No room for a Christmas tree? Try one of these 10 plants instead

A Christmas tree is lovely and festive, but it can take up a lot of space and there's nothing to show for it come January. Unless you've bought one in a container which can be planted into the garden after Christmas. And that supposes that you have room in your garden for a forestry type tree.

There are some easy alternatives – decorate a houseplant you already have, buy a small tree that will work as a focal point but can be planted in the garden afterwards or buy an architectural houseplant that is easily decorated (how about a giant cactus?). Alternatively, you could use make an indoor arrangement of branches from winter pruning to hang your lights from. These are plenty of sustainable options and many of them can be used year after year.

Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla)

For those who want something that looks similar to a traditional tree but won't take up as much space, this is the tree for you. It's an evergreen conifer with soft needles and fan-shaped branches. It can be decorated just like a normal tree, and will stay looking good year round.

• Buy Norfolk Island Pine from Hortology

Pinus mugo

Add a decorative mulch of moss to a potted dwarf mountain pine to create a miniature Christmas tree. Thin florist wire or thread is an unobstrusive way to hang baubles. Pinus mugo is slow growing and can be planted out into the garden after the festivities are over, where it will make a lovely focal point or patio tree.

• Buy Pinus mugo 'Mop' from Crocus

Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa)

The Swiss cheese plant makes an architectural focal point in any room. Add fairy lights and a bit of tinsel and it'll double up as a festive plant through December. Use LED lights as these won't heat up and avoid any heavy decorations which could damage the stems.

• Buy Swiss cheese plant from Gardening Express

Rubber plant (Ficus elastica 'Robusta')

Add this impressive plant to your house instead of the usual festive tree. With large glossy leaves and an upright shape, a rubber plant will make a statement year round as well as at Christmas. It's also easy to look after, as long as you don't overwater.

• Buy rubber plant from Gardening Express

Poinsettia

The archetypal Christmas plant, a poinsettia brings an instant festive look to a room with its green leaves and red bracts. Poinsettia are ideal for adding cheer and don't take up much room, fitting easily on to a table (avoid windowsills as these can get too cold at night). They can be kept going after Christmas but they require specific conditions throughout the year.

• Buy poinsettia from Marks and Spencer

Zamioculcas zamiifolia (ZZ plant)

A ZZ plant is low maintenance but high impact, with glossy leaves on upright stems. It can grow to a metre tall and will thrive in light shade or indirect light. Its architectural shape makes it a good choice to brighten up a corner instead of a Christmas tree. It doesn't need much watering over winter, so it won't add any stress to your festive preparations.

• Buy ZZ plant from Crocus

Cactus

Choose a cactus as a focal point. A small cactus with branches can make a miniature decoration for a tabletop or to make more of a statement, try a cowboy cactus. These cacti can grow up to 2 metres tall in the wild, but are around 60cm tall if bought online. The flat leaves look like branches, or arms, and are perfect for hanging light decorations on. This is a great statement plant, ideal for a sunny south-facing room.

• Buy a cowboy cactus from Beards and Daisies

Bay laurel pyramid (Laurus nobilis)

Bring a bay laurel indoors for Christmas. Their pyramid shape makes them a great alternative to a tree and being evergreen they'll also look good year-round when you plant them out in the garden after the festivities are over.

• Buy bay laurel from Crocus

Lemon tree

Transform a lemon tree in your conservatory into a festive focal point. Trail some fairy lights around the tree to bring a Christmassy look to a garden room, taking care not to knock the lemons off.

• Buy a lemon tree from Crocus

Christmas cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum)

Adorned with berries that are orange, yellow or red, the Christmas cherry is a bright cheery plant to have indoors. Although it can be used as a container plant, Solanum pseudocapsicum is not frost hardy and is better used as a houseplant over winter. You don't even need to decorate it!

• Buy Christmas cherry from Amazon