The History of Christmas Plants

Holly Berry Holly (Ilex), is a genus of 400 to 600 species of flowering plants in the family Aquifoliaceae. Most are evergreen trees and shrubs that range in size from 6-inch tall dwarf varieties to large, 70-foot specimens.

According to the National Christmas Tree Association, approximately 25-30 million Christmas trees are sold each year in the United States, but where did this tradition come from? Here we will explore the origin of the Christmas tree and other holiday plants.

Although many believe the Christmas tree tradition originated in Germany, where it was used to symbolize the Garden of Eden, decorated with apples, roses, gilded candies, and colored paper, the first written record of a decorated Christmas tree comes from Riga, Latvia of Northern Europe. It was there that local merchants decorated a tree with artificial roses (the rose was considered a symbol for the Virgin Mary), danced around it in the marketplace and then set fire to it. However, German settlers did introduce the United States to the Christmas tree in the 19th century.

Mistletoe is more often used as a decoration than a plant, but traditionally Druid priests used it in winter celebrations and rituals, as they believed it to have magical healing powers. The plant was also seen as a symbol of peace, a place where enemies could lay down their weapons and embrace.

Scandinavians believed that those who kissed under the mistletoe would have happiness and good luck in the following year, and also associated the plant with Frigga, their goddess of love. As kissing under the mistletoe lives on, perhaps Frigga really is the goddess of love.

Holly, another plant loved by the Druids was thought to be sacred and represented everlasting life, because in winter it remained green with bright berries. They believed cutting down a holly tree would bring bad luck; however, hanging the plant in homes was often done, as it was believed to drive evil away. These days Christians believe the holly berries represent Christ's blood and the pointed leaves symbolize his crown of thorns.

Poinsettias arrived in the United States from Mexico in 1828, U.S. Ambassador, Dr. Joel R. Poinsett, who the plant was also named after, introduced them. The use of poinsettias in Christmas celebrations dates back to the 17th century, and is also known as Flores de Noche Buena in Mexico (Spanish for "flowers of the holy night"). Mexican legends indicate the plant was offered as a gift to Jesus, and is a symbol of the Star or Bethlehem. Although Poinsettias came from Mexico, today it is the most recognized Christmas flower and even has a national day of celebration, December 12th.