Deck the Halls With the Best Christmas Plants This Winter

After you've made a trip to the Christmas tree farm and decorated your tree in style, it's time to add another layer of beauty to your holiday decorations—and there’s no better way to do so than with live Christmas plants. The best thing about plants is that you can appreciate them for the season without a lot of fussing or care requirements. (They also make great gifts for gardeners!) Some of the best Christmas plants last for years, so you can enjoy them as year-round houseplants. Others, like poinsettias, are meant to be kept for a brief time before being composted. There are even a few Christmas plants that can be planted outdoors when spring arrives!

Many potted plants come with a foil pot cover; remove it so the water doesn’t pool in the bottom, because no plant likes wet feet. If you like, drop the plant in a decorative pot (there’s no need to repot it), or if you want to keep the foil cover on, poke holes in it and make sure there’s a saucer beneath the pot to catch excess water so furniture isn’t damaged. Also, as with any plant, keep them out of reach of curious pets. Most are not toxic but any plant can cause tummy upset and vomiting if your cat or dog eats enough of them—so it's best to be on the safe side and keep nibblers from getting too close!

Ahead, you'll find the best Christmas plants to decorate your home this holiday season.