Houseplant Christmas Tree Alternatives
HOUSEPLANT ALTERNATIVES TO A TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS TREE
Looking for an alternative to a traditional fir Christmas tree? Whether you’d like a greener, more eco-friendly tree, are looking for something smaller but still festive, or just fancy something different from the boring old norm, we’ve got a huge range of indoor plants you can dress up with tinsel and baubles over the festive period and, come the new year, still have an awesome houseplant you can enjoy all year round.
WEEPING FIG
Ficus benjamina Danielle - Weeping Fig
The cascading green glossy leaves look fabulous after decorating with ornaments.
To prepare it as a Christmas tree, attach a few red baubles and it’s ready to rock!
Available in sizes up to 120cm tall, it's a great option if you're looking for an alternative Christmas tree with some height.
CROTON
Codiaeum Iceton - Croton
Warm ruby reds create a stunning show of festive foliage.
If you want an alternative Christmas tree but want to avoid the "why?" from irritating family members then we'd go with the Croton...
Why? Just look at that colour!
With a couple of sizes over a metre in height, you can go big but still reach to put the star on top from standing.
FICUS GINSENG
Ficus Ginseng - Indian Laurel
This brilliant bonsai tree is just screaming to be decked out for the festive period.
Dress it up with natural decorations like dried orange slices and pine cones for a small and sustainable Christmas tree look.
Available in sizes all under 45cm tall, if you're looking for something low-key but festive, the ginseng is the way to go!
FIDDLE-LEAF FIG
Ficus lyrata - Fiddle Leaf Fig
Tough enough to put lights on and a bigger size has a fantastic tree-like structure.
Want to know where it beats a Christmas tree hands down? Big broad leaves certainly mean you won't still be picking pine needles out of the carpet in March!
We've got mid to massive sizes and single or multiple stems to get the shape you want for your space.
RUBBER PLANT (ABIDJAN)
Ficus elastica Abidjan - Rubber Plant
We love the dark glossy leaves of the Abidjan in twinkling light.
The burgundy and red stems are a clear Christmas colour palette and look fabulous reflecting the colours of warm white fairy lights.
Available from table-top to towering sizes, go big and branched for a bold statement.
RED EDGED DRACAENA
Dracaena marginata - Red Edged Dracaena
The colours of Christmas are definitively red and green.
The long, thin, arching green leaves of the red edged Dracaena are (as their name suggests) edged in a dark red that's as festive as it is funky.
Reach heights of up to 140cm straight out of the box and go for multiple stems for a fuller look to your tree.
DRACAENA MARGINATA BICOLOUR
Dracaena marginata Bicolour
Take the festive colouring one step further than the red edged marginata by introducing some snowy whites.
Bicolour is a uniquely colourful variety whose tones look warming and vibrant all year round.
PHILODENDRON ERUBESCENS RED EMERALD
Philodendron erubescens Red Emerald
A lush, decorative foliage plant with large, oval, leathery leaves and vibrant red stems, Red Emerald brings warmth and freshness in equal measure.
With a moss pole bringing height and support to the plant's overall look, adorn the pole with lights and a star to take the weight off the bright but delicate stems.
ARECA PALM
Chrysalidocarpus lutescens - Areca Palm
Beautiful, bushy and bouncy. The fronds of the Areca are made for baubles!
Decorate with lightweight baubles and the fronds will move around as you brush past / give it a shimmy.
Available in sizes from 50cm - 170cm tall you can find an Areca to fit your space.
LONG LEAFED FIG
Ficus Alii - Long Leafed Fig
Ficus Alii tends to have a more slender and upright growth habit compared to traditional Christmas trees, making it perfect for smaller living spaces where a full-sized tree might be impractical.
With long narrow leaves that taper to a point, it's definitely got suitably festive pine needle vibes.
ZZ PLANT
Zamioculcas zamiifolia - ZZ Plant
You could be forgiven at this point for thinking we advise chucking some lights and a few baubles on your favourite houseplants and calling it an alternative Christmas tree...
Well, nothing could be closer to the truth.
If you like it - adorn it!
MOSS POLE PLANTS
Epipremnum Trebie - Satin Pothos Trebie - Moss Pole
Anything grown on a moss pole has great height and looks simply fantastic with or without a star on top!
Pothos (aka Devil's Ivy) is a great choice as it's super easy to look after and the satin version (pictured) has wonderful frosty looking leaves.
Add holly to your devil's ivy for an extremely festive look (sing-along optional... but encouraged)!
NORFOLK ISLAND PINE
Araucaria heterophylla - Norfolk Island Pine
Rather than a houseplant posing as a Christmas tree, the Norfolk Island Pine is a Christmas tree that can double as a houseplant.
Come the new year, take the decorations off and you're left with a strikingly geometric houseplant with fractal leaves for year round colour, vibrancy and texture.
It's a stylish alternative for a frumpy fir, without venturing into the territory of total eccentrics!.
