Forget Poinsettias – These 5 Chic Alternatives Ooze Style and Seasonal Charm, for an Unconventional yet Elegant Festive Display

Poinsettias have long been synonymous with the holiday season, but with their sticky sap and brittle stems they are not for everyone. In fact, their bold mix of matt green leaves and scarlet bracts have never been a real festive favorite of mine. Possessing more of a brash cartoon Christmas appeal than peaceful, classic charm, I’ve often found myself erring towards other plants and flowering bulbs for a spot of seasonal cheer.

With so many beautiful and decorative plants to choose from, it has always felt a little too convenient to pick up a poinsettia from the corner shop and display it on the hallway table or gift to a friend. Far more interesting and engaging to invest in a pot of pre-planted narcissus or slowly emerging hyacinth bulbs and watch patiently, anticipating the burst of glorious blooms and heavenly perfume.

If you fancy switching up your indoor Christmas plants this year, then why not grow your own festive floral centrepiece and opt for one of these smart choices instead. From papery petalled hellebores, delicate snowdrops to alluring moth orchids, they will turn heads and dazzle with their festive cheer.

5 poinsettia alternatives for stylish cheer this holiday season

Whether you love or loath poinsettias, there are plenty of other beguiling plant options that can bring pure seasonal joy into your home.

Here a few of my favorites, that also double up as easy, seasonal gifts.

Hyacinth

With their plump, papery bulbs and spires laden with tiny, delicate trumpets, hyacinths have long been an indoor winter favourite. It may be partly the quiet promise of glorious flowers to come and their far-reaching, sweet perfume, but I don't think you can beat these bulbs for easy, seasonal cheer.

White varieties such as Hyacinth Carnegie, White Pearl and Aiolos possess magical purity, perfect for winter festivities.

Buy them as prepared bulbs – such as this indoor Carnegie set of 5 bulbs from Walmart and carefully replant in glass vases, wooden trugs or utility-style enamelware. These vintage enamel mixing bowls from Walmart are ideal for this.

Dress the soil surface with damp moss, fine bark chips or pale grit for a smart designer flourish. Find more details on how to force bulbs in soil here.

Hellebore

Hellebores are loved and collected for their array of fascinating petal markings and striking dusky tones. They do also make enchanting indoor potted blooms, giving us the opportunity to fully admire their beauty close up and their undeniable winter charm.

Surprisingly robust and long lasting, these plants with their leathery, jagged foliage can be displayed indoors for a few weeks before being moved and replanted outside.

Known as the Christmas Rose, these evergreen beauties naturally thrive in USDA zones 4a to 8b, growing in part or full shade, reaching up to 15 inches tall.

Varieties with pure white single blooms with a central flash of lime or pink – such as Hellebore hybridus 'Winter Delights White', from Plant Delights and Helleborus niger 'Mont Blanc', also from Plant Delights, have a magical winter wonderland quality and look stunning indoors paired with clear reflective glass and white gravel or rice for an added icy sparkle. Discover more hellebore inspiration in container plants that will bloom by Christmas for all zones.

Snowdrops

One of my absolute garden treasures, snowdrops are simple, graceful and magically uplifting, thanks to their much-awaited appearance during the long winter months.

Symbolising new life, they are the first sign of the garden awakening, so why not bring them into the home and share the joy at Christmas.

Best planted outside ‘in the green’ – that is when the bulbs are in leaf and post flowering – it is possible to purchase potted bulbs in fall to bring indoors for the holiday season. Alternatively, carefully lift a clump of established snowdrops from your garden to display indoors.

Thanks to their delicate form and nodding flower heads, you can easily get creative when displaying snowdrops.

Why not emphasise their natural woodland charm by teaming them with split logs, chunky wooden bowls or adding decorative twigs or lichen laden bark. For a wide selection of snowdrop bulbs take a look at Walmart’s range which includes Galanthus Nivalis.

Moth Orchid

The stately Moth orchid or phalaenopsis is surprisingly easy to grow and will grace any warm, festive room with its exotic looks and simple elegance.

A stylish alternative to many fussy and ornate Christmas decorations, these plants make an impression.

With horizontal, leathery leaves and tall, slim stems, often reaching up to 20 inches (50cm) emerging from the center, they are the perfect centrepiece for any counter or table top.

Producing flowers in a range of gorgeous shades, you can choose the best variety for your décor. The 'Surprise' moth orchid from Walmart with its variegated leaves and two tone pink petals is spectacular, but if, like me, you prefer a paler look, opt for the 'Just Add Ice' white orchid, also from Walmart.

Make sure these beautiful plants last by knowing how to care for orchids, plus how to water orchids.

Cyclamen

As early as I can remember, every Christmas there’s always been a cyclamen in bloom in my family home.

With its silky, upright petals and heart-shaped leaves, it’s a real indoor gem and somehow reflects the love and luxury we enjoy with family during the winter holidays.

From tiny varieties with their hooked buds and tight rosettes of foliage, think Cyclamen hederifolium to the larger Persian Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum) that grows up to 13 inches (32cm) there’s plenty of choice no matter what your personal taste.

Flowers can be white, pink, deep red or magenta while leaves are often decoratively ringed or mottled. Check out the white cyclamen at Amazon or the unusual and sort after 'Blue Dragon' cyclamen from Nursery Plant.

Your festive houseplant care kit

For more festive winter flowering inspiration, you may find these beautiful indoor bulbs for low light inspiring, and the best Christmas houseplants for botanical festive décor.