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Legends Behind Popular Christmas Plants

Holly

These days, holly is closely associated with the Christmas holiday. Its red and green color scheme suits the holiday perfectly, but some Christians also associate holly with Jesus Christ. The pointed leaves of the holly plant represent the crown of thorns that Jesus wore prior to being crucified, while the red of the berries symbolize the blood of Christ. Some also say that the cross itself was constructed from holly wood.
The symbolism associated with holly goes back much farther than that, though, and it’s easy to understand why. In the depths of winter while most plants die off, this evergreen plant retains its bright, strong appearance. Because of this, holly was considered a sacred plant by ancient Celtic cultures. Holly represented fertility, eternal life, and good luck. In the Druid tradition, it was also said that cutting down a holly tree would bring bad luck.

In ancient Rome, holly was said to defend a home from lightning and witches. Holly plants were considered symbols of Saturn, and homes were decorated with wreaths containing holly during the mid-December holiday of Saturnalia. This holiday celebrated the harvest and fertility, and many of the traditions we now associate with Christmas, such as singing and gift-giving, came from the celebration of Saturnalia.

Poinsettia

Poinsettias are the most popular Christmas plant, other than Christmas trees themselves. These brightly colored plants are native to Mexico, and one of the popular legends about poinsettias originates from that country as well. It is said that a young girl named Pepita and her brother were headed to a Christmas Eve service, but Pepita was sad because she had nothing to bring as an offering. Her brother encouraged her by saying that even a humble gift would be appreciated, so she picked some weeds and created a small bouquet.
When she placed the flowers in front of the nativity scene in the church, the weeds changed before her eyes into a bouquet of beautiful, bright-red flowers. Those who witnessed the transformation knew that they had seen a miracle.
Poinsettias are also associated with Christian symbolism. Red leaves correspond to the blood of Jesus Christ, while white leaves symbolize purity. The shape of the leaves is also said to be similar to the Star of Bethlehem from the story of Christ’s birth.

Mistletoe

Mistletoe as a symbol of Christmas is most famous as the plant that hangs in doorways and compels couples who find themselves together underneath to kiss each other. The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe likely goes back to ancient Greece, when mistletoe was considered a symbol of fertility. It was also used as a cure for a myriad of illnesses, including ulcers, menstrual cramps, and epilepsy. The Greco-Roman goddess Diana also wore a crown of mistletoe, further solidifying this plant’s association with both immortality and fertility in those cultures.

The Celtic Druids viewed mistletoe as a symbol of fertility and vigor, due to its ability to bloom over the winter. It was used in both humans and animals as a medical treatment to increase fertility. It’s very likely this association with fertility, which spans many cultures, that led this plant to encourage kissing.
Although this plant has a romantic image, the fact is that mistletoe is a parasite that is also poisonous. Mistletoe grows on the crowns of trees and extracts water and nutrients from its hosts. Berries can cause stomach issues and more serious problems if they are ingested by humans, although many animals regularly consume mistletoe berries.

Christmas Trees

There are several legends from various cultures that were the precursors to the current custom of having a decorated tree in the home for the Christmas season. Evergreen plants have long been associated with fertility because they are one of the few signs of life visible during the long and dark winter months.

Evergreen garlands, wreaths, and trees in some cultures were said to protect the home from evil spirits and demons. As with many other plants that are associated with Christmas, evergreen trees were also symbols of fertility in ancient cultures.
Another popular legend about Christmas trees maintains that Martin Luther, the Protestant reformer, was the first to use lighted candles to decorate a tree in the 16th century. According to this story, he was out walking and was inspired by the sight of the stars twinkling through the branches of evergreens. Wanting to replicate the experience for his family, he brought a tree inside and added candles.
In modern Christianity, the tree can be used not just as a decoration, but as a symbol of the nativity and resurrection stories of Jesus Christ. The pointed needles symbolize the crown of thorns that Christ wore while on the cross. Stars and angels decorating the tree are symbols of the Star of Bethlehem and the angels who heralded the birth of the baby Jesus in the nativity story.

You can also look up more information about Christmas plants by using our PictureThis App.

5 Best Houseplants for Christmas Decorating

When the days are at their shortest and it’s frigid outside, houseplants can be a saving grace to transform a cold house into a warm place full of life. That’s why we love filling our homes with Christmas plants in the winter.

Add one of those pretty houseplants, with proper ornaments, you will brighten your home display and add a more festive vibe. Here are the 5 best plants to decorate your home for this Christmas.

1. Christmas Tree

A Christmas tree has always been integral to the significant yet joyful season. Family gatherings and gift exchanges are associated with this holy plant. While decorating the Christmas tree in your own style can not only show off your family’s personality, but also make your home all the more merry.

Classic and neutral tree

Sometimes simple is best, like in the case of a classic tree in shades of gold and white. When decorating your tree, stick to Christmas classics like white glass ball ornaments, pinecones, and wooden cut stars.

Nostalgic Retro Christmas Tree

If you’re looking to be more sustainable and cut costs this Christmas, utilize vintage that has served as the backdrop to family celebrations for decades. Look for fun ornaments like mercury glass, globes, and faux candles in shades of baby blue, pink, and silver.

Pops of Pink Tree 

Pink symbolizes love, affection, and kindness, and it is one of the most trendy colors in 2023. Embellishpale your holy green tree with blush and soft pastel pink ornaments to channel a cozy yet whimsical vibe for your home.

2. Poinsettia

As classic as Christmas movies, the poinsettia is a must have for your holiday decoration and design. Poinsettias aren’t limited to red and don’t have to stay in the pot. You can decorate your home with this classic Christmas plant in more creative and new ways.

A silver cup or pot with a ‘Mini Star’ poinsettia or a cut poinsettia is a perfect embellishment for a place setting. You can create a variegated look by adding silver spray paint to a red poinsettia.

A festive poinsettia arrangement with amaryllis and evergreen can also be impressive. Tuck potted amaryllis into the center of a poinsettia plant, cover it with evergreen sprigs, and place the entire arrangement into a simple wooden planter.

A gold greenery wreath splashed with pink cut poinsettias is so very popular this season. Attach the bracts with florists wire and wire to cut evergreen and greenery, and add some berries as extra ornaments to enrich colors.

3. Amaryllis

Amaryllis always attracts people with its full bloom and bright, cheery colors, making it one of the most popular plants for holidays. Moreover, this plant blooms for several weeks in the winter with little care, usually just in time for the holidays. There is no doubt, this beautiful flower ensemble will create a festive atmosphere around your house.

The easiest way to use amaryllis as decor is to cut the stems off, and put it into a stylish vintage or vase. Amaryllises have many varieties, and there are more colors than just red and white. Reddish-orange Nagano with pink double amaryllis is a good match to create a warm and sweet vibe. Finish by spreading some pinecones, evergreen branches, and shimmery ornaments over the table.

An amaryllis garland will make your home look more festive. Use a foam ring as the base, the red velvet amaryllis as the center, to go with pinus strobus, English var, holly and blue spruce pieces, a luxurious Christmas wreath is right in your eye.

A glass vase with one single blooming amaryllis could be a good centerpiece for Christmas arrangement – this way, you don’t have to cut the flower and you can keep it to rebloom for the next year.

4. Christmas Cactus

Christmas cactus have beautiful blossoms in a variety of jewel tones, and their beauty might rival the beauty of the ornaments on your Christmas tree. Furthermore, these plants are very hardy and can last for a longtime.

A potted Christmas Cactus can be a unique addition to your existing festive arrangements whether it’s on your porch, on the stairs, or next to your front door. Or you can hang the plant in a basket, but remember to choose those with more stems so that the flower can flourish.

Taking care of a holiday cactus is a little trickier than most other desert-loving cacti that are drought resistant. The holiday cactus is a tropical rainforest native and needs regular water to remain healthy. Water when dry but don’t let the plant sit in water.

Planting Christmas Catus won’t be hard. Keep the plant when Santa has gone, and wait for it to set next year.

5. Norfolk Island Pine

If you’re looking for an alternative to the big traditional Christmas Tree, or simply something in addition to, look no further than this popular houseplant: Norfolk Island Pine. Due to its easy-going nature and quirky yet symmetrical shape, the Norfolk Island Pine really shines around the holidays.

This plant makes a great tabletop tree if you don’t have room for a big one, but its branches tend to get weighed down easily, so stick with lightweight ornaments. Use mini yet delicate ornaments like string lights, bows, ribbons and rustic tin bells to add holiday flair to this plant, and floral wire and scissors to help secure the decor.

The Norfolk Island Pine is native to the South Pacific, so it is not adapted for cold conditions. Plant your trees indoors if you are ready to use Norfolk Island Pine to decorate your home for the holidays. Put it anywhere that receives enough light once you’ve added your favorite ornaments to it.

Get these beloved houseplants and decorate them in the style you like. It’s never too early to get your home ready for Christmas.

Creative Ways to Arrange Plants in Your Home Office

Plants are a great way to help improve your productivity if you work from a home office. They can buffer distracting background noises, boost creativity, improve memory, and help you concentrate better.

The good news is that you can arrange plants in your office in many ways beyond setting them on a bookshelf or the corner of your desk! There are even ways to incorporate plants into a room with limited space.

Unique arrangement ideas

Set a traditional wooden coat rack or a contemporary metal one in the corner of your office, and hang plants from the hooks.
If you already have a window in your office with a curtain rod, you can put S-hooks on the curtain rod and then display hanging plants from the hooks. This placement is great for plants with higher light requirements. It also creates a privacy screen over your window if you use multiple plants.

To maximize a small space, install a hook from the ceiling or on empty wall space and group multiple plants from one hook. You can use a multi-tier plant hanger or hang multiple single hangers together.
Accent your office with an antique bar cart — or contemporary if you wish — to hold happy hour necessities and some of your favorite plants.
Create an air plant mobile to hang from the ceiling if you’re looking for a low-maintenance plant idea. Air plants don’t grow in soil, and to care for them, you can usually give them a quick mist or dunk them in water.

Tips for arranging plants in your office

Group plants in odd numbers and different heights to avoid the arrangement looking too formal.
Make sure containers with drainage holes have a saucer or catch tray underneath to avoid getting water all over the place.
When arranging plants, think about how easy it will be to water them (e.g., do you need to get a chair or step-stool out) and the possibility of damaging expensive office equipment if water leaks from the container.
Always ensure you’re placing plants where they can get the appropriate light to meet their needs.

Arranging Plants in Your Bedroom

Arranging plants can seem intimidating at first, but it doesn’t have to be! With a little bit of practice and the following tips, you’ll be styling your bedroom like a professional in no time at all.

Stick to odd numbers

When styling a space — and putting together floral arrangements — a common rule of thumb is to always work in odd numbers. Even numbered items tend to pair up together to give a formal look to a space, while odd numbers leave more of a spontaneous feel to a design.

The classic combination is a grouping of three, but it should look great as long as you stick to an odd number in the group.

Pair plants of different sizes

Always try to mix plants of different heights so they stand apart from one another. Add at least one plant into the group that is considerably taller than the rest. When everything is the same height, it will make the plants blend together.

Think about leaves

When it comes to the leaves, take a few minutes to think about both the color and texture. If you’re going for a cohesive look, choose plants that have the same color leaves and similar textures. If you want the plants to be an accent piece, choose plants in varying colors and textures.

Choose plants with interesting leaf textures like peperomia or zebra haworthia to keep a minimalistic design from looking one-dimensional. If your room already has textures from rugs, pillows, etc., add plants with smooth, glossy leaves to balance out the design.

Use leading lines

A plant’s leading lines are a perfect way to draw attention to specific features of your bedroom. An easy way to do this is to use ones with leaves that trail down or point upward.

Use plants like a snake plant that point upward to draw your eye to an interesting architectural ceiling or specific art on the bedroom walls. Plants with trailing vines like philodendrons or pothos can be set atop mantles to highlight a fireplace or placed on a shelf above furniture you want to highlight.

Use containers as another decor element

Similar to your plant colors, you can use containers in one of two ways when arranging plants. Use pots in similar colors with similar finishes to pull together a cohesive look, or combine different materials and colors to create an eclectic accent to your bedroom decor.

Try to have a commonality

When grouping plants together, you want them to look natural with one another. The best way to do this is to find a commonality, such as their primary hue or how their leaves spread out (e.g., dense or open and airy).

DIY Hanging Plant Ideas for Small Bathrooms

Bathrooms are a fantastic place to add humidity-loving plants that may struggle to grow in other, drier rooms of your home. They also add peace and tranquility to the space, creating a relaxing, spa-like feel.

Even small bathrooms can accommodate plants — you just need to get creative in arranging them so you don’t overwhelm the room. And one of the best ways to do this is to use vertical space and hang plants instead of setting them on counters, plant stands, or the edge of the bathtub.

Creative ways to hang plants in a small bathroom

Whether you want to hang plants above your tub or the sink, you can suspend an old wooden ladder horizontally from the ceiling. Then hang plants from the rungs of the ladder at different heights.
If you have a window in your shower, and you’re always looking for a way to let the light into the bathroom but keep your neighbors from seeing into the space, use plants to create a privacy screen. Hang them from the ceiling, the curtain rod, or install an expandable rod inside the window casing to cover parts of the window. Plants like philodendrons and pothos make excellent screens.

Install a second curtain rod for hanging plants for bathrooms with a fully enclosed shower. To create a unique display, turn the second curtain perpendicular to your main shower stall opening, situated closer to the back of the shower. Hang plants of various sizes and lengths to accent a plain wall.
Small bathrooms always benefit from multi-purpose items, so you can use this to your advantage. Install a long strip of vertical coat hooks on a wall with enough space for plants and towels.
Instead of confining items to the kitchen, take a pot rack and hang it in the bathroom for your plants. You can install it on the ceiling or hang it vertically on a wall.

Tiered rope or macrame plant hangers let you hang more than one plant vertically, maximizing available space. To create a lush display, fill the hanger with vining plants that drape down along the wall.
A simple way to hang plants in your bathroom is to install S-hooks in the ceiling and then use a chain or rope to suspend plants from the ceiling. You can hang multiple pots from each hook to add more plants to a small space.

DIY Creative Bedroom Plant Stands

When decorating your bedroom with plants, there are many creative ways to display them beyond the typical plant stand that you can purchase at your local home decor store. You can build your own if you are handy with tools or even repurpose used items and turn them into interesting plant displays.

What can you use for a plant stand?

With a bit of creativity, almost anything can be used to make, or turn into, a plant stand. People commonly use wood to build their own stands because it is easy to customize the size and design, which can then be stained or painted to match your aesthetic. You can build multi-tiered stands, ladder stands, corner stands, or simple stands that elevate single plants.

You can also take thrifted or used items and up-cycle them to create unique plant displays. Chairs, baskets, stools, and even vintage books can be used, opening up limitless options for your bedroom!

Creative ideas for displaying plants in your bedroom

Flip an old bureau drawer upside-down for a unique stand. You could distress the finish, change out the hardware, or even add legs to customize the look.
A discarded entry or hallway bench can be refinished or painted to your liking and then used as a plant stand against a wall or at the foot of your bed. Set it under a window for extra sun exposure, or leave an open spot, so you have a place to set and tie your shoes.
Add legs to wooden crates to raise your plants off the floor. Depending upon your plants, you can set plants inside the crate’s opening or flip them upside-down and use the bottom as the stand. Group numerous boxes of different sizes and heights to hold multiple plants and other knickknacks.

Look at local thrift stores for inexpensive lamps with unique frames inside the shade. You can strip off the shade and use the top or bottom circular frames to hold plants. Depending on the frame, you can flip it upside-down to change the look.
Buy a handful — or armload — of thick vintage books and stand them horizontally to create a one-of-a-kind stand. Opt for a mishmash of bright colors to complement your decor, or go with deep rich colors to create a classic, luxurious feel.

DIY Living Room Terrarium

Terrariums are a low-maintenance way to bring plants into your home in a beautiful, creative mannner. They were trendy in the 1960s and ’70s and are finding their way back into homes again.

Putting together a terrarium is a great way to customize something to your wants and likes. You can add the plants and features you want instead of purchasing a pre-constructed one.

Two types of terrariums

There are two different types of terrariums: open and enclosed displays.

Open terrariums have a glass display with an opening that allows moisture to escape, so it has less humidity. This type is typically used for succulents or cacti, which require less water.
Enclosed terrariums are what most people think of — glass structures that are sealed to create a high-humidity environment. The moisture continuously recycles itself, providing water for the plants, and can go months before you need to add water.

Terrarium supplies

Base: These materials form the bottom foundation that you’ll use for planting and include growing media, bark chips, moss, sand, activated charcoal, and some rocks.
Plants: Don’t go overboard. Remember, you’re working with limited space.
Accent pieces: Sticks, shells, figurines — anything to add your personal touch, just make sure they are colorfast.
Planting tools: Funnel, spoon or small scoop, long-handled tweezers, soft-bristled brush. These items will help make placing plants and accent pieces in the terrarium easier.
Spray bottle: One with a fine mist is best for watering plants.

Building the base layer of your terrarium

After pulling together supplies, it’s time to start building. Start at the bottom, and follow this order to make your terrarium.

A thin layer of material (small gravel, sand, or bark chips) creates a collection area for water.
A layer of activated charcoal filters and purifies the water.
A permeable barrier (moss, screen, or paper in matching colors) over the charcoal layer allows moisture through but prevents the growing media from settling.
A thicker layer of your chosen growing substrate to hold moisture and anchor your plants.

Arranging plants and accents

With the base layer in place, it’s time to secure your plants. Start by setting them in the terrarium to determine the best position. Then plant using the spoon and tweezers if necessary, being careful not to disrupt the growing medium.

Once you’re done planting, you can add moss, small gravel, or fine bark chips to cover the visible potting soil. Finish off by placing your accents!

Tips for building a living room terrarium

Choose clear glass instead of a colored glass container. The colored glass can block some light from reaching the plants.
Look for a vessel with a wide opening since it’s easier to add plants and other items when you’re putting it together.
Pick plants or varieties that stay shorter or are slow-growing, so they don’t quickly outgrow the space.
A thicker layer of your chosen growing substrate to hold moisture and anchor your plants.

Best Herbs to Grow in Your Kitchen

If you’re looking to grow herbs in your kitchen, you may be overwhelmed with all the choices and unsure where to start.

Most Commonly Grown Herbs

The following are traditionally grown herbs. They are usually popular because of the frequency they are used in recipes. Most people like having them on hand instead of needing to run to the store at the last minute.

Basil

Rosemary

Lavender

Cilantro

Parsley

Thyme

Oregano

Mint

Sage

Chives

Less-Frequently Grown Herbs

Depending on your lifestyle and taste, there are other fabulous herbs to grow. The following are grown less frequently, but if you use them in your cooking, they make a fantastic addition.

Bay laurel

Lemongrass

Tarragon

Dill

Lemon balm

Stevia

Savory

Chamomile

Marjoram

Catnip

Choosing What Herbs to Grow

How Much Light Do You Have

First, figure out how much sunlight you have in your kitchen, and then choose herbs that will grow well under those conditions.

Most herbs prefer direct light — i.eThe sun isn’t reflecting off another surface but hitting them directly — which makes them great plants for growing on a kitchen windowsill. But they may differ in the amount of direct light they need daily.

Group Plants by Light Requirements

One of the best ways to group herbs is by putting plants with the same sunlight needs together.

Group Plants by Water Requirements

You can also group herbs in one large container if they have the same water requirements.

Best Air-Purifying Plants

Plants add to your home’s decor, bringing in greenery and texture, and they also help clean your indoor air. While they aren’t as efficient as an air purifier or HEPA filter, they do work to increase the oxygen levels within your home and help filter out toxins and contaminants.

During the mid-20th century, NASA researchers discovered this fantastic ability when they were trying to find ways to clean the air aboard space stations while on extended space missions.

How Do Plants Purify the Air?

Plants help to clean the air while they are photosynthesizing. They pull in carbon dioxide from the air around the leaves and convert it into oxygen, which they release for us to breathe. At the same time, when they take the carbon dioxide in, they trap compounds like benzene, formaldehyde, smoke, viruses, and dust in a process known as phytoremediation.

Plant Characteristics to Look For

The Best Air-Purifying Plants for Your Home

Three of the best air-purifying plants are spider plants, snake plants, and aloe vera. These three plants are also relatively easy to grow, so you shouldn’t have much trouble keeping them alive, even if you’re a beginner or profess to have a black thumb.

If you’re looking to branch out beyond those three, don’t worry; plenty of other great plants help clean your air. The following air-purifying plants encompass various sizes, leaf shapes, statures, and colors to accent any decor:

Chrysanthemum

English ivy

Bamboo palm

Money plant

Flamingo lily

Red-edged dracaena

Boston fern

Calathea

Croton

Golden pothos

Chrysanthemum

Parlor palm

Peace lily

Chinese evergreen

Kentia palm

ZZ plant

Dumb cane

Areca palm

Weeping fig

Rubber plants

Best Plants for Direct Sunlight

A home with little natural light is often frustrating for homeowners trying to grow houseplants, who long for rooms filled with bright light. However, bright light streaming directly through windows for hours on end can be problematic for plants too and affect their growth as much as too little light.

Too much is not always better in the case of sunlight because not all plants can handle direct sunlight for long periods or even more than an hour or two. So, if you have a bright, sunny house, you must choose plants that have adapted to grow well in direct sunlight.

What Is Considered Direct Sunlight?

Direct sunlight is typically described as full sunlight streaming through a window that isn’t shaded by houses, buildings, trees, etc. If you held your hand up in this light, it would cast a hard shadow on the surface below with a defined outline.

Cacti for Direct Sunlight

Most cactus species like plenty of sunlight, but they prefer it to be filtered. When exposed to long periods of direct sunlight, you may see them turn light green in color. This bleaching occurs as the intense sunlight breaks down the chlorophyll in the plant.

The following cacti are tolerant of direct sunlight and won’t lighten in color:

Barrel cactus

Moon cactus

Nivosa cactus

Flowering Plants That Thrive in Direct Sunlight

If a flowering ornamental plant needs “full sun” to grow outdoors, it will typically grow well in direct sunlight inside. Some commonly grown full-sun plants include:

African violet

Bird of paradise

Gardenia

Hibiscus

Jasmine

Kalanchoe

Herbaceous Plants That Grow in Direct Sunlight

Areca palm

Begonia rex

Croton

Dracaena

Grapy ivy

Ponytail palm

Sago palm

Ti plant

Succulents That Like Bright Sunlight

Succulents tend to be more tolerant of bright, intense light than cacti, giving you many options to grow in your sunny home.

Aloe vera

Burro’s tail

Crown of thorns

Desert rose

Echeveria

Hens and chicks

Jade

Snake plant

String of pearls

Yucca

Zebra haworthia