Photo credit: iStock/Ramone

The most iconic holiday decoration is the mistletoe hanging above the door. The origin and meaning of this tradition have many different variations and began as early as the Middle Ages. Back then, folks believed mistletoe to be a sacred plant, which kept evil spirits at bay. The legends evolved to it being a healing herb. Eventually, today’s tradition of catching your honey under it for a quick holiday kiss took hold, which was originally believed to mend broken hearts.

You can find mistletoe growing on the branches of trees including apple, lime, hawthorns, poplars, chestnuts, oaks, locusts and firs to name a few.

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Want to grow your own mistletoe? This year, crush a mistletoe berry onto a host tree branch and wait for your greenery to bloom next season, but it may take up to five years to have a mature plant. But be prepared to have the romantic parasite plant around for a while because it’s hard to kill once it’s established.

See more: Holiday Fun Facts: Mistletoe