Looking for some houseplants that will flower when grown indoors? There are quite a few to choose from, depending on your goals. In this article, gardening expert and houseplant enthusiast Madison Moulton shares her favorite flowering houseplants, with names and pictures of each!
ɱaпy people grow houseplants for their lush green foliage, not their blooming potential. Often, indoor growing conditions indoors aren’t ideal for producing flowers. But if you are looking for beautiful flowering houseplants that reliably produce blooms, we’ve got options!
Before choosing a flowering houseplant, ensure that your home has the right temperature, sunlight, and humidity. ɱaпy tropical plants require very warm, vibrant, moist conditions, but there are species for nearly every room and climate.
Here are 31 flowering houseplants for your indoor garden, including ɱaпy you’ve probably never heard of! These plants will not only provide lush foliage but beautiful blooms as well. Let’s dive in!
Contents
African Violet
Ensure the African violet is placed in a bright area with indirect sunlight.
| botanical name Streptocarpus sect. Saintpaulia | |
| sun requirements Indirect | |
| water needs Moderate | |
| height 6-12 “ |
African violets are popular houseplants because they are known for blooming year-round. They come in ɱaпy colors, including white, pink, red, blue, and purple. The foliage is compact and low-growing, making them a great addition to desks, tables, or shelves.
People may consider them difficult, but you shouldn’t have any trouble if you provide the right light, water, and soil. Providing proper care is key to keeping it blooming all year long. Place in a bright location that doesn’t receive direct sunlight. Keep the soil moistened with warm water and keep humidity high.
Peace Lily
It is better to underwater rather than overwater your peace lily.
| botanical name Spathiphyllum spp. | |
| sun requirements Indirect | |
| water needs Moderate | |
| height 12-36 “ |
The peace lily is a popular houseplant with glossy green leaves and a long stalk that sits high above the foliage. Its oval-shaped white flowers appear in spring and fall. The plant must be 2 to 3 years old before it can produce a bloom. The flowers can last for several months before fading.
Provide your peace lily with indirect sunlight and a rich, loose potting mix. The proper growing conditions will increase your chances of it blooming twice. When watering your peace lily, it is best to underwater than overwater.
Christmas Cactus
The Christmas cactus is a tropical plant that thrives in warmer temperatures and moist soil.
| botanical name Schlumbergera spp. Buckleyi | |
| sun requirements Indirect | |
| water needs Moderate | |
| height 6-12 “ |
Christmas cacti may be popular around the holidays but are a great houseplant year-round. When most plants are done blooming, Christmas cacti are just starting.
They make a great addition if you need a pop of color during a long, cold winter. You can find them in a range of flower colors, from pink to red and white to purple.
Christmas cactus is a tropical plant and prefers higher temperatures and moister soils than other cacti. It enjoys sun and shade, but be careful not to provide too much of either. Allow soil to dry nearly completely between waterings. The leaves will shrivel if it needs water.
Desert Rose
Insufficient sunlight may result in a lack of blooms for desert roses.
| botanical name Adenium x Obesum | |
| sun requirements Bright, Indirect | |
| water needs Moderate | |
| height 3-15‘ |
Desert rose is a slow-growing succulent that is great as a houseplant because of its beautiful blooms. The blooms are deep pink that sits atop thick trunks and thin, delicate leaves. Desert roses are often used for bonsai because of their thick trunks that bend and twist.
Desert roses worship the sun, so be sure to find a bright, sunny location that provides at least 8 hours of sunlight per day. Sunlight sᴛι̇ɱulates blooming, so if you aren’t seeing blooms, you may need to provide more sunlight.
Rieger Begonias
Begonias thrive indoors with bright, indirect sunlight throughout the year.
| botanical name Begonia x hiemalis | |
| sun requirements Bright, Indirect | |
| water needs Low | |
| height 12-18” |
This particular begonia is a cross between the common wax begonia and tuberous begonia. They are often called elatior begonias, so keep that in mind when shopping. Flowering typically happens during the winter but can vary depending on care. The blooms are orange, yellow, white, or pink.
When grown indoors, begonias enjoy bright, indirect sunlight year-round. You can sᴛι̇ɱulate blooms by lowering the temperatures at night and raising them again during the day. This plant is relatively low maintenance and doesn’t require much pruning or fertilizer.
Kalanchoe
Once it blooms, a profusion of blossoms in various colors can be anticipated.
| botanical name Kalanchoe blossfeldiana | |
| sun requirements Bright, Indirect | |
| water needs Low | |
| height 6-18” |
With over 100 species in the family, there are ɱaпy kalanchoes to choose from. But the most popular cultivar is called Kalanchoe blossfeldiana. This succulent has scalloped leaves that flower clusters that rise above the foliage. They have a rather long bloom period when compared to other succulents.
The bloom window can vary depending on care. For best results, you need to provide 6 weeks of 14-hour nights. This type of schedule will induce flowering. When it blooms, you can expect to see weeks upon weeks of blooms ranging from yellow to red and orange to pink.
Brazilian Fireworks
Water whenever the top layer of soil becomes dry.
| botanical name Porphyrocoma philiana | |
| sun requirements Bright, Indirect | |
| water needs Low | |
| height 8-10” |
This tropical flower has beautiful purple and pink clusters of flowers that sit atop lanced-shaped foliage with silver veining. It received this name because it shoots out seeds similar to fireworks when the plant color fades. It has a compact growing habit making it a great choice in smaller spaces.
Provide bright, indirect sunlight, and avoid areas that provide direct sunlight, as this can damage the leaves. During the blooming season, keep the soil moist. Watering at least twice a week or when the first few inches of soil have become dry is ideal.
Calamondin Orange
The tree is relatively drought-tolerant and thrives when underwatered rather than overwatered.
| botanical name Citrofortunella microcarpa | |
| sun requirements Bright, Indirect | |
| water needs High | |
| height 2-4’ |
This tree is a great addition to your home because it will provide fragrant blooms that will morph into oranges. The blooms will be white, star-shaped, and fragrant, appearing just before the fruit begins to set. The tree is thoughts to be a hybrid between ɱaпdarin and Kumquat.
The tree is relatively drought-tolerant and performs best when underwatered versus overwatered. You should water the tree year-round, even during the colder months. Adding a citrus-specific fertilizer can be beneficial in adding to bloom and fruit production. Fertilizer will boost its nutrients during a high-energy activity such as flowering.
Hibiscus
If your hibiscus plant lacks buds or blooms, relocate it to areas with higher-intensity lighting.
| botanical name Hibiscus rosasinensis | |
| sun requirements Bright, Direct | |
| water needs Medium | |
| height 4-10’ |
Want to bring a bit of the tropics indoors during cold, harsh winters? Most types of hibiscus are great additions to any indoor garden. They have large, bright blooms to bring a pop of color. The trumpet-shaped flowers can get upwards of 6 inches in diameter. They come in red, orange, pink, and yellow.
Since this species is tropical, it loves the sun and will be happiest in full sun for no less than 8 hours per day. Keep indoor temperatures between 55 to 70 F and about 50 % humidity. The plant is considered happy if it produces blooms. If you don’t notice buds or blooms, move your plant to higher-intensity lighted areas.
Amaryllis
In winter, withhold fertilizer and water from the amaryllis to promote blooming.
| botanical name Hippeastrum spp. | |
| sun requirements Bright, indirect | |
| water needs Low | |
| height 12-24” |
If you are looking for a winter-blooming plant, look no further. Amaryllis are very popular around the holidays because they can produce beautiful blooms during that ᴛι̇ɱe. The plant has huge trumpet-like blooms in red, pink, white, and a mix of all those colors. The blooms can last for several weeks when given the proper care.
It benefits from being staked up because the bloom sits high above the foliage and can become very heavy. If you don’t stake it, the blooms will pull the stems down and potentially snap them. During the winter, deprive your amaryllis of fertilizer and water. This will help induce blooming. Once blooms have set. you can continue to water as normal.
Hoya
Ensure that the soil is completely dry before watering every week.
| botanical name Hoya carnosa | |
| sun requirements Bright, indirect | |
| water needs Low | |
| height 12-20’ |
This tropical low-maintenance plant is a very popular houseplant for good reasons. It can produce small clusters of star-shaped flowers in various colors. The clusters can produce upwards of 40 individual flowers.
Hoya is a vine, so it needs to cascade down a shelf or drape from a hanging basket. It should be watered weekly, but be sure the soil has dried completely. When blooms are finished, prune them off, but leave the flower stock. The stalk may produce more blooms if left on the plant.
Orchid
Wait until it finishes blooming before transplanting it to a new container with fresh soil.
| botanical name Orchidaceae | |
| sun requirements Bright, Direct | |
| water needs High | |
| height 1-3’ |
Orchids are notorious for being difficult to care for, and that might be a bit true if you are a novice houseplant owner. But the best you can do is to mimic the orchid’s natural environment as closely as possible. Orchids will reward you with their signature flowers if you can provide the correct conditions. The flowers form in a multitude of colors, such as pink, white, purple, red, yellow, orange, and green.
ɱaпy people receive orchids as gifts, and they are already in bloom. Changing a few growing conditions can keep them happy and healthy. If you receive an orchid that is blooming, wait until it is finished to transplant it to a new container and fresh soil. Provide bright light, correct potting mix, and water for happy and healthy orchids.
Cyclamen
Providing the proper growing conditions enables cyclamen to rebloom annually.
| botanical name Cyclamen persicum | |
| sun requirements Bright, Direct | |
| water needs Low | |
| height 6-9” |
Cyclamen are commonly grown indoors as houseplants. They are unique and will fall dorɱaпt when temperatures become too warm in the summer. When temperatures begin to cool, the plant will rebloom. But indoor temperatures are more consistent, and the plant might not enter full dorɱaпcy.
The plant will rebloom yearly when provided with the proper growing conditions. Its flowers can be pink, white, red, and purple. Provide bright, indirect sunlight during the bloom window and cool, darker locations during dorɱaпcy.
Cape Primrose
Ensure cape primrose is well-watered, but allow the soil to dry before watering again.
| botanical name Streptocarpus | |
| sun requirements Bright, Indirect | |
| water needs Low | |
| height 12-24” |
A relative to the African violet, cape primrose has a beautiful bloom for ɱaпy months out of the year. The leaves grow in a rosette form, and tall flower stems hold clusters of trumpet-shaped blooms. They bloom in pink, purple, red, white, and bi-colored shades. The flowers are velvety to the touch and often have contrasting veins and throat colors.
You need to provide the proper sunlight to get it to bloom. It needs several hours of daylight per day to produce blooms. If you aren’t seeing blooms, this is a sign that the plant needs more sunlight. Give plenty of water but allow the soil to dry out before watering again.
Flowering Maple
Prune the flowering maple plant heavily to encourage increased blooming.
| botanical name Abutilon hybridum | |
| sun requirements Bright, Direct | |
| water needs Medium | |
| height 2-3’ |
Often called the Chinese lantern, the flowers of Abutilon hybridum are thin and papery and hang from the plant. They are rather large and come in pink, red, orange, yellow, and peach, and can be seen from spring to fall.
This species responds well to heavy pruning and can create more blooms. Prune back in the spring just before growth begins. Water thoroughly and use a pot with proper drainage holes. They are sensitive to root rot, which can damage or kill them if left untreated.
Clivia
Clivia thrives during the cold winter when others lie dorɱaпt.
| botanical name Clivia miniata | |
| sun requirements Bright, Indirect | |
| water needs Medium | |
| height 2-3’ |
The harsh winter doesn’t stand a chance next to this vibrant flowering houseplant. When most are lying dorɱaпt due to the cold, clivia flourishes. The blooms form clusters of orange trumpet-shape blooms. Providing the right temperatures to induce blooms is key to seeing vibrant blossoms.
The Clivia schedule is similar to a Christmas cactus. You will need to stop fertilizing and only water when the foliage begins to wilt. Keep in a cooler location where nightᴛι̇ɱe temperatures drop to below 50 F.
False Shamrock
The false shamrock experiences a dorɱaпt period in summer and becomes more active from fall to spring.
| botanical name Oxalis triangularis | |
| sun requirements Bright, Indirect | |
| water needs Low | |
| height 0.5-1’ |
Also known as purple shamrock, this houseplant is well-known for its near-black foliage. However, the foliage is actually deep purple, and they have a rather unique growing feature. During the night, the leaves fold up and open again in the morning. It bears tiny flowers that are white, pale pink, or lavender.
You must provide plenty of sun and water to keep false shamrock happy and healthy. Fertilizing your false shamrock during the growing season can help as well. It will go dorɱaпt during the summer and actively grow from the fall to the spring. During dorɱaпcy, you can reduce watering and feeding.
Jasmine
Often overlooked for indoor cultivation, jasmine is renowned for its delightful scent.
| botanical name Jasminum | |
| sun requirements Bright, Indirect | |
| water needs Medium | |
| height 3-10’ |
Jasmine is so well known for its lovely fragrance and is often not considered for growing indoors. This specimen can get rather large, but generally, it stays smaller indoors because of lower light and temperatures. The white star-shaped blooms produce a wonderful fragrance that will quickly fill your home in the summer.
Jasmine is a quick grower, so regular pruning is a must to keep it clean and shorter for indoor growth. The best ᴛι̇ɱe to prune is just after flowering, and you can stop pruning once the fall season has arrived. Allow evening temperatures to drop between 50 to 55 F to encourage flower buds. Allowing temperatures to drop will increase your chances of buds.
Crown Of Thorns
This low-maintenance plant will bloom throughout the year if provided with the right growing conditions.
| botanical name Euphorbι̇a milii | |
| sun requirements Bright | |
| water needs Low | |
| height 3-6’ |
Yes, this plant has thorns, but it is easy to care for and will bloom all year long if given the proper growing conditions. Crown of thorns has insignificant green clusters of flowers but is surrounded by bracts. These bracts look like colorful petals giving them more color and contrast. The bracts come in orange, red, pink, yellow, or white.
The more sunlight you provide, the more blooms you will get. Provide at least 3 to 4 hours of bright light per day to increase your chances of numerous blooms. This plant is a succulent, so it can go long periods without water or fertilizer. Allow soils to dry completely between waterings and never allow the crown of thorns to sit in water.
Gloxinia
It may seem lifeless after blooming, but this is a typical occurrence for gloxinia.
| botanical name Sinningia | |
| sun requirements Bright, Indirect | |
| water needs Low | |
| height 6-10” |
If you are looking for dramatic color but prefer something more compact that can fit in small spaces, gloxinia may be just right. Gloxinia produces large, ruffled flowers that come in a range of colors. You can even purchase them as a double or single flower. There are ɱaпy hybrids on the market, but all require similar care.
Although it may appear dead after flowering, this species is tuberous and will return. Unfortunately, gloxinia is often treated as an annual because it will not regain its vigor once it’s done flowering. You can discard it once it is done blooming or continue to provide care but don’t be disappointed if it never blooms again.
Anthurium
Anthuriums can bloom for extended periods with their heart-shaped spathes.
| botanical name Anthurium | |
| sun requirements Bright, Indirect | |
| water needs Low | |
| height 12-18” |
This particular houseplant is another popular plant around the holidays because of its holiday-colored blooms. Anthuriums are often called flamingo flowers because of their unique shape. They can bloom for long periods making them a great colorful addition to any home. The bloom is heart-shaped spathes and contains red or yellow flower spikes.
When properly cared for, these plants can last about 5 years indoors. Bright, indirect sunlight is best, but they can adjust to more intense sunlight if accumulated appropriately. Soil should be slightly moist but never allowed to dry completely. This can be around once a week, but if temperatures are higher, this might need to be more frequent.
Lipstick Plant
When provided with proper care, the lipstick plant is relatively easy to care for.
| botanical name Aeschynanthus radicans | |
| sun requirements Bright, Indirect | |
| water needs Medium | |
| height 3-6’ |
This tropical perennial has vibrant red tubular flowers and cascade-out containers. Lipstick plants grow in clusters scattered in waxy, glossy leaves. The blooms will produce a fragrance, but it’s not particularly pleasant. The plants are relatively easy to care for when provided the proper care.
Give it plenty of bright, filtered light; direct sunlight can cause leaf scorching. Too little light will cause fewer blooms and leaves to drop. It prefers higher humidity levels, so maintaining humid air is important. Adding a small humidifier can be beneficial.
Geranium
Geraniums, which are herbaceous perennials, are commonly mistaken for annuals.
| botanical name Aeschynanthus radicans | |
| sun requirements Bright, Direct | |
| water needs Low | |
| height 12-36” |
We may often consider geraniums annuals, but they are herbaceous perennials. They come in numerous colors, like red, pink, orange, and purple. Geraniums form clusters of small flowers that last for weeks at a ᴛι̇ɱe.
It is best to provide bright, direct lighting when grown indoors, but they can tolerate bright, indirect sunlight for at least 8 hours a day. Pruning is an important part of overall care for geraniums. The blooms and leaves must be pruned once they are dead and finished.
Goldfish Plant
Be cautious of high temperatures and moisture on the leaves when caring for the goldfish plant.
| botanical name Nematanthis gregarious | |
| sun requirements Bright, Indirect | |
| water needs Low | |
| height 2-3’ |
The flowering houseplant receives its name from the blooms it produces that resemble small leaping goldfish. The blooms are orange to red and appear in the spring and summer. When provided with the proper care, it will bloom profusely. It looks lovely cascading down hanging baskets or shelves.
Goldfish plant is rather sensitive to high temperatures and moisture on the leaves. Browning spots on the leaves are a good indication that moisture is present on the leaves. Water from the soil surface and avoid watering over the leaves.
Calla Lily
While calla lilies can tolerate higher levels of direct sunlight indoors, be mindful of potential leaf burn.
| botanical name Zantedeschia aethiopica | |
| sun requirements Bright, Direct | |
| water needs Low | |
| height 12-36” |
Commonly used in flower arrangements, calla lilies also make great houseplants. They bloom in ɱaпy colors, from white and pink to deep red. The blooms are long-lasting, emerging in early to mid-summer and fading by early fall. They are aggressive growers and are invasive in some parts of the United States.
Since calla lilies are tropical plants, you must provide plenty of sunlight, heat, and water. They can handle more direct sunlight when grown indoors, but be cautious of leaf burn.
If you notice brown to black spots on the leaves, consider moving to a location with less direct sunlight. Keep temperatures between 60 to 80 F and water once a week or more, depending on soil conditions.
Birds Of Paradise
To ensure the success of birds of paradise, it is crucial to provide ample bright light.
| botanical name Strelitzia reginae | |
| sun requirements Bright, Indirect | |
| water needs Medium | |
| height 3-6’ |
This tropical flowering houseplant is a unique addition to any indoor garden, as long as you have the space. Birds of paradise may not be for every home because of their size. They can grow up to 6 feet tall when given the proper growing conditions. The large leaves emerge from the soil, and from the leaves, blooms will emerge.
Providing plenty of bright light is key to the success of birds of paradise. Avoid placing it in intense afternoon sun since this can damage the leaves. It will take the plant anywhere from 3 to 5 years to hit full maturity.
Once it hits full maturity, it will begin to produce flowers. If you have had your plant for a while and haven’t seen any flowers, give it more ᴛι̇ɱe, as it needs to mature just a bit more.
Paperwhites
The paperwhites’ flower stocks may require staking to support their weight.
| botanical name Narcissus | |
| sun requirements Bright, Indirect | |
| water needs Low | |
| height 12-36” |
Paperwhites are winter flowering plants with a small fragrance and pretty white blooms. The blooms can last a few weeks, and once they are finished, you can cut the faded blooms and enjoy the green foliage. The plant is often grown without soil, and the bulbs are placed in gravel or rocks.
They are really easy plants to care for and are popular as gifts around the holiday season. Give them plenty of light and water, and they will be happy and healthy. You may have to stake the flower stocks up as the flowers can become very heavy. If they become too heavy, they will snap, and you will lose the flowers.
Eternal Flame
Eternal Flame’s blooms can last months, providing a continuous burst of color.
| botanical name Calathea crocata | |
| sun requirements Bright, Indirect | |
| water needs Low | |
| height 3-6’ |
This plant has earned its name from its orange-to-yellow flowers resembling small lit torches. The plant will bloom on and off all year round, but blooms are the heaviest during the summer. The flowers can last for months at a ᴛι̇ɱe, giving you constant color.
You can force the plant to bloom by creating the right artificial climate. The plant naturally flowers when days are short and nights are long. Forced blooming works best around the middle of August. Do your best to create 14 hours of darkness until you see flower buds forming.
Hyacinth
Hyacinth is highly self-sufficient in blooming and ideal as a cut flower for spring arrangements.
| botanical name Hyacinthus orientalis | |
| sun requirements Bright, Indirect | |
| water needs Low | |
| height 6-12” |
One of the most powerful scents that can fill your home in the spring is that of the hyacinth. The plant produces bright, tubular flowers in a range of colors: white, pink, purple, and red. They are really easy to grow and will fill your home with fragrance and color after a cold winter. They grow best in bulb vases filled with water.
The plant will bloom very easily and is great as a cut flower to add to a spring arrangement. Once the blooms fade, cut down the flowering stocks and give them some fertilizer. This will give the plant a boost for the following spring.
Gerbera Daisy
Deadhead gerbera daisy to ensure continued flowering after old blooms fade.
| botanical name Gerbera jamesonii | |
| sun requirements Bright, Indirect | |
| water needs Low | |
| height 10-18” |
This tender perennial is often used in outdoor pots and gardens but can easily transition to indoor living. They come in numerous colors and have ray-like petals around a center of green or back flowers. There are 4 classes of Gerbera daisies: single, semi-double, double, and spider flower.
You must deadhead if you want the plant to continue flowering once old blooms have faded. The plant enjoys the sun, but extreme heat and sunlight should be avoided. Gerbera daisies need regular watering, and the soil shouldn’t dry completely. Once the first few inches are dry, you can water the plant.
Plumeria
The fragrant blooms of frangipani feature overlapping soft petals that gently unfurl.
| botanical name Plumeria alba | |
| sun requirements Bright, Direct | |
| water needs Medium | |
| height 6-12” |
Also known as frangipani, plumeria are commonly used in Hawaiian leis but can be grown indoors under proper care. The blooms are fragrant with soft overlapping petals that gradually swirl outwards.
They come in various colors, from white to yellow to purple. The plant is considered a tree but indoors will be much smaller.
The plant loves the sun and might be one of the few that can handle intense, direct sunlight for most of the day. You may need to move your plant around during the day to ensure it gets enough sunlight. Keep temperatures consistent, ideally between 65 to 80 F, and your plumeria will thrive.
Final Thoughts
Flowering houseplants can bring a pop of color, fragrance, and contrast to any space. Every flowering houseplant is different; not all will work for your space. Research and understand the lighting, temperature, and humidity in your home. This will help determine which flowering houseplant will thrive in your home. Happy Growing!