6 Best traditional Christmas Flowers and Plants

1. Kalanchoe

   Common names	Kalanchoe, Flaming Katy, Christmas Kalanchoe, Florist Kalanchoe
   Botanical name	Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
   Height	0.30 m - 0.45 m
   Spread	0.30 m - 0.45 m
   Light preference	Semi-shade, full sun
   Water preference	Dry to medium
   Hardiness zone	10 - 12
   Soil type	Loam, sand
   Soil pH	5.5 - 6.0
   Soil drainage	Moist but well-drained, well-drained

   

   Kalanchoe comes from Madagascar. Under natural conditions, the plant blooms only in spring. Kalanchoe reached Europe in 1927. In 1928, a German merchant managed to grow it as a houseplant, and a few years later, around 1932, he started trading it. In 1971, kalanchoe was sent into space to the Soviet space station Salyut 1. Thus, kalanchoe became the first plant in space.

   Decorative properties

   Kalanchoe is a popular Christmas flower. It is considered one of the best Christmas plants due to its beautiful blooms. These beautiful Christmas flowers are widely cultivated as indoor plants in Europe. In total, about 65 million kalanchoe plants are produced annually.

   

   How do you know if the plant is healthy?

   Yellow leaves in kalanchoe are usually the fault of over-watering the plants. Convex, light brown spots on the underside of the leaves indicate a physiological disease resulting from growing plants in conditions of high air temperature (25°C and more) and increased air humidity.

   Numerous small spots on the green leaves of the kalanchoe are a symptom of a fungal disease.

   Therefore, it is worth examining the plant before buying it. We should also avoid specimens with faded flowers. They mean that the plant is already fully flowering. Only half of the buds should be wholly colored and developed.

   Toxicity

   Kalanchoe has poisonous leaves and shoots that disrupt the digestive system. Therefore, the contact of pets and young children with this Christmas flower should be limited.

2. Christmas rose

   Common names	Christmas rose, bear's foot, black hellebore, brumal rose, Christmas plant, Christopher's herb, clove-tongue, St Agnes' rose
   Botanical name	Helleborus niger
   Height	20 cm - 30 cm (8" - 1')
   Spread	30 cm - 60 cm (1' - 2')
   Light preference	Semi-shade, full sun
   Water preference	Medium
   Hardiness zone	3-8
   Soil type	Chalk, clay, loam
   Soil pH	Alkaline (>8.0), neutral (6.0 - 8.0)
   Soil drainage	Moist but well-drained

   

   Christmas rose, or black hellebore, is a popular flower and one of the unique Christmas flowers that can decorate your winter garden. In the natural environment, we can find these beautiful Christmas flowers in the mountainous regions of Switzerland, Germany, and Austria.

   Decorative properties

   Christmas rose is a perennial with evergreen, leathery leaves. It has large flowers of various colors depending on the variety and species (pink, maroon, purple, single, semi-double, and full flowers, pure and speckled). There are 15 species of this flower in nature, found only in the northern hemisphere. They can be seasonal potted plants to decorate a home during the Christmas season.

   

   These flowers symbolize the holiday season in western countries like Germany. To be able to enjoy the plant for years, it is worth planting it as soon as possible into the ground. It is because, in home conditions, these Christmas flowers cannot survive until the following season. Due to their large and decorative flowers, florists often use these plants in Christmas arrangements. The flowers can stay for up to seven days when cut.

   How do you know if the plant is healthy?

   Avoid buying wilting plants when the young leaves are entirely withered and mold develops at the base. The plant may be infected by phytophthora or gangrene.

   Toxicity

   The entire Christmas rose plant is poisonous. An exceptionally high concentration of alkaloids characterizes the rhizomes of the plant. Therefore, it is worth placing the plant out of the reach of children and animals. Many historians believe that the consumption of the hellebore roots was the cause of Alexander the great's death.

3. Rosemary

   Common names	Rosemary, rose of the sea, southernwood
   Botanical name	Rosmarinus officinalis
   Height	60 cm - 180 cm (2' - 6')
   Spread	60 cm - 150 cm (2' - 5')
   Light preference	Full sun
   Water preference	Dry to medium
   Hardiness zone	8-11
   Soil type	Chalk, clay, loam, sand
   Soil pH	Acid, alkaline, neutral
   Soil drainage	Moist but well-drained, well-drained

   

   In a natural environment, we can find rosemary on the slopes of Mediterranean areas. Its aroma was always felt from afar, which is why the plant was called Rosmarinus, from the Latin: 'sea dew'.

   Decorative properties

   Thanks to its small leaves, compact shape, and woody shoots, rosemary can be successfully grown as bonsai. The rosemary bark looks old from an early age, which adds a unique charm to rosemary and is especially desirable in the miniaturization of plants.

   

   Additionally, rosemary is easy to mold, holds shape, and is drought-resistant. It can be successfully cut into a cone resembling a miniature Christmas tree.

   How do you know if the plant is healthy?

   If rosemary does not have undesirable symptoms such as yellowing and falling leaves, it is worth paying attention to the health of these Christmas plants in terms of pests. The white coating is often found on rosemary, a symptom of the fungal disease - powdery mildew.

   Toxicity

   Rosemary is a popular plant used as a herb for centuries. However, due to its diuretic effects, rosemary can cause the body to lose too much water.

4. Wintergreen

   Common names	Wintergreen, checkerberry, American mountain tea, teaberry, wintergreen oil plant, boxberry, canterberry, Canada tea
   Botanical name	Gaultheria procumbens
   Height	7 cm - 15 cm (3" - 6")
   Water preference	Medium
   Hardiness zone	3 - 8
   Soil type	Clay, loam, sand
   Soil pH	Acid, neutral
   Soil drainage	Moist but well-drained

   

   Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) comes from the regions of North America, where it grows as a small evergreen shrub.

   The branchy shrub of Gaultheria procumbens rarely exceeds 15 cm in height, and its roots rarely extend more than 5 cm into the soil. Wintergreen creates a dense cover of shiny, round, evergreen leaves. Small, less than half an inch, tubular white flowers precede the formation of decorative red (also white or pink) berries.

   Gaultheria belongs to the Ericaceae family, which includes other popular plants such as blueberries, rhododendrons, or well-known heather.

   Decorative properties

   

   With its shiny evergreen leaves and bright red berries, this plant is perfect for Christmas decorations such as centerpieces and wreaths. It looks beautiful on the Christmas table.

   After the holiday season, plant it outside and enjoy its beauty in your garden for many years! Remember that wintergreen, like other plants from the Ericaceae family, loves acidic soil. Wintergreens will do well as garden plants in cooler climates.

   Green leaves of wintergreen are also known overseas as 'teaberry'. It is because we can use them to make tea. Bright red berries are also edible and have a slightly sweet flavor.

   An interesting alternative for wintergreen plant can be hypericum berries.

   How do you know if the plant is healthy?

   When buying wintergreen, pay special attention to the humidity of the substrate in the pot, as these plants are susceptible to a lack of water. Therefore, they can react by yellowing leaves, falling flowers and berries, and consequently, the death of the plant.

   Toxicity

   Wintergreen is not a poisonous plant, but direct ingestion of essential oil is highly toxic to the human body.

5. Christmas cactus

   Common names	Christmas cactus
   Botanical name	Schlumbergera truncata
   Height	15 cm - 30 cm (6" - 12")
   Spread	30 cm - 60 cm (12" - 24")
   Light preference	Partial shade
   Water preference	Dry to medium
   Hardiness zone	10 - 12
   Soil type	The blend of peat, perlite and sand
   Soil pH	5.5 - 6.2
   Soil drainage	Moist but well-drained

   

   Decorative properties

   The Christmas cactus is one of the top Christmas flowers grown for its decorative properties used in Christmas flower arrangements. Its cut shoots with flowers can create phenomenal Christmas floral arrangements, such as wreaths or centerpieces for Christmas table.

   

   How do you know if the plant is healthy?

   Choose flowers with juicy and firm buds if you want to enjoy a long-flowering Christmas cactus. If the flower buds fall off before opening, it could be due to high air temperatures or dry soil.

   Due to the high sensitivity of the Christmas cactus to temperature changes, especially during the flowering period, the plant may shed flower buds. Therefore, if you have purchased this Christmas flower, remember to wrap it in paper when bringing it from the florist's to your home.

   Toxicity

   The Christmas cactus does not belong to the group of highly poisonous plants. Still, if a domestic animal eats part of the plant, it may disturb the functioning of our pet's digestive tract.

6. Poinsettia

   Common names	Poinsettia
   Botanical name	Euphorbia pulcherrima
   Height	90 cm - 3 m (3' - 10')
   Spread	90 cm - 210 cm (3' - 7')
   Light preference	Partial shade
   Water preference	Medium
   Hardiness zone	9-11
   Soil type	Loam
   Soil pH	Alkaline, neutral
   Soil drainage	Well-drained

   Poinsettia plants come from Central America, especially from southern Mexico, called 'Taxco del Alarcon', where they bloom during the winter season. This Christmas plant symbolizes hope and goodwill at Christmas time.

   

   Decorative properties

   Poinsettias are considered by many to be the most beautiful Christmas flowers for a reason. Poinsettia is a decorative indoor plant that can also be used as a cut flower for Christmas bouquets or as an element for Christmas flower arrangements.

   Remember to dip the stems in boiling water after cutting them or burn them with a candle flame. This treatment will retain white milk juice in the stem, ensuring that this Christmas plant remains intact for several days.

   

   How do you know if the plant is healthy?

   When selecting poinsettias, look for specimens that have small yellow flowers called cyanide in the center of the colored leaves (bracts). Choosing a plant that sheds pollen or has brown flowers means that its decorativeness will be short-lived.

   Toxicity

   Is poinsettia poisonous? The answer is yes. The poisonous properties of the Christmas star are caused by the toxic white milk juice found in the plant cells. It does not mean that poinsettia must be dangerous to health and life.

   It is enough to remember to place the plant in such a way that animals and small children cannot access it. Direct contact with the juice, for example, by breaking a leaf, can lead to gastrointestinal problems. Therefore, if you have had contact with the milky juice of poinsettias, wash your hands immediately and enjoy the beauty of the plant in your home.

Summary

Christmas is a magical period worth paying attention to potted plants, which will undoubtedly pay off with long and abundant flowering. With a bit of proper care, Christmas plants can survive in pristine condition until the following Christmas and again enchant with their charm.

In addition to the classic poinsettia flowers, it is worth betting on other species, such as Christmas cactus, wintergreen, or rosemary. Do not hesitate to make a choice and enjoy beauty of the mentioned above Christmas flowers in the comfort of your home.