How do I decorate my houseplants for Christmas? Most of us have beautiful and extensive collections of houseplants scattered around our homes, and these natural accents can provide the perfect platform for a truly unique Christmas display.
Instead of pushing your houseplants aside to make room for holiday decor, why not push them front and center and make them a fun and festive focal point? From ornaments to tinsel and string lights, there are so many creative ways you can elevate your houseplants by incorporating them into your Christmas decorating ideas.
Whether you’re thinking of using your giant monstera as a Christmas tree – no doubt a spectacular sight, or looking for a quick and easy way to make your home feel festive, and make the most of your houseplants this holiday season.
How do I decorate my houseplants for Christmas?
Just like Christmas leaves ideas (opens in new tab)decorating your houseplants can help your Christmas decor have a green and natural focus, full of unique charm – after all, green is one of the main colors of Christmas!
Explore our favorite festive ideas below that address the question, how do I decorate my houseplants for Christmas?
1. Decorate them with festive ornaments
(Image credit: Getty Images)
It’s as simple as that! Just as you would hang ornaments on your Christmas tree, turn to your houseplants instead and bring them to life with a colorful collection of Christmas decorations.
Of course, be careful with more delicate plants, and try not to use ornaments that are too heavy or will harm stems or branches in any way.
If you’re worried about plant damage, or fake plants and flowers are more your style, below, British interior designer Abigail Ahern (opens in new tab) shows how you can make faux botanicals feel fun and festive by decorating them with ornaments.
2. Buy a festive plant pot
(Image credit: Sophie Conran)
A festive planter doesn’t have to feature images of Rudolph or Santa Claus, it can be as beautiful and elegant as this Red Cirque Striped Planter (opens in new tab) by Sophie Conran.
Handmade and hand painted by skilled artisans for a unique finish, we love the joyful striped design, finished with scalloped edges and soft gold ring handles for elegant detail. Adding a colourful, uplifting and playful element to the beautiful orchid display, this decorative planter is a design that subtly and stylishly embodies what Christmas is all about, fun.
For other festive planter ideas, think about shimmering metallics and the ‘classic’ colors of Christmas such as red, green and gold, or if you’re feeling creative, buy a plain terracotta pot and decorate it with a hand-painted Christmas design.
3. Enhance your plants with flashing lights
(Image credit: Alamy)
Change your plants from green to gold with added Christmas light decorations.
From string lights to individual lights that can be inserted into the soil of your plant pot, decorating with lights is a quick and easy way to turn your houseplants into a truly unique indoor Christmas lighting idea.
Below, TikTok user megantinxie shows us how she uses a set of 3 Dewdrop Stake Lights from Target (opens in new tab) to add a glittery, festive touch to her rubber plant.
We also love the Dewdrop Fairy String Lights from Target (opens in new tab)ideal for draping around a larger houseplant, and the versatile indoor-outdoor LED plant lights (opens in new tab) from Ballard Designs.
@megantinxie (opens in new tab)
♬ It’s starting to look a lot like Christmas – Bing Crosby (opens in new tab)
4. Create cozy container lids
(Image credit: Bloom & Wild)
We can’t get over how cute this trio of festive cacti is (opens in new tab) is from Bloom & Wild, with each cactus adorned with a colorful knitted pot and wrapped up warm with a knitted beanie, scarf and earmuffs.
A charming festive scene to display over the winter months, we think these cacti make a perfect Christmas table gift idea – a definite conversation starter at the dinner table!
If you want to achieve a similar look for your existing planters and fancy yourself a bit of an artist, TikTok user olivebranchcottage shows us below how you can use old sweaters to make cozy covers for your houseplants.
@olyfbranchcottage (opens in new tab)
♬ All I Want For Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey (opens in new tab)
Can you put Christmas lights on houseplants?
Yes, you put Christmas lights on houseplants. Just remember, removing the lights after the festive season as if left on too long can affect plant growth, and watch that the lights don’t get super hot as heat can damage the plant.
As long as you are careful and delicate in your decorating process, lights and ornaments should not harm your plants in any way.
Can I use a houseplant as a Christmas tree?
Natural! There are no rules when it comes to styling and decorating your home for the festive season, and if you want to break with tradition, there are so many houseplants you can use Christmas trees – big and small.
A houseplant Christmas tree is not only low maintenance, but it is also a good solution for smaller spaces where space for a Christmas tree can be difficult.
Whether you want to create a fun Christmas tree in a child’s bedroom, or have a giant houseplant in your living room that is the perfect Christmas tree size, there is a lot of fun to be had with alternative Christmas tree ideas.
