By Debbie Wey and Gardening On The Cay
Houseplants are enjoying a well-deserved moment—and what better time to embrace them than the holiday season? As winter settles in, indoor plants offer color, warmth, and the joy of nurturing something beautiful. They also make thoughtful, living gifts. Here are a few beloved holiday classics to brighten your home or give to someone special:
Poinsettias
Nothing says Christmas quite like the cheerful poinsettia. Beyond the iconic red, they’re available in white, pink, orange, purple, and variegated combinations that look right at home among holiday décor.
Poinsettias thrive in bright morning sunlight and afternoon shade (as with an east-facing windowsill), with ideal temperatures between 65–75°F. Water when the soil feels dry, and avoid letting pots sit in standing water—doing so can cause yellowing leaves and root rot.
More information:
Caring for Your Poinsettia During the Holidays — Home & Garden Information Center
https://hgic.clemson.edu/caring-for-your-poinsettia-during-the-holidays/
Anthurium
With its glossy, heart-shaped red “blooms” (actually spathes), anthurium is a natural fit for holiday color schemes. Varieties also come in pink, purple, white, green, and even near-black for dramatic arrangements. Anthurium tolerates lower winter light, but more light means more blooms. Light fertilizing a few times a year encourages flowering. Water the soil when it feels dry.
More information:
Red Anthurium Flowers for the Holidays — Garden Club of America
https://gardenclub.org/blog/red-anthurium-flowers-holidays
Holiday Cactus (Christmas or Thanksgiving Cactus)
A sentimental favorite that often gets passed down through generations, the holiday cactus rewards growers with elegant blooms in shades of red, pink, white, and even striking bicolor varieties.
To encourage flowering right on time for the holidays, give your cactus 13 hours of darkness each day for eight weeks. Water the soil when it is dry to the touch, but do not overwater. Once buds form, keep the soil evenly moist. These plants also make wonderful “friendship gifts”—simply pinch off a piece with 3–5 segments, let it callus, and root it in well-drained soil.
More information:
Thanksgiving and Christmas Cacti — Home & Garden Information Center
https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/thanksgiving-christmas-cacti/
Amaryllis
Few things feel as festive as watching an amaryllis bulb burst into spectacular bloom during the holidays. Larger bulbs produce more stems and flowers, so they’re worth the splurge. Pot immediately or store bulbs in a cool, dark place (50–60°F). Use a pot with drainage that’s twice the diameter of the bulb, and keep the top of the bulb exposed. Water deeply once, then lightly until growth appears; afterward, water 2–3 times per week.
More information:
Amaryllis — Home & Garden Information Center
https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/amaryllis/
Paperwhites
Perfect for holiday centerpieces or last-minute gifts, paperwhites grow quickly—typically blooming 4–6 weeks after planting. Larger bulbs may produce two stems each. Plant in soil (recommended), bulb vases, or shallow bowls filled with stones or sand. Place bulbs close together with just their tips exposed. Keep in a cool room (60–65°F), water well at first, and then every few days without saturating the bulbs.
More information:
Forcing Bulbs Indoors — Home & Garden Information Center
https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/forcing-bulbs-indoors/
Cacti, Succulents & Plants in Glass Containers
Terrariums, aeriums, and desertariums make delightful holiday gifts—especially popular with teens and young adults. Choose the container style based on humidity needs:
- Terrariums (humid 60%+): creeping fig, ribbon plant, tropicals
- Aeriums (air-loving plants): mosses, orchids, bromeliads
- Desertariums (dry 20% humidity): aloe, Haworthia, Sempervivum (hens and chicks)
These miniature glass gardens add a sparkling, ornament-like touch to holiday décor.
More information:
Glass Gardens: Terrariums, Vivariums, Aeriums, and Desertariums — Garden Club of America
https://gardenclub.org/blog/glass-gardens-terrariums-vivariums-aeriums-and-desertariums
