Adding festive foliage and flowers to your outdoor spaces as the holiday season draws near can bring the joy of Christmas right to your doorstep. The greatest Christmas plants for outdoor spaces are shown in this guide to help you create a charming and joyous ambiance.
Now let’s dive right in to the top Christmas plants for adorning your home’s exterior throughout this joyous season:
Christmas Rose
The Christmas rose (Helleborus niger) is a perennial that blooms gracefully during the winter months. Plant it in late autumn or early winter in shaded areas with well-drained soil for the best results. Its pristine white flowers add a serene touch to your garden during the coldest months.
For decorative purposes, group Christmas roses in clusters around garden beds or place them in pots near your entrance for a warm welcome.
Mistletoe
Mistletoe is a quintessential Christmas plant, thriving when grafted onto the branches of trees like apple or oak in early winter. Its evergreen leaves and white berries make it a charming addition to trees and shrubs.
Hang mistletoe in prominent outdoor locations or incorporate it into wreaths and garlands to enhance the festive atmosphere.
Holly
Holly, with its glossy green leaves and vibrant red berries, is a staple of Christmas decor. Plant holly in early spring in well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade. Its vivid colors and texture can brighten up any garden.
Use holly branches to create natural wreaths or to decorate garden borders and entryways for a festive touch.
Norfolk Island Pine
The Norfolk Island pine is a versatile evergreen suitable for both indoor and outdoor settings. Plant it in spring or early summer in bright light and well-drained soil. Its symmetrical shape and soft needles make it an ideal living Christmas tree.
Enhance its festive appeal with lights and ornaments, whether it’s placed on patios or near entryways.
Ivy
Ivy’s trailing vines and lush green leaves make it perfect for Christmas decorations. Plant ivy in spring or autumn in well-drained soil. It can be draped over fences, trellises, and railings, adding a cascading effect that complements other holiday plants.
Incorporate ivy into wreaths or garlands to add a natural, evergreen touch.
Frosty Fern
The frosty fern (Selaginella kraussiana) is a distinctive plant with a frosted appearance, ideal for winter displays. Plant it in early winter in cool, shaded areas with consistently moist soil. Its delicate, white-tinged foliage resembles freshly fallen snow.
Use frosty ferns in hanging baskets or as ground cover to create a whimsical, wintery look in your garden.
Lemon Cypress
Lemon cypress trees feature bright, lemon-scented foliage and a conical shape. Plant them in spring or early summer in full sun and well-drained soil. Their vibrant color stands out in winter gardens, making them excellent for pots and containers.
Decorate lemon cypress trees with lights and small ornaments to create a cheerful outdoor display.
Ornamental Cabbage and Kale
Ornamental cabbage and kale are cool-season plants that bring bold color and texture to your garden. Plant them in early autumn in well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade. Their ruffled leaves in purple, pink, and white provide a striking contrast against the winter landscape.
Use these plants in garden beds or containers for a unique visual interest in your holiday decor.
Paperwhite Narcissus
Paperwhite narcissus is a fragrant winter-blooming bulb that produces clusters of white flowers. Plant the bulbs in late autumn in well-drained soil in sunny or partially shaded areas. Their sweet scent and delicate blooms add freshness to the winter air.
Plant paperwhites in groups in garden beds or containers for an elegant and fragrant touch.
Cyclamen
Cyclamen plants are known for their striking flowers and attractive foliage. Plant them in late autumn in cool, shaded areas with well-drained soil. These hardy plants bloom in shades of pink, red, and white, brightening up your garden during the winter months.
Use cyclamen in garden beds, rock gardens, or containers to add color to your outdoor space.
Bosc Pear Trees
Bosc pear trees not only provide delicious fruit but also add rustic charm to your garden. Plant them in early spring in well-drained soil with full sun. Their elongated pears can be harvested during the winter, making them both practical and decorative for the holiday season.
Decorate the trees with simple ornaments or ribbons for a natural holiday look.
Rosemary
Rosemary is a fragrant herb that can be shaped into small, festive topiaries. Plant it in spring or early summer in full sun and well-drained soil. Its needle-like foliage and aromatic scent make it a versatile addition to outdoor Christmas decorations.
Trim rosemary into various shapes or use it in pots to create aromatic topiaries that enhance your holiday decor.
Spruce
Spruce trees, including white and blue spruce, are classic choices for outdoor Christmas trees. Plant them in early spring in well-drained soil and full sun. Their dense, evergreen foliage and conical shape make them ideal for decorating with lights and ornaments.
Use spruce trees as living Christmas trees or plant them in the garden for year-round beauty and festive cheer.
Christmas Camellia
The Sasanqua camellia, or Christmas camellia, blooms from late fall to early winter. Plant it in early autumn in well-drained, acidic soil and partial shade. Its delicate flowers in pink, white, and red bring a burst of color to your garden during the colder months.
Use Christmas camellias as focal points in your garden or plant them near entryways to greet guests with festive blooms.
Pine
Pine trees, known for their long, needle-like leaves and conical shape, are synonymous with Christmas. Plant them in early spring in well-drained soil and full sun. They can serve as living Christmas trees or be planted in the garden to add a touch of natural beauty.
Decorate pine trees with lights and ornaments for a traditional holiday look.
Snowdrop
Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) are among the first flowers to bloom in winter. Plant the bulbs in early autumn in shaded areas with well-drained soil. Their delicate white flowers resemble drops of snow, adding elegance to your garden.
Plant snowdrops in clusters under trees or along garden paths for a charming winter display.
Balsam Fir
The balsam fir is a traditional Christmas tree known for its fragrant needles and symmetrical shape. Plant it in early spring in well-drained soil in cool climates. As an outdoor plant, it adds a festive touch to your garden.
Decorate balsam firs with ornaments and lights for a classic Christmas tree look in your outdoor space.
Juniper
Junipers are versatile evergreens available in various shapes and sizes. Plant them in early spring in well-drained soil with full sun. Their blue-green foliage and aromatic scent make them excellent for outdoor Christmas decorations.
Use junipers as ground cover, hedges, or accent plants, and decorate them with lights for a festive touch.
Mahonia
Mahonia, with its spiky leaves and clusters of yellow flowers, adds a unique element to winter gardens. Plant it in early autumn in shaded areas with well-drained soil. This evergreen shrub blooms in late winter, offering a burst of color when most plants are dormant.
Use mahonia as a focal point in your garden or in shaded borders to add winter interest.
Pansy
Pansies are cheerful flowers that bloom in a wide range of colors. Plant them in early autumn in well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade. They are perfect for adding a pop of color to garden beds, containers, and window boxes.
Use pansies to brighten up your outdoor spaces and create colorful holiday arrangements.
Dwarf Alberta Spruce
The dwarf Alberta spruce is a compact evergreen with a dense, conical shape. Plant it in early spring in well-drained soil and full sun. It’s ideal for small spaces and can be decorated with lights and ornaments to create a festive focal point.
Use dwarf Alberta spruce trees in containers or as small garden accents for a charming holiday display.
Christmas Box
The Christmas box (Sarcococca) is an evergreen shrub with glossy leaves and fragrant white flowers. Plant it in early autumn in well-drained soil in shaded areas. It blooms in late winter, adding a sweet scent to your garden.
Use a Christmas box as ground cover or in hedges, enjoying its subtle but charming presence in your winter garden.
Snowberry
Snowberries produce clusters of white berries that resemble snowballs. Plant them in early spring in well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade. These deciduous shrubs add a touch of winter magic to your garden.
Use snowberries in borders or as accent plants, and enjoy their unique berries that persist into winter.
Wintergreen
Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) is a low-growing evergreen with glossy leaves and red berries. Plant it in early spring or autumn in well-drained soil and shaded areas. Its festive appearance and aromatic scent make it a popular choice for Christmas decorations.
Use wintergreen as ground cover, in rock gardens, or in containers to add color and fragrance to your holiday garden.
Dogwood
Dogwoods, such as yellow twig and red twig varieties, add striking visual elements to winter gardens. Plant them in early spring in well-drained soil with full sun. Their vibrant stems provide color and interest when many plants are dormant.
Use dogwood twigs in holiday arrangements and wreaths for a bold statement in your garden decor.