Placing flowering plants inside your home is a great way to bring color indoors. Place them in a dark corner or dull area of your house to create a much more lively environment. Getting a houseplant to flower can be a difficult job at times – but many of these plants are bought fully grown, all you have to do is wait or maintain them to reap the rewards of a bright and flowering plant. Those that do require attention require some effort, but it’s nothing you won’t be able to handle with these tips.

Fuchsia

There are over 100 different varieties of fuschia. A blooming fuchsia usually lasts from summertime through autumn, which is quite a long lasting bloom. The blooms are tear drop shaped, with four long petals and four short petals which creates a beautiful layered design. Fuchsia plants come in a wide variety of colors, including white, red, purple/blue, orange and yellow. This plant is quite resilient, and is even known for surviving some pretty harsh winters in the United Kingdom.

To grow a fuchsia plant indoors, take your plant and pot it in some high quality soil – organic is best. This houseplant enjoys indirect, filtered sunlight – they won’t do very well in a place with direct light. Fuchsia’s like to be watered regularly, but be sure not to weigh the soil down by over watering. During the winter, when it’s not blooming – move it to a cooler, less sunny area – the leaves may brown and fall off – but the hearty fuchsia will rebloom again in the spring or summer depending on your climate.

This variety of Fuchsia is dark purple and pink – they come in many different dazzling colors

Clivia

This plant is commonly potted indoors, and is sure to liven up any space. It comes in yellow, red and orange varieties – they all come with smooth, dark green leaves. The Clivia plant is an evergreen – meaning that it will survive and thrive continually, throughout the years. It requires a resting period (fall/winter) – and it also has a blooming period (spring/summer). The Clivias leaves remain time and time again, springing back to life once it returns to season.

Clivias grow best from early spring to fall and enjoy warm temperatures and filtered sunlight during this time. During the growing months, the clivia requires more water. Once winter rolls around, keep your clivia indoors and out of the cold and reduce watering sessions. The Clivia plant will most likely bloom in the spring or sometimes in the late summer. This is a great long term plant that provides quite a beautiful bloom if cared for properly.

The Clivia produces a lovely bloom and can vary from yellow to red in color

Begonia

There are over 1800 varieties of begonia, many of which are native to tropical areas. This plant is quite popular for having indoor houseplant varieties as well. These specific varieties are ones that bloom year round, making the begonia a great indoor plant that will always be in bloom. Rex begonias, Wax begonias and Cane begonias, are just a few of the many different types there are to choose from.

Begonia’s prefer well aerated soil and filtered sunlight, bordering on shade. They cannot withstand direct sunlight. Begonias can bloom in colors of pink, scarlet, white and yellow – one of the reasons there are so many varieties of these plants. To keep your blooms in top shape, make sure to prune away tired looking blooms and leaves.

Begonias also come with very large and colorful leaves

Purple Oxalis

These plants are quite remarkable – not only in their color but in their leaves. They are the same type of leaf as a shamrock, and are often referred to as ‘false shamrocks’ given their deep purple hue. The purple shamrock leaves fold up in the evening or if they are given too much sun, almost like an umbrella.

These plants don’t require much. Purple oxalis need to be watered very infrequently – only when the topsoil is completely dried out. They require a pot with good drainage, and prefer cooler temperatures. They make good house plants because they thrive in temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The purple oxalis will do well in filtered sunlight and kept out of direct sun rays.

Purple Oxalis have petite white or lavender blooms alongside their lush leaves

Zebra Plant

The zebra plant is native to brazil and has quite a dazzling appearance. The plant blooms occasionally with small yellow flowers. The leaves of the zebra plant are its biggest attraction – they are large, deep green and waxy. The intricate white veining is what gives the zebra plant its descriptive name. Zebra plants have bright and vivid contrasting colors – perfect to add some zing to your indoor living space.

Zebra plants prefer consistent, small waterings – instead of waiting for the soil to dry before watering, keep it fairly moist but not wet. This plant does well in warmer climates (or as an indoor plant), and won’t survive very well in colder climates. Keep your zebra plant in a sunny spot with filtered light, and away from direct sunlight. Humidity is a key part of the natural environment for zebra plants in brazil, so if you live in a drier area you may want to consider using a humidifier.

Zebra plants have large, beautiful and colorful leaves.

Orchid

Orchids may get a bad rap for being difficult to grow or to bloom – and they can be a challenge! Although it may take some time to master your indoor orchid plant, it will definitely be worth it when your plant is bright and blooming. There are over 28,000 types of orchid in the world – making it one of the biggest populations of flowering plants.

There are different care directions for each type of orchid – so make sure you know are able to identify what type you have and how to best feed, water and prune. Some basic tips for growing orchids, include using a shallow pot, well drained soil and finding the perfect temperature. Orchids prefer cooler weather at night than they do during the daytime – this is often why people can’t seem to get their orchids to bloom. Remember, orchids take patience and trial and error – but once you find out what your plant needs you’ll get to enjoy its beautiful bloom.

Orchids come in a variety of bloom colors and petal types

Anthurium

There are quite a few different types of anthurium out there, and they come in all different colors.  Although they look somewhat similar to the orchid, they tend to be lower maintenance. If you can provide anthurium with a few key things – you will see them thrive.

Anthurium cannot withstand direct sunlight, and often grow in shadier areas outdoors. This flowering plant will grow more slowly and bloom less in very shady areas, so it’s important to find an area with perfect lighting. This plant should receive bright, indirect sunlight. This plant needs a pot with good draining, but that will also provide some water retention within the soil – if you haven’t before it might be a good time to try out some soil amendments to make your soil a bit more hydrating.

These flowers provide a bright pop of color when given the correct elements.

Christmas Cactus

The Christmas Cactus gets its name from its timely bloom. During the winter months, this plant sprouts flowers in red, white, yellow, pink, or purple varieties. The blooms are quite remarkable and can last up to a few weeks with the proper care. To prep your Christmas Cactus, make sure it can sit somewhere humid, perhaps with a humidifier – and also somewhere rather dark and shady in the months approaching winter.

While blooming, the Christmas Cactus needs to retain somewhat moist soil. Alternate between filtered light and direct light during the blooming season. To keep this plant in a blooming cycle – return it to the dark humid area when blooms disappear, and place it back into a colder temperature and light filtered area when it begins to bloom again.

Christmas Cactus can bloom in a variety of different colors

Aechmea Fasciata

This flowering plant is of the bromeliad family – also known as the silver vase plant. This plant is known for its easy care and striking beauty. In general bromeliads prefer indirect sunlight – and can burn quite easily if placed in direct sun.

Watering this plant can be tricky. Instead of watering the soil, pour your water directly into the center of the plant until it’s about halfway ‘full. If the center of the plant becomes weak or begins to rot, you’ll need to drain the soil properly – keep an eye out for this and try to drain the pot preemptively, before the actual rotting begins. Bromeliads prefer circulated air, so keep a fan nearby to simulate wind.

This bromeliad has silvery green leaves and bring pink blooms

Golden Shrimp Plant

This plant can grow to be 6 feet tall outdoors, but if grown in a container sizes will be kept much smaller. The leaves of the shrimp plant are large and deeply veined. The bloom of the Golden shrimp plant is narrow and bright yellow.

The Golden Shrimp Plant requires moist soil and moderate light. If you live in the southern states, you’ll want to provide subtle, indirect light. In general, this plant likes to remain consistently moist and warm. The Shrimp plant won’t fair well in cold temperatures – if you notice leaves begin to fall off of the bloom, take the plant back indoors. This is a sprawling plant, so if you wish to keep it landscaped in a more narrow container make sure to cut off dead leaves and bushiness.

The small yellow bloom distantly resembles a shrimp

Amaryllis

This plant has a unique and noticeable trumpet shaped bloom that can come in a variety of pink and red hues as well as green, blue and purple. This plant has a long, mostly bare stem, with a large open bloom at the top. These flowers are great for all types of gardeners, even beginners.

To care for the Amaryllis plant, start by watering it with just enough water – be sure not to get the soil too saturated or it may result in rotting roots. Make sure to pot in something with good drainage. The Amaryllis likes to be in filtered light indoors while blooming. After the blooming season has ended, cut the flower off at the stem and place outdoors – this will ensure a recurring bloom for the next season.

The shades of color offered by this bloom vary from red, pink, and salmon to more green and blue

Kalanchoe

The kalanchoe plant is technically a succulent, and is known for its easy propagation and maintenance. Also known as the ‘flaming katy’, this plant comes in very bright colors like, magenta, yellow, orange, red and white. The leaves are glossy green and tend to grow to quite large sizes. They grow very well indoors and are sometimes referred to as the ‘window thrill’.

To take care of the kalanchoe plant, they need to be placed in an area with bright, filtered light. They will dry out or burn if placed in direct sunlight. This plant needs good drainage, and should not be over watered. Instead of watering daily, soak your plant and then wait for the soil to completely dry out before watering again. The more filtered, indirect sunlight you can give your kalanchoe plant the better – the blooms tend to grow larger when given more light.

The Kalanchoe plant is a succulent with vibrant blooms

Hibiscus

This flowering plant is known for its beautiful large blooms. Hibiscus comes in yellow, white, pink, peach and red. The red variety of hibiscus is known for its medicinal properties and can be made into a tea to solve problems with fever, stomach pain and high blood pressure. The blooms of this flower can grow to be about 6 inches wide and make lovely houseplants if cared for properly.

To care for a hibiscus plant, make sure to keep it in a warm area. Outdoors is preferred, especially in humid climates. This plant cannot tolerate cold temperatures and should be brought indoors during cold nights and throughout the winter. In the winter, your potted hibiscus should be watered only when the soil is dry. In the summertime – the hibiscus requires a lot more water and should be watered daily.

Hibiscus plants bloom large flowers in a variety of different colors, some of which are medicinal

African Violet

These lovely plants come in different blue and purple varieties and are a great way to add color to a room with limited space. You can grow them in small pots, or put more than one variety in a larger pot for more color. These plants may be a bit challenging to maintain, but once you understand how to nurture your plant you’ll be rewarded with their beautiful blooms.

The African violet should receive waterings depending on the soil. Never allow the soil become drenched, but also don’t let the soil dry out completely. When watering, make sure to avoid hitting the flowers or leaves as this can cause rot. These plants should be placed somewhere with bright, filtered, indirect light. If a particular bloom looks wilted beyond repair, pinch it off to stimulate new and healthy growth.

African Violets have dark green leaves and come in many different shades of blue and purple

Poinsettia

Although these plants may look like they have giant flowering blooms, the bright colors we see on the poinsettia are actually leaves – known as bracts. Colors vary from the holiday red, to pastel yellow and bright pink.

For poinsettias to continue thriving after the holiday season (when they are available for purchase) they must be cared for properly. Poinsettias enjoy bright and direct sunlight – they do well in bright sunny windows or outdoors. This plant will need soil with good drainage and shouldn’t sit in water. Over watering is a common cause of wilt in the poinsettia – only water when the soil on the top feels dry. Make sure to keep your poinsettia out of cold conditions – and bring indoors when temperatures drop.

Poinsettias come in more varieties than just their holiday red, and can continue to bloom past the holidays