by Kate Evans
Flowering plants that have long been associated with the Christmas season can brighten your home at the holidays with their brilliant colors. Some flowers have special symbolism while others derive their Christmas significance from legends or myths.
Poinsettia
The most well-known Christmas flower is the poinsettia, which is also known as the Christmas Star, Winter Rose, the Mexican flame flower, painted leaf or nochebuena, which means the Christmas Eve flower. It is native to Mexico and Central America.
The poinsettia was named after Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States Minister to Mexico and a botanist.
The poinsettia features striking red and green foliage. Its star-shaped leaf pattern is said to represent the Star of Bethlehem and its red hue symbolizes the blood that Jesus shed in the crucifixion. It is a centerpiece of many Christmas floral displays.
A Mexican legend tells of a child that had no means to buy a gift to bring to church one Christmas Eve and gathered weeds from the roadside for the altar. A Christmas miracle occurred as the congregation watched the weeds turn into beautiful red and green flowers.
In Mexico, poinsettia shrubs can reach up to 10 feet in height outdoors. In the United States, poinsettia plants are indoor potted plants. Hybrid poinsettia plants come in a variety of colors, including red, white, yellow, pink, peach, purple and marbled. Red is the most common color, signifying holiday cheer.
Amaryllis
Amaryllis belladonna is native to the Western Cape region of South Africa.
Amaryllis reportedly symbolizes love, beauty, determination, hope and achievement.
Amaryllis began to be cultivated in the early 18th century. In Australia it was crossed with another species to create hues such as white, cream, peach and red. The hybrid plants were crossed again with the original Amaryllis belladonna and each other for further variations in colors, flower sizes, shapes, veining, different centers and stem heights.
A Greek myth about the origin of the amaryllis flower is based on the legend of the nymph Amaryllis who was deeply in love with the shepherd Alteo. She consulted the oracle of Delphi to find out how she could win his love. Alteo loved flowers and nature.
Amaryllis was advised to pierce her heart with an arrow and appear at Alteo’s cottage every day for 30 days, with drops of her blood falling along the path each time. On the 30th day, scarlet flowers bloomed along the path. Amaryllis picked several and gave them to Alteo. He fell in love with her, Amaryllis’ heart was healed and the flower was named after her.
Christmas cactus
The genus Schlumbergera includes the house plants commonly called Christmas cactus, Thanksgiving cactus or holiday cactus in the Northern hemisphere. Schlumbergera is found in the coastal mountains of south-eastern Brazil and grows in moist forests or rocky areas that are usually shady with high humidity. The cacti reportedly grow at altitudes raging from 2,300 feet to 9,120 feet.
In Brazil Schlumbergera cacti are known as Flor de Maio or May Flower because of when they flower in the Southern hemisphere. Cultivars of these cacti have white, pink, yellow, orange, red or purple flowers.
The term holiday cactus has been used to refer to both the Christmas cactus and the Easter cactus.
Mistletoe
Mistletoe is a parasitical plant that attaches itself to a tree or shrub and extracts water and nutrients from its host.
European mistletoe (Viscum album) is only native to the British Isles and Europe and has clusters of white berries. A related species with red berries (Viscum cruciatum) is found in southwest Spain, southern Portugal, Morocco and southern Africa.
Mistletoe (Viscum album) was introduced to northern California in 1900. Eastern mistletoe that is native to North America is called Phoradendron leucarpum and has bigger clusters with more berries.
In Virgil’s “Aeneid,” the Trojan hero Aeneas used mistletoe (the Golden Bough) to reach the underworld to speak to his father’s ghost. To the Romans, mistletoe meant peace, love and understanding. They hung it over their doorways to protect their homes and families.
The tradition of mistletoe as a Christmas decoration, under which lovers kissed, came about in the Middle Ages. By the 18th century, it was part of Christmas celebrations around the world.
The custom of kissing under the mistletoe said that a man could kiss any woman standing underneath mistletoe and that bad luck would come to any woman that refused the kiss.
Holly
Holly is another Christmas-associated plant and is used as a holiday decoration on wreaths and Christmas cards in Western cultures.
Holly is often referred to as “Christ’s thorn” due to its sharp leaves. The Druids believed that holly protected them from evil spirits so they wore holly in their hair.
Holly is featured in the traditional Christmas carol “The Holly and the Ivy” where in Christian symbolism the plant represents Jesus and the ivy the Virgin Mary. The red berries suggest the blood that was shed for salvation and the leaves the burning love of God.
Holly’s bright red and green colors keep throughout the Christmas season. Holly symbolizes truth.
Care
If purchasing Christmas flowers for the holidays, ensure they have the right lighting, well-draining soil and a comfortable temperature. Learn how to properly water your plants. Enjoy their special beauty as it takes center stage throughout the holidays. Many of the plants can also be enjoyed year-round.
