5 Plants That Will Flower Indoors
It is the time of year many of us have put our gardens to bed and hung up our shovels for the season. There is something you can do if you are feeling sad; try growing a plant that will flower indoors. Growing flowering plants indoor can enhance your décor. These flowering plants can add color to your home all year round (depending on what you decide to grow). The plants we have highlighted have beautiful blooms that can brighten up your home and challenge your gardening skills.
Try growing one of these plants next year:
Abutilon
This plant is also known as Flowering Maple. It has crepe-paper like flowers that look like pretty little lanterns. The flowers bloom in orange, pink, red, white, and yellow. While the leaves look like Maple trees, the plant is not part of that family. This plant was very popular during the Victorian era and then fell from favor and has returned in popularity over the last few years. It is fast-growing and constantly in bloom. I have seen the plant grown as an upright tree. If you grow it like this prune it back to keep it looking like a shrub. You can also grow the plant in a hanging container. Place the plant in full sun to light shade location in well-drained soil. Water the plant well but do not overwater it, especially during the winter when the plant is dormant. Uneven watering can cause the flowers to fall off the plant.
African Violet
African Violets, as their name suggests, are native to East Africa. They are outdoor plants in their native environment but here in the U.S., they are treated as a houseplant. They are a low growing and compact plant that reaches anywhere from 3 to 16 inches in height. The leaves are usually oval-shaped, dark green in color, and thick but with a feeling like felt when you touch them. The most common flower color is purple but they also come in white and blue varieties. African Violets really develop their reputation for being fussy due to their watering requirements. They require porous soil which is quick draining and there are specific soil mixes for African Violets. For more information on growing African Violets please check out the following article.
Clivia
Clivia is an easy to grow houseplants with tall flowers that have orange or yellow blooms. The plant blooms in the late winter. The flowers look beautiful against its dark green foliage. Clivia is a cousin of the Amaryllis. It takes encouragement to get Clivia to bloom indoors but once you get it going it does not take a great effort to maintain. If you buy a plant in the February time period it will bloom in March or April. During its active growth phase (early spring through early fall), the plant needs warmth, direct sunlight, water, and fertilizer. A south-facing window is the best location. In the late fall and early winter, it needs a cooler location like a basement. Do not let the plant freeze and only water it once a week. In mid-January, bring it back into the sunlight and warmth. At this time you can start watering your plant more often and also fertilize it. This plant can also be divided every 3 years. Here is more information on how to grow Clivia.
Gloxinia
Gloxinia plants have large velvety flowers with ruffles that are bell-shaped and are found in blue, pink, purple, red, and white blooms. The flowers often have a contrasting band. This houseplant is related to the African Violet and prefers warm temperatures and high humidity. When in bloom the flowers last a week and continuously bloom for many weeks. When watering the plant make sure to not water the leaves or spots will appear. After the plants finish flowering, water them lightly until the leaves die down. Let the soil dry out and overwinter the tubers in their pots, in a cool location. The tubers can be made to bloom the following year. If you see the buds on your plant drop before they open, check to see if there is a draft or if the air in the room is too dry and try to add some humidity.
Kalanchoe
Kalanchoe is a succulent plant. The flowers on this plant are available in many bright colors including magenta, orange, pink, red, white, and yellow. When these plants are blooming, there are masses of flowers and they appear in clusters. The plant blooms based on the light. The longer the days the more they will flower. If you are one of these people who don’t often water your plants, this one is for you. These plants prefer a warm environment with bright, natural light. Keep them out of a hot location so the plant does not burn. Since the plant is a succulent it means you don’t need to water them often. They prefer to be in a clay pot with good drainage. The warmer your home is the more the flower will bloom. Do not overwater them or you might develop powdery mildew. If you want more blooms, then try deadheading your plant. It can make a great gift. For more information, read our blog post on Kalanchoes.
If you have any favorite indoor plants that flower, share them with us.
