Christmas isn’t Christmas without some colourful houseplants to add to the festive mix so make a splash with some traditional varieties to provide some gorgeous natural colour and fragrance to your home.
⭐ Poinsettia – A Festive Favourite
A houseplant that is synonymous with the season is the Poinsettia (Euphorbia Pulcherrina), also known as the Mexican Flame leaf as it originates from Mexico. Generally grown as a garden plant that flowers in winter, the Poinsettia is also available as an indoor plant, having been specifically grown to flower during the festive season. The colourful ‘flowers’ are actually leaf bracts in a variety of colours, with red and white being the most popular. The true flowers are actually small yellow flowers in the centre of the coloured bracts. Keep the plant in a well-lit area out of direct sunlight. Once the plant has died back the Poinsettia can be planted in the garden, in a semi-shaded area. Once settled it will revert to flowering every year.
🌺 Amaryllis – Dramatic Festive Blooms
For a really dramatic effect the beautiful, showy Amaryllis (Hippeastrum), with rich crimson double or single trumpet shaped blooms will make a stunning statement plant. Easy to grow it is a large bulb that, once potted up, needs little attention. Once developed the plant will need staking and the pot turned regularly to prevent the plant leaning toward the light. Once the plant has died back it can be removed from the pot, dried and stored to be replanted the for another year.
🌞 Kalanchoe – Bright and Cheerful
The Kalanchoe has succulent foliage with clusters of bright red, orange or yellow flowers and thrives in a sunny position.
🌵 Christmas Cactus – Low Maintenance Festive Charm
Another favourite festive indoor plant is the very low maintenance Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera) which has very unique stems topped an array of colourful flowers. This plant likes a cool, bright light and minimal watering.
💗 Cyclamen – Delicate Winter Colour
Cyclamens have lovely heart-shaped leaves, and the pretty flowers are available in a variety of shades. They will bloom well into spring then become dormant until new growth appears.
Browse Our Online Nursery
Village Gardens is widely recognised as one of Cape Town’s best landscaping and garden design firms. Based in the Southern Suburbs, they pair creative vision with environmental sensitivity—specialising in water-wise, indigenous, edible and wildlife-friendly gardens.