Christmas plants are flowers or vegetation from garden plants associated with the festive season of

Christmas Christmas is an annual festival commemorating Nativity of Jesus, the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a Religion, religious and Culture, cultural celebration among billions of people Observance of Christmas by coun ...

. There are also a wide variety of plants that include "Christmas" in their common name.

Africa

South Africa

Christmas Bell is one name given to ''

Sandersonia ''Sandersonia'' is a monotypic taxon, monotypic genus of rhizome, rhizomatous plant, belonging to the family Colchicaceae, the single species ''Sandersonia aurantiaca'' being native to South Africa (the Cape Provinces, KwaZulu-Natal and the North ...

ssp,'' A genus of South African plants.

Asia

India

Decorative plants for Christmas celebrations may include species of ''

Viscum ''Viscum'' is a genus of over 100 species of mistletoes, native to temperate and tropical regions of Europe, Africa, Asia and Australasia. Traditionally, the genus has been placed in its own family Viscaceae, but recent genetic research by the An ...

'', '' Lycopodium cernuum'', and ''

Acanthus ilicifolius ''Acanthus ilicifolius'', commonly known as holly-leaved acanthus, sea holly, and holy mangrove, is a species of shrubs or herbs, of the plant family Acanthaceae, native to Australia, Australasia, and Southeast Asia. It is used as medicine in ast ...

''.

Sri Lanka

Monterey Cypress ''Hesperocyparis macrocarpa'' also known as ''Cupressus macrocarpa'', or the Monterey cypress is a coniferous tree, and is one of several species of cypress trees native to California. The Monterey cypress is found naturally only on the Centr ...

trees are often used as Christmas trees due to their conical shape and their longevity once cut.

Thailand

Species used as Christmas trees include monkey puzzle trees, ''

Casuarina equisetifolia ''Casuarina equisetifolia'', commonly known as coastal she-oak, horsetail she-oak, ironwood, beach sheoak, beach casuarina, whistling tree or Australian pine is a species of flowering plant in the family Casuarinaceae and is native to Australia, ...

'', and '' C. junghuhniana''.

Europe

Plants commonly used for Christmas decoration and symbolism across Europe include

ivy ''Hedera'', commonly called ivy (plural ivies), is a genus of 12–15 species of evergreen climbing or ground-creeping woody plants in the family Araliaceae, native to Western Europe, Central Europe, Southern Europe, Macaronesia, northwestern ...

mistletoe Mistletoe is the common name for obligate parasite, obligate parasitic plant, hemiparasitic plants in the Order (biology), order Santalales. They are attached to their host tree or shrub by a structure called the haustorium, through which they ...

and

holly ''Ilex'' () or holly is a genus of over 570 species of flowering plants in the family Aquifoliaceae, and the only living genus in that family. ''Ilex'' has the most species of any woody dioecious angiosperm genus. The species are evergreen o ...

. Ivy leaves are seen as symbolizing eternity and resurrection. Christmas wreaths originated in Europe, and are traditionally made with

spruce A spruce is a tree of the genus ''Picea'' ( ), a genus of about 40 species of coniferous evergreen trees in the family Pinaceae, found in the northern temperate and boreal ecosystem, boreal (taiga) regions of the Northern hemisphere. ''Picea'' ...

pine A pine is any conifer tree or shrub in the genus ''Pinus'' () of the family Pinaceae. ''Pinus'' is the sole genus in the subfamily Pinoideae. ''World Flora Online'' accepts 134 species-rank taxa (119 species and 15 nothospecies) of pines as cu ...

cedar Cedar may refer to: Trees and plants *''Cedrus'', common English name cedar, an Old-World genus of coniferous trees in the plant family Pinaceae * Cedar (plant), a list of trees and plants known as cedar Places United States * Cedar, Arizona ...

branches, pinecones from evergreen trees, and holly berries or branches.

Balkans

The ''badnjak'' or ''budnik'' is a custom shared across the Balkan region involving a tree, tree branches, or a log being brought into the home and burned. The tradition may differ between countries like

Bulgaria Bulgaria, officially the Republic of Bulgaria, is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the eastern portion of the Balkans directly south of the Danube river and west of the Black Sea. Bulgaria is bordered by Greece and Turkey t ...

Croatia Croatia, officially the Republic of Croatia, is a country in Central Europe, Central and Southeast Europe, on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. It borders Slovenia to the northwest, Hungary to the northeast, Serbia to the east, Bosnia and Herze ...

, and

Serbia , image_flag = Flag of Serbia.svg , national_motto = , image_coat = Coat of arms of Serbia.svg , national_anthem = () , image_map = , map_caption = Location of Serbia (gree ...

Caucasus

Georgia

The

chichilaki The chichilaki ( ka, ჩიჩილაკი) is a Georgian traditional Christmas tree made from dried hazelnut or walnut branches that are shaved to form a small “tree”. These pale-colored ornaments differ in height from 20 cm (8 in) to 3 ...

is the traditional Georgian Christmas tree, and is made from dried hazelnut or walnut branches that are shaved and shaped into a tree shape. They may be decorated with small fruits and berries.

Western Europe

Some common plants used to decorate in this region include English holly,

winterberry ''Ilex verticillata'', the winterberry, is a species of holly native to eastern North America in the United States and southeast Canada, from Newfoundland west to Ontario and Minnesota, and south to Alabama. Other names that have been used incl ...

witch hazel Witch-hazels or witch hazels (''Hamamelis'') are a genus of flowering plants in the family Hamamelidaceae, with three species in North America ('' H. ovalis'', '' H. virginiana'', and '' H. vernalis''), and one each in Japan ('' H.&nb ...

, and

Nordmann fir ''Abies nordmanniana'', the Nordmann fir or Caucasian fir, is a fir indigenous to the mountains south and east of the Black Sea, in Turkey, Georgia and the Russian Caucasus. It occurs at altitudes of 900–2,200 m on mountains with precipit ...

, which is commonly used in sprays. Lichens and mosses may be used as decorative garlands.

Germany

Plants specific to German sprays include acacia foliage and the cone-bearing branches of Douglas firs. The

Advent wreath The Advent wreath, or Advent crown, is a Christian tradition that symbolizes the passage of the four weeks of Advent in the liturgical calendar of the Western Christianity, Western church. It is traditionally a Lutheran practice, although it ...

specifically dates back to German

Lutherans Lutheranism is a major branch of Protestantism that emerged under the work of Martin Luther, the 16th-century German friar and reformer whose efforts to reform the theology and practices of the Catholic Church launched the Reformation in 15 ...

in the 1830s, although there are claims they can be traced back to the 16th century.

Ireland

Traditional decorative Christmas plants include holly, mistletoe, and poinsettias. Other plants, like

Jerusalem cherry ''Solanum pseudocapsicum'' is a Solanum, nightshade species with mildly poisonous fruit. It is commonly known as the Jerusalem cherry, Madeira winter cherry, or, ambiguously, "winter cherry (disambiguation), winter cherry". These Perennial plan ...

English ivy ''Hedera helix'', the common ivy, European ivy, King's Choice ivy, or just ivy, is a species of flowering plant in the family Araliaceae. It is native to most of Europe and parts of western Asia. Ivy is a clinging evergreen vine that grows on t ...

, and potted

azalea Azaleas ( ) are flowering shrubs in the genus ''Rhododendron'', particularly the former sections ''Rhododendron sect. Tsutsusi, Tsutsusi'' (evergreen) and ''Pentanthera'' (deciduous). Azaleas bloom in the spring (April and May in the temperate ...

s, may also be encountered.

Spain

Tio de Nadal Tio may refer to: * Tio (''Zatch Bell!'') a character from the ''Zatch Bell!'', a Japanese manga series * T'í'o, aka "Tiyo", a city in Eritrea * Tio, Burkina Faso, a town in Burkina Faso * Tió de Nadal, a character in Catalan mythology * Ti ...

is a tradition from the Catalan region involving a log which is propped up and given a face. If the children of the home care for the log properly, it will defecate presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

United Kingdom

Some plants used for wreaths and sprays include English holly,

cherry laurel ''Prunus'' subg. ''Padus'' is a subgenus of ''Prunus'', characterised by having racemose inflorescences. ''Padus'' was originally a distinct genus, but genetic and morphological studies have shown that ''Padus'' is polyphyletic. It has been propo ...

, and Portugal laurel. By the end of the Middle Ages, English church records commonly referred to buying holly and ivy for seasonal decor. It was also common for wealthy households to buy greenery, also for decorative purposes; this is reflected in the 16th century Welsh carol, ''

Deck the Halls "Deck the Halls" is a traditional Christmas carol. The melody is Welsh, dating back to the sixteenth century, and belongs to a winter carol, " Nos Galan", while the English lyrics, written by the Scottish musician Thomas Oliphant, date to 1862. ...

''. In the

Tudor period In England and Wales, the Tudor period occurred between 1485 and 1603, including the Elizabethan era during the reign of Elizabeth I (1558–1603). The Tudor period coincides with the dynasty of the House of Tudor in England, which began with ...

, kissing boughs were a popular decoration, made by covering crossed hoops with available greenery. By the

Georgian period The Georgian era was a period in British history from 1714 to , named after the Hanoverian kings George I, George II, George III and George IV. The definition of the Georgian era is also often extended to include the relatively short reign ...

, these boughs had become more elaborate, using apples and oranges. In the

Victorian era In the history of the United Kingdom and the British Empire, the Victorian era was the reign of Queen Victoria, from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. Slightly different definitions are sometimes used. The era followed the ...

, garlands made of holly and fir were popular decorations. The

yule log The Yule log is a specially selected log burnt on a hearth as a winter tradition in regions of Europe, and subsequently North America. Today, this tradition is celebrated by Christians and modern pagans on or around Christmas/Yule. The name by w ...

is a tradition in many Germanic countries, but has also become popular in the UK. One older tradition involves bringing potted cherry or hawthorn trees indoors, so that they can flower at Christmastime.

North America

Christmas Cactus, thus called because of when it flowers, is native to Brazil but is a popular ornamental plant in North America. Varieties include '' Schlumbergera opuntioides'', '' Schlumbergera kautskyi'', and '' Schlumbergera microsphaerica''.

Caribbean

Historically, the Christmas tree of choice in the Caribbean has been the Caribbean pine, inkberry, or

juniper Junipers are coniferous trees and shrubs in the genus ''Juniperus'' ( ) of the cypress family Cupressaceae. Depending on the taxonomy, between 50 and 67 species of junipers are widely distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere as far south ...

. Festive flowering plants used for decoration include poinsettia, '' Porana pamiculala'', and ''

Antigonon leptopus ''Antigonon leptopus'' is a species of perennial vine in the buckwheat family commonly known as coral vine or queen's wreath. This clambering vine is characterized by showy, usually pink flowers that can bloom throughout the year and large, hear ...

''.

Mexico

Poinsettia The poinsettia (; ''Euphorbia pulcherrima'') is a commercially important flowering plant species of the diverse spurge family Euphorbiaceae. Indigenous to Mexico and Central America, the poinsettia was first described by Europeans in 1834. It ...

s are native to Mexico and its Central American neighbors.

Radish The radish (''Raphanus sativus'') is a flowering plant in the mustard family, Brassicaceae. Its large taproot is commonly used as a root vegetable, although the entire plant is edible and its leaves are sometimes used as a leaf vegetable. Origina ...

es feature in the Christmas season tradition of ''Noche de Rábanos'', or Night of the Radishes which is held on December 23 in

Oaxaca City Oaxaca de Juárez (), or simply Oaxaca (Valley Zapotec languages, Zapotec: ''Ndua''), is the capital and largest city of the eponymous Administrative divisions of Mexico, Mexican state of Oaxaca. It is the municipal seat for the surrounding munici ...

, Mexico. During the event participants carve large radishes into elaborate scenes.

United States

Christmas trees and wreaths were brought to the United States by various communities of European settlers and immigrants. The specific species of tree used for these traditions differs depending on region. On the west coast, the

Douglas fir The Douglas fir (''Pseudotsuga menziesii'') is an evergreen conifer species in the pine family, Pinaceae. It is the tallest tree in the Pinaceae family. It is native to western North America and is also known as Douglas-fir, Douglas spruce, Or ...

has historically been the species of choice when it comes to Christmas trees, while in Appalachia the

Fraser fir The Fraser fir (''Abies fraseri''), sometimes spelled Frasier fir, is an endangered species of fir native to the Appalachian Mountains of the southeastern United States. They are endemic to only seven montane regions in the Appalachian Mountains ...

is more popular. In California wreaths have been made from

coast redwood ''Sequoia sempervirens'' ()''Sunset Western Garden Book,'' 1995: 606–607 is the sole living species of the genus '' Sequoia'' in the cypress family Cupressaceae (formerly treated in Taxodiaceae). Common names include coast redwood, coast ...

and hollyleaf cherry. Plants used in decorative arrangements include Christmas-berry,

cypress Cypress is a common name for various coniferous trees or shrubs from the ''Cupressus'' genus of the '' Cupressaceae'' family, typically found in temperate climates and subtropical regions of Asia, Europe, and North America. The word ''cypress'' ...

, firethorn, and pepper-tree. In the southern part of the state decorative plants may also include citrus plants, eucalyptus, magnolias, and poinsettias. In Texas and Louisiana decorative plants include

Christmas fern ''Polystichum acrostichoides'', commonly denominated Christmas fern, is a perennial, evergreen fern native to eastern North America, from Nova Scotia west to Minnesota and south to Florida and eastern Texas.American mistletoe, and poinsettias. Historically,

Spanish moss Spanish moss (''Tillandsia usneoides'') is an Epiphyte, epiphytic flowering plant that often grows upon large trees in tropical and subtropical climates. It is native to much of Mexico, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Central America, South America (as far ...

and

ball moss ''Tillandsia recurvata'', commonly known as small ballmoss or ball moss, is a flowering plant (not a true moss) in the family Bromeliaceae that grows upon larger host plants. It grows well in areas with low light, little airflow, and high humidit ...

might be dipped in flour while wet. Once dry, they could be used as snowball decorations. In southeast region of the country, decorative plants include camellias, holly, mistletoe, privet, quince, and ''

Magnolia grandiflora ''Magnolia grandiflora'', commonly known as the southern magnolia or bull bay, is a tree of the family Magnoliaceae native to the Southeastern United States, from Virginia to central Florida, and west to East Texas. Reaching in height, it is a ...

''. Wreaths and sprays may be made from the

longleaf pine The longleaf pine (''Pinus palustris'') is a pine species native to the Southeastern United States, found along the coastal plain from East Texas to southern Virginia, extending into northern and central Florida. In this area it is also known as ...

and the

Australian pine ''Casuarina'', also known as she-oak, Australian pine and native pine, is a genus of flowering plants in the family Casuarinaceae, and is native to Australia, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, islands of the western Pacific Ocean, and e ...

. Along the Gulf Coast, several different types of palms are used as decorative plants, including '' Sabal palletto'', the

royal palm ''Roystonea regia'', commonly known as the royal palm, Cuban royal palm, or Florida royal palm, is a species of Arecaceae, palm native to Mexico, the Caribbean, Florida, and parts of Central America. A large and attractive palm, it has been plan ...

, ''

Washingtonia robusta ''Washingtonia robusta'', known by common name as the Mexican fan palm, Mexican washingtonia, or skyduster is a palm tree native to the Baja California peninsula and a small part of Sonora in northwestern Mexico. Despite its limited native distr ...

'', and ''Phoenix canariesis''.

Oceania

Australia

The name Tasmanian Christmas Bell is applied in Australia to ''

Blandfordia ''Blandfordia'', commonly known as Christmas bells, is a genus of four species of flowering plants native to eastern Australia. Christmas bells are tufted, perennial herbs with narrow, linear leaves and up to twenty large, drooping, cylindrical ...

ssp.'', including ''Blandfordia punicea''. Several different species of plants in Australia are referred to as Christmas Bush, including: * '' Correa'', a genus of Australian plants with distinctive bell shaped * ''

Chromolaena odorata ''Chromolaena odorata'' is also known as Jack in the Bush. It is a tropical and subtropical species of Flowering plant, flowering shrub in the family Asteraceae. It is native to the Americas, from Florida and Texas in the United States so ...

'' *''

Ceratopetalum gummiferum ''Ceratopetalum gummiferum'', the New South Wales Christmas bush, is a tall shrub or small tree popular in Plant cultivation, cultivation due to its sepals that turn bright red-pink at around Christmas time. The specific name ''gummiferum'' all ...

'' - New South Wales Christmas bush, ornamental tree. *''

Prostanthera lasianthos ''Prostanthera lasianthos'', commonly known as the Victorian Christmas bush or coranderrk , is a large shrub or small tree of the mint family, Lamiaceae, which is native to Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania in Australia. It grow ...

'' - Victorian Christmas bush. Several plants in Australia are referred to or used as Christmas trees, including ''

Nuytsia floribunda ''Nuytsia floribunda'' is a Hemiparasite, hemiparasitic tree found in Western Australia. The species is known locally as moodjar and, more recently, the Christmas tree or Western Australian Christmas tree. The display of intensely bright flowe ...

'' and the

Norfolk Island Pine ''Araucaria heterophylla'' (synonym ''A. excelsa'') is a species of conifer. As its vernacular name Norfolk Island pine (or Norfolk pine) implies, the tree is endemic to Norfolk Island, an external territory of Australia located in the Pacific ...

, which is commonly sold in Australian stores during the Christmas season and is usually marketed as a "Living Christmas tree".

New Zealand

Pōhutukawa Pōhutukawa (''Metrosideros excelsa''), also known as the New Zealand Christmas tree, or iron tree, is a coastal evergreen tree in the Myrtus, myrtle family, Myrtaceae, that produces a brilliant display of red (or occasionally orange, yellow o ...

, sometimes called the New Zealand Christmas Tree, has bright red flowers which usually appear in December. '' Alstroemeria pulchella'', known as the New Zealand Christmas bell, is a popular ornamental plant during the Christmas season.

Misc

Christmas tree is applied to a number of plants: *

fir Firs are evergreen coniferous trees belonging to the genus ''Abies'' () in the family Pinaceae. There are approximately 48–65 extant species, found on mountains throughout much of North and Central America, Eurasia, and North Africa. The genu ...

balsam Balsam is the resinous exudate (or sap) which forms on certain kinds of trees and shrubs. Balsam (from Latin ''balsamum'' "gum of the balsam tree," ultimately from a Semitic source such as ) owes its name to the biblical Balm of Gilead. Ch ...

or other

evergreen trees In botany, an evergreen is a plant which has foliage that remains green and functional throughout the year. This contrasts with deciduous plants, which lose their foliage completely during the winter or dry season. Consisting of many different s ...

decorated for Christmas *

Pinus pinea The Italian stone pine, botanical name ''Pinus pinea'', also known as the Mediterranean stone pine is a tree from the pine family (''Pinaceae''). The tree is native to the Mediterranean region, occurring in Southern Europe and the Levant. The ...

or the Italian Stone Pine, is another plant commonly sold in stores as a potted live plant. Christmas

rose A rose is either a woody perennial plant, perennial flowering plant of the genus ''Rosa'' (), in the family Rosaceae (), or the flower it bears. There are over three hundred Rose species, species and Garden roses, tens of thousands of cultivar ...

can be any of the following: * ''

Helleborus Commonly known as hellebores (), the Eurasian genus ''Helleborus'' consists of approximately 20 species of herbaceous or evergreen perennial flowering plants in the family Ranunculaceae, within which it gave its name to the tribe of Hellebo ...

ssp.'', especially ''

Helleborus niger ''Helleborus niger'', commonly called Christmas rose or black hellebore, is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae. It is one of about 20 species from the genus Hellebore. It is a poisonous cottage garden fa ...

'' * a species of hydrangea, ''

Hydrangea macrophylla ''Hydrangea macrophylla'' is a species of flowering plant in the family (biology), family Hydrangeaceae, native plant, native and endemism, endemic to Japan. It is a deciduous shrub growing to tall by or more broad with large heads of pink or ...

'' * '' Serissa foetida'' (also known as "snow rose" or "winter rose") originally from tropical regions of Asia; cultivated ''Serissa'' often blooms during the winter. Other plants with "Christmas" in their name include: * "Christmas costus" ('' Costus chartaceus'') * "Christmas moss" ('' Vesicularia montagnei'')

References

{{Christmas