How to Sustainably Decorate Your House for Christmas

‘Tis the season to be jolly, but why not also make it a sustainable one? Festive decoration is at the forefront of everyone’s mind as the holidays steadily approach—after all, that’s why you’re reading this article—but consider just how many Christmas trees, plastic ornaments, and fake plants will be thrown out after the celebration ends.

Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be this way. We’ll help you festivize your home in a low-waste, eco-friendly way using indoor plants.

Note: plants known to be toxic to pets are marked with a * symbol.

Your Christmas Tree

What Christmas is complete without a Christmas tree? These evergreen conifers will both look the part and can be either rented for or planted after the holidays:

• Spruces. These plants are probably what first comes to mind when you think of Christmas trees. No need to cut down a forest tree—a potted, living spruce will be far jollier. Blue, Norway, and Canadian spruces are all fine options for indoor growing.

• Firs. Another classic option. Although they look very similar to spruces, firs generally have softer needles and more densely packed branches. Here, we recommend getting Balsam or Douglas firs.

• Junipers*. For those that want a bit more out of their tree, this plant will enhance the holiday mood with its incredible fragrance. It’s also quite easy to shape into whatever form you’d like! The Eastern red cedar*—which isn’t a cedar at all, but actually a juniper—is the traditional pick amongst these conifers.

• Norfolk pines*. Hardy in USDA zones 9 and above, they are well-suited for climates with summers too harsh for most classic Christmas trees. High humidity is key to keeping them healthy.

• Cypresses. Heat- and drought-tolerant cypresses are a popular alternative to spruces and firs due to their similar conical growth. A Leyland cypress will do well in your home.

Standalone Ornamentals

Though Christmas trees tend to steal the show, other plants can enhance the holiday mood just as well. Here are some options to provide plant-y of festive cheer:

• Poinsettia*. A tried and true Christmas classic, valued for its vibrant blooms that appear just in time for the season. Sadly, it’s just as traditional to throw them out after they’re done flowering. You can get your poinsettia to bloom again by cutting back its flowering stalk and providing it with plenty of food and sunlight up to the beginning of fall. You’ll need to ensure it gets at least 12 hours of darkness daily until November, when it typically begins producing its first flower buds.

• Florist’s kalanchoe*. Succulents in general have now become popular Christmas plants, but the florist’s kalanchoe has been one long before that. Its ‘Calandiva’ cultivar is particularly beloved for its bushy, 32-petaled flowers. To get it to rebloom, follow all the steps described for the poinsettia. While the florist’s kalanchoe is in its foliage stage, you can easily propagate it via cuttings to get even more flowery goodness ready for the next holidays.

• Christmas cactus*. Another common seasonal plant, this cactus differs from most in that it’s accustomed to the humid, partially shaded environment of a tropical rainforest. It’s easily confused with the Thanksgiving cactus, as they tend to bloom around a similar time. To tell the difference, look at the stems—they should be smooth, without pointy edges.

• Amaryllis*. A splash of tropics amidst the winter hues, the amaryllis is a bulbous perennial with stylish and large, typically red flowers. It’s hard to understand those that dispose of them after the season, since this plant can still show off its glossy green foliage throughout the year (especially if it’s variegated). Post-bloom amaryllis care is, again, very similar to that of poinsettia up until mid-fall, when you’ll need to make the plant go into dormancy. Store its bulb in a darker location at a temperature of 50–55°F (10–13°C) for at least 2 months with little watering. Afterward, cut off the brown leaves and “wake” the amaryllis by bringing it back into bright, warm (70°F/21°C) conditions.

• Coral ardisia*. Similarly to plants like holly or mistletoe, the coral ardisia produces plenty of berries throughout winter. It makes for a great houseplant: it’s not fussy, it’s slow-growing, and it consistently flowers without manual intervention for years on end. That’s why this shrub should be kept indoors—outside, it easily becomes invasive due to its undemanding nature and interest to birds.

Green DIY

Making Christmas decorations yourself can be quite rewarding! Are you ready to show off your stylish handiwork? Then arm yourself with creativity and patience for these plant-based ideas:

• Garlands. To make this trailing holiday staple, first pick what will serve as its base. This role is traditionally given to conifer branches, especially those of pines and spruces, but you can also use vining plants like the English ivy*. Unwind a length of florist wire and bind the branches or vines along it using another piece of wire until you’ve reached the desired density. Next up, it’s time to pick some accents. There’s no need to stick to pinecones, holly* berries, or bows—go wild! Use dried fruits and herbs for an aromatic composition. For a more rustic feel, add apples and a checkered ribbon. Salt dough ornaments are a wonderful option for zero-waste decoration and can easily be made at home to give your garland a unique and natural look.

• Wreaths. What is a wreath but a garland tied into a ring? Well, there’s an important distinction—you’ll need to use a sturdier, less flexible wire for it to maintain its shape. A popular way to make an interesting indoor wreath is to add in some succulents. Rosette succulents like Echeveria*, Sempervivum, Graptopetalum, or Aeonium keep your wreath flush and tidy, while the string-of-pearls* or burro’s tail* will make for an interesting hanging addition. The best part is—you’ll get to take them out after the holidays are over. Don’t purchase spray-painted succulents, as the paint will prevent them from growing normally.

• Arrangements. These require less time, but they’re no less of a great decor element. Start by picking a container—whether it be a vase, a pot, a mug, or even a jar—then have fun filling it up! Conifer branches and pinecones alone make a fine arrangement, but you can also enhance the composition by using dried flowers like lavender*, heather* or Hydrangea*, as well as dried grasses. The right type of candy cane can make for a tasteful addition. Tie everything together with some felt or a ribbon and voila—you have yourself an ornament to last through the whole season or more!

We hope these ideas will inspire you to approach your seasonal decoration with a greener mindset. Happy Holidays!