We often look for unusual Christmas decoration ideas to brighten up our environment during the Holiday season and to impress the gallery at Christmas dinners. There are plenty of choices in the Christmas stores. If you want to have a unique, but useful, alive and ecological decoration, opt for a rosemary plant in a pot!
Rosemary is an aromatic shrub frequently found in gardens, but it can also be grown in pots indoors. Its long, thin leaves that grow around long branches look just like the Christmas tree needles we know, but in a mini version. As a bonus, it smells great and is delicious in all kinds of dishes and drinks. Spotlight on Holiday Rosemary!
A potted rosemary as a Christmas tree
During the Holiday season, it is possible to find potted rosemary plants in garden centres that have been cut into a cone shape and can be used as a Christmas tree. A few small ornaments, a string of LED lights that do not produce heat, a bow or a star placed at the top and you are done! Placed in a planter or a themed wrapping, perforated underneath of course to let the excess water run off, it is sure to catch the eye! Unlike your traditional Christmas tree, this one needs a lot of light to survive. You must therefore find a place of choice near a nice window. And if by chance the temperature is a little lower, your Christmas rosemary will be very happy.
How to care for potted rosemary
In addition to maximum possible light, rosemary will need regular watering. The potting soil should remain moist without becoming soggy. As soon as the first inch of potting soil is dry, you should water. Rosemary hates having its feet in water, which is why it is important to never leave water in the saucer and to provide good drainage if you use a planter, paper wrapping or burlap for your plant.
Since the air in our homes is very dry in winter, placing your rosemary on a bed of pebbles can be very helpful. It will give off a nice humidity that will make your plant happy. It is not necessary to fertilize your rosemary, it is not in an active growth period.
If the branches grow a little too much, causing your tree to lose its conical shape, you can trim the excess and use it to garnish your dishes and cocktails or even add a touch of greenery to your Holiday table or Christmas gifts.
What to do with rosemary after the Holidays?
The wonderful thing about rosemary is that once the Holidays are over, and even during the festivities, nothing goes to waste! So it’s a very environmentally friendly way to decorate your home. If you take good care of it, when spring returns, your plant should make new leaves and start growing again. You can take it out on the patio when the weather is warm enough.
Until you can get your rosemary outside, here are some ideas for eating or using it:
- Put a small branch on your napkins to add some greenery
- Insert a small branch on the label or ribbon of your Christmas gifts to personalize them more
- Infuse a few branches in oil to make a nice aromatic oil for your salads or marinades
- Infuse your water or favorite drink with a pinch of rosemary
- Use the branches to string your kebabs and give a good taste to the meats and vegetables
- Flavour your sauces
Rosemary also has excellent health benefits. It is a natural stress reliever, helps fight migraines, can be used as a deodorant and bad breath treatment and is even very useful for strengthening hair!
Try the rosemary Christmas tree, you won’t be disappointed! It’s beautiful, it’s natural and it smells and tastes great.
For more Christmas decoration ideas, visit our Christmas boutique!
