I have always been a design geek. I can’t remember a time that I wasn’t trying to put my personal stamp on my living spaces, DIY’ing something I couldn’t find or couldn’t afford to buy, and last year where we renovated a distressed property into an Airbnb. A Life Unfolding is where I share design, decor, DIY’s, and all things home.
Hello, I am popping in today to talk about two of my favorite things. Plants and Holiday decor! I have a house full of houseplants, and if I didn’t decorate them along with the rest of my home, I would be missing a big opportunity for adding holiday cheer! So today I am sharing some simple ideas for decorating your houseplants for the holidays.
Quick & Easy Ways to Decorate Your Houseplant Foliage
Okay, this is where the magic really happens! Think of your plants as miniature, living Christmas trees. You can add just a few pieces for a subtle touch or embrace your maximalist side and go all in. The key is to use lightweight, temporary decor that won’t damage the leaves or branches.
Miniature Ornaments: Skip the heavy glass bulbs. Instead, use tiny plastic, paper, or wooden ornaments and hang them from the sturdier branches of plants like Fiddle Leaf Figs or larger Dracaenas. Look for those small ornament sets designed for mini tabletop trees—they are perfect!
Twinkle Lights: A small, battery-operated strand of fairy lights is a must-have. Weave them gently through the foliage of your plants.
They create the coziest glow and, since they don’t plug into the wall, you can put them absolutely anywhere!
Ribbon and Bows: Find some thin, festive ribbon (think velvet, burlap, or sheer metallic) and tie small bows to the stems or petioles of your plants. A single, perfectly placed red bow on a large monstera leaf can look incredibly chic.
Garland or Tinsel: If you want some sparkle, use a very lightweight garland (I am using a delicate brass garland below) or just a few carefully placed strands of tinsel (use sparingly!). Avoid weighing down any delicate leaves, and make sure it’s easy to remove after the season.
5 Ways to Give Your Houseplant Pots a Holiday Makeover
I like to think of the pot as the plant’s outfit, and for the holidays, it needs a party dress! Decorating the container is one of the quickest ways to bring color and texture to your display.
Baskets: The easiest trick in the book is to slip your existing pot inside a decorative basket. Look for holiday-themed textures like woven jute, white birch, or even a simple faux fur basket.
Ribbon Wrap: If your pot is sleek and simple, try wrapping a festive ribbon around the middle like a belt. Tie a large bow on the front, or secure it discreetly in the back. Velvet ribbon in deep green or burgundy is always a lovely touch.
DIY Snow Effect: For a classic look, cover the soil surface with a thin layer of fluffy, white cotton batting to mimic snow. Just be careful not to pack it down, as your soil still needs to breathe when you water.
Decorate Your Home with Festive Seasonal Holiday Plants
I love introducing a few temporary green (or red!) friends this time of year. They add a perfect holiday vibe. There is something incredibly festive about bringing in these traditional seasonal beauties—it truly makes your decor feel complete! These additions are perfect for tabletops, mantels, and entryway displays.
Poinsettias (The Holiday Classic): No holiday home is complete without a Poinsettia! I like to go beyond the standard red; there are beautiful white, pink, and marbled varieties. Place them in bright locations, but make sure they aren’t near any chilly drafts from doors or windows.
Fragrant Topiary Trees: Looking for a festive alternative to a mini Christmas tree? Topiary trees like Rosemary or Lavender are perfect! They are often trimmed into that classic cone shape, and a huge bonus is that they smell absolutely wonderful. Just spritz them lightly with water every day to keep the foliage happy.
Christmas Cactus: We can’t forget this blooming beauty! The Christmas Cactus (or Thanksgiving/Holiday Cactus) is a favorite because it bursts into cheerful pink, red, or white blooms right when the holiday season hits. They make fantastic gifts and are easy to tuck onto a shelf or into a window display.
Amaryllis and Paperwhites: These bulbs are amazing because you can watch them grow and bloom right before your eyes. Plant them in decorative glass or ceramic containers. Seeing the towering, dramatic blooms of an Amaryllis open up is a beautiful little holiday miracle!
Other Succulents & Cacti: Even your non-blooming desert dwellers can join the fun! They look fantastic with a simple string of micro-fairy lights, a simple ribbon or by just adding a handful of mini pinecones or moss sprinkled with glitter to the top of the soil.
Wrapping It Up
See? Decorating your houseplants for the holidays doesn’t have to be complicated! Whether you’re adding a simple string of twinkle lights to your favorite Monstera, dressing up a plain pot with a festive bow, or adding a Rosemary topiary to your collection for the season, these simple steps will bring warmth and festivity to your home.
I hope these easy ideas inspire you and give you all the motivation you need on how to decorate your Houseplants for the Holidays.