Many popular houseplants are known for their uniquely shaped or colored leaves, which bring natural beauty and texture to our indoor spaces. While beautiful foliage is a common feature of many houseplants, we often reserve the vibrant blooms for outdoor gardens or patio containers. However, this isn't always necessary. With proper care, a variety of flowering plants can thrive indoors and even rebloom multiple times, adding a burst of color to your home or office.
Orchid
Many orchid species thrive indoors, with Phalaenopsis being the most commonly found in stores and the easiest to care for. While it can be a challenge to get them to rebloom, they will do so, if placed in a bright, indirect window. Orchids also require adequate humidity to grow well, so placing them in your kitchen or bathroom or on a tray of gravel and water will help. Plants could also be misted frequently to maintain the surrounding humidity level. Water orchids weekly until water flows out the drainage holes and fills the tray below. Allow the container to dry out between waterings. Water orchids with collected rainwater or distilled water.
Kalanchoe
This waxy-leafed succulent is a low-maintenance plant with colorful blooms in shades of red, pink, yellow, or white. To encourage new buds, trim off all the faded blooms. Kalanchoe prefers its soil to dry out between waterings, as it is prone to overwatering. It thrives in bright, indirect sunlight, but can become leggy in low-light conditions. Propagation is easy with stem or leaf cuttings, allowing you to create new plants. During the summer, you can place it outside to grow, but be sure to bring it indoors before the first frost. Bring them inside before the first frost; they will develop flower buds in response to the long nights of fall.
Miniature Rose
Instead of gifting a bouquet of cut roses that will wilt and die in a couple of weeks, consider giving a miniature rose plant. These small, delicate buds bloom in red, pink, or white and can be deadheaded to encourage new flowers. Indoors, they require bright sunlight in a south-facing window and constant temperatures ranging from 60-75°F. To maintain the right humidity, lightly mist the foliage daily. In the summer, these plants can also be planted outdoors in a container or on the ground, but make sure to bring them back inside before the first frost. Most miniature roses will go dormant in the winter and begin to grow again come spring.
Cyclamen
These heart-shaped leaved plants have unique foliage and showstopper flowers that can bloom for four to six weeks. Flowers can be a variety of shades of red, pink, and white. To care for them, water the plants at the base of the plant when it dries out, soaking it until water flows from the drainage holes. Cyclamens grow best in bright, indirect sunlight and thrive in cooler (55-60°F) temperatures. After blooming, the plant will enter dormancy, with its foliage yellowing and dying back to the soil. Remove the dried foliage and store the container in a cool, dark place for two months. Once the dormancy period is over, resume watering and plant the cyclamen bulbs in fresh soil. Place the pot in bright, indirect light, and soon new foliage will appear, followed by growing blooms a couple of months later.
Blooming houseplants make wonderful alternatives to traditional cut flower bouquets when celebrating a special occasion or showing appreciation. Gift a loved one a plant this year that can be enjoyed for months, adding vibrant color and a lovely fragrance to their indoor space.