Houseplants for Holiday Color

Skip traditional Christmasy gift plants and grab a few houseplants to stir up ho-ho-holiday spirit. Look for plants with festive finery that dovetails with classic color schemes, or choose an exotic beauty that shimmers with a more modern flair. Not sure where to start? Check out a few of our favorite holiday houseplants.

Anthurium

‘Tis the season for classic holiday colors of red and green, and anthurium delivers. This tough-as-nails houseplant boasts leathery, heart-shaped leaves. Flowers have that same heart shape and open in red (and also pink or white). Anthurium thrives when placed near a bright window and flowers best—even all year long—with higher light. This holiday houseplant helps scrub pollutants from indoor air, making it a gift that keeps on giving. Also known as flamingo flower, this is a true tropical plant, so protect it from cold drafts.

‘White Fusion’ Calathea 

‘White Fusion’ calathea makes a colorful addition to any yuletide décor. White leaves with light and dark green streaks evoke scenes of snow-covered evergreens, while leaf undersides offer a subtle purple hue. Sometimes called peacock plant, calathea adapts to the average home environment with ease and purifies the air by removing interior pollutants. This houseplant doesn’t need high light to grow its best. Give it a spot near a west, north or east facing window.

Phalaenopsis Orchid 

Frosted windowpanes brim with good cheer when the sills sport a blooming orchid. Also known as moth orchids, Phalaenopsis orchids are one of the easiest orchid types to grow. Place plants near a bright window for flowering. During the holiday season, a cool windowsill helps exotic blooms to linger for weeks. Most orchids die from overwatering. Resist the urge to water too often—once every 10 to 14 days should be enough.

Merlin Lenten Rose

In regions with mild winters, Lenten roses or hellebores make striking holiday houseplants that can be tucked into the garden after your holiday celebrations. The Gold Collection of Lenten roses (Helleborus x ballardiae) features outward facing flowers that open from winter to early spring. Merlin Lenten rose unfurls pale pink blooms that deepen in color as they mature, shifting to rose and deep cranberry. Other flower colors in the collection include white, rose and pink hues. Enjoy Lenten roses as a holiday houseplant, then transplant into outdoor pots or beds, where the plants earn their keep as true perennials.