18 Flowering Houseplants That Last Way Longer Than Any Bouquet
Once you’ve mastered your outdoor garden, why not move the show indoors with a few flowering houseplants? Some can thrive for years indoors if you give them the right conditions—bright, indirect light and a pot that has holes in the bottom so excess water can drain out—and half the work is done. Of course, each plant has its own specific requirements, but whether you’re a bonafide plant mom or you’re new to the houseplant game, here are 18 flowering houseplants that’ll add color to any room of your home.
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1. Moth Orchid
Needs moderate to bright light
Water when nearly dry
Why we love it: It’s long-lasting
Color variations: White, purple, pink, salmon and yellow
With its butterfly-like blooms, this orchid looks delicate, but it’s much sturdier than you’d think. Also called the Phalaenopsis orchid, this charming plant doesn’t need repotted often and actually flowers better when it’s slightly root-bound. It will bloom for years with little care.
2. Peace Lily
Needs moderate to bright light
Water when nearly dry
Why we love it: It’s understated but still striking.
Color variations: Though there are various colored lilies, peace lilies are always white.
Perhaps not as flashy as other flowering houseplants, a peace lily with loads of white spoon-shaped flowers has an understated elegance that works in any setting. It flowers best in bright light, although it will tolerate low light. Cut off the flowers at the base of the plant once they turn green to keep the plant looking tidy. Peace lilies can live for ten or more years.
3. African Violet
Needs bright light
Keep soil lightly moist
Why we love it: Unlike seasonal flowers, the longevity of African violets makes them ultra-budget friendly
Color variations: Blue, violet, lavender, pink, red-violet, blue-violet, lavender-pink and white
These plants absolutely hate getting waterlogged, so don’t overdo it! Also, keep water off the leaves to prevent spotting, and pinch off faded flowers so the plant stays pretty. In the right conditions, African violets can live for a few decades.
4. Christmas Cactus
Needs bright light
Water when soil is dry
Why we love it: Nothing says festive like a gorgeous Christmas cactus in full bloom
Color varieties: white, hot pink, peach, pale pink
The exotic-looking blooms of Christmas cactus come in white, hot pink, peach and pale pink. Different species bloom at different times of year, including Thanksgiving and Easter, and they can live for decades. If a piece breaks off, insert the end (where it came off of the main plant) into moist potting soil in another pot. It will root to create a new baby plant to keep or share.
5. Kalanchoe
Needs bright light
Water when almost dry
Why we love it: Its affordable pricing is a big plus considering it’s not known to rebloom often
Color varieties: yellow, pink, red or orange
This cheery succulent has clusters of bright yellow, pink, red or orange flowers that last for weeks. Cut off the flower head when it fades and enjoy the glossy foliage all year long. If you keep it, don’t count on reblooming next year. This plant is finicky, so don’t feel bad if you toss in the compost pile; they’re inexpensive enough to buy seasonally.
6. Cyclamen
Needs bright light
Keep soil slightly moist
Why we love it: With over 23 species, these blooms come in outdoor and indoor varieties
Color variations: White as well as varying shades of pink, lavender and red
Cyclamen has dainty red, pink or white blooms that float above cute heart-shaped leaves. They like it on the cool side (60 to 70 degrees), or they get annoyed and drop leaves. It’s tough to get them to rebloom, so enjoy and compost when they start to look ratty.
7. Chenille Plant
Needs bright light
Keep soil slightly moist
Why we love it: Its hanging flowers set it apart from any other houseplant
Color variations: Red, white and cream
With its fuzzy red flowers, called catkins, chenille is rather eye-catching in bloom! A hanging basket shows off its unique blooms nicely. But be aware that the catkins are toxic and may irritate skin, so wear gloves when handling and keep them away from kids and pets. It’s a fast-growing plant that can last for years.
8. Amaryllis
Needs bright light
Keep soil lightly moist
Why we love it: Its large flowers make for great centerpieces
Color variations: Red, white, pink, salmon, apricot, rose and deep burgundy
Mark your calendars, because these dramatic blooms come from bulbs that are sold in the fall. Put them in a bright spot, because insufficient light causes the foliage to flop over once it emerges from the bulb. Blooms occur in about six weeks and last for a month or more.
To save the bulb for next year, leave the foliage intact but cut the flower stalk, then move outdoors in the shade after the last frost occurs. In late summer, cut off any foliage and don’t water until about six weeks before the next time you want it to bloom. Then start watering (and hope for the best)!
9. Begonia
Needs bright light
Water when almost dry
Why we love it: There are literally thousands of variations to pick from, so you’re spoiled for choice
Color variations: White, pink or red
There are more than 1,000 species of begonias and begonia hybrids! Many different types, including some grown for their stunning leaf patterns, will survive indoors with sufficient light. Begonias are particularly susceptible to overwatering, so don’t keep the soil sopping wet. Pinch off flowers as they fade to keep them looking neat. Many types will last for years.
10. Gloxinia
Needs bright indirect light
Keep soil slightly moist
Why we love it: Gloxinia are relatively low maintenance.
Color variations: White, pink, red, blue, purple and two-toned
This relative of African violets has velvety bell-shaped flowers in gorgeous deep purples, blues, reds and pinks. Like African violets, don’t get gloxinia leaves wet or you’ll have brown spotting on the foliage. They flower for about two months. The plants can live for years, though they can be somewhat finicky about reblooming.
To keep them happy, make sure to give them indirect light, remove any wilted flowers and water enough to keep the soil moist.
11. Oxalis
Needs bright indirect light
Water when almost dry
Why we love it: Its dramatic leaves and delicate flowers add a moody touch to any room
Color variations: White, pink, yellow, red or purple
This adorable plant, also called a shamrock plant, grows from bulbs and has bright green or deep burgundy leaves with tiny, prolific white or pink flowers. Some species close or fold up their leaves at night or on cloudy days. Many species go dormant a few times a year and appear to be dying. But this is a normal part of the growing cycle for bulbs, so place it in a cool, dark spot and stop watering. When you see new growth, place it back in bright light and resume watering. Also, keep it away from pets, as it contains oxalic acid, which can cause kidney damage if ingested in large quantities.
12. Flowering Maple
Needs bright indirect light
Water when almost dry
Why we love it: The striking color will add pizzaz to any room
Color variations: White, red, yellow, peach, orange, coral and bicolors
This lesser-known houseplant has pretty deep red, yellow, pink or peach papery blossoms that appear almost year-round. The plants last a few years before getting too leggy and ugly. At that point, toss ‘em in the compost bin!
13. Bromeliad
Needs low to bright indirect light
Wait till soil dries out in-between watering
Why we love it: Bromeliad’s are low maintenance and pet-friendly
Color varieties: pink, red, orange and yellow
This ultra-popular houseplant is a great choice not only because of its beautiful pastel blooms, but it’s also non-toxic to animals, so your four-legged family members are safe. Bromeliads are also relatively low maintenance—all you have to do is water them once a week (or when soil is no longer moist) and make sure they get the proper drainage and you’re good to go.
14. Clivia
Needs bright, indirect sunlight
Water when soil is dry
Why we love it: They look pretty, and they smell pretty
Color varieties: Orange, red and yellow
If you’re looking for a plant that will help you combat that seasonal affective disorder during the winter months, consider clivias. They are fragrant and their striking colors will bring some cheer into your space. Though they are mostly active from spring to fall, clivias begin blooming around February.
15. Poinsettias
Need indirect light
Keep soil slightly moist
Why we love it: C’mon, is there a plant that better ushers in the holiday spirit?!
Color varieties: white, pink, bright red
Talk about a delicate flower—you need to be extra careful when caring for poinsettias. According to NMSU’s College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES), poinsettias are what’s known as long-night plants, which means they need to be in complete darkness for roughly 14 hours per day for a four-week period in order to form buds. In late September or early October, ensure that the plant doesn’t receive any artificial light after nightfall, since even the smallest ray from a light bulb will delay blooming.
16. Orchids
Need bright, indirect light
Water once a week
Why we love them: They add an elegant, sophisticated note to any nook
Color variations: grayish purple, pinkish-purple, bright purple
Just like poinsettias, orchids can be a bit tricky. For one, they are not to be potted in soil like most houseplants. Your best bet is to place them in moss, bark or a mixture that can include rocks and corks. How much water you give them also depends on what medium they’re planted in. For example, bark dries out more quickly than moss, so an orchid planted in the former may require a bit more attention. Pro tip: Even if the surface is dry to the touch, check the bottom of the plant to ensure the roots aren’t harboring any moisture. Too much water and the orchid may rot.
17. Hibiscus
Need full, direct sunlight
Keep soil moist
Why we love them: Bright, delicate and dazzling, these blooms are the essential summer flower
Color variations: orange, yellow, red and pink
For when you can’t travel but want to add a tropical flair to your space, opt for a hibiscus. Because they are native to warmer environments, hibiscus need daily watering during the hotter months of the year. When the weather cools down however, water only when the soil is dry to the touch.
18. Cape primrose
Need indirect light
Water when soil is dry
What we love: Their tolerance for slight dryness can be a point of reprieve for the newbie plant parents who may forget to water them for a day or two
Color variations: blue, purple, pink, yellow and white
Native to South Africa, this dainty flower typically grows on the forest floor, under the shade of other plants. That said, if you choose to bring it into your home, Logee’s Greenhouses advises you grow your cape primrose near an east or north window, where there is no direct southern light. Additionally, ensure the soil is completely dried out before you add water, since they don’t take too kindly to oversaturation.
P.S. Add water directly into the soil when watering and don’t get the leaves wet. (Cold water on the leaves will cause stains and discoloration.)
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