What are the odds that, come Christmas time, you not only decorate according to the theme but also deck the halls and the rest of your home with Christmas plants?

 

Well, you’re not alone.

 

After all these plants are not only aesthetically pleasing but have meaning and symbolism as well. Armed with this knowledge, you’ll make better choices with the kind of Christmas plants you decorate your home with.

 

Christmas Plants

 

Holly

This medium-sized evergreen tree with distinctive red berries was considered by both pagans and Christians as a protective force against evil.

 

Ancient Druids, in particular, believe the holly’s protective qualities will safeguard them against evil spirits and bad luck.

 

Pagan folks consider the holly as one of the Christmas plants that house the Tree Spirits that will protect them during the twelve days after the winter solstice celebrations.

 

With the sun gone, pagans believe that evil spirits roam the earth and the holly provides protection. At the end of the interim, however, the Tree Spirit must be returned to the wild to slowly wake nature up and ensure a good harvest.

 

This is why many people believe that holly should only be kept as decoration until January 5. Past this date, the holly will bring bad luck.

 

In many Celtic-based traditions, the plant symbolizes the summer to winter transition.

 

 

Poinsettia

Also known as the Christmas flower or Christmas star, this Mexico native plant is associated with many legends.

 

One of the most popular is about a poor girl who gave Baby Jesus a bouquet of humble weeds. The weeds suddenly became brilliant red blooms.

 

 

Mistletoe

The berry-bearing evergreen shrub has legends rooted in Norse mythology and gave rise to the custom of exchanging gifts or kissing under the mistletoe.

 

This Christmas plant is associated with the legend of Freya, the goddess of love, wife of Odin, and the mother of Loki and Balder.

 

When Freya’s son Balder died, she cried copious tears that brought him back to life. In her joy, she kissed everyone who passed beneath the branches of the holly. It is believed that the goddess would protect everyone who stands under the humble mistletoe, making it a symbol of love and life that triumph over death.

 

Christian tradition adopted the symbolism and made mistletoe a symbol of love, protection, and good luck.

 

 

Butcher’s broom

Many consider this as a good luck plant and an appropriate Christmas decor, what with its bright green leaves and small red berries.

 

It is considered a symbol of wealth and good luck since ancient times. And because it is a perennial shrub, it is also a symbol of survival and life.

 

 

Amaryllis

Not exactly one of the Christmas plants with a legend behind it, this tall and striking flower was revered during the Victorian times. It is strongly associated with pride.

 

 

Christmas rose

Not exactly a rose but a member of the buttercup family, this Christmas plant has a story behind it with a little shepherd named Madelon as the main character.

 

The story has it that Madelon cried when he realized that he did not have a gift to give to the newborn king similar to what the three wise men and the shepherds bore when he saw them pass by.

 

An angel suddenly appeared and brushed away the snow that covered the beautiful dainty white flowers now known as the Christmas rose.

 

 

For more information on Christmas plants contact Green Thumb Interior today!

 

 

 

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