Christmas Plants: 10 Holiday Picks and Which Are Pet-Safe

The Lab | Christmas Plants

Poinsettias, Christmas cactus, amaryllis: every December the same plants fill the stores, and every January many of them end up in the trash. Most don’t have to. This guide covers the 10 classic Christmas plants and Christmas flowers, with their names, what each needs to keep looking good, whether it can bloom again next year, and which Christmas plants are toxic to cats and dogs, checked against the ASPCA plant lists and Penn State Extension. Use it as a quick list of Christmas plants names, a shopping guide for Christmas plants indoor, or a pet-safety check before you decorate.

The verdict For a pet-safe home, choose Christmas cactus, Norfolk Island pine or rosemary, which the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Poinsettia is only mildly irritating despite its reputation (Penn State), while amaryllis, paperwhites, cyclamen, kalanchoe, holly and especially mistletoe are toxic and belong out of reach. Most holiday plants last longest in bright light, away from heat vents and cold drafts, and several can bloom again next year with long nights or a rest period.

Christmas Plants at a Glance

Plant	Light	Rebloom next year?	Cats and dogs (ASPCA)
Poinsettia	Bright	Yes, with 12+ hours of darkness nightly from late September	Toxic (Penn State: mildly irritating)
Christmas cactus	Bright, filtered	Yes, with cool nights and long nights in fall	Non-toxic
Amaryllis	Sunny window	Yes, after a summer of growth and a dry rest	Toxic
Paperwhites	As bright as possible	Usually composted after forcing	Toxic
Cyclamen	Bright, indirect, cool	Yes, after summer dormancy	Toxic
Kalanchoe	Bright to full sun	Yes, with about 14 hours of darkness nightly	Toxic
Norfolk Island pine	Brightest spot	Foliage plant, lasts for years	Non-toxic
Rosemary	Full sun, 6+ hours	Herb, lasts for years	Non-toxic
Holly (cut)	Decoration	Not applicable	Toxic (low toxicity, Penn State)
Mistletoe (cut)	Decoration	Not applicable	Toxic

Sources: ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant Lists (cats and dogs); Penn State Extension, Holiday Plants and Pets (Miklas, updated 2025); care details from the sources cited in each section and in our care guides.

1. Poinsettia

Healthy red poinsettia with bright red bracts in indirect light

The best-selling Christmas plant. The red “petals” are colored leaves (bracts). Keep it in bright light, away from doors, vents and cold glass, water thoroughly only when the surface is dry, and pour off water that collects in the decorative foil. To get it to color again next year, it needs at least 12 hours of total darkness every night from late September until the bracts color. Pets: the ASPCA lists it as toxic, but Penn State Extension says its toxicity has been overstated and its milky sap mainly causes stomach upset. Full guide: poinsettia care.

2. Christmas Cactus

Christmas cactus in full bloom with hot pink flowers in a terracotta pot

A rainforest cactus, not a desert one, and one of the few holiday plants that is safe for pets: the ASPCA lists it as non-toxic to cats and dogs, and Penn State agrees. Give it bright, filtered light and water when the top of the mix has dried. To bloom again, it needs cool nights (about 55 to 65 F) and at least 12 hours of darkness for about 6 weeks in fall (University of Minnesota). Many plants sold as Christmas cactus are actually Thanksgiving cactus; see Thanksgiving cactus vs Christmas cactus and our Christmas cactus care guide.

3. Amaryllis

Red amaryllis in full bloom in a terracotta pot on a sunny windowsill

Huge trumpet flowers from a bulb, usually 4 to 8 weeks after planting according to Clemson HGIC. Plant it in a pot about 1 inch wider than the bulb, with one third to one half of the bulb above the soil, and give it a sunny window. After it blooms, keep the leaves growing all summer, then give the bulb a dry rest of about 8 to 12 weeks in fall (University of Minnesota) to bloom again. Penn State says amaryllis is poisonous to cats and dogs, with the toxin concentrated in the bulb. Full guide: amaryllis care.

4. Paperwhites

Paperwhite narcissus blooming in a glass vase of pebbles

Fragrant white narcissus forced in a bowl of pebbles and water, flowering about 4 to 6 weeks after planting (Illinois Extension). Keep the water just touching the base of the bulbs. A Cornell study found that a 4 to 6% alcohol solution keeps the stems shorter so they don’t flop. Bulbs forced in water are usually composted afterward. Penn State says all parts are toxic to cats and dogs, especially the bulbs. Full guide: how to grow paperwhites.

5. Cyclamen

Pink florist cyclamen in bloom with marbled heart-shaped leaves

Upswept flowers in pink, red or white over marbled leaves. The secret is cool temperatures: about 60 to 65 F by day and around 50 F at night, according to UW-Madison Extension, which says a cool plant can flower for up to three months. Water around the rim or from below, never onto the tuber. Cyclamen is toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA). Full guide: cyclamen care.

6. Kalanchoe

Flowering kalanchoe with clusters of red-orange flowers in a white pot

A succulent with long-lasting clusters of small red, orange, pink or yellow flowers. Give it bright light and water only when the mix has dried. Like the poinsettia, it needs long nights to bloom again: about 14 hours of total darkness every night for at least 6 weeks in fall (NC State). Kalanchoe is toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA). Full guide: kalanchoe care.

7. Norfolk Island Pine

Potted Norfolk Island pine with soft tiered branches by a bright window

A living mini Christmas tree that becomes a long-lived houseplant. Give it your brightest spot, turn it weekly so it grows straight, and keep it away from heat vents. Purdue Extension notes that winter indoor humidity can drop to about 15%, far below the 50% it likes. Never cut the top. The ASPCA lists it (as Australian pine) as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Full guide: Norfolk Island pine care.

8. Rosemary Tree

Potted rosemary plant in a terracotta pot on a sunny windowsill

Rosemary sheared into a cone shape is sold as a small “Christmas tree” that you can also cook with. It needs a lot of sun: NC State says full sun means at least six hours. Water only when the mix is dry; UW-Madison calls overwatering the biggest cause of decline. The ASPCA lists rosemary as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Full guide: how to grow rosemary.

9 and 10. Holly and Mistletoe

Holly and mistletoe are usually brought in as cut decorations, not potted plants, and both are toxic:

Holly: the ASPCA lists holly as toxic to cats and dogs. Penn State says the leaves and berries have low toxicity, with vomiting, diarrhea and depression as the usual signs.
Mistletoe: the ASPCA lists American mistletoe as toxic. Penn State says the toxins are particularly in the white berries and lists vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure, difficulty breathing and a low heart rate among the signs. Hang it high, or use artificial mistletoe in homes with pets.

Cut greens dry out indoors: keep them away from heat and see our guide to Christmas planter ideas for using fresh evergreens outdoors, where they last all winter.

Christmas Plants Toxic to Cats and Dogs

Safe (non-toxic)	Mildly irritating	Toxic: keep out of reach
Christmas cactus, Norfolk Island pine, rosemary	Poinsettia (listed toxic by the ASPCA; Penn State says the danger is overstated)	Amaryllis, paperwhites, cyclamen, kalanchoe, holly, mistletoe

Sources: ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant Lists; Penn State Extension, Holiday Plants and Pets (2025).

Lilies are the big one for cats Holiday bouquets often include lilies. Penn State warns that all parts of true lilies, even the pollen, are extremely dangerous for cats and dogs. Also, Penn State says Christmas tree needles are not likely to harm pets, but water in the tree stand can be dangerous if it contains freshness additives, so use plain water. If a pet eats a toxic plant, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.

Make them last past New Year Most holiday plants come from warm greenhouses and drop flowers or leaves when they hit a cold car, a drafty door or a hot vent. Wrap them for the trip home, give them bright light at home, water only when the top of the mix is dry, and empty decorative foil sleeves after watering. For more cold-season tips, see our guides to winter houseplant care and bright indirect light, and for more pet-safe picks, our lists of cat-safe plants and plants safe for dogs.

Key takeaway The classic Christmas plants are poinsettia, Christmas cactus, amaryllis, paperwhites, cyclamen, kalanchoe, Norfolk Island pine and rosemary, plus cut holly and mistletoe. For homes with pets, the ASPCA lists Christmas cactus, Norfolk Island pine and rosemary as non-toxic; poinsettia is mildly irritating (Penn State); amaryllis, paperwhites, cyclamen, kalanchoe, holly and mistletoe are toxic. Poinsettia, Christmas cactus, amaryllis, cyclamen and kalanchoe can all bloom again with the right fall routine.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most popular Christmas plants?

Poinsettia, Christmas cactus, amaryllis, paperwhites, cyclamen, kalanchoe, Norfolk Island pine and rosemary trees, plus cut holly and mistletoe for decoration.

Which Christmas plants are safe for cats and dogs?

The ASPCA lists Christmas cactus, Norfolk Island pine (as Australian pine) and rosemary as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Which Christmas plants are toxic to cats?

The ASPCA lists amaryllis, paperwhites (narcissus), cyclamen, kalanchoe, holly, American mistletoe and poinsettia as toxic. Penn State says poinsettia is only mildly irritating, while mistletoe can cause serious signs.

Is poinsettia really poisonous?

Less than its reputation suggests. Penn State says its toxicity has been overstated and that its milky sap mainly causes stomach upset that should resolve on its own. Still keep it away from pets.

Which Christmas plants can bloom again next year?

Poinsettia, Christmas cactus and kalanchoe need long nights in fall; amaryllis needs a summer of growth and a dry rest; cyclamen needs a summer dormancy. Paperwhites forced in water are usually composted.

What is the best Christmas plant for beginners?

Christmas cactus is forgiving, long-lived, blooms again with cool fall nights, and is non-toxic to pets (ASPCA). Amaryllis is the easiest for big flowers.

How do I keep Christmas plants alive after the holidays?

Give them bright light, keep them away from heat vents and cold drafts, water only when the top of the mix is dry, and empty decorative foil sleeves so roots don’t sit in water.