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This week, Ken Lain, the Mountain Gardener, takes you on a festive journey through the plants that shape our holiday traditions. Discover the stories behind iconic favorites, from the star-bright poinsettia to the good-luck holly and romantic mistletoe, that have been part of celebrations for centuries. Learn why evergreen classics like yew, ivy, and Christmas trees have become symbols of hope, endurance, and joy. You’ll even explore the legends behind the beloved Christmas cactus and the deeper meanings rooted in each plant. Perfect for gardeners who love the season and want a richer appreciation of the greenery that brings it to life.
Gardeners take a special interest in the holidays and the plants that mark the season. From pumpkins and spice that start out the decorating, to the plants that climax the season at Christmas and New Year’s, there’s a deep tradition and story behind every single one. Read on for a deeper appreciation of the holidays and the plants that define each.
Poinsettia
The Poinsettia is, without a doubt, the most iconic plant of the Christmas holidays. This beauty is a sub-tropical native of Mexico, which is why you’ve got to keep it warm and protected inside during our chilly mountain winters.
The plant first arrived in America in the 1800s, thanks to Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States Ambassador to Mexico. He sent a few plants back to South Carolina, grew them, and gave them as gifts to friends, even donating many to public and private botanical gardens.
But the story runs deeper than just botany. Its star-shaped bloom symbolizes the Star of Bethlehem. The deep red color is a beautiful reminder of Christ’s shed blood, while the white represents his purity.
Holly
The tradition of Holly goes way back to ancient Roman and Greek times, where people decked their halls with it for good luck. Holly is tenacious, holding its fresh spring foliage through winter with little care. Ancients believed it was good luck because, unlike most plants, it simply never died. The Romans would send holly wreaths as gifts of goodwill and good wishes to friends, family, and especially newlyweds.
Mistletoe
Who doesn’t know the tradition of kissing under the Mistletoe during the holidays? This legend started with Norse mythology when a goddess used the plant to bring back memories of her beloved son, who was slain by a weapon crafted from the plant. Over time, the story evolved from grief into one of rebirth and regrowth.
Later, folks would place a sprig over a baby’s bed to ward off evil spirits. If a young girl put it under her pillow, it was said to inspire dreams of her future husband. Today, kissing under the mistletoe is a lovely custom that indicates future happiness and fertility —and honestly, who doesn’t want more happiness?
Yew & Ivy
The Yew is said to be one of the oldest trees on Earth. The ancient Druids looked to the Yew tree as a symbol of everlasting life, honoring it as a sacred plant. Throughout European history, it was often planted in churchyards as a symbol of long life.
Ivy is another Christmas plant known to ward off evil spirits and bad luck. It symbolizes new growth and is very popular when decorating Christmas wreaths. Like Holly, Ivy stays green through winter, which is why you hear them paired together in song and holiday celebrations. In ancient Christian tradition, holly symbolized masculinity, and Ivy represented femininity.
Christmas Trees
The Christmas Tree is the embodiment of today’s holiday celebrations, but it wasn’t always this way. The tradition of having a tree in the home is actually somewhat new.
Germany developed the habit during the 16th century. Legend says a German theologian, Martin Luther, was walking home on a winter night and was inspired by the beauty of the stars twinkling through the evergreen branches. To recreate the optimism he felt, he set up a tree with candles in his family’s home. The trend caught on and became widely accepted in America by the early 20th century.
Christmas Cactus
The Christmas Cactus is the perfect holiday gift to give to others. This tropical cactus is grown indoors as a houseplant.
A Brazilian legend tells of a poor boy living in the jungles who prayed for a sign of Christmas for days without result. On Christmas morning, he woke to find beautiful bursts of colorful flowers on the tips of the cacti branches. This stunning display of beauty continues to be a symbol of answered prayer today.
Sip & Shop RSVP December 3rd @ 4-5:30
Join us at Watters Garden Center for a special festive “Sip & Shop” designed for local gardeners, friends, and anyone who loves the holiday spirit! Especially designed to relax in the gardens after the intense shopping of Black Friday & Cyber Monday.
Come solo, bring a friend, or make it a unique date night. This is a relaxed setting for our community to connect, discover the unique winter side of Watters, and share the joy of the season. We’ll have good company, great plants, and unique garden gifts.
New – Deliver your gift Christmas morning digitally. The Watters team has been digitally busy creating the perfect gift cards for the gardeners in your life. Pick their style, pick your amount, and schedule when you’d like it mailed to their inbox. New cards can be used in store of course. We also gave you direct access to our farm, so gift cards can be used toward Watters online exclusive with shipping from the farm to their door in the continental United States.
November Garden Classes @ Watters Garden Center
Join us for our final free class of the season, Saturday morning at 9:30 AM, right here at Watters Garden Center on Iron Springs Road in Prescott. November is packed with valuable insights to help your garden thrive!
November 22 @ 9:30 – Shrub Design for Continuous Winter Beauty
Until next issue, I’ll be helping local gardeners create their own traditions here at Watters Garden Center.
Ken Lain can be found throughout the week at Watters Garden Center, 1815 W. Iron Springs Rd in Prescott, or contacted through his website at WattersGardenCenter.com or Top10Houseplants.com.
Get more gardening tips from Watters Garden Center in the Mountain Gardener Column on Signals A Z.com.
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