While many plants in the garden die back in the cooler months, there are some that we can bring into our homes to add some extra cheer during in winter and into the festive season. A potted plant not only looks lovely amongst other Christmas décor; it can also be a more sustainable choice.
Opt for hardy perennial varieties and you can plant them outside come January. They also make wonderful gifts, bringing back memories every year as they re-emerge in the garden.
8 indoor plants that are perfect for winter, and Christmas
Here are eight of the best indoor Christmas plants to buy for yourself or loved ones this December. Our list includes colourful and fragrant poinsettias, Christmas roses and even real fir trees, which never fail to bring a festive feeling.
Poinsettia
Buy from M&S (£40.00)
No list of winter plants would be complete without a poinsettia – also known as the Christmas Star. Its striking bracts and pointed leaves make it ideal for festive displays, and it can last for months or even years with the right care.
As poinsettias come from Central America, they thrive in warm temperatures, so make sure you keep them away from draughty spots.
Choose one in red for traditional Christmas colour, or opt for white for a fresher look.
Buy from M&S (£40.00)
Christmas rose
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With its snowy-white petals and warm-yellow stamens, the Christmas rose (a type of hellebore) is a firm favourite among plant lovers during the winter season. As each flowerhead matures, the crisp white petals gain a pretty pink-toned flush.
Flowering through December to March, this rose is a classic indoor Christmas plant and looks lovely on windowsills and tabletops – keep it on the cool side. Add it to a shady garden border and it could survive for years.
Read our guide on how to grow hellebores.
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Cyclamen
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Cyclamen is another highly popular indoor Christmas plant, with flowers that last for weeks and pretty marbled foliage. We love this vibrant pink variety, but you could also go for a version with snowy white or vivid red petals for a festive display.
Make sure the soil is moist but avoid overwatering to keep it looking happy and healthy.
Read more about how choose and care for cyclamen in our guide.
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Christmas cactus
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With its pink, red or white flared flowers appearing at the end of stems like baubles, Schlumbergera – or to give it its common name, the Christmas cactus – makes a colourful addition to any home in winter.
This eye-catching plant is also easy to look after and can live up to 20 years with the right care.
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Red amaryllis
Red, trumpet-shaped flowers on sturdy stalks make the amaryllis, or Hippeastrum, a truly striking houseplant.
This impressive bulb can flower without water or even soil, and with the right care will return year after year, which makes it a sustainable gift option for loved ones to enjoy into the future.
Paperwhites
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Paperwhites are one of gardener and writer Sarah Raven’s favourite plants to bring inside for Christmas. These white potted daffodils can be forced to bloom in winter, and it’s incredibly simple, says Sarah:
“The bulbs start into growth as soon as they’re planted, with flowers appearing around seven to eight weeks later. Keep the pots somewhere cool to begin with, with the compost moist but not sodden. Once they’re really shooting away, with leaves around 20–25cm tall, bring them indoors somewhere warm and light.”
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Hyacinth
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Another favourite of Sarah Raven, hyacinths bring instant cheer into a home – as well as glorious fragrance. Sarah loves jewel-coloured choices, but opting for a snowy-white one like this will create a classic, calming feel.
As hyacinths are spring-flowering bulbs, you can force them into flowering over winter by leaving them in a cool, dark place for 8-12 weeks, before bringing them indoors, or out of the fridge, to bloom.
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Christmas tree
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We couldn’t finish this list without a classic Christmas tree – possibly the champion of all indoor winter plants. To avoid waste (and save money), buy or grow a potted tree, and bring it back indoors every December.
Alternatively, why not keep it outdoors and move it to your porch with some outdoor fairy lights to welcome visitors into your home?
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Indoor plant care tips
It's worth taking a bit of time to make sure your plants stay as healthy as possible in their pots, from the beginning of autumn, right through to the big day and beyond. As well as watering your Christmas tree regularly, you might want to occasionally add a drop of evergreen plant food to the water to keep it green and thriving.
For cyclamen you can get a particular cyclamen plant food to keep it healthy, while for poinsettias, a liquid plant food that's high in potassium, such as tomato food, would be ideal. You can also get liquid feed specific to poinsettias.
For amaryllis, apply a balanced fertiliser a couple of times a month to increase the chances of the bulb having the energy to flower again.
For more ideas on bringing festive cheer into your home, read our guide to making willow Christmas decorations. For ideas on Christmas gifts, read our guide to the best gifts for gardeners.
Remember, many indoor plants can be harmful if eaten, so always keep them away from pets.
