Flower calendar · December
December flowers: poinsettias, roses and Christmas
December turns red: the poinsettia celebrates its day on the 8th, millions of roses reach the Basilica of Guadalupe on the 12th and Christmas fills homes with flowers.
- Dates
- December 8 and 12Poinsettia and Guadalupe
- Star flower
- Poinsettianochebuena in Mexico
- In season in Spain
- Amaryllis and helleboreanemone, ranunculus, cyclamen
- In season in the Southern Cone
- Hydrangea and lilyChristmas in summer
Dates for giving flowers in December
| 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 |
On December 8 Mexico celebrates National Poinsettia Day, the cuetlaxóchitl of the Mexica, which today is the Christmas plant for half the world. Four days later, on December 12, millions of pilgrims bring roses to Our Lady of Guadalupe, in memory of the roses Juan Diego found on Tepeyac hill in the middle of winter. It is one of the biggest days of the year for rose sales in Mexico.
The rest of the month is all about Christmas: centerpieces, wreaths and plants to give to hosts and relatives. Other dates by country:
- December 1: Teachers’ Day in Panama.
- December 22: Educators’ Day in Cuba.
- December 31: in some places the new year is welcomed with yellow flowers to attract good luck.
Flowers in season in December
| Month | Spain | Mexico and Central America | Argentina, Chile and Uruguay |
|---|---|---|---|
| December | poinsettia, amaryllis, anemone, hellebore, ranunculus, cyclamen | poinsettia, rose, calla lily, gerbera, carnation | hydrangea, lilium, agapanthus, lavender, peony |
In Colombia, Ecuador and the Andes, the high-altitude climate lets growers produce roses, carnations, chrysanthemums, alstroemerias and hydrangeas all year round: that is why they are two of the world’s largest flower exporters. This table is a guide: the season changes with the area and the year, and greenhouses extend almost all of them.
In Spain it is the season of the poinsettia, the amaryllis, the hellebore or Christmas rose and the cyclamen, which blooms in the middle of winter; anemones and ranunculus return to the flower shops. In Mexico poinsettias from Morelos, Michoacán or Puebla fill the nurseries, and roses reach their second peak of the year. In Argentina, Chile and Uruguay Christmas comes in summer, with hydrangeas (in Argentina the poinsettia is called estrella federal), lilies, agapanthus, lavender and Chilean peonies.
What to give in December
- For a Christmas host: a potted poinsettia or amaryllis: they last for weeks and nobody has to hunt for a vase.
- December 12: red or white roses.
- To decorate the table: a low centerpiece with red roses, fir branches, holly and pine cones.
- For New Year’s Eve: yellow or white flowers, which symbolize good luck and a fresh start.
- In the southern summer: blue hydrangeas or white lilies.
Tips for the month
Poinsettias suffer with changes in temperature: wrap them in paper on the way home, place them in a very bright spot but out of direct sun and away from radiators, and water only when the soil is dry. Cut flowers also last less with the heating on: find the coolest corner for the vase.
And use the month to plan next year: download the flower calendar as a PDF or the reminders for your phone. Valentine’s Day comes sooner than you think.
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
Which flowers are given in December?
The poinsettia throughout the Christmas season, and roses on December 12 for Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico.
Why is December 8 Poinsettia Day?
Because on that day Mexico celebrates the Mexican origin of the flower, the cuetlaxóchitl, and the season for giving it begins.
Why are roses taken to Our Lady of Guadalupe?
Because, according to tradition, in 1531 Juan Diego carried roses from Tepeyac hill in his cloak (tilma), in the middle of December, and the image of the Virgin appeared on it.
Which flowers are in season in December?
In Spain, poinsettias, amaryllis, anemones, hellebores, ranunculus and cyclamen. In Mexico, poinsettias, roses and calla lilies. In the Southern Cone, hydrangeas, lilies, agapanthus and lavender.
Which flowers should you give at Christmas?
A potted poinsettia or amaryllis, a centerpiece with fir branches, holly and red roses, or a white and green bouquet with anemones and eucalyptus.
