Tis the season to Deck the Halls and what better way to start then with Holly, Jolly Houseplants. Here is a list of a few plants, some of course you have heard of with a few surprises thrown into the mix. Plants and flowers also make a very practical gift for yourself and others. The Holiday Season can become very stressful and sometimes lonely for some folks. A gift of plants and flowers certainly make spirits brighter for everyone.

1. Poinsettia - No other house plant is as associated with the holidays as the Poinsettia, and just for the record poinsettias are not as poisonous to pets as we've been taught. They will certainly upset a cat’s stomach, but a lot of poinsettias would have to be consumed to achieve poison status. We are a pet friendly business as our regular customers can attest to and our kitty cats are fine!

2. Christmas Cactus - The Christmas cactus is a popular holiday plant because its colorful blooms often align with the Christmas holiday. Given the proper care it can survive and bloom for many years.

3. Amaryllis - Amaryllis deliver huge, brilliant flowers in lots of jazzy color combinations. They are also among the easiest to grow. Given in bulb form or already growing these are a stunning accent for the holiday season and bloom for quite a while.

4. Norfolk Pine - Norfolk Island pines make excellent Christmas trees for tabletops when they are small. If you’re trying to go for the Charlie Brown Christmas tree look, give a Norfolk Island pine a try. But be aware that this little six inch plant can one day grow as tall as twelve feet as a houseplant.

5. Lavender or Rosemary Trees - These herbs grown in many outdoor gardens also make popular holiday plants. Like the Norfolk Island pine, lavender and rosemary can come decorated and shaped to resemble miniature Christmas trees. Their decorative quality and fragrance make these plants a wonderful addition to any home.

6. Christmas Palm - Not as common as other holiday house plants, but they make an unusual addition to any holiday houseplant collection. (Adonidia merrillii) is commonly known as Christmas Palm because of the red berries the palm tree produces during the holiday season but really any palm is beautiful.

7. Succulent Plants - Succulents are ideal plants for busy people who don’t always remember to water. These plants,can take considerable neglect.Their leaves are fat and swollen (hence succulent) so they’re able to store water for survival under dry conditions. They come in unique shapes, textures and colors (sometimes specially painted in holiday colors) and are often used as indoor plants that add decorative attractions to homes or offices.

8. Cyclamen - Their beautiful vibrant heart-shaped foliage and many colorful blooms make this plant a popular holiday houseplant.

9. Kalanchoe - Like the holiday cacti and succulents, Kalanchoe are pretty easy to care for, and come in a wide variety of colors that brighten up the house during the holidays. The flowers are long lasting and the foliage is a nice, rich, shiny green.

10. Orchids - The colorful blooms aren’t your standard holiday present and can make a beautiful surprise for anyone receiving them.

11. Lucky Bamboo - The Lucky Bamboo is actually not a Bamboo plant at all. It belongs to the same family as the Lily plants, and whether it will bring you luck is up for debate. This plant is also easy to grow and if it attracts Good Luck and some Feng Shui while ringing in the New Year, why not???

12. Mix Different Houseplants in a decorative basket or pot, add a bow and some bling in the form of holiday picks and voila your halls can be all decked out in no time.

Happy Holiday Gardening!