For most of the year, greenery in the home refers to either a collection of house plants or a floral arrangement. A snake plant in the bedroom or some lilies on the coffee table instantly make the room feel more alive. When the holidays come around, the rules of greenery tend to shift. Instead of potted plants and flowers, the mood is much more festive and embraces the organic elements of the season. You’re probably familiar with Christmas trees and wreaths, but there are a lot of other plant options to choose from. Decorating your space, whether you have a two-story home or a tiny apartment, is one of the best ways to welcome the holidays. If you’re new to working with holiday greenery, we’ve compiled a quick guide to help you get started.

Understanding Holiday Greenery

Learning the basics is essential for any decor trend, and the same goes for holiday foliage. To get the most realistic look, it helps to know a bit about the different types of plants available. Pine, and more specifically Norfolk pine, offers the same nostalgic feel as a Christmas tree. Cedar is another popular choice this time of year and is often used for garlands and wreaths. Unlike pine branches, cedar tends to have a more woodsy feel and feathery-looking needles.

Other options include cypress, which is beloved for its blue-green hue, and simple boxwood plants. Outside of the green plants, holly boughs, pine cones, and tree bark help bring the full effect together.

Real vs. Faux Greenery

When planning your decorations, you’ll need to decide whether you want to use real or faux plants. Natural garlands bring an organic feel to your space and impart the fragrant aromas of the season. However, shedding can be an issue depending on how long you plan to have the decorations up. That said, there are many high-quality faux options that can give you the same look without the hassle and can be neatly stored away for the next season.

Where to Use Holiday Greenery

Wreaths are a classic choice that are easy to place around the home. Whether you choose to make your own or spruce up a store-bought option with some festive accessories, you can’t go wrong with a traditional wreath. But for a more modern touch, garlands are the better choice. With a variety of lengths and density options, you can use them in every room and even outside your home.

For example, longer garlands are great for creating a simple statement piece on mantels and stairwells. They’re even ideal for decorating your entryway and can create a welcoming look. Shorter-style garlands are more versatile and work best on table tops and decorative displays around the home. Try draping one around a mirror or on your home bar. For even more appeal, you can always add lights and ornaments to match your personal style. Single stems of greenery are another way to give your table a festive feel. You can style them as you would flowers, use them as place settings, or simply lay them across the table for an effortless look.