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Top 5 Living Christmas Gifts That Keep Giving All Year

top 5 best live holiday gifts at nature hills nursery

Charlotte Weidner | February 14, 2026

Top 5 Living Christmas Gifts That Last Beyond the Holidays

Looking for live plant gifts that spread cheer long after the wrapping paper's gone? These sustainable gifts from Nature Hills Nursery are the kind of Christmas plants that grow, bloom, and beautify year after year. Unlike cut flowers or cut Christmas trees that fade too fast, these living treasures keep the holiday spirit alive - a perfect balance of nature, color, and charm that Mother Nature would be proud of!

Go beyond the usual Amaryllis and Poinsettias - If you want to give gifts that breathe life into the home, garden, or patio, these cold-hardy, heat-tolerant, and low-maintenance options make unforgettable choices!

From the glossy leaves of Blue Princess Holly to the berry-bearing charm of Perpetua® Blueberry Bush, these five plants are gifts that truly grow on you.

Blue Princess Holly

With glossy, deep-green leaves and brilliant red berries, Blue Princess Holly (Ilex × meserveae) is the picture of winter beauty. Its evergreen foliage and symmetrical form make it an elegant choice for entryways or garden borders. This female holly pairs beautifully with a male pollinator like Blue Prince for abundant berries that feed songbirds throughout the winter.

Its dense branching habit and spiny leaves make it an excellent deer-resistant shrub, offering privacy and structure all year. Use it as a natural screen or pair it with Hydrangea bushes, Boxwood, or Arborvitae Green Giant for layered color and texture.

shop petite knock out roses for easy gifts this holiday

Petite™ Knock Out® Miniature Rose

Few Rose bushes match the enduring charm of the Petite™ Knock Out® Miniature Rose (Rosa 'Meibenbino'). Compact and covered in vivid red blooms, it's a stunning indoor gift that transitions beautifully outdoors when spring returns. The fragrant blossoms attract pollinators, while the dark green, glossy foliage resists disease like a champ.

Perfectly-sized for containers, patios, or as flowering bushes in borders, this mini Rose blends seamlessly with Geraniums, Zinnias, or Salvia for non-stop color. Its tidy habit and continuous blooms make it one of the best houseplants for bright windows or full sun annual companions in garden beds.

Perpetua® Blueberry Bush

The Perpetua® Blueberry Bush (Vaccinium corymbosum 'Perpetua') is the gift that keeps on giving - literally! This self-pollinating Blueberry bush produces two harvests a year, in mid-summer and again in fall. Glossy green leaves shift to crimson-red in autumn, making it ornamental and edible.

Its fibrous root system thrives in acidic, well-drained soil, perfect for containers or garden beds. Pair it with other berry bushes like Raspberry bushes, Blackberry bushes, or a dwarf fruit tree such as a Dwarf Meyer Lemon Tree for a homegrown fruit medley. Birds adore the berries, but you might just beat them to the harvest!

shop early spring blooming lenten roses this holiday

FrostKiss™ Penny's Pink® Lenten Rose

Winter garden color comes alive with the FrostKiss™ Penny's Pink® Lenten Rose (Helleborus x hybridus). Its marbled evergreen foliage and rosy-pink blooms appear when little else dares to bloom - late winter through early spring. Each flower boasts a delicate fragrance and velvety petals that delight the senses.

A must-have perennial for shaded spots, this Lenten Rose thrives under trees or alongside Hostas, Ferns, and Astilbe. Its drought-tolerant nature and clumping growth habit make it a staple in woodland or cottage gardens.

Dwarf Alberta Spruce

Few evergreens say "Christmas" like the Dwarf Alberta Spruce (Picea glauca 'Conica'). Perfectly shaped like a miniature Christmas tree, it's ideal for decorating indoors through the holidays before replanting outdoors. The fine, aromatic needles release a gentle scent reminiscent of a fresh forest.

Cold-hardy and slow-growing, this evergreen fits beautifully in foundation plantings or container gardens. Combine it with ornamental grasses like Karl Foerster grass or colorful annuals such as Lantana or Dahlia for texture and seasonal flair.

Care & Maintenance

These plants are as simple to grow as they are to love.

Holly bushes prefer full sun to partial shade and slightly acidic soil - prune lightly in late winter for shape.
The Miniature Rose thrives in full sun and well-drained soil with regular watering and deadheading.
The Blueberry Bush benefits from fertilizer for fruit trees and yearly mulching to maintain soil acidity.
Lenten Roses appreciate part to full shade and humus-rich soil. Trim spent blooms in early spring for fresh growth.
The Dwarf Alberta Spruce enjoys full sun and consistent moisture - just avoid drying winds. With minimal effort, these plants will thrive for years, growing more beautiful each season.

A Gift That Keeps Growing

This holiday season, give gifts that live, breathe, and bloom! Living Holiday gifts connect us to Nature's rhythm - offering joy, fragrance, and growth beyond December. From Holly's red berries to the evergreen beauty of Spruce, these nursery-grown, landscape-grade specimens are love that keeps growing!

Happy Planting!

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Compare Plants

Browse the features and specs side-by-side to find the best fit for your garden.

A table comparing the facets of 5 products
Facet	Blue Princess Holly View details	Blue Prince Holly View details	Petite Knock Out® Rose View details	Perpetua® Blueberry Bush View details	FrostKiss™ Penny's Pink® Lenten Rose View details
Rating
Rating	(26)	(9)	(5)	(8)	(2)
Type
Type	Shrub	Shrub	Shrub	Shrub	Perennial
By
By	Nature Hills Nursery	Nature Hills Nursery	Knock Out® Roses	Bushel and Berry®	Plants That Work
Flower Color
Flower Color	White	White	Red	White	Pink
Growing Zone Range
Growing Zone Range	5-9	5-9	4-10	4-8	4-9
Mature Height
Mature Height	8-12 ft	6-8 ft	1-2 ft	5 ft	1-2 ft
Width
Width	6-8 ft	3-4 ft	1-2 ft	4 ft	1-2 ft
Price
Price	Regular price $81⁴²	Regular price $81⁴²	Regular price From $24⁹⁹	Regular price $46¹²	Regular price $53²⁸

Frequently Asked Questions

Which living Christmas gift plants are easiest for beginners to keep thriving indoors through all four seasons?

For beginners, the Petite Knock Out Miniature Rose and the FrostKiss Penny's Pink Lenten Rose are the most forgiving choices year-round. The Knock Out Rose thrives in a bright sunny window indoors during winter and can move outside to containers or garden beds in spring once temperatures stay above freezing, while its disease-resistant foliage means less fussing. The Lenten Rose handles low light and neglect remarkably well, blooming in late winter or early spring even in shaded spots, and is hardy in zones 4 through 9. Start by placing both plants in your brightest indoor window, water when the top inch of soil feels dry, and plan to transition them outdoors gradually in spring to avoid transplant shock.

How do I match a living Christmas gift plant to the recipient's available light, room temperature, and space before I buy?

Start by asking yourself three quick questions: Does the recipient have a sunny south- or west-facing window for at least 6 hours of direct light, a consistently warm interior above 60 degrees F, and room for a container or garden bed? The Petite Knock Out Miniature Rose thrives in bright indoor light and stays compact at around 18 inches, making it ideal for smaller spaces, while Blue Princess Holly and Dwarf Alberta Spruce are cold-hardy outdoor performers suited for USDA zones 5 through 7 with plenty of yard space. Perpetua Blueberry and Lenten Rose handle shadier spots and transition well to partial-shade garden beds once the holidays pass. Visit naturehills.com to check each plant's full sun, zone, and mature size details before purchasing so you can match the perfect living gift to the recipient's exact growing conditions.

How should I transport a living Christmas gift plant in winter to protect it from cold damage on the way home?

When transporting a living plant gift in winter, the biggest risk is cold shock from even brief exposure to freezing temperatures, which can damage tender roots and foliage within minutes. Wrap the entire plant, pot and all, in several layers of newspaper or a paper bag before stepping outside, and have your car warmed up in advance so the plant never sits in a cold vehicle. For cold-sensitive plants like the Petite Knock Out Miniature Rose, limit outdoor exposure to under two minutes when temperatures drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Once home, place the plant in a warm room away from drafts and cold windowpanes, and let it acclimate for a few days before moving it to its permanent indoor spot or preparing it for outdoor planting in spring.

Should I repot a living Christmas gift plant right away or let it settle in first?

Most living Christmas gift plants benefit from a short acclimation period of one to two weeks before repotting, giving them time to adjust to your home's light and humidity levels after the stress of shipping and handling. If the plant is rootbound or sitting in a nursery container with poor drainage, however, moving it into a well-draining pot just one to two inches larger can actually reduce transplant stress. Check the roots by gently tipping the plant out of its container: if roots are circling the bottom or poking through drainage holes, it's time to repot using a quality potting mix suited to that plant type. Let the plant settle in a bright, stable location first, then repot and water thoroughly to help roots establish before spring growing season kicks in.

How often should I water a newly received holiday plant, and what are the signs I am overwatering?

Newly received holiday plants typically need watering every 5 to 7 days, but always check the top inch of soil first and water only when it feels dry to the touch. Signs of overwatering include yellowing leaves, mushy stems, soggy soil that never seems to dry out, and a sour or moldy smell coming from the potting mix. For container roses, hollies, and blueberries received as gifts, ensure the pot has drainage holes and never let the plant sit in standing water. When in doubt, underwater rather than overwater, and adjust your frequency based on your home's humidity, light levels, and the season.

Which potting mix works best when repotting a living Christmas gift plant after the holidays?

When repotting living Christmas gift plants after the holidays, choose a mix tailored to the specific plant: blueberries like the Perpetua® thrive in acidic, well-draining mixes formulated for azaleas and blueberries with a pH of 4.5 to 5.5, while roses and hollies prefer a quality all-purpose potting mix blended with perlite at a ratio of roughly 3 parts mix to 1 part perlite for improved drainage. Wait until late winter or early spring, around February or March, before repotting most of these plants into containers at least 2 inches larger in diameter than their current pot. Select a pot with drainage holes, refresh the soil completely, and water thoroughly after repotting to help the roots settle into their new home.

How do I know whether a living Christmas gift plant should stay indoors year-round or can eventually go in the garden?

Each plant has different needs, so the key is checking its cold hardiness zone and mature size before deciding its permanent home. The Petite Knock Out Miniature Rose, for example, thrives outdoors in zones 4 through 9 and can transition to the garden or a patio container after the last frost in spring, while Blue Princess Holly is a true outdoor shrub hardy to zone 5 that should be planted in the landscape once the ground is workable. Indoor-only plants typically lack the cold tolerance or root system to survive outdoor winters, whereas cold-hardy selections simply need a gradual hardening-off period of 7 to 10 days before making the move outside. Check the plant tag or the Nature Hills product page for zone information, then plan your transition accordingly.

Can a Christmas cactus, poinsettia, amaryllis, or rosemary tree be rebloomed or reused for next year?

Yes, all four can be saved and encouraged to rebloom with the right care. Poinsettias need a strict 14-hour dark period each night starting in early October to trigger reblooming by the holidays. Amaryllis bulbs can be dried out and stored in a cool, dark spot around 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 to 10 weeks before repotting to recharge for another bloom cycle. For longer-lasting living gifts that require far less fuss year after year, consider upgrading to cold-hardy outdoor plants like Blue Princess Holly or a Petite Knock Out Miniature Rose from Nature Hills, which deliver reliable beauty across Zones 5 through 9 with minimal intervention.

How do I keep a new living Christmas gift plant from spreading pests or disease to the rest of my indoor collection?

When you bring a new living plant indoors, quarantine it away from your existing collection for at least two weeks so any hitchhiking pests like spider mites, scale, or fungus gnats have time to reveal themselves. Inspect the leaves, stems, and soil surface closely every few days during this period, and treat any issues with neem oil or insecticidal soap before moving the plant near others. Keep the new arrival in good light with proper airflow, avoid overwatering, and make sure its pot has drainage to prevent the soggy soil conditions that invite root rot and fungal problems.

What steps should I take if my living Christmas gift plant starts dropping leaves, wilting, or yellowing after the holidays?

If your living Christmas gift plant is dropping leaves, wilting, or yellowing after the holidays, the most common culprits are overwatering, low humidity, or sudden temperature changes from indoor heating. Check the soil before watering by inserting your finger about an inch deep, and only water when it feels dry, since most holiday plants suffer far more from too much water than too little. Move the plant away from heating vents, cold drafts near windows, and direct heat sources, aiming for consistent indoor temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Once temperatures stabilize above freezing in your zone, typically by late March to mid-April in Zones 5 through 7, transition cold-hardy plants like Knock Out Roses or Holly gradually outdoors by placing them in a sheltered spot for a week before planting in their permanent location.