The Great Swap: From Festive to Foliage

We’ve all been there: the ornaments are tucked away, the lights are untangled (until next year!), and suddenly, the corner where the Christmas tree stood looks… well, a little bare. After a month of glowing lights and festive cheer, the living room can feel a bit quiet and empty once the Christmas décor hits the loft. 

But here’s the silver lining! The empty spot is actually the perfect “blank canvas” for a fresh start. Instead of leaving the corner bare until next December, why not treat yourself to a gorgeous new houseplant? 

Swapping your tree for a leafy “statement plant” is the ultimate New Year’s win. It keeps that cosy, vibrant energy alive in your home, but without the falling needles. Bringing in a permanent “living tree” is a beautiful way to kick off the year with a breath of fresh air and a splash of year-round colour.

Plants to Fill That Corner

Kentia Palm

The Kentia Palm or Kentia Forsteriana became a symbol of status when Queen Victoria fell in love with them and had them placed all over the royal residences. She famously left instructions for Kentia Palms to be placed around her coffin while she lay in state. Adding one to your living room would be a right royal makeover!

Fact file: 

Light: Prefers bright, indirect light but is famous for being “low-light tolerant.” 

Water: Let the top couple of inches of soil dry out before watering. It hates “soggy feet.” 

Style: Features elegant, arching leaves that provide a soft, tropical silhouette.

Monstera Deliciosa

The modern icon, the Monstera Deliciosa, is probably the most famous houseplant currently you’ll see it’s leaf pattern on anything from wallpaper to jewellery! 

Fact file:

Light: Loves bright, indirect light. While it can survive in lower light, its iconic “holes” (fenestrations) develop best when it has a sunny spot to call home

Water: Prefers a “drought then drench” approach. Wait until the top 2–3 inches of soil are dry before giving it a thorough drink. Like the Kentia, it hates “soggy feet,” so make sure your pot has good drainage. 

Style: Bold, architectural, and wild. Its massive, heart-shaped leaves create a focal point that commands just as much attention as a decorated tree. 

Fun Fact: Those famous holes in the leaves aren’t just for looks—in the rainforest, they act like built-in wind tunnels that allow heavy storm breezes to pass through the leaves without snapping the stems.

Yucca

The cool & minimalistic alternative of the list so far, but arguably the most tree like! The Yucca is the perfect option for tight corners where you’d like height rather than width and sprawling leaves.

Fact file:

Light: A total sun-seeker. Unlike the Kentia, the Yucca thrives in bright, direct sunlight. It’s the perfect choice for that empty spot right in front of a south-facing window. 

Water: Very low maintenance. Only water when the soil is almost completely dry (usually every 2–3 weeks in winter). It stores water in its thick trunk, so overwatering is its only real enemy! 

Style: Architectural, sharp, and modern. Its sturdy trunks and sword-like leaves provide a clean, vertical “pop” that fits perfectly in a minimalist or Scandi-style living room. 

Fun Fact: In some parts of Central America, Yucca flowers are actually a delicacy. They are often dipped in batter and fried or used in stews (though we don’t recommend snacking on your houseplant).

Areca Palm

The areca palm, often known as the butterfly palm due to its long delicate leaves that arch upwards looking like a swarm of green butterflies. This is the perfect option if you’d like to fill a large space!

Fact file:

Light: Prefers bright, indirect light. It loves a sunny room but can get “sunburned” if it sits in harsh, direct midday sun for too long. 

Water: Likes to stay consistently moist (but never soggy). Unlike the Yucca, you don’t want the soil to dry out completely. 

Style: Lush, feathery, and soft. Because it grows in dense clusters, it creates a “screen” of green that is perfect for adding privacy or softening the hard lines of a room. 

Fun Fact: The Areca palm was one of the top plants featured in NASA’s Clean Air Study. It is exceptionally good at filtering common household toxins like formaldehyde and benzene from the air.

Strelitzia Nicolai

The Strelitzia Nicolai commonly known as the Giant White Bird of Paradise is the ultimate statement piece. Mimicking the scale and height of a Christmas tree it truly is a showstopper.

Light: It’s a sun-lover and thrives in a bright, sunny spot. If the Christmas tree corner was right by a big window, this plant will be very happy there. 

Water: Prefers to stay somewhat moist but not waterlogged. In the winter, let the top 2 inches of soil dry out before watering again. It loves its leaves being wiped with a damp cloth every now and then to keep the dust off! 

Style: Dramatic, architectural, and massive. Its clean lines and huge “paddles” provide a high-end, tropical look that feels both luxurious and wild.

 

Fun Fact: While its cousin (the Strelitzia reginae) stays small, the Nicolai is a giant. In the wild, they can grow up to 30 feet tall! Indoors, they’ll usually stop at your ceiling, but they certainly won’t be shy about trying to reach it.

 

Whether you’re looking for the stately elegance of a Palm or the bold, leafy drama of a Monstera, there’s a perfect green companion waiting to move into your living room. Transitioning from festive to foliage doesn’t just fill a gap—it brings fresh air, new life, and a sense of growth to your home all year round. 

So, there we have it! 5 houseplants to fill the Christmas tree void this New Year.

Pop in and see the options for yourself; our team would love to help you find ‘the one’ for your space. For more information and expert advice, head to https://www.haskins.co.uk/gardening/ or pop in for a chat!