Guide · December
Christmas flowers: what to give in December
The poinsettia is the queen, but not the only one. The flowers and plants people give at Christmas, what each one means and how to keep them alive until the New Year.
- When
- Decemberfrom December 8 to Epiphany
- Most gifted
- Poinsettiathe Christmas flower
- Colors
- Red, white and greenwith touches of gold
- Tip
- A plant beats a bouquetit lasts all season
The queen: the poinsettia
The poinsettia is the Christmas plant par excellence. It is native to Mexico, where the Mexica called it cuetlaxóchitl, and it reached the United States and Europe in the 19th century thanks to the diplomat Joel Poinsett, which is why it is called poinsettia in English. December 8 is National Poinsettia Day in Mexico:
| Date | What is celebrated and why | Flower | Color | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| every year | National Poinsettia Day (Mexico) The Christmas flower is Mexican: in Nahuatl it is called cuetlaxóchitl. On December 8 its origin is celebrated and the season for giving and decorating with it begins. | Poinsettia (cuetlaxóchitl) | Red | Mexico |
| every year | Our Lady of Guadalupe According to tradition, in 1531 Juan Diego carried roses from Tepeyac hill in his cloak (tilma), in the middle of December. That is why every December 12 millions of people bring roses to the Basilica. | Roses | Red | Mexico |
What look like red petals are bracts, leaves that change color as the nights get longer. Besides the classic red there are white, pink, salmon and marbled poinsettias.
Other Christmas flowers and plants
- Amaryllis: huge red or white trumpet-shaped flowers on a tall stem. It is given as a bulb and blooms in a few weeks, just in time for the holidays.
- Hellebore or Christmas rose: it blooms in midwinter, with white or pinkish flowers. It symbolizes hope in the coldest days.
- Cyclamen: a houseplant with pink, red or white flowers that lasts all winter in a cool spot.
- Christmas cactus: it blooms in December with hanging pink or red flowers, and does so again every year.
- Holly and mistletoe: more branches than flowers, for wreaths and centerpieces. Mistletoe is the one with the kissing tradition.
- White orchid: elegant, lasts for weeks and goes with any decor. There is a guide to the orchid.
Bouquets to give at Christmas
If you prefer cut flowers, Christmas bouquets usually combine red or white roses, ranunculus, anemones or amaryllis with fir, eucalyptus, pine cones, cinnamon or hypericum berries. In December, in Spain, these are in season:
- Anemones, ranunculus and hellebores.
- Amaryllis and cyclamen.
- Greenhouse roses and carnations, which in December come mostly from Colombia and Ecuador.
You will find the full list of this month’s seasonal flowers on the December page.
What the Christmas colors mean
Red is joy, love and celebration; white, peace and purity; green, hope and life that goes on in winter. There is more in the guides to red flowers and white flowers.
Tips for giving flowers at Christmas
- A plant beats a bouquet: a poinsettia or an amaryllis lasts the whole season; a bouquet may not make it to New Year’s Eve.
- Watch out for cold on the way home: the poinsettia drops its leaves if it gets cold, even briefly. Ask for it to be well wrapped.
- Away from heating: dry heat shortens the life of any flower.
- If you have pets, keep holly and mistletoe out of their reach: their berries are toxic.
Remind me 3 days before
Download the reminder and open it with your phone’s calendar: it repeats every year and alerts you three days before, so you have time to order the bouquet.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Christmas flower?
The poinsettia. It is native to Mexico, where it is called cuetlaxóchitl or nochebuena, and its red “petals” are actually leaves that change color as the days get shorter.
Which flowers are given at Christmas?
Besides the poinsettia: amaryllis, hellebore or Christmas rose, cyclamen, Christmas cactus, white orchids and bouquets of red or white roses with fir, holly or eucalyptus.
What does mistletoe mean?
In the Anglo-Saxon tradition, two people who meet under a sprig of mistletoe should kiss. It symbolizes love, peace and good luck for the new year.
Is the poinsettia poisonous?
Much less than people think. Its milky sap can irritate the skin and, if a pet eats it, cause mild vomiting, but it is not deadly. Holly and mistletoe berries are more toxic.
How do I keep a poinsettia alive until the New Year?
Put it somewhere with plenty of light and no drafts, away from radiators. Water it only when the soil is dry and don’t leave water in the saucer. When you buy it, don’t let it travel unwrapped in the cold.
