House Plants to Grow Indoors
Flowering houseplants are a colorful, easy way to combat the gloom of winter. We rounded up 10 of our favorite flowering houseplants that you can try growing this winter, like African violets, orchids, and amaryllis. (If your thumb isn't exactly green, check out our list of 10 can't-kill houseplants.) If you have pets or children in your home who might enjoy a snack on a plant, check aspca.org or children's health websites first, as some houseplants may be toxic to eat. Avoid these houseplants that are unsafe for dogs.
If you're new to caring for and caring for houseplants, especially indoor flowering plants, the secret to keeping most houseplants blooming indoors is maximizing their time in the sun. Consider which corners of your home receive the most natural light, and then position your plants successfully. In general, south windows are your best bet. In The Immortal Houseplant by Tova Martin, she recommends starting a checklist of growing conditions in your home. How much light your home gets and where it gets the most light. (As mentioned, light is important for houseplants to thrive indoors!)Windowsills are an obvious choice for placing plants, but if your windows aren't wide enough for your planters, Dova has some suggestions. "I list all kinds of furniture to get my plants closer to the sun's rays," he says in his book. "Plant stands are an obvious choice, and they come in all shapes and sizes. I use tables of every description. Wet plants can leave marks on the woods, so use glazed saucers to prevent spills and put a cork coaster underneath.
This winter, bring any of these flowering houseplants into your home.
1. Begonia
With tons of begonia options, choosing one can be difficult. Wax begonias are an excellent choice, with sturdy leaves and abundant blooms. Angel wing and rex begonias add interesting foliage to the mix. All begonias like a little extra moisture, so fill a shallow container with water and rocks and set the pot on top.
2. Chinese hibiscus
Nothing evokes the feeling of sunny weather like the large, bright flowers of a tropical hibiscus plant. Give it plenty of room to grow with as much direct sunlight as possible, and you'll reap year-round rewards. Hibiscus blooms on new growth, so prune it only once or twice a year.
3. Kalanchoe
Clusters of red, orange, pink or white appear on waxy green leaves in late February. Kalanchoe ("kal-un-KOH-ee") is a short-day plant; It needs 14 hours of total darkness each night to start flowering. It is a succulent, so it needs thorough watering from time to time.
4. African Violet
This excellent flowering houseplant has a few quirks. Use room temperature water to moisten the soil when it is dry, but do not allow the leaves to drip or allow the roots to sit in water. African violets need lots of bright indirect light, but protect your plant from direct sunlight. Once you've found the right spot, you know - blooming African violets are delightful.
5. Geranium
Fragrant geraniums have been prized as houseplants since colonial times, when housewives shared cuttings to brighten their neighbors' homes. Ivy-leaved geraniums spread over the sides of their containers, while seeded and zoned geraniums are more upright.
6. Flowering Maple
These flowering houseplants are in the mallow family. The flowering maple has beautiful bell-shaped flowers in yellow, orange and white. Popular in Victorian times, this unusual little shrub is making a much-deserved comeback. Give lots of sun indoors; Move it outside in the summer.
7. Jasmine
Your home will feel like spring when these fragrant flowering houseplants bloom. The tiny white flowers pack a fragrance that lasts for weeks, turning your home into a sweet-smelling paradise. Jasmine needs low night temperatures to flower, so keep it away from furnace vents.
8. Lipstick plant
The flowers on the lipstick plant attract adoring eyes. The tiny crimson flower rises from a maroon tube-shaped bud that resembles the lipstick it's named after. This tropical vine likes bright light, regular compost and soil that is moist but moist.
9. Orchid
With orchids, it's best to start easy with phalaenopsis, also known as the moth orchid. These low-maintenance flowering houseplants thrive in any light except direct sun, and generally only need weekly watering. Other popular orchid species include Cattleya and Dendrobium.
10. Amaryllis
Bearing multiple buds on a stem, amaryllis are popular indoor plant gifts. They only bloom once a year, but these showstoppers are worth the wait. After the scene is complete, cut the stems and allow the foliage to grow. New buds appear next winter. (Psst! Did you know you can grow amaryllis from seeds too?)
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