There’s a particular kind of stress that comes with corporate Christmas party planning. You want something sophisticated, memorable, and festive—but you’re also thinking about setup time as well as takedown logistics. What if there was a way to create a genuinely stunning holiday atmosphere that’s both elegant and surprisingly low-maintenance?
Enter plant-based Christmas styling. Forget the boxes of tinsel and tangled fairy lights gathering dust in storage. This year, we’re exploring how living greenery and natural elements can transform your corporate Christmas event into something special—without the usual decorating drama.
Why Choose Plants for Corporate Christmas Events?
Before we dive into the how, let’s talk about the why. Plant-based Christmas styling isn’t just a passing trend—it’s a thoughtful approach that addresses several pain points of traditional corporate event decorating.
The Practical Benefits:
- No storage nightmares between events
- Professional setup and removal available
- Zero waste from disposable decorations
- Creates natural atmosphere for photos and socialising
- Suitable for venues with decoration restrictions
- Easily scaled for different budget levels
- Plants continue providing value after the event
The Aesthetic Advantages:
- Sophisticated, on-brand styling that works for any company culture
- Creates natural conversation areas and photo opportunities
- Offers texture and dimension that flat decorations can’t match
- Accommodates dietary restrictions better than food-based centrepieces
- Looks intentionally curated rather than “off the shelf”
The beauty of plant-based styling is that it walks the line between festive and professional beautifully. You create holiday atmosphere without veering into territory that might feel too casual or overwhelming for a workplace setting.
Christmas Plants Australia: Native and Seasonal Options
Australia’s unique position means we’re celebrating Christmas in summer, which opens up brilliant opportunities for plant styling that makes sense in our climate. Let’s explore some standout options.
Australian Native Christmas Plants
NSW Christmas Bush (Ceratopetalum gummiferum)
This is the star of Australian Christmas plants. The NSW Christmas bush is a bushy evergreen tree with white flowers set in red bracts which traditionally appear in December, creating that perfect festive red-and-green combination naturally. The foliage is striking, with each leaf made up of three serrated lobes in soft green, copper when young.
Best Uses:
- Statement arrangements for entry areas
- Table centrepieces with genuine Australian character
- Living Christmas tree alternatives
Queensland Christmas Orchid (Calanthe triplicata)
Queensland’s subtropical climate is home to this charming Christmas plant. The native Christmas Orchid is a fast-growing evergreen with bright white, star-shaped flowers. It prefers shade, making it perfect for indoor event spaces.
Best Uses:
- Elegant table decorations
- Bathroom and powder room styling
- Shaded outdoor event areas
Plants with Festive Red Berries
Ardisia (Christmas Berry)
Coral ardesia is a hardy evergreen with dark green leaves and shiny red berries, offering that classic Christmas colour palette. These compact plants work wonderfully for creating festive displays without overwhelming smaller spaces.
Creative Styling Tip:
One of the easiest seasonal festive table decorations uses foliage from the garden with an arrangement of camellia leaves studded with red cherries, cherry tomatoes or small red apples, creating a red and green effect that’s reminiscent of holly berries. This technique works brilliantly for Australian Christmas styling where traditional holly isn’t readily available.
Evergreen Favourites
Conifers and Pine Varieties
While not native, certain conifer species thrive in Australian conditions and provide that traditional evergreen Christmas aesthetic many clients still love.
Best Applications:
- Living Christmas tree plants for corporate spaces
- Architectural framing for entryways and stages
- Creating natural room dividers in large venues
Creative Styling Ideas for Different Event Spaces
The magic of plant-based Christmas styling lies in strategic placement and thoughtful combinations. Here’s how to approach different areas of your corporate event.
Reception and Entry Areas
First impressions matter enormously at corporate events. Your entry should signal “something special is happening here” without screaming “Santa’s workshop.”
Styling Approach:
| Element | Plant Choice | Styling Technique |
| Statement pieces | Large Norfolk Island Pines, Christmas Bush | Flank doorways with matching specimens in elegant planters |
| Ground level | Clustered potted plants with red berries | Create natural pathways using varied heights |
| Overhead | Hanging plants with trailing foliage | Add dimension without obstructing sightlines |
| Accent lighting | Uplighting on larger plants | Creates drama and highlights plant architecture |
Pro Tip: Companies like Gaddy’s Plant Hire can provide perfectly sized specimens with coordinating planters, eliminating the guesswork around scale and ensuring everything arrives looking immaculate.
Table Centrepieces and Dining Areas
Table styling needs to balance visual impact with functionality—guests still need to see and talk to each other across the table.
Low-Profile Options:
- Succulent gardens in shallow dishes
- Christmas cactus arrangements
- Native grass collections with subtle decorative elements
Medium-Height Choices:
- Clustered small potted plants at varying heights
- Christmas berry plants in metallic containers
- Fern arrangements with natural elements
Styling Guidelines:
- Keep centrepieces below 30cm for seated dining
- Use odd numbers for visual interest (groups of 3 or 5)
- Coordinate planter colours with your company’s brand palette
- Add natural elements like pine cones, seed pods, or Australian native materials
Bar and Beverage Stations
These high-traffic areas offer brilliant opportunities for larger plant statements that won’t interfere with guest movement.
Strategic Placement Ideas:
- Large floor plants behind bars create backdrop and define space
- Hanging plants above stations add interest without taking up counter space
- Herb gardens near cocktail stations offer interactive elements (garnish your own!)
- Trailing plants on bar fronts soften hard edges
Photo Opportunity Areas
In the age of social media, designated photo areas can extend your event’s reach well beyond the evening itself.
Creating Instagram-Worthy Plant Backdrops:
- Build a living wall using varied textures and heights
- Create an archway with potted trees and hanging elements
- Design a corner installation with dramatic lighting
- Use Christmas tree plants as natural framing devices
Technical Considerations:
- Ensure adequate lighting for photo quality
- Leave enough space for small groups (3-4 people minimum)
- Choose plants with interesting textures that photograph well
- Consider adding subtle company branding that appears in backgrounds
Budget-Conscious Plant Styling Strategies
Plant-based Christmas styling can work at any budget level—it’s all about strategic choices and creative thinking.
Premium Budget Approach
- Large statement specimens (Norfolk Island Pines, mature Christmas Bush)
- Custom planter selections coordinating with brand colours
- Professional installation and removal services
- Supplementary lighting design
- Full-service maintenance during multi-day events
Mid-Range Budget Approach
- Mix of medium and small plants for variety
- Standard decorative planters with strategic accent pieces
- DIY installation with professional guidance
- Selected statement pieces for key areas only
Budget-Friendly Approach
- Focus on tabletop plants and smaller specimens
- Simple, uniform planters across all displays
- Group multiple smaller plants for impact
- Combine hired feature plants with purchased smaller plants
- DIY natural elements (branches, seed pods, local foliage)
Combining Plants with Complementary Elements
Plants provide your foundation, but thoughtful additions elevate the entire aesthetic.
Natural Additions That Work:
- Australian native seed pods and nuts
- Driftwood or weathered branches
- Natural fibre ribbons and twine
- Terracotta or ceramic elements
- Woven baskets and natural textiles
Lighting Considerations:
- Warm white LED string lights woven through larger plants
- Uplighting to create dramatic shadows and height
- Candlelight (LED for safety) among table arrangements
- Statement pendant lights above plant groupings
Metallic Accents:
- Gold or copper planter selections
- Metallic spray-painted natural elements
- Wire plant stands and sculptural supports
- Brass or copper decorative objects among greenery
What to Avoid:
- Glitter or loose decorative elements that damage plants
- Spray snow or artificial snow products
- Heavy ornaments that strain branches
- Anything that permanently alters or damages living plants
Bringing It All Together
The beauty of plant-based Christmas styling for corporate events is that it creates atmosphere without overwhelming your space or your schedule. It’s sophisticated enough for the most discerning clients, yet relaxed enough to encourage genuine celebration and connection among your team.
Start with your venue’s natural focal points—what draws the eye when you first enter? That’s where your statement plants belong. Then work backwards, filling in with medium and smaller specimens until the space feels balanced and complete rather than cluttered.
Remember that corporate Christmas event ideas don’t need to follow a single prescribed formula. The most memorable events are those that feel authentic to your company culture whilst still delivering that special festive atmosphere. Plants offer the flexibility to create something unique to your organisation whilst maintaining professional polish.
Whether you’re planning an intimate team dinner or a large-scale corporate celebration, plant-based styling offers a surprisingly practical path to creating genuine festive magic. And when January rolls around and everyone else is detangling fairy lights and finding homes for dusty decorations? You’ll simply be arranging for your plants to be collected or finding them new homes—festive without the fuss, exactly as promised.
References
- Australian National Botanic Gardens. (2024). “Australian Christmas Plants.” Retrieved from https://www.anbg.gov.au/christmas/
- Flower Power. (2024). “Plants that create a Christmas feel.” Retrieved from https://www.flowerpower.com.au/garden-advice/gardening/plants-that-create-a-christmas-feel/
- Australian Plants Online. (2024). “Ceratopetalum Christmas bush.” Retrieved from https://www.australianplantsonline.com.au/ceratopetalum-gummiferum-alberys-red.html
- Ambius UK. (2025). “Top 10 Christmas Plants for Decor.” Retrieved from https://www.ambius.co.uk/blog/traditional-plants-for-the-festive-season/