The Classic Fruit Tree That Makes A Surprisingly Good Christmas Plant

If you were asked about decorating your home with plants over the holidays, your mind would probably jump straight to poinsettias, Christmas cacti, or evergreen wreaths. But if you're looking for something a little more unexpected — and a lot more long-lasting — a calamondin orange tree might be the festive plant you didn't know you needed. It's got glossy green leaves, delicate and fragrant white blossoms, and clusters of orange fruit that can bring some instant color and a sense of aliveness to darker winter interiors.

While it probably does look quite tropical and exotic, you can definitely grow some orange tree varieties in containers, which is exactly what makes the calamondin tree such a good option this time of year. In fact, they are commonly grown as houseplants in cooler climates, as they only need bright light to produce fruit and can withstand lower temperatures than other citrus trees. Simply place it on a sunny windowsill to reap the benefits. Even better, calamondins tend to ripen during late fall and winter, meaning you can actually harvest oranges during the holiday season — a rare perk in a time when most plants are fully dormant.

A calamondin orange tree isn't just nice to look at — it actually gives you something to do in winter, which is half of the appeal. When it's gotten dark by late afternoon and most houseplants are basically on pause, this plant will still be flowering or even giving you fruit to pick and enjoy, which feels weirdly comforting when everything else looks so stripped back and dormant. And it's just one of those plants that makes the room feel less flat and more alive in general; this is why you can fight off the winter blues with plants in the first place.

They're also not very demanding (which helps this time of year when energy is low); as long as the tree gets plenty of light and the soil is allowed to dry slightly between waterings, it will get on with its flowering and fruiting. And the fruit itself will hang on the tree for weeks, even months, rather than dropping all at once, so it can actually contribute to your aesthetic without being a fleeting moment you have a limited time to enjoy. In fact, that long window is part of what makes it so appealing as a seasonal plant and one of the festive plants that makes a great alternative to a Christmas cactus; it still feels intentional for winter, but then it won't suddenly look out of place once the decorations come down. By spring, it can stay indoors or move outside and look just as vibrant and beautiful, so there's no need to replace it just because the season has changed.