# Which flowers are traditional for Christmas in New Zealand?

Source page: https://idxflowers.com/nz/guides/christmas-flowers-nz/
Last checked: 2026-10-05

Pōhutukawa, which bursts into brilliant red blossom in December, is known as New Zealand's Christmas tree and has traditionally been used to decorate homes and churches at Christmas since the 1850s, in place of the northern-hemisphere holly and mistletoe.

Answer sources: [1] [2] [3], checked 2026-10-05

## Details

- **Christmas**: Beyond pōhutukawa, popular Christmas flowers from NZ florists include gerberas, roses, lilies, chrysanthemums and alstroemeria, chosen for being vibrant and heat-tolerant, with white lilies a particularly popular scented choice. [4] [5], checked 2026-10-05
- **Christmas lily**: The Christmas lily (Lilium regale) is strongly associated with the Christmas season in New Zealand and, once established in the ground, naturally flowers in December. [6] [7], checked 2026-10-05

## Good to know

- Each fact was checked on the date shown. Florists' stock changes, so check with the florist before you order.

## Sources

1. [Department of Conservation](https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-plants/pohutukawa/), checked 2026-10-05
2. [Te Papa](https://blog.tepapa.govt.nz/2018/12/20/the-christmas-tree-in-new-zealand/), checked 2026-10-05
3. [Te Ara](https://teara.govt.nz/en/public-holidays/page-2), checked 2026-10-05
4. [Bloomex NZ](https://bloomex.co.nz/blogs/news/christmas-flowers-in-nz), checked 2026-10-05
5. [Flowers Auckland](https://www.flowersauckland.co.nz/shop/product-detail/christmas-lilies/), checked 2026-10-05
6. [NZ Herald](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/christmas-is-season-for-lilies/Y57VSNZZO45DSZKPS5QUJGDOFM/), checked 2026-10-05
7. [NZ Bulbs](https://nzbulbs.co.nz/Item/Christmas-Lily-Regale), checked 2026-10-05

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