Alternative Christmas Décor: 10 Festive Holiday Plants for UK Gardeners
If you’re tired of the usual Poinsettias, Mistletoe, Christmas Roses (Hellebores), and Holly arrangements, why not explore something fresh this year? These 10 stunning plants will bring festive cheer with their classic Christmas colours—red, green, and white—while offering a unique touch to your home or garden. Whether grown indoors, on a balcony, or used as a striking centrepiece for your Christmas table, these plants are sure to impress.

1. Anthurium
With glossy green leaves and bright scarlet flowers, Anthuriums are a hardy houseplant perfect for December. Their long-lasting blooms and elegant form make them a sophisticated choice for holiday décor.

2. Ardisia crenata
Also called the "coral plant," Ardisia produces clusters of vivid red berries in winter, alongside starry white and pink flowers in summer. Its compact size and festive colours make it ideal for indoor displays.

3. Bouvardia
This charming indoor plant blooms from October to December with fragrant tubular flowers. Available in white, pink, or red, Bouvardia is an excellent choice for creating a delicate yet festive vibe.

4. Callicarpa bodinieri
Known as the Beautyberry, this plant is perfect for balcony displays or as a temporary indoor showpiece. Its shiny, metallic purple berries and orange-tinged leaves bring a unique twist to traditional holiday colours.

5. Echeveria
A rosette-shaped succulent, Echeveria adds elegance with its fleshy green leaves that develop red tips in bright sunlight. This subtle red-green colour pairing makes it a modern alternative for Christmas decorations.

6. Kokedama
A Japanese planting style, Kokedama involves growing plants in a moss-covered ball of soil. This creative display method works well for small ferns, ivy, or flowering plants, offering a minimalist yet festive aesthetic.

7. Nertera granadensis
This low-growing plant forms a cushion of bright orange berries in December, making it a playful choice for table centrepieces. Its cheerful appearance lasts into February, extending the holiday spirit.

8. Schlumbergera truncata (Christmas Cactus)
This festive favourite produces vivid red, pink, or white tubular flowers during December. A low-maintenance succulent, the Christmas Cactus thrives indoors and is a reliable seasonal bloomer.

9. Skimmia japonica
This hardy shrub, with clusters of red berries and evergreen foliage, can be moved indoors for short periods to create a striking festive display. After the holidays, it thrives in outdoor containers or garden beds.

10. Strelitzia reginae (Bird of Paradise)
Add an exotic touch to your Christmas décor with this striking plant. Its orange and blue blooms resemble tropical birds and appear from autumn through spring, brightening the colder months.

These plants are perfect for creating a distinctive holiday atmosphere while celebrating the season’s iconic colours. Plus, many can continue to thrive well past Christmas, offering beauty throughout the year!