Do n’t get me wrong , I in reality wish poinsettias .
The showy crimson blooms are a botanical trademark of the season , with a shape resembling the biblical star of Bethlehem . Nothing says Christmas more than a store show full of potted poinsettia plant and in my household , you ’ll always witness a painted leaf or two decorating a tabletop in December .
Read more : How to handle for your poinsettiathis vacation season and keep it face beautiful
But some people determine them too fussy to care for , or maybe they prefer a less traditional option . Luckily , there are many other festal heyday to smarten up up your base through the vacation and they can be grown year - round more well as houseplants too .
If you want to do something a little different this year , here are my best-loved , often - miss Christmas plants that work as beautiful alternatives to poinsettias .
1. Christmas cactus
You might knowChristmas cactus(Schlumbergera x buckleyi ) by its other name , as the flora is also labeled in stores as Thanksgiving cactus , Easter cactus , Cancer cactus , or simply , holiday cactus .
While it look like a pretty distinctive green succulent the rest of the year , Christmas cactus set forth couch out a showstopping display of flower in late fall in classic colors like red and pink , but also yellow , orange , or white .
Related : Cactus varieties with beautiful flowersthat you could develop indoors
With the right charge ( and some surreptitious technique ) , you’re able to evenget your Christmas cactus to bloomagainin late winter to early bound , too .
How to care for Christmas cactus : Though Christmas cactus is related to its desert - dwelling succulent cousins , it ’s atropicalcactus — mean it prefers the moist conditions and filtered sunshine of its native jungle home ground .
Do n’t rent Christmas cactus dry out out too much between watering , and put it in a spot that gets bright indirect light .
Safe for pets?Yep , Christmas cactus is cat- and dog - friendly !
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2. Cyclamen
Just when many other houseplant are going abeyant this fourth dimension of class , Cyclamen(Cyclamen spp . ) step up in all its winter - blooming glory .
This holiday classic usually express up in stores between Thanksgiving and Christmas with an raiment of leafage formula and flower colour . you could go with a crisp blanched Cyclamen , or opt for bright shades of pinkish , cherry , regal , or even a mixture .
Do n’t toss your Cyclamen once it ’s stopped blooming — this one can last year - round as an indoor works with minimal bickering .
How to handle for Cyclamen : Cyclamen are ideal winter houseplants because they like it cool off , and if you keep your thermostat between 55 ° F and 65 ° F , you ’ll get long - live blooms for up to eight weeks .
The tuber is sensible to rot and it does n’t really like to get its leaves and flower wet , so ensure to bottom water supply your Cyclamen if the first inch or two of soil feels dry .
Safe for pets?Unfortunately , no . The triterpenoid saponin subject matter in this flora makes it toxic to both animals and humans if ingested , so keep it away from rummy deary and children .
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3. Amaryllis
Amaryllis(Hippeastrum spp . ) is a flowering electric light that often indicate up in floral arrangements as just a single lightbulb , though large bulb will typically produce two or three flowering stems . Group a few bulbs together and you ’ve got yourself a arresting centerpiece for the holidays !
You ’ll find out amaryllis as either plantable ( unwaxed ) or one - meter use ( waxed ) bulb , and in solid or striped varieties that range from red and pink to whiten and orangish .
While they sometimes come in full bloom already , it normally takes six to eight weeks for a hibernating amaryllis to begin blooming — just in prison term for Christmas .
How to care for amaryllis : Amaryllis bulbs are sore to waste , so check that yours is planted in a well - drain potting medium and only water when the first couple inches of soil feel ironical .
If the industrial plant is glad , the efflorescence should last up to six weeks .
Safe for pets?No . The bulb stop toxicant alkaloid that can do upset stomach in true cat and Canis familiaris .
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4. Paperwhite
A airless relative of daffodils , paperwhites ( Narcissus papyraceus ) are another lovely bulb that ’s not as showy as some of these other options , but thoroughgoing for contribute a bit of holiday sunshine to a street corner .
The big bunch of delicate , snow ashen bloom have an intoxicating , spicy scent and last about two weeks . Once the works is done bloom , you’re able to enjoy the green leafage as a houseplant for a few more week .
How to care for paperwhite : Paperwhites prefer a cool environment ( 50 ° F to 60 ° F is ideal ) and do n’t wish to model in squashy soil .
rank your pot near a sunny window and keep the grunge softly moist until the leaves die back . ( Paperwhites wo n’t bloom again indoors . )
dependable for pets?No . The bulb is the most dangerous part of the bulb and can stimulate stern reactions in khat and hot dog if a tumid amount is eat .
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5. Azalea
Azaleas ( Rhododendron spp . ) are popular holiday houseplants since they thrive in cool temperature and have long - lasting blooms ( three to four weeks ) .
The delicately pleat flowers appear in vivid shades of violent , violet , pink , coral , and livid .
While azaleas can be grown out of doors ( these varieties are known as “ hardy azalea ” ) , the pot azaleas you ’ll find for sale this time of year are evergreen azalea that have been uprise in a greenhouse and force to bloom in December . They grow smaller and are more worthy for house than their shrubby outdoor counterparts .
How to care for azalea : azalea are happy when it ’s cool inside : in the 50 ( Fahrenheit ) at night and not above 68 ° F during the day . Keep the plant in a bright location off from direct sun , and water when the first inch of territory feels dry .
If you want your azalea to bloom again next year , it will need about six workweek of nighttime temps between 40 ° degree Fahrenheit and 55 ° F to form bud .
Safe for pets?All parts of azalea are toxic to cats and dogs and produce serious GI issues ( potentially even death ) if ingested .
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6. Anthurium
Easy - careAnthurium(Anthurium andraeanum ) is not only a striking houseplant for the holidays , but for any time of class . It come in a dizzying regalia of colors thanks to mass hybridization and is a prolific flub , producing bloom for much of the twelvemonth .
In fact , if your tailflower has n’t put out any flower for a duet of months , it means you ’ve probably miss it !
The waxy flowers also make beautiful cut flowers for bouquets and last quite long in a vase .
How to care for tail-flower : As a jungle works , Anthuriums thrive in in lustrous indirect light and lightly damp soil .
To advance bloom , enforce a diluted liquid houseplant plant food in the spring and summer calendar month when your industrial plant is actively produce .
Safe for pets?The calcium oxalate cognitive content in Anthurium causes irritation in the form of roseola , swelling , and burning sensations . It ’s best to keep this plant away from pets .
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7. African violet
Do you remember your mother or grandmother growing a few of these muzzy plant on their windowsill ?
This authoritative American houseplant has a heartwarming tradition as a Mother ’s Day or Valentine ’s Day gift , but there ’s no ground it ca n’t be a Christmas centrepiece as well .
African violets(Saintpaulia spp . ) bloom almost perpetually and the ashen and crimson mixed bag are peculiarly well - suited for the holidays , though you may take your pick from any spectre of purple , pink , or blue , in rosette or trailing variety and in miniature or received sizes .
How to care for African reddish blue : The master thing to recollect about African violets is that they do n’t like cold water system and they do n’t like their leaves get tight .
Keep the dirt softly moist and bottom water with lukewarm or room temperature urine for best resolution .
Safe for pets?Absolutely ! African violets are a expectant pick for households with animal .
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8. Kalanchoe
This colorful succulent ( sometimes hollo a Christmas Kalanchoe ) is easy to grow as a houseplant , and it has umbel of flower cluster with an specially foresighted peak period ( up to eight weeks ) when compared to other succulents .
Kalanchoe ( Kalanchoe blossfeldiana ) can even bloom again and again if given the right care and light exposure .
The key to a repeat bloom ? Give the plant at least 14 hour of darkness each day for about six weeks . This “ wintertime darkness ” stop readjust the bloom cycles/second and tricks your Kalanchoe into flower nearly class - round .
How to handle for Kalanchoe : Kalanchoe delight abundant burnished light , but seek to avoid placing it in direct sun , which can scorch the leaves .
It does well with minimal water ( making it a consummate selection for forgetful plant keepers ) and require a arrant saturation only once every few weeks when the soil go bone dry .
good for pets?Unfortunately , no . All parts of Kalanchoe are toxic to computed tomography and dogs .
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9. Phalaenopsis orchid
Often called the beginner orchid since it ’s one of the easiest varieties of orchids to grow as a houseplant , Phalaenopsis orchid ( Phalaenopsis spp . ) lends an breeze of elegance to the holidays with its elegant , arching branches and long - long-lived , monotonic blossom .
A single , multi - branching flower spike can have nearly two 12 flower that bloom for a calendar month or more !
While the frosty white potpourri is most normally encounter in computer memory , Phalaenopsis orchids also make out in beautiful combinations of violet , red - violet , violet , purple - reddish blue , puritanical - reddish blue , pink , and salmon .
How to care for Phalaenopsis orchid : In winter , this houseplant is happy in a south- or eastern United States - facing windowpane in warm temperature between 75 ° F and 85 ° F ( though it can conform to slightly cooler home temps as well — just do n’t let the thermostat drop below 65 ° F at Nox ) .
During the spring up time of year , H2O your Phalaenopsis orchid weekly or when the expose roots turn silvery whitened . Simply run tepid water over the aerial root for several minutes , giving them enough fourth dimension to absorb moisture , and make certain the piss is to the full drain before returning your orchid to its window .
Safe for pets?Yes ! Phalaenopsis orchids are totally pet - friendly .
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10. Rosemary
Rosemary is often pot and clip into a A - furrow shape during the holiday time of year to mimic apotted Christmas tree .
It ’s an herbaceous perennial that does double tariff , since you could expend a few twig for your winter stewsandyou can even decorate your rosemary “ tree ” if you do n’t have space for a traditional Christmas tree .
Rosemary is one of my favorite choices for an indoor plant as the strong , true pine - comparable redolence build my home olfactory sensation like Christmas , and it ’s super smart and invigorating in the wintertime calendar month . ( Thesmell of rosemaryis even said to make you overbold ! So , it ’s a great houseplant to keep on your desk . )
How to care for rosemary : Rosemary likes full sunlight , so it will fly high in a bright , south - face window . Check the soil with your finger once or twice a week to see if it needs water .
If the top 2 inch of dirt feels dry , give it a drink ( but do n’t let the roots get waterlogged ) .
Safe for pets?Not only is rosemary completely secure to keep around pets , a small amount of rosemary added to yourdog ’s foodcan actually be good to its wellness .
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