Plants That Look Like Christmas Trees

Looking for plants that look like Christmas trees to add some year-round holiday cheer to your garden? You have more options than you might think, and many are perfect for smaller spaces or different climates. Not every yard can support a giant spruce, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on that classic conical shape. This guide will show you fantastic evergreen lookalikes that bring that festive feel to any season.

These alternatives can serve as living holiday decorations outdoors or even as unique container plants you can decorate. We’ll cover trees, shrubs, and even some houseplants that capture that iconic silhouette. You’ll get practical tips on how to choose, plant, and care for your own evergreen stand-ins.

This list focuses on plants with a natural, dense, conical form. They give you that instant Christmas tree vibe without needing to string a single light. From tall landscape specimens to tiny tabletop varieties, there’s a lookalike for every gardener.

Classic Conifer Alternatives

These are your go-to choices for a traditional feel. They are all conifers, meaning they bear cones and have needle-like foliage.

Dwarf Alberta Spruce (Picea glauca ‘Conica’): This is arguably the most popular mini Christmas tree plant. It grows very slowly into a perfect, dense cone of bright green needles. It’s ideal for containers, small gardens, or as a pair flanking an entryway. Just watch out for spider mites in hot, dry weather.
Hinoki Cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa): With its graceful, layered branches and rich green or golden foliage, the Hinoki Cypress has a more elegant, textured look. Dwarf cultivars like ‘Nana Gracilis’ are exceptionally beautiful and slow-growing. Their fan-like fronds add a lot of visual interest.
Arborvitae (Thuja species): Many upright arborvitae varieties, like ‘Emerald Green’ or ‘Degroot’s Spire’, have a tight, columnar to pyramidal shape. Their scale-like foliage is soft and often maintains a great color through winter. They are excellent for creating living screens with a holiday tree shape.
Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica): Often called the ‘Peacock Pine’, this tree has a lovely soft texture and a beautiful pyramidal form. Cultivars like ‘Black Dragon’ or the dwarf ‘Globosa Nana’ offer fantastic color and manageable size. Its foliage sometimes takes on a bronze tint in cold weather.

Broadleaf Evergreens with Conical Form

Not all evergreens have needles. These broadleaf options provide the shape with a different leaf texture, which can be a fun twist.

Holly (Ilex species): Certain holly varieties, like the ‘Nellie R. Stevens’ holly, naturally grow in a dense, pyramidal shape. You get the classic Christmas tree form plus the bonus of bright red berries in winter – a double holiday win. Just remember you often need a male pollinator nearby for berries.
Upright Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens ‘Graham Blandy’ or ‘Dee Runk’): These columnar boxwoods can be trimmed into a very clean, conical shape. Their small, glossy leaves give a formal, manicured appearance. They’re perfect for a more tailored garden look and respond well to pruning.
Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis): When pruned and trained, a standard bay laurel tree can take on a lovely lollipop or small tree shape. While not a perfect cone, its glossy leaves and aromatic quality make it a festive, useful kitchen herb that looks smart in a pot.

Houseplants That Mimic the Shape

Want the Christmas tree feel indoors all year? These houseplants are your best bet.

Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla): This is the classic indoor Christmas tree substitute. Its symmetrical tiers of soft branches are perfect for hanging tiny ornaments. It loves bright, indirect light and consistent moisture. Treat it well, and it can become a large, impressive houseplant.
Rosemary Topiary (Rosmarinus officinalis): Many garden centers sell rosemary plants pruned into a conical topiary shape. They smell amazing and are fully functional herbs. They need a sunny windowsill and careful watering to thrive indoors long-term, but they make a charming, edible decoration.
Italian Stone Pine (Pinus pinea): As a young sapling grown in a container, this pine has a delightful, bushy form. It needs lots of sun and is better as a seasonal indoor plant or for patios in warmer climates, as it eventually grows very large.

How to Choose the Right Lookalike for You

Picking the perfect plant depends on your goals and conditions. Ask yourself these questions before you buy.

Space: How much room do you have? Check the mature height and width, not just the size in the pot. Dwarf Alberta Spruce stays small, while a Japanese Cedar can get huge.
Climate & Hardiness: Will the plant survive your winters? Check your USDA Hardiness Zone and compare it to the plant’s rating. A Holly might thrive where a Hinoki Cypress struggles.
Indoor vs. Outdoor: Are you looking for a patio container plant or a permanent landscape feature? Norfolk Island Pines aren’t frost-hardy, while an Arborvitae lives outdoors year-round.
Care Level: How much maintenance are you willing to do? Some plants, like topiary boxwood, need regular pruning. Others, like most conifers, just need occasional watering once established.

Planting and Care Basics

Getting your plant off to a good start is crucial. Follow these general steps for success, always adjusting for your specific plant’s needs.

Planting: Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper. Loosen the roots if the’re pot-bound. Place the plant so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Backfill with native soil, gently tamping down to remove air pockets.
Watering: Water deeply immediately after planting. For the first growing season, provide regular water, especially during dry spells. The goal is to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Overwatering is a common mistake.
Sunlight: Most of these plants need full sun to part shade. That usually means at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Read the plant tag to be sure, as some, like certain hollies, can tolerate more shade.
Pruning: To maintain a tight conical shape, you may need to do light pruning. The best time is usually in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Simply trim back any stray or overly long branches to maintain the outline.

Using Your Lookalikes for Holiday Decor

One of the joys of these plants is using them in your holiday decorating. Here are some safe, fun ideas.

Outdoor Lighting: Use net lights or loosely wrapped strings of outdoor-rated LED lights on your landscape trees. They create a magical effect and highlight the plant’s form. Always plug into a GFCI outlet.
Simple Ornaments: For potted plants or small shrubs, use lightweight, shatterproof ornaments. Ribbons and pinecones are also beautiful and won’t weigh down branches. Avoid heavy decorations that can bend or break stems.
Focal Point: Place a decorated potted Norfolk Island Pine or rosemary topiary as your holiday centerpiece. Surround the base with moss, ornaments, or a festive skirt. It’s a living alternative to a cut tree.

Common Problems and Solutions

Even the best gardeners encounter issues. Here’s how to tackle common problems with these evergreens.

Brown or Dropping Needles: This can be from underwatering, overwatering, or spider mites. Check soil moisture first. For mites, look for fine webbing; treat with a strong spray of water or insecticidal soap. Interior needle drop in fall is normal for some conifers.
Yellowing Foliage: Often a sign of nutrient deficiency or poor drainage. Test your soil pH. Many evergreens prefer slightly acidic soil. An application of a fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants in early spring can help.
Losing Shape: If the plant gets too wide or leggy, it might need more sun. Prune lightly to encourage denser growth. For severe cases, a hard prune in early spring might be necessary, but reseach if your specific plant can handle it.
Winter Burn: Broadleaf evergreens like boxwood or holly can suffer from winter wind and sun, which dries out their leaves. An anti-desiccant spray applied in late fall can provide protection, or use a burlap screen.

FAQ

What are some small plants that resemble Christmas trees?
Dwarf Alberta Spruce, dwarf Hinoki Cypress, and upright boxwood varieties are all excellent small choices. For indoors, a small Norfolk Island Pine or a rosemary topiary are perfect.

Can I keep a potted Christmas tree lookalike outdoors all year?
It depends on the plant and your climate. A Dwarf Alberta Spruce in a large pot can survive winters in its hardy zone if the pot is insulated. Tender plants like Norfolk Island Pine must come indoors before frost.

How fast do these alternative plants grow?
Growth rates vary widely. Dwarf cultivars like ‘Conica’ spruce grow very slowly, maybe 2-4 inches per year. Others, like some arborvitae, can grow over a foot per year. Always check the plant tag for its expected growth rate.

Are there any flowering plants that look like Christmas trees?
While not perfectly conical, some upright flowering shrubs like lilac or viburnum can be pruned into a tree-like form. For a true cone shape with flowers, consider a hydrangea standard, though it’s deciduous and loses leaves in winter.

What’s the easiest Christmas tree lookalike to care for?
For outdoors, arborvitae are generally tough and adaptable. For indoors, the Norfolk Island Pine is relatively easy if you give it enough light and avoid overwatering. Let the top inch of soil dry out between waterings.

Adding plants that look like Christmas trees to your home or garden is a wonderful way to celebrate the season every day. With so many options for different sizes, styles, and climates, you can easily find one that fits your space. Remember to choose based on your hardiness zone and available sunlight for the best results. A little research upfront leads to a healthy, happy plant that will provide that joyful evergreen structure for many holidays to come.