Christmas is a time for chilly nights, Santa-sights, and sweet delights.
Where there are family, friends, and gift-giving, flowers surely can’t be far behind!
We’ve gathered the top 12 Christmas flowers and what they symbolize to make your holiday floral gift that much more meaningful.
Top 12 Christmas Flowers and What They Mean
1. Hypericum Berries
Hypericum berries, otherwise known as, “the gift that keeps on giving.” Why, you ask? They’re not just berries! They actually flower first before producing these beautiful festive berries!
The Meaning of Hypericum Berries:
The name “hypericum” comes from the Greek word “hyper,” meaning “above,” and “eikon,” meaning “picture,” referring to the ancient tradition of hanging plants over images, pictures, and windows.
Hypericum berries come in red, white, and green—adding a festive holiday touch to any flower arrangement!
2. Poinsettia
Poinsettia, the ultimate holiday plant, the OG! Known for their classic red and green foliage, these stunning Christmas beauties are a holiday season staple all around the world.
You’ll usually find them in Christmas floral arrangements, churches, and perhaps on your doorstep with a bright red bow to match!
The Meaning of Poinsettia:
Over the years, the poinsettia has come to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem due to its shape, while its popular bright red color represents the blood of Christ. A true Christmas bloom!
3. Holly
Have a holly, jolly Christmas!
There’s no doubt these prickly little berries are a holiday favorite, but they’ve also been a dependable holiday decoration for thousands of years.
Since they’re a natural part of our winter landscape, they have provided a cheap and easy way to decorate for the holidays, and still do today!
The Meaning of Holly:
Holly has been a major religious symbol for over 2000 years. The ancient Romans even associated holly with their Sun god, Saturn.
Some believe holly to have held a major part in the Crucifixion of Christ—not just as a reminder but as an actual physical part of the event.
It is said that holly was the type of branch used to make Jesus’ crown of thorns.
4. Carnation
Carnations are a classic go-to for just about any occasion you can think of because of their color variety and general hardiness.
The Meaning of Carnations:
The red carnation can symbolize love, admiration, and friendship—so you really can’t go wrong!
They also come in green, white, and various variegated varieties!
5. Norfolk Island Pine
Ah, the Norfolk Island Pine.
These lovely trees make the perfect table-top Christmas tree for offices, apartments, or anywhere a large tree just won’t do.
Even better? They can grow indoors for many years and are fairly easy to maintain.
A study conducted by NASA found that Norfolk Island Pines purify the air indoors by removing VOCs (volatile organic compounds). VOCs are present throughout your home, as they are a result of many beauty products, dry-cleaned clothes, paint, permanent markers, glue, and cleaning products.
6. Rose
Emma Goldman said it best, “I’d rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck.” Take notes gift-givers!
Roses are just about the most popular flower around and come in every color imaginable.
The Meaning of Rose
The meaning of the rose depends on its color. Red roses, for example, symbolize love, white roses symbolize purity and innocence of youth, and green roses symbolize growth and abundance.
7. Amaryllis
Amaryllis is a tropical flowering plant. What makes them so popular at Christmas time? Well, when grown as a houseplant, they bloom throughout November and December!
The Meaning of Amaryllis
Amaryllis symbolizes three main things:
- Beauty: Obviously, look how beautiful they are!
- Attention: It’s no surprise these lovelies are incredible eye-catching
- Pride: Victorians considered these blooms to be a symbol of vanity and pride
8. Wax Flower
The perfect mixture of sugar, spice, and everything nice!
With their sweet fragrant blooms sprouting from spiky evergreen shrubs, these wildflowers are pros at spreading good vibes and good cheer.
The Meaning of Waxflower
These waxy umbels, (yes, they are actually quite waxy to the touch), are known for their ability to spread joy and happiness, and their extended vase life symbolizes a long and happy marriage. The perfect bloom for your spouse to wake up to on Christmas morning!
9. Holiday Foliage
It’s not a holiday arrangement without a bit of Christmas foliage!
Adding in a couple of sprigs of your holiday greenery of choice is enough to take your blooms from everyday to holiday.
Lovingly Momentmaker Spotlight! Lovingly affiliated local florist, Northwest Florist in Calgary, AB, handcrafted this stunning winter wedding bouquet using fresh holiday foliage.
10. Paperwhites
Paperwhites, also known as narcissus, don’t look like much of a holiday bloom, but when grown at home, you can “force” them to pop up right in time for the holidays!
The Meaning of Paperwhites
Paperwhites and other narcissus plants symbolize rebirth and renewal as they are among the first to bloom in the spring. They’re also super easy to force indoors by placing them in a cool room with strong, indirect sunlight and watering only the underside of the bulb.
11. Orchid
It’s no secret orchids make the best Christmas gift. They’re beautiful, low maintenance, and have a plethora of positive symbolism.
The Meaning of Orchids
Orchids symbolize perfection, beauty, love, and luxury. They’re also non-toxic to pets, making them perfect for animal lovers!
12. Bells of Ireland
We don’t know about you, but there’s just something about Bells of Ireland that screams Christmas.
Could it be the color? Could it be their bell-like shape?
You’ll often see these tall beauties in Christmas arrangements because of both!
The Meaning of Bells of Ireland
Bells of Ireland, while originally hailing from Turkey, represent an Irish good luck charm! The gifting of this Celtic-named bloom symbolizes good wishes and luck on the journey ahead.
