Bringing Winter's Magic Indoors: White Flowers for the Holidays

White blossoms evoke the quiet beauty of a fresh snowfall, but they also summon a whole palette of winter memories: icicles glittering on bare branches, clouds of breath on a frosty morning, the angel costume from a childhood pageant, even the frothy crown on a glass of eggnog. These nostalgic ties make white-flowered plants all but irresistible during the holiday season, and growers respond with an ever-expanding selection.

A Festive Display

The arrangement shown here offers a glimpse of the possibilities. Silvery cachepots hold elegant Dendrobium orchids alongside a single begonia on the mantel. A pair of white azaleas and a stately peace lily (Spathiphyllum) anchor the hearth, while a cineraria brightens the tabletop and a hydrangea graces a side table.

Care Tips for Holiday Plants

In mild-winter regions, azaleas, cineraria, and hydrangeas can move outdoors after the festivities. Keep in mind that many holiday plants are forced into bloom and will revert to their natural cycles once their winter flowering ends.

Indoors, place plants in a cool spot with bright, indirect light, away from drafts and heating vents. Water when the top half-inch of soil feels dry.

More Snowy Blooms to Consider

The azalea pictured and its companions can flower for weeks. Other white-flowering gift plants that create a similar effect include:

• Crab cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) 'White Christmas' – pointed, spreading petals.
• Cymbidiums – long-blooming orchids that are among the easiest to grow.
• Kalanchoe – hybrids of K. blossfeldiana with tight clusters of tiny flowers above succulent leaves.
• Lacecap hydrangea 'Shooting Star' – double flowers shaped like a star within a star, lasting four to six weeks.
• Miniature roses – perfectly formed small blooms amid deep green foliage.
• Paperwhite narcissus – fragrant bulbs that can perfume an entire room.

Source: Ribbed white planters, tabletop pots, and silver cachepots from Ikea.