Traditional Christmas Flowers and Plants: Meanings, Care, and Pet Safety
Quick answer: The most traditional Christmas flowers and plants are the poinsettia, Christmas cactus, amaryllis, holly, mistletoe, Norfolk Island pine, and red roses. Christmas cactus is the best pick for homes with pets, since the ASPCA lists it as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Poinsettias are only mildly irritating, despite their reputation. Holly, mistletoe, amaryllis, and lilies should be kept away from pets.
Christmas flowers and plants at a glance
| Plant | What it symbolizes | How long it lasts | Pet safety* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poinsettia | Celebration, the Star of Bethlehem | Through the season; can be kept as a houseplant | Mildly irritating |
| Christmas cactus | Persistence (it blooms in the dark of winter) | Decades with basic care | Non-toxic |
| Norfolk Island pine | A living, tabletop Christmas tree | Years as a houseplant | Mildly toxic |
| Amaryllis | Pride and radiance | Blooms 2–3 weeks; bulb reblooms | Toxic |
| Holly | Protection, eternal life | Several weeks cut | Toxic |
| Mistletoe | Love and goodwill | Several weeks cut | Toxic |
| Red roses | Love and warmth | 7–10 days in a vase | Non-toxic |
| Evergreens (fir, pine, cypress) | Renewal and life through winter | Weeks, especially in cool air | Mildly irritating if eaten |
*Based on the ASPCA's toxic and non-toxic plant lists. If you think your pet has eaten a plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
Poinsettia
The poinsettia is the best-selling potted plant in the U.S. and the flower most associated with Christmas. The red "petals" are actually colored leaves called bracts. The tiny yellow flowers sit in the center. Keep poinsettias in bright, indirect light, away from cold drafts and heat vents, and water when the top of the soil is dry. For full instructions, read our poinsettia care guide. Shop the Red Poinsettia.
Christmas cactus
The Christmas cactus is a tropical plant, not a desert cactus. It blooms in pink, red, or white right around the holidays, triggered by long nights and cool temperatures. It's one of the longest-lived houseplants you can give, since many are passed down for generations. It's also non-toxic to cats and dogs. Water when the top inch of soil is dry, and keep it in bright, indirect light. Shop the Christmas cactus.
Norfolk Island pine
A Norfolk Island pine is a small, living Christmas tree that becomes a year-round houseplant after the holidays. It's a good option for apartments, offices, and anyone who wants a tree without the needles. Give it bright light and humidity, and turn it every week or so to keep it growing straight. Shop the Norfolk Island pine.
Christmas bouquets: roses, evergreens, and winter whites
Christmas bouquets usually combine deep red roses with evergreen cuttings like cypress, eucalyptus, and ruscus, often with white flowers for a snowy feel. Some good options:
- Xmas Szn: roses, snapdragon, and anemone with eucalyptus, delivered with a vase.
- Jingle Bells: roses, scabiosa, and chrysanthemums with eucalyptus.
- Eucalyp-tis the Season: astrantia, white alstroemeria, and roses with plenty of eucalyptus.
- Snow One Like You: a wintry mix of statice, campanula, cypress, and roses.
A note for cat owners: lilies of any kind, including roselilies, are extremely toxic to cats. If the recipient has a cat, choose a lily-free bouquet or a plant like the Christmas cactus. Our guide to pet-friendly houseplants has more options.
How to keep Christmas flowers fresh through the holidays
- Keep them away from heat. Fireplaces, radiators, and heat vents dry out flowers and plants fast.
- Avoid cold drafts from doors and windows, especially for poinsettias.
- Trim stems and change vase water every two days.
- Keep cut flowers away from the fruit bowl. Ripening fruit releases ethylene, which speeds up wilting.
For 2026, order by December 18 for delivery December 21–24. Shop Christmas arrangements.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular Christmas flower?
The poinsettia. It's the best-selling potted plant in the United States, and almost all of those sales happen in the weeks before Christmas.
What Christmas plants are safe for cats and dogs?
Christmas cactus and roses are non-toxic according to the ASPCA. Poinsettias are mildly irritating but rarely serious. Keep holly, mistletoe, amaryllis, and lilies away from pets.
What flowers represent Christmas?
Poinsettias, red roses, amaryllis, holly, mistletoe, and evergreens are the flowers and plants most associated with Christmas.
Can you keep a poinsettia after Christmas?
Yes. With bright light and regular watering, a poinsettia can live for years as a houseplant, and it can be coaxed to turn red again next winter.
What's a good Christmas plant for someone without a green thumb?
A Christmas cactus. It tolerates occasional missed waterings, lives for decades, and reblooms every winter.
Keep Reading
