10 Beautiful Indoor Flowering Plants to Brighten Up Your Home
Whether you have a brown thumb or a green one, indoor plants are a great way to add some life and color to your home. From my experience living in apartments over the years, flowering plants in particular have always lifted my mood. They remind me of gardening with my grandparents as a kid. In this article, I’ll discuss 10 easy care indoor flowering plants that even the laziest plant parent can keep alive.
1. African Violets
African violets are one of the most popular houseplants for a reason – they’re very low maintenance but produce cute little flowers all year round. I’ve somehow managed to keep mine going strong for over 2 years now! They like lots of bright, indirect sunlight and need water only when the top inch of soil is dry. African violets come in an awesome range of colors too. My favorites are the pink and white varieties.
2. Chrysanthemums
Mums are another classic low-effort flowering plant. You can find them in just about any grocery or big box store. I’ve got one on my kitchen windowsill that’s been there for ages with no complaints. Be warned though – the smell can be overwhelmingly strong up close! Chrysanthemums prefer moderate water and partial shade. They tolerate neglect fairly well in my experience.
3. Gerbera Daisies
These tropical beauties add a burst of bright color anywhere you put them. Gerbera daisies come in shades like orange, yellow, pink and red. They like lots of sunlight and moisture. A north facing window is ideal basically. Cut off old flowers to encourage reblooming. The flowers only last around 2 weeks but it’s totally worth it I think. One funny story – my cat once mistook a gerbera for a toy and knocked the pot over, desperately trying to “catch” it!
4. Orchids
Orchids have an unfair rep for being difficult but many varieties are quite easy in the right conditions. Phalaenopsis or moth orchids are magnificent and very low maintenance as long as they get indirect light. They need humid conditions though, so a pebble tray under the pot helps. Fertilize every few weeks using a specialized orchid food. If you keep the flowers from turning brown, an orchid can bloom for months on end in my experience. Oh and make sure the roots aren’t sitting in water!
5. Chinese Evergreens
These guys are like indestructible houseplants. I’ve seen Chinese evergreens survive some neglect, lol. They enjoy medium to low light and keeping the soil slightly moist. Best of all, Chinese evergreens bloom almost non-stop with dainty pink, white or orange flowers. Plus the leaves come in shades of green, burgundy and silver. They definitely add something kinda unique to a space if you ask me.
6. Kalanchoe
Kalanchoes go by many names like flapjacks, panda plants and living stones. You can’t miss their bunches of colorful blooms in shades of orange, pink, red and yellow held above thick succulent leaves. These beauties thrive in low light and neglect. Just water only when the soil is fully dry. Kalanchoes tend to drop a lot of flowers but more keep coming, so basically it always looks cheerful. A nice lil’ splash of color for low effort.
7. Begonias
Begonias come in so many varieties, it’s kinda ridiculous. From trailing types to big waxy leaf varieties. As for flowering begonias, wax begonias are a great option for medium light. They bloom all summer with cheerful roses, oranges and reds. Fibrous begonias also flower well and prefer partial shade. All begonias like moist soil. A word of warning though: slugs and snails find them quite tasty! So keep an eye out basically.
8. Petunias
These annuals may be typically outdoor plants but some varieties do well indoors too if given enough sun. Look for compact trailing petunias that will spill over the edges of a hanging basket or windowsill pot. They bloom non-stop! Petunias love sunlight and moisture. Just water daily and watch them glow with colors like pink, purple, red and white. But the smell is quite overpowering up close in my opinion.
9. African Masks
These dainty blooming plants are real show-stoppers. African masks come bearing cute little face-shaped flowers in shades of orange, yellow and red. They prefer medium indirect light and average watering. The blooms last for weeks before being replaced by new ones. Best of all, the leaves are interestingly patterned too. If you like unique flowers, these guys are definitely worth a try.
10. Jasmine
Nothing screams tropical paradise more than the sweet perfume of jasmine blooms. Thankfully some varieties do well inside too. Look for dwarf jasmine varieties that stay below 4 feet tall. Give them plenty of sun and keep the soil moist. In return, you’ll be rewarded with clusters of small white or yellow jasmine flowers. The fragrance alone can lift your mood, no joke. Just don’t overdo it in closed areas – the scent is quite intense!
So in summary, those are 10 gorgeous flowering plants that even the blackest of thumbs can handle. Just give them the right conditions and watch them reward you with colorful blooms all year round. Starting with a few easy ones like African violets or chrysanthemums is a safe bet in my experience before graduating to trickier types. With regular care and affection, your home will be brighter thanks to your new green companions! That’s all for now folks – happy planting!
Top 10 Indoor Flowering Houseplants
| Plant | Care Difficulty | Bloom Color | Bloom Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pothos | Easy | White/Yellow | Year-Round |
| Peace Lily | Easy | White | Spring-Fall |
| African Violet | Moderate | Various | Spring-Fall |
| Orchid | Moderate | Various | Spring-Fall |
| Chinese Evergreens | Easy | Pink/White | Spring-Fall |
FAQ
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What kinds of indoor plants flourish with little sunlight?
Some plants that basically do well with low light include pothos, snake plant, Chinese evergreen and zz plant. They can sort of survive with just a few hours of indirect light every day.
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How often should indoor plants be watered?
It depends on the type of plant but generally they need water around once every 7-10 days. The soil should dry out somewhat between waterings but not completely. You can stick your finger in the soil to check if it’s dry. Don’t overwater or the roots may rot!
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Is it hard to care for flowering indoor plants?
Caring for indoor plants that flower isn’t too tough as long as you meet their basic needs. However, flowering plants may be a little more high maintenance compared to other houseplants. You’ll have to fertilize and prune them occasionally to stimulate blooming. But the stunning flowers are so worth it!
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What are some common problems with indoor plants?
Pests like spiders and gnats seem to be drawn to houseplants. Overwatering can cause root rot while underwatering wilts the leaves. Temperature and sunlight requirements must be met for different species to thrive. It may take some trial and error to get it right. Perhaps ask an expert for tips to avoid issues.
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Will flowering houseplants bloom year-round?
Most flowering indoor plants won’t bloom continuously. They may flower once or twice a year depending on the type. Things like day length, temperature changes and pruning can trigger blooming. During their off season, keep caring for the plant but you might not see flowers. Don’t lose hope – they’ll likely bloom again!
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What houseplants bloom the longest?
African violets, orchids and Chinese evergreens produce flowers for an unusually long period compared to other indoor flowering species. They can remain in bloom for months at a time with proper care. This is amazing considering they live inside the home! Just be prepared to deadhead spent blooms to induce reblooming.
On the one hand, indoor plants are aesthetically pleasing and can totally brighten up a space. At the same time, they require some care and maintenance that folks may not anticipate. Despite the occasional challenges, flowering houseplants offer a rewarding way to liven up your interior decor – provided you supply their needs. Overall, a few bloom beans here and there are likely worth the effort. Just be sure not to kill your plant buddies through lack of proper watering or sunlight exposure! Quote the famed botanist Henry Ward Beecher: “A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift; above all it teaches entire trust.”