over 500 species to choose from, each with unique color patterns and flower sizes. Try planting them outdoors if you live in zone 6 to 9 regions. 

Christmas Fern 

Christmas ferns are some of the easiest and most festive plants you can grow indoors. They require very little sun and grow robust with basic care. They also make perfect complements to other indoor plants and flowers. They are native from eastern Canada to Mexico and grow well indoors with a little bit of light. 

The ferns are dark green and easy to care for. They’ll last through the winter as long as your indoor space is warm. Keep them close to the window so they get enough light and pair them with other holiday beauties for the ultimate indoor green space.