Indoor Plants That Recreate The Cozy Christmas Look Year Round

Christmas has so many positive associations for so many people. Some may opt to keep parts of their home decorated for Christmas year-round, and who can blame them? Of course, if you don't want to go all-out and keep up tinsel and decorations, you can still channel a cozy Christmas vibe throughout the year by choosing the right houseplants. For starters, don't toss those poinsettias and Christmas cacti after the festivities are over. Pair them with plants like stunning flamingo flowers, fuzzy and colorful African violets, and elegant Norfolk Island pines to help capture that Christmas magic in any season. 

While it may sound obvious to grow poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) to help keep your Christmas vibe year-round, too many people simply discard their poinsettias after the holidays are over. Poinsettias are actually perennials in their native habitat. Because they thrive in part sun and like temperatures between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, it's relatively easy to keep poinsettias alive all year long, and they can fit in perfectly alongside other tropical houseplants.

Another plant that is far too often discarded after Christmas is the beautiful Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii). This charming succulent is beautiful with or without its flowers, which it produces in response to shortening days. A Christmas cactus is a houseplant that's easy to care for as long as it is grown in well-draining soil and is in a space with good lighting and temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Stunning flamingo flowers (anthurium spp.) are sure to make an impression thanks to their unique blooms. The bright red color they often boast is perfect for giving a suggestion of festive elegance, especially when contrasted against the plants' shiny green leaves. Flamingo flowers make relatively easy to care for houseplants, as they thrive in indirect light and prefer temperatures between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Because they benefit from high humidity, you may find them a perfect houseplant for your bathroom, helping you create cozy vibes in every room in your house.

If you associate Christmas with the warm, fuzzy feeling of being wrapped in a blanket, then African violets (Saintpaulia ionantha) can help you capture that same feeling in a plant. Their fuzzy leaves and delicate flowers are the epitome of cozy. African violets are known for being easygoing houseplants that thrive in indirect light and temperatures around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Of course, what could be more Christmassy than a pine tree? Despite the name, Norfolk Island pines (Araucaria heterophylla) aren't true pine trees, but these prehistoric conifers are perfect for creating a year-round focal point in your home that looks much like a Christmas tree. Norfolk Island pines can eventually reach heights of several feet, even when grown as potted plants, but if you have the space for them, they're an excellent tree for growing indoors. Some people even decorate theirs with lightweight ornaments to add an extra Christmas-like touch.

Unlike many true pine trees, these plants can't handle cold temperatures below the mid-30s Fahrenheit. Norfolk Island pines instead prefer to be around 60 degrees Fahrenheit, though they can also adapt to slightly warmer temperatures, making them appropriate houseplants for most people. They require bright light to thrive, so if you don't have a large, sunny window, you may need to invest in grow lights to help this houseplant flourish.