Looking for a holiday gift that feels thoughtful, modern, and genuinely enjoyable to receive? Skip the generic mugs and gift baskets, holiday houseplants are the perfect blend of festive and long-lasting, and they fit beautifully into any home or office. Whether you’re shopping for clients, teachers, neighbours, or plant-loving friends, there’s a winter houseplant that fits every personality and care level.
At Urbane Eight, we curate the best Christmas plants, from blooming classics to easy-care greenery, along with stylish planters and gift bundles. Here are our top holiday plant gift ideas, and simple care tips so your recipients can keep them thriving.
1. Poinsettias: The Iconic Holiday Favourite
Best for: classic-style decorators, families, offices
Care level: easy with the right light
Poinsettias are the ultimate holiday statement plant, available in red, white, pink, marble, and speckled varieties. They’re dramatic, colourful, and perfect for brightening winter spaces. Pair one with a decorative pot from our planters and you have a ready-to-gift showstopper.
Care tip: Bright, indirect light and water when the top inch of soil is dry. Keep away from cold drafts, especially important in Alberta winters.
2. Princettias: The Trendy Pink Holiday Plant
Best for: modern homes, design lovers, gift-givers who want something unique
Care level: very easy
If you want a twist on tradition, the Princettia is a vibrant pink version of a poinsettia with fuller, compact growth. It looks incredibly stylish on countertops, entry tables, and office desks.
Care tip: Keep in bright, indirect light and water lightly but consistently. Princettias hold colour beautifully through the whole season.
3. Christmas Cactus: The Easy Winter Bloomer
Best for: anyone who loves flowers
Care level: moderate, but very rewarding
Christmas cactus produces stunning winter blooms in shades of pink, white, red, and magenta. These plants can live for decades and often become treasured family keepsakes.
Care tip: Water when the top third of soil feels dry, and avoid direct sun. Humidity helps, a win in Alberta’s dry winter air.
4. Amaryllis Bulbs: The Beginner-Friendly Showstopper
Best for: new plant parents, holiday hosts, people who love dramatic blooms
Care level: extremely easy
Amaryllis bulbs produce huge, stunning flowers perfect for holiday centerpieces. They’re ideal for gifting because they’re simple to plant and the results feel magical.
Care tip: Plant the bulb halfway above the soil, place in bright light, and water sparingly until growth starts.
5. Norfolk Island Pine: A Mini Indoor Christmas Tree
Best for: kids, apartments, cozy winter décor
Care level: easy
Soft, feathery, and adorable, Norfolk Island Pines make charming mini Christmas trees. Add a strand of fairy lights and you have a festive, low-maintenance gift.
Care tip: Bright light and slightly moist soil. Avoid hot, dry air from vents.
6. Easy Winter Houseplants for Low-Maintenance Gift Giving
Looking for something nearly foolproof? These winter-friendly plants thrive even with inconsistent watering and low light:
• Snake plants
• ZZ plants
• Philodendron
• Pothos
• Peperomia
Pair any of these with a neutral stone planter like stone planters for a clean, modern gift.
Tips for Gifting Holiday Houseplants (So They Thrive After They Leave the Greenhouse)
Choose decorative pots that match their style
A beautiful planter elevates the whole gift. take a peek at our pots and planters collection
Include simple care instructions
A small care card prevents overwatering or sunburn, two of the most common winter plant problems.
Transport them warm
Holiday plants are sensitive to cold, so always keep them wrapped when moving them from our shop to the car and indoors.
Pick plants matched to their home
Low-light home? Choose ZZ or pothos. Bright south windows? Amaryllis or poinsettia.
If unsure, ask us. We love helping match the right plant to the right person.
Holiday Houseplants Make Thoughtful, Lasting Gifts
Whether you’re gifting a bold poinsettia, a sweet Norfolk Pine, or a lush evergreen arrangement, holiday houseplants bring life, colour, and meaning to the winter season. They’re long-lasting, beautiful, and surprisingly easy to care for with a little guidance.