What is the Most Popular Christmas Plant?

What is the Christmas Plant Called?

The most popular Christmas plant is the poinsettia. They’re frequently just called the red Christmas flowers because that’s how socially accepted they are as the premier Christmas flower. Poinsettias are plants with very large oversized blossoming flowers. They’re bright red and have large green leaves below. There are other colors of poinsettias that are popular, but the red plant is most common and most sought after. If you want to try something nontraditional look for a light-red, pink, or white poinsettia instead.

The next time someone asks you, what is the red flower commonly used at Christmas, you’ll know to tell them it’s called a poinsettia. You can also let them know it most commonly it’s delivered in its plant form and not really as a flower by itself. People often say the center of this flower has green berries, but what you see are the bracts or involucre of the flower. They look like green or yellow berries, but these are actually nectar glands. If you were looking for what the Christmas plant is called, and it looks different than the poinsettia, there are some other popular choices. The following are very popular types of Christmas plants, though not as famous as the poinsettia.

Other Types of Famous Christmas Plants:

Amaryllis Plant

The amaryllis plant is also sometimes referred to as the Christmas flower, but is still greatly overshadowed by the poinsettia. This plant also has a large red budding flower and is frequently given around the holidays as a gift. Red amaryllis plants are slightly harder to find locally but are still favorites for Christmas. Whereas the poinsettia grows outward and creates a more full and rounded shape, the amaryllis plant grows upwards for a taller, slimmer silhouette. You can pick from red, jade green, white, hot pink, orange, and even double colored amaryllis plants. These plants are sometimes confused with lily plants, because their size and shape are similar. If you look closely you’ll note the differences immediately. The amaryllis has a soft fragility that the lily does not have. Also note the curved stigma of the amaryllis and the straight stigma of a lily.

Christmas Cactus

A cactus for Christmas? The Christmas cactus is a longtime favorite for shoppers all over the United States. This plant comes in a variety of colors, but not surprisingly, the red cactus plant is the most ordered online and in florist shops. Part of the reason for these potted plants popularity is the lack of care required. Cactus plants are good indoor plants that aren’t terribly high maintenance. Since they’re cacti they also don’t need constant watering. With a beautiful holiday colored red flower and simple care requirements, it’s easy to see why shoppers love them.

Christmas Tree

For some people it’s still hard to believe that their large Christmas tree is indeed a plant. You may not deliver a Christmas tree in the mail like these other holiday plants, but it is technically a Christmas plant. When someone wants to send Christmas tree plants, they typically opt for Christmas tree bouquets like these instead. In fact, these miniature trees are so popular you can even pick from different shapes, sizes, and even pick which colored ornaments and decorations you like best.

Holly Plant

Holly plants, or rather holly bushes, are sent as gifts as much as the other varieties mentioned here, but they’re frequently used for decorating. You’ll often find holly berry stems used in Christmas wreaths and centerpieces for the dining table around the holiday season. Oddly enough, though holly berries are the most famous Christmas berry, these plants don’t grow well in snow as they’re portrayed. They get easily damaged by snow and wind too. They grow most easily during the spring and fall. If you look at historical photos, you’ll also see holly berries used in the spring for the most fashionable women’s hats.

Something Funny to Note

The most famous flowers for Christmas time aren’t really flowers, they are in fact plants. Not only are they plants, but they’re tropical plants. The famous Christmas song Mele Kalikimaka makes more sense now doesn’t it? Now that you have all the information about Christmas plant types, you’ll know how to answer that age-old question that repeats every year. What is the name of the red Christmas flowers? It’s the poinsettia, and if that’s not it, then you now know what the plants are called.

Mistletoe

It wouldn’t be Christmas without mistletoe. Everyone who has read any kind of Christmas story knows that hanging mistletoe above their door will result in free kisses for all who venture below it. You won’t find a mistletoe plant at your local florist though, and there are a few reasons for that. Not only is this a poisonous Christmas plant, but it’s also grown in the desert. This parasitic plant is dangerous when ingested by anyone, including your pet. Since it’s also originally from the desert, you can guess how long it will last outside in the snow hanging above your door. Knowing all of this, people still love the thematic holiday representation that it offers. Do yourself a favor and buy some fake mistletoe and hang it safely outside your door. You can still spread the love this holiday season without a real parasite attached to your doorstep.