12 seems like an apt number, doesn’t it? From 12 days of Christmas to 12 months in a year, you can always use these flowers as decorations for the holidays or for those times when you just need to elevate the mood.
Without further ado, here are our favorites. From traditional picks to unexpected choices, you’re in for a treat!
1. Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima)
| Aspect | Description |
| Versatility in Decor | Easy ●○○○○ |
| Symbolism | Symbol of the Christmas season |
| Decor Ideas | Suitable for tabletop centerpieces, window sills, and larger decorative arrangements. Easy to care for and can last throughout the holiday season with the right attention. |
Poinsettias are the go-to holiday flower, known for their vivid red bracts that people often mistake for petals. The real flowers are more discreet, hiding between the colored leaves, in shades of whites, creams, and yellows.
Poinsettias are pretty low-maintenance and can stay fresh all through the holiday season when cared for properly. Use them on your dining table, windowsills, or in bigger arrangements to make the holidays a bit cheerier.
Suggested Cultivars
1. ‘Classic Red’. This cultivar features the traditional vivid red bracts that are iconic for the holiday season.
2. ‘Jingle Bells’. This cultivar has variegated bracts with a mix of red and white.
3. ‘Ice Punch’. A striking variety with deep red bracts and creamy white accents, making traditional decor even richer.
4. ‘Cinnamon Star’. With bracts that are a rich, cinnamon-red color, this cultivar adds warmth and a lovely hint of wintery cozy spice to your holiday decorations.
2. Red Roses (Rosa spp.)
| Aspect | Description |
| Versatility in Decor | Easy ●○○○○ |
| Symbolism | Symbols of love and passion |
| Decor Ideas | Incorporate cut red roses into your arrangements to add some elegance. Combine them with evergreens and other holiday elements for that romantic and classic holiday look. |
Definitely one of the most loved and most used flowers in floral arrangements, the red rose brings the holidays to a different level. Whether it’s a noisy family dinner or an intimate celebration, red roses always bring romance and drama to any event.
Pair them with evergreens and other holiday elements to create a classic and beautiful holiday look in your home. You can even add other colors like pink or white, but we prefer our flowers to be deep and red!
Suggested Cultivars
1. ‘Red Velvet’. Known for its deep, velvety red petals, this cultivar is the classic symbol of all forms of love and passion between families and lovers.
2. ‘Crimson Glory’. These roses are rich, dark red in color, and have a strong, sweet fragrance that can make the most stoic person swoon.
3. ‘Mr. Lincoln’. With its deep, crimson-red blooms and a delightful scent, we’re not surprised that Mr. Lincoln’s a favorite cultivar in cut flower arrangements.
4. ‘Veteran’s Honor’. This cultivar features striking mildly scented red flowers that make us pause, reflect on, and thank our blessings for a bit!
5. ‘Chrysler Imperial’. Known for its bright red color and large, classic rose shape, this cultivar can drive you up to the heights of love and passion.
3. Amaryllis (Hippeastrum spp.)
| Aspect | Description |
| Versatility in Decor | Easy ●○○○○ |
| Symbolism | Symbol of pride, strength, and determination |
| Decor Ideas | Ideal for creating eye-catching focal points. A single amaryllis bloom can make a stunning statement in a vase. Use it as part of a larger arrangement due to its magnificent, large, trumpet-shaped flowers in various shades of red. |
Amaryllis bulbs grow big, trumpet-shaped flowers in different shades of red. It’s like their way of announcing the holidays in the floral language!
They’re popular for holiday decorations due to their bold colors and tall stems. Their large red flowers can make a striking statement in a vase or in a larger arrangement.
Suggested Cultivars
1. ‘Red Lion’. This cultivar is known for its rich, strikingly red blooms.
2. ‘Apple Blossom’. This one features soft pink petals with white accents, resembling apple blossoms.
3. ‘Minerva’. This cultivar showcases a bold red with white star-shaped patterns.
4. ‘Papilio’. We love this unique cultivar with its butterfly-like petals in shades of red and white.
5. ‘Charisma’. Let the rich, deep red color thrill your eyes, making this perfect for creating a dramatic holiday display.
4. Red Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum spp.)
| Aspect | Description |
| Versatility in Decor | Easy ●○○○○ |
| Symbolism | Symbols of longevity, fidelity, joy, and optimism |
| Decor Ideas | Place in pots, and vases, or create striking bouquets, garlands, wreaths, and centerpieces. |
Often called mums, these cheerful flowers burst open with shades of bright red color and their profusion of petals. We don’t know about you, but we love showering our moms with mums!
Use Red Chrysanthemums to enhance your holiday ambiance. You can place them in pots, or vases, or create striking bouquets and wreaths to add pops of striking red colors to your holiday arrangements.
Suggested Cultivars
1. ‘Ruby Mound’. This one has deep red blooms, perfect for holiday decorations.
2. ‘Firecracker’. This cultivar has fiery red and orange blooms, resembling holiday fireworks.
3. ‘Purple Haze’. While it’s not pure red, we thought having a deep purplish-red can turn your traditional holiday arrangement into a creative and individual twist on the usual decor.
5. Red Tulips (Tulipa spp.)
| Aspect | Description |
| Versatility in Decor | Easy ●○○○○ |
| Symbolism | Symbols of happiness, love, joy, good luck, and well wishes |
| Decor Ideas | Force them to bloom indoors during the holiday season. Plant them in pots or vases for a cheerful, early winter bloom. |
We often associate tulips with spring, but they’re also perfect for winter decor. Think of them as floral heralds for the coming spring.
Red tulips can be forced to bloom indoors during the holiday season. Their vivid red petals provide a refreshing contrast to the season’s typical greens and whites.
Suggested Cultivars
1. ‘Red Impression’. These tulips have large, deep red petals and a bold look perfect for grand flower arrangements.
2. ‘Darwin Hybrid Red’. These tulips are classic with vivid red petals and strong, tall stems that last a long time and work well in bouquets.
3. ‘Red Emperor’. Known for their bright red color and typical tulip shape, these tulips bring color and elegance to gardens.
4. ‘Apeldoorn Elite’. These tulips have a rich, fiery red color and are durable, returning each year for gardeners.
5. ‘Red Riding Hood’. A smaller, charming variety with bright red petals and a dark center, perfect for borders, containers, or small gardens.
6. Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum)
| Aspect | Description |
| Versatility in Decor | Easy ●○○○○ |
| Symbolism | Symbols of lasting feelings and sincere affection |
| Decor Ideas | Known for delicate, swept-back petals in various shades, making charming additions to holiday arrangements. Works well in pots or baskets. |
It’s time to kick things up a bit and bring in unexpected flowers that work well in holiday settings. While they don’t symbolize particular holidays, Cyclamen flowers’ unique shape and colors make them great for holiday decorations.
Cyclamen plants look nice in pots or baskets and work well in arrangements as their colorful petals can bring a holiday vibe. Put them in decorative pots or woven baskets for a cheerful holiday display.
Suggested Cultivars
1. ‘Victoria’. This type has bright red flowers and dark green leaves, ideal for holiday decor.
2. ‘Magenta Magic’. With deep magenta petals and silver-patterned leaves, it’s not your traditional red, but it brings depth when arranged with other red-petaled flowers.
7. Red Carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus)
| Aspect | Description |
| Versatility in Decor | Easy ●○○○○ |
| Symbolism | Symbols of fascination, distinction, and love |
| Decor Ideas | Ideal for bulk decorations like wreaths and garlands. Long-lasting and budget-friendly. Can be added to gift wrapping for a holiday touch. |
The holidays are for family and friends, so why not use this delicately frilled flower to celebrate your appreciation and love for the mother in your life?
With their ruffled petals and vibrant red colors, they bring a sense of frou-frou femininity that never goes out of style. You can also spruce up your gift wrapping by adding some Red Carnation sprigs for a holiday touch.
Suggested Cultivars
1. ‘Red Ruffles’. This cultivar is known for its deeply ruffled petals, creating a lush, full look in holiday arrangements.
2. ‘Crimson Charm’. These Carnations feature a deep, intense red hue, making them perfect for adding a bold statement to your decor.
3. ‘Festive Spark’. These Carnations have a slightly darker shade of red and subtle white streaks that add some drama and texture to arrangements.
8. Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera spp.)
| Aspect | Description |
| Versatility in Decor | Easy ●○○○○ |
| Symbolism | Symbols of loyalty and resilience |
| Decor Ideas | Ideal for hanging baskets or as a tabletop centerpiece. Can bloom profusely during the holiday season with proper care and conditions. |
Time to think outside the box, and nothing’s more surprising than the Christmas cactus. If you prep this plant beforehand, you’ll be rewarded with a profusion of red blooms for the holidays.
But if you don’t have any around, you can still look around for a flowering plant for your centerpieces and other arrangements. This succulent plant is perfect for those celebrating in warmer regions, but don’t let this stop you if you’re in a colder area!
Suggested Cultivars
1. ‘Red Christmas Cactus’. This classic variety is famous for its bright red blooms, making it a traditional holiday favorite.
2. ‘Pink Christmas Cactus’. Well, pink is a lighter shade of red, isn’t it? This one’s perfect if you’re looking to add more color without too much contrast.
9. Red Gerbera Daisies (Gerbera jamesonii)
| Aspect | Description |
| Versatility in Decor | Easy ●○○○○ |
| Symbolism | Symbols of innocence, purity, cheerfulness, and loyal love |
| Decor Ideas | Ideal for arrangements or bouquets. Pair with white or green flowers for a modern and colorful holiday theme. |
Cheery and bright, gerbera daisies might seem a bit out of place in holiday arrangements, one might think. But if you really think about it, what flower doesn’t deserve a spot in any type of celebration?
Enjoy their large vivacious flowers and outrageous petals in different striking shades of red. Pair red gerbera daisies with white or green flowers for a modern and colorful holiday theme.
Suggested Cultivars
1. Red Baron’. This cultivar features deep, velvety red petals that are sure to make a bold statement in any floral arrangement.
2. ‘Scarlet Red’. This one displays brilliant, true red blossoms that symbolize love and passion.
3. ‘Cherry Red’. This cultivar showcases vivid red petals with a hint of cherry undertones.
4. ‘Crimson Gem’. Let this one offer rich, crimson-red flowers with a darker center to your decor.
5. ‘Ruby Red’. We love the bright and bold red blossoms that instantly catch the eye.
6. ‘Ferrari Red’. The intense red petals, striking and attention-grabbing, might just give the car a run for its breathtaking beauty.
7. ‘Crimson Fire’. The fiery red blooms provide passionate and energetic elements to your holiday decorations.
10. Red Camellias (Camellia japonica)
| Aspect | Description |
| Versatility in Decor | Easy ●○○○○ |
| Symbolism | Symbols of love, adoration, and longing |
| Decor Ideas | Ideal for creating classic, elegant arrangements or adding a traditional touch to your space. Known for their elegant, waxy petals, often associated with winter blooms. |
Camellias have always been associated with winter blooms, adorning the snowy landscape with their elegant waxy petals. Red ones, in particular, are even more striking as the holiday season begins.
The glossy, deep-red blooms are perfect for creating classic and elegant arrangements. You can use them in any decor, whether as centerpieces or as standalone decor.
Suggested Cultivars
1. ‘Kramer’s Supreme’. The classic red camellia with large semi-double to double blooms, always adding ruffled elegance anywhere they’re placed.
2. ‘Blood of China’. It sounds a bit scary, but this one’s an old favorite with striking blood-red single flowers.
3. ‘Yuletide’. This is a popular red camellia variety due to the bright red, single blooms with contrasting golden stamens.
4. ‘Lady Vansittart’. A charming red and white striped camellia, this makes a lovely choice for those who appreciate distinctively patterned flowers.
5. ‘Black Tie’. We love this exquisite red camellia with dark, formal double blooms. The deep red petals have a glossy, sophisticated, graceful sheen.
6. ‘Dr. Tinsley’. This cultivar is known for its brilliant red flowers with a formal, rose-like appearance.
11. Red Orchids (Orchidaceae family)
| Aspect | Description |
| Versatility in Decor | Easy ●○○○○ |
| Symbolism | Symbols of love, beauty, refinement, many children, thoughtfulness, and mature charm |
| Decor Ideas | Luxurious addition to holiday decor, especially in modern and minimalist settings. Potted orchids can be placed on mantels, tables, or as a statement piece in your holiday display. |
You might be surprised that orchids come in various shades of red. But we can’t blame you if you didn’t know that, as most orchids are often shown in white, purple, and yellows.
Orchids are pretty exotic and sophisticated due to their delicate growing conditions that require a hothouse environment. Red orchids can be wonderful, luxurious additions to your holiday decor, especially when you’re looking for a modern or minimalist style.
Suggested Cultivars
1. Phalaenopsis ‘Red Magic’. This moth orchid is known for its vivid deep red flowers with elegant arching sprays of dramatic blooms.
2. Cattleya ‘Red Jewel’. This cattleya has large rich red blossoms blessed with a delightful fragrance.
3. Dendrobium ‘Ruby Red’. This dendrobium showcases clusters of long-lasting vivid red flowers sure to delight holiday diners.
4. Oncidium ‘Scarlet Delight’. This oncidium has cascades of small, deep red and yellow blooms that evoke passion and happiness.
5. Vanda ‘Crimson Cascade’. This stunning hanging orchid has bright red, waxy flowers that last for weeks.
12. Red Gladiolus (Gladiolus spp.)
| Aspect | Description |
| Versatility in Decor | Easy ●○○○○ |
| Symbolism | Symbols of honor and remembrance |
| Decor Ideas | Use in tall vases or as part of grand floral arrangements to create a stunning visual impact. |
Did you know that this flower is associated with the Roman gladiators, hence the name? We guess it’s the tall spikes with blood-red blossoms that made the cut when it came to naming them.
Whether you use them for historical reasons or just appreciate the sprays of striking red flowers, gladioli are welcome additions to any floral decor. Placed in vases or in grand floral arrangements, you’ll always get a “Wow!” – even if it’s just from you.
Suggested Cultivars
1. ‘Espresso’. This one’s a striking red Gladiolus cultivar with deep, velvety red blossoms.
2. ‘Ruby Gem’. This gem features rich ruby-red blooms with white accents, perfect for celebrations that need a bit of formal sophistication.
3. ‘Ferrari Red’. This one lives up to its name with intense red flowers that resemble the color of the known sports car.
4. ‘Crimson Charm’. This cultivar showcases deep crimson-red blossoms perfect for adding a touch of grace to holiday bouquets and decor.
5. Gladiolus ‘Red Velvet’. This is a luxurious Gladiolus variety with deep red, velvety petals, perfect for rich, lush, and opulent arrangements.
