20 Indoor Flowering Plants to Brighten Your Home

1. Orchids

• Water: Water twice a week when the soil is dry during warmer months, and once a week in winter.
• Soil: Requires a special orchid soil mix.
• Light: Needs bright, indirect sunlight.

When you think of indoor flowering plants, orchids are likely the first to come to mind, often known for their tricky care. But with the right tips, they’re not too hard to grow. The key? Use the proper soil and ensure you water the plant as soon as the soil starts to dry out.

2. Kalanchoe

• Water: Allow the soil to dry out before watering again.
• Soil: Requires a succulent-specific potting mix.
• Light: Needs bright, indirect light.

Kalanchoe’s vibrant flowers make it a standout indoor plant. "It thrives in bright sunlight, so placing it on a southwest-facing windowsill should work perfectly," says Mast. "As a succulent, it doesn’t require frequent watering."

3. Hydrangeas

• Water: Water when the soil feels almost dry, about three inches below the surface.
• Soil: Requires well-draining, slightly acidic soil.
• Light: Prefers direct sunlight.

Hydrangea varieties are a summer garden favorite, but these shrubs can also bring a pop of color to your indoor space when potted. They grow best in direct sunlight and need moist soil.

"If you notice the blooms starting to droop, place the pot in a sink or bucket with around two to three inches of water. Let the soil soak up moisture through the drainage hole for about 45 minutes," advises Mast. "Afterward, let the excess water drain and return the pot to the saucer, placing it back in the sunlight."

4. Bromeliads

• Water: Water once every week or two during warmer months, and every two to three weeks when the weather cools down.
• Soil: Special potting mix designed for bromeliads.
• Light: Prefers bright, indirect or direct sunlight.

"Bromeliads are available in a range of stunning colors and are simple to maintain," says Mast. "They don’t need much water—about every two weeks—and their blooms can last up to two to three months." She highlights two varieties—the Aechmea Fasciata Pink and the Bromeliad Tillandsia Summer.

5. Chrysanthemums

• Water: Ensure thorough watering to keep the soil consistently moist.
• Soil: Requires a well-draining, slightly acidic potting mix.
• Light: Prefers bright, indirect light.

Chrysanthemums are an excellent choice if you're after a low-maintenance indoor flowering plant. "They don’t need much attention beyond keeping the soil moist and ensuring the pot has proper drainage," explains Mast.

6. Cyclamen

• Water: Keep the soil moist, ensuring excess water drains away.
• Soil: Requires a loamy potting mix.
• Light: Prefers bright, indirect light.

Cyclamen is a great choice if you're seeking a plant to brighten your fall and winter months. "With the right conditions, the stunning, heart-shaped blooms will likely last around eight weeks," says Mast. "Ensure the soil stays moist, but avoid allowing standing water in the pot."

7. Anthurium

• Water: Allow the soil to dry halfway before watering again.
• Soil: Use orchid potting mix, or a coarse, well-draining mix.
• Light: Prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate low light conditions.

"The anthurium is a symbol of hospitality with its open, heart-shaped bloom, and it brings happiness and abundance," explains Mast. These plants come in red, pink, white, and purple shades and thrive in warm, bright, and humid environments in your home.

8. Zygo Cactus

• Water: Allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again.
• Soil: Loamy potting mix or cactus soil mix is ideal.
• Light: Prefers indirect, diffused light.

Often called the Christmas cactus, this indoor flowering plant has vibrant blooms and a succulent-like appearance. "The Zygos are distinctive cacti with long, segmented vines that cascade over the pot, making them perfect for a hanging planter or shelf," says Mast. "They thrive in full sunlight and need very little water."

9. Gloxinias

• Water: Keep the soil consistently moist.
• Soil: Requires a peaty potting mix.
• Light: Thrives in bright sunlight.

These low-maintenance indoor plants are cousins to the African violet, according to Mast. Their blooms typically last about two months, and they thrive in bright, filtered sunlight with moderately moist soil.

10. Poinsettia

• Water: Water when the soil feels dry to the touch.
• Soil: Requires a peaty potting mix.
• Light: Prefers bright, indirect light.

Did you know? The small yellow blooms at the center are the true flowers of the poinsettia, while the red 'petals' are actually bracts. Poinsettias are iconic during the holidays but can bring color to your space well beyond the New Year.

11. Paperwhites

• Water: Keep the soil lightly moist, or allow the plant access to water.
• Soil: Use regular potting soil or place pebbles with water for the roots to access.
• Light: Requires bright, direct sunlight.

A wintertime favorite, paperwhites boast delicate white flowers and a lovely fragrance. You can grow them in potting mix, or for a different look, plant the bulbs in pebbles to let the roots soak up water beneath.

12. Crown of Thorns

• Water: Water when the top layer of soil feels dry to the touch.
• Soil: Use a cactus-specific potting mix.
• Light: Prefers bright, direct sunlight.

This beautiful plant belongs to the Euphorbia genus, the same as poinsettia. It’s a hardy succulent that can bloom year-round if its needs are met.

13. Peace Lily

• Water: Water when the soil feels slightly dry.
• Soil: Well-draining, nutrient-rich soil.
• Light: Prefers indirect light.

The peace lily is a popular choice for indoor plants, known for its long-lasting white flowers that can bloom for weeks. However, be cautious, as it is toxic to pets, so make sure to place it out of reach of your cats and dogs.

14. African Violets

• Water: Keep the soil consistently moist but avoid excessive watering.
• Soil: Light, well-draining potting mix, such as one made for African violets.
• Light: Prefers bright, indirect light.

If you're in search of indoor plants that offer flowers year-round, the charming African violet might be exactly what you're looking for. One thing to note about these flowers: they should be watered from below. To do this, place the pot with a drainage hole into a saucer of water for up to 30 minutes, allowing the soil to absorb moisture. Watering from the top could result in crown rot.

15. Gardenia

• Water: Ensure the soil remains moist, but be careful not to overwater.
• Soil: Use a slightly acidic, peaty potting mix.
• Light: Prefers bright, indirect light.

This striking plant boasts large, rose-like blooms complemented by lush green leaves, making it a beautiful addition to your indoor plant collection. Although it has a reputation for being high-maintenance, following the proper care instructions will help your gardenia flourish.

16. Jasmine

• Water: Water when the top inch of soil becomes dry.
• Soil: Choose a soil mix containing bark, peat, or perlite.
• Light: Bright, indirect light is ideal.

This aromatic and delightful plant is cherished both as a houseplant and in outdoor gardens. For indoor blooming of jasmine, it’s crucial to allow the plant a resting period, which can be achieved in fall by providing it with cool, sunny days and chilly, dark nights.

17. Geraniums

• Water: Keep the soil moist, but avoid soaking it.
• Soil: Mulch or peat works great for this plant.
• Light: Bright, direct sunlight is optimal.

Though often considered "common," these delightful plants are incredibly low-maintenance, thrive in pots, and are available in many different varieties. Explore specialty sellers on Etsy for affordable rooted cuttings of unique variegated varieties.

18. Wax Begonia

• Water: Ensure the soil stays moist, but avoid excessive watering.
• Soil: Opt for a type rich in organic materials.
• Light: Prefers bright, indirect light. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can cause the leaves to scorch.

Begonias are available in many beautiful flowering varieties and those with equally stunning leaves, like the wax Begonia. These plants do not go dormant if cared for properly, and they bloom during the summer. If you have them outside in the warmer months, be sure to bring them indoors once the temperatures drop!

19. Pansies

• Water: They thrive in consistently moist soil, but be careful not to overwater.
• Soil: Slightly acidic to neutral with a nutrient-rich composition.
• Light: Indirect light is ideal.

Pansies can be grown as perennials but often struggle after the first year unless conditions are perfect. They add charm to containers and come in many varieties, beyond the typical ones found in window boxes—like these lovely red and yellow varieties.

20. Amaryllis

• Water: Keep the soil moist but avoid overwatering.
• Soil: A sandy, loamy potting mix works well.
• Light: Provide direct morning sun, followed by bright, indirect light.

Forced bulbs are especially popular in winter, particularly during the holiday season. To encourage blooming, place them in a sunny, south-facing window.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Are there indoor plants that flower year-round?

  Yes, several types of indoor plants can flower year-round. Here are three:

  • Jasmine (Jasminum Polyanthum). The pink variety of Jasmine can thrive indoors all year if you keep it moist and make sure it gets a lot of sun.
  • African Violets (Streptocarpus sect. Saintpaulia). This flower will produce deep purple or magenta blooms throughout the year if its needs (moderate sun and water) are met.
  • Crown-of-Thorns (Euphorbia milii). This succulent will produce its colorful blooms (red, yellow, white, orange, or pink) year-round, especially if it receives at least three hours of direct sunlight every day.
• What is the longest-blooming indoor plant?

  Anthuriums bloom for two to three months at a time, though their blooms aren't technically flowers; they are actually colorful, waxy leaves. You can help your anthuriums thrive by keeping them in an area with plenty of sunlight and humid conditions.

• What are some low-light indoor flowering plants?

  Several types of indoor flowering plants can thrive in low light. Here are three:

  • Butterfly orchids (Phalaenopsis). This flower thrives in indirect light or shade. Just make sure to always keep it away from heating and air conditioning vents, water it once a week, and mist the leaves regularly.
  • Gloxinia (Sinningia speciosa). This flowering plant blooms in deep colors ranging from purple to red to orange, and it needs very little light to do it. Don’t overwater it, though. Just give it enough water to moisten the soil and don’t wet the leaves.
  • Clivia (Clivia miniata). This house plant will produce red, yellow, or orange blooms in the shade and doesn’t require much water.