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Nothing beats fresh blossoms on an entryway credenza, kitchen counter, or coffee table—that is, except for fresh blossoms that actually last. Go for indoor flowering plants and give buds a more permanent place in your home than just a cut bouquet. Beyond providing a pop of color and sometimes a whiff of fragrance, flowering plants may actually boost your mood: “Studies have shown that being around flowering plants can reduce stress, improve concentration, and increase feelings of happiness and relaxation,” says Peggy Anne Montgomery, a horticulturist with the gardening organization Flowerbulb.eu. “Caring for a plant also gives us a sense of purpose and connection to nature, helping to lift spirits and make our homes feel warmer and more welcoming throughout the year.”
What indoor flowering plants should you choose—and how do you help them thrive? Here are 11 ideas to get your indoor garden going.
1. Peace lily
The peace lily may be one of the most common flowering houseplants around, but this tranquil botanical with tropical origins is anything but boring. “There are different varieties, from windowsill types to giants that can get four feet tall and have hand-sized blooms,” says Justin Hancock, a horticulturist with Costa Farms. Its common occurrence, according to Hancock, is because it’s a low-maintenance, easy-care plant that’s perfect for beginners. “The more light it gets, the better it will bloom,” says Hancock. “It can do pretty well in medium and even lower-light conditions, but the less light it gets, the less energy it will have to bloom.”
2. Cape primrose
“Cape primrose (Streptocarpus) is a lesser-known flowering houseplant that produces an abundance of drooping, trumpet-shaped lavender-to-purple blooms with white centers,” says Elin Harryson, an expert for the plant-care app Planta. “Closely related to African violets, it offers a similarly long bloom season but with a cascading growth habit.” Give it bright, indirect light and evenly moist, well-draining soil, and it can flower for months at a time. As an added bonus, Cape primrose is nontoxic, so it’s entirely pet-friendly.
3. Kalanchoe
Don’t sleep on succulents for bold blooms in vibrant colors. “Kalanchoe is a flowering succulent that produces clusters of blooms in vibrant shades of red, orange, yellow, pink, or white,” says Harryson. “It’s incredibly low-maintenance, tolerates occasional missed waterings, and can flower for weeks at a time.” Its easy care makes it an ideal option for anyone who travels often and doesn’t want to come home to wilted houseplants.
4. African violet
“African violet is a classic that’s becoming popular again,” says Hancock. “It’s a relatively small, low-growing houseplant that’s pretty easy to get to bloom and comes in a huge range of colors. Plus, the fuzzy green leaves add texture when it’s not in bloom.” As with most flowering houseplants, the more light African violets get, the better they will bloom—so give them bright, indirect sunlight. Also, keep the soil moist and avoid getting the leaves wet to prevent rot.
5. Flowering anthurium
“I have a soft spot for flowering anthurium because it’s one of the easiest flowering houseplants to keep in bloom. If you have good conditions, it can bloom throughout the year,” says Hancock. “It’s most commonly found in red, but look around and you can find pink, white, orange, lavender, and other colors as well.” Technically, the glossy, heart-shaped centerpiece of this plant isn’t the flower—it’s a spathe, a modified leaf (the true flowers are dozens of tiny blooms that cover the spike). But spathe or flower, it’s a striking addition to any windowsill, if you go with the more compact variety. If you choose a larger variety that’s better suited as a floor plant, it’d be a perfect addition to the corner of your living room.
6. Holiday cactus
Like kalanchoe, holiday cactus is another low-maintenance succulent. “Sometimes broken down by species as Thanksgiving cacti and Christmas cacti, holiday cacti are exceptionally long-lived plants that have a really exotic appearance that belies how easy it is to care for them,” says Hancock. “They have interesting crab claw-like stems, and in the holiday season, they burst into bloom with a plethora of orchid-like flowers in pink, red, purple, orange, yellow, or white.” As for the right conditions, Hancock says holiday cacti appreciate shorter days and longer nights to bloom well, so keep them somewhere they don’t get any artificial light after sundown.
7. Moth orchid (Phalaenopsis)
Back in 19th-century Europe, Phalaenopsis orchids (also called moth orchids because the shape of their petals resembles a winged insect) were so rare and pricey, they were only attainable for the ultra-wealthy. But today, we’re lucky to be able to snag one at the local supermarket for less than $20. Even luckier: “The plant can stay in bloom three months or more from the time the first bloom opens to when the last bloom drops,” says Hancock. And with proper care, the same plant can bloom and rebloom once or twice a year.
8. Bromeliad
If the colorful center spikes on the bromeliad look somewhat familiar, it’s because this flowering plant’s edible cousin is the pineapple. “Bromeliads bring a tropical feel indoors with colorful, long-lasting flower bracts in red, orange, pink, or yellow,” says Harryson. “They are easy to care for and thrive in typical household conditions with bright, indirect light.” For watering, fill the central cup formed by the plant’s leaves with fresh water, as the plant absorbs moisture through its foliage. And because bromeliads have a shallow root system, plant them in a light, fast-draining soil to prevent root rot.
9. Mini daffodils
“Forcing miniature daffodils indoors is an easy way to bring cheerful color into your home during the dark days of winter,” says Montgomery. “Their bright yellow blooms provide a welcome reminder that spring is on the way, while their naturally short stems help keep the flowers upright and tidy without staking.” Create a lively centerpiece for a dining table, kitchen island, or entryway by grouping several pots together, suggests Montgomery. “Just looking at the bright yellow blossoms makes me feel happier and more relaxed.”
10. Amaryllis
“It wouldn’t be Christmas in our house without amaryllis,” says Montgomery of this indoor plant that produces enormous, showstopping winter flowers. “It’s also our go-to holiday gift that has sparked the same tradition in our friends’ and family’s homes. Flowers make people happy—what could be a better gift?” Though red amaryllis is probably the most popular around the holidays, the perennial also comes in white, pink, and rarer varieties featuring orange hues.
11. Paperwhites
For both blossoms and a natural air freshener, plant fragrant paperwhites inside. “These easy-to-grow blooms need only water and a container to produce clusters of white flowers in weeks,” says Montgomery. Place them in a bright room with indirect sunlight. (Harsh full sun in the afternoon can make their delicate petals quickly fade.) Rotating the pot every few days is another key to getting stems that grow straight rather than leaning toward the window.
Frequently asked questions
Can you plant flowers indoors?
With nearly a dozen blooming plants recommended above, it’s clear that an indoor garden is possible—and it’s an excellent way to add an organic pop of color to a space. The key to caring for flowering indoor plants? “Less love!” says Christian Anderson, chief product officer for the Copenhagen-based pot-and-planter brand Bergs Potter. “Most houseplants don’t die from neglect—they die from overwatering.” Anderson, who’s especially fond of pelargoniums and rose geraniums indoors, suggests creating simple routines around plant maintenance. “For example, decide that every Sunday morning, while you’re enjoying your coffee and breakfast, you’ll spend a few minutes checking on your plants. Treat them as you would any other habit of self-care.”
All products featured on Architectural Digest are independently selected by Architectural Digest editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, Condé Nast may earn an affiliate commission.
What flowers make good indoor plants?
Low maintenance is the name of the game for indoor plants, especially because they’ll likely have a year-round growing season since they get to avoid the cooler temperatures outdoors. Succulents such as kalanchoe and holiday cactus are fantastic, drought-tolerant—and therefore less demanding—options. Peace lily is another great pick for easy care, and it doesn’t require direct sunlight.
How to grow flowering plants indoors
Don’t skimp on the soil, advises Montgomery. “Use a good quality potting soil. It will help hold nutrients and likely has some plant food in it. It will also be well draining. Bulbs and most other plants don’t like wet soil—it can rot the roots and bulbs.” Garden soil, on the other hand, should be reserved for outdoor use only.
Watering is a bit more dependent on plant variety, and while it’s a good idea to create a routine around checking on your houseplants, that doesn’t mean you should stick to a strict hydration schedule. “Instead of watering every Tuesday, for example, check the soil regularly and water when the plant actually needs it,” says Harryson. “Check the soil moisture level by looking at the surface, poking a finger into the soil, or lifting the pot. It will feel lighter when the soil has dried out.”
While the above covers repotting and general maintenance, if you’d like to grow your plant from scratch, it may be worth investing in a seed starter kit, such as the LetPot SS-PRO Smart Seed Starter, which is designed to give seeds the ideal conditions to germinate and thrive. It includes a grow light, built-in heating base, and real-time temperature monitoring (controlled via an app) to help produce healthier seedlings that are ready to bloom.
What makes for a good indoor planter?
“My advice is not to be too conservative when choosing the size of the pot,” says Anderson. “A plant needs room to grow and develop a healthy root system. I usually choose a pot that is one or two sizes larger than the plant technically requires.” Not only does this give the roots space to establish themselves and grow, it also creates a stronger visual presence.
All products featured on Architectural Digest are independently selected by Architectural Digest editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, Condé Nast may earn an affiliate commission.
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