Which Holiday Greenery Lasts the Longest Indoors? 12 Picks, Ranked by Longevity

Magnolia

The big and glossy leaves of magnolias stand out on the holiday table not only by their size but also by the length of time they last, which is longer than most other plants. If you live in the South, you may be lucky and have an evergreen southern magnolia that you can take cuttings from. Farther north, look for magnolia greenery at garden centers and florist shops.

When kept in a vase with water, expect magnolia branches and leaves to stay fresh for about 4 to 6 weeks. However, magnolia leaves also dry beautifully. When dried and stored properly, they last for years.

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus cuttings will perfume your table with a unique, camphor-like aroma. Like magnolia, eucalyptus branches are perfect for drying, and the fully dried branches last for months if not years. Freshly cut eucalyptus stays fresh for around 3 to 6 weeks when kept in water.

Cedar

Although the terms “cypress” and “cedar” are sometimes used interchangeably, they are different trees. Only the branches from true cedars (Cedrus spp.) are some of the longest-lasting conifers you can find. The trees have bluish-green, clustered needles, and they emit a sweet and slightly resinous scent. Branches from true cedars last quite well without water. In a vase with water, they stay fresh for about 3 to 5 weeks.

Fir

True cedars are hard to find in some areas, but fir trees grow wild in many parts of North America, and fir branches are commonly sold at Christmas tree lots. Fresh fir holds onto its needles better than most conifers. In water, it lasts for 3 to 5 weeks. For best results, cut branches at a 45-degree angle with sharp pruners and make sure the cut ends of the branches always stay submerged in water.

Arborvitae

Arborvitae, a popular landscaping plant, has branches that also last relatively long when cut. Unlike many other conifer plants, the scale-like needles don't dry out very fast indoors. Fresh arborvitae branches last about 2 to 4 weeks in a vase. Without water or in homes that are kept very warm, they dry out faster.

Spruce

Some types of spruce have bluish-green needles that are sure to draw the eye in holiday centerpieces. Fresh-cut spruce doesn’t last as long as some other evergreens; the branches usually hold onto their needles for about 2 to 3 weeks.

Pine

The branches of pine trees are some of the easiest evergreens to forage or purchase in bundles from Christmas tree farms and garden centers. The downside is that pine branches dry out relatively quickly, even in water, and their needles tend to fall off in messy piles. In water, they usually stay fresh for about 2 to 3 weeks after cutting, much shorter if they are allowed to dry out.

Holly

If you’re lucky, you may be able to forage for holly branches in your garden or, if hollies grow wild in your area, along hiking trails. These evergreens are famous for their dark and glossy leaves with bright red berries in fall and winter that add a pop of color to holiday centerpieces. Once cut, hollies usually stay fresh for about 2 to 3 weeks before turning brittle and brown.

Boxwood

You might not have to go far to find boxwood cuttings around your own home because boxwood is a common landscaping plant. The shiny and slightly rounded leaves add texture and dimension to holiday centerpieces. The branches dry out fast, so it’s best to harvest greenery just before you need it, or else be prepared to replace cut greens with fresh stems.

When kept in water, boxwood branches usually last for 2 to 3 weeks. Adding a bit of sugar to the vase may help to keep cut branches fresh a little longer.

Olive

With their slender and elongated, bluish-gray leaves, olive branches add an unexpected twist to holiday centerpieces and cut flower arrangements. If you live in a climate where olive trees grow (USDA Zones 8-10) or you have a small olive tree growing indoors, you might be able to harvest your own olive branches. Otherwise, you'll have to source them from a florist shop or online. Olive branches only last about 2 weeks in water.

Ivy

Because English ivy and other types of ivy grow abundantly in many places, it is easy to forage; you might even have some in your yard. Just be sure that you don’t accidentally bring poison ivy into your home.

To enliven your Christmas table, these trailing plants work best as “spiller” elements in vases and centerpiece designs. The vines can also be draped over tables or wrapped around the base of vases and other decor elements. Cut these plants right before use, as they only last for about 1 to 2 weeks.

Rosemary

Rosemary is an easy find if you have it planted in your garden or growing indoors. Just clip fresh sprigs and scatter them over tables or tuck them into a vase with other plants for extra fragrance and color. Unfortunately, rosemary stems only last for about 1 to 2 weeks after cutting; they quickly drop their needles once they dry out.

If you want to keep rosemary fresh longer through the holidays, consider using a potted rosemary plant in your table design. For something smaller, look for a potted mini rosemary topiary and adorn it with a festive bow or two.