Here's Why the Amaryllis Makes the Perfect Houseplant for Beginners
- 1/21
Here's Why the Amaryllis Makes the Perfect Houseplant for Beginners
Everyone loves a leafy green plant (monstera, money tree and string of hearts are a few favorites), but sometimes you crave a bit more color that can really make your space pop. Enter our list of the best indoor flowering plants. From the attractive leaves and delicate buds of the African violet to the charming appeal of a Christmas cactus and the majestic orchid, browse some of the best blooming houseplants that'll thrive nearly anywhere.
Most of the plants on our list are easy to care for and bloom all year round. Plus, they're air-purifying, mood-boosting and simple to order online. Options include the long-lasting anthuriums, beautifully adorned with heart-shaped blooms; peach-colored maples that replicate festive hanging lanterns; and bromeliads, known for their tropical foliage and vibrant red center. And for those days when you're just too busy to check on your plant babies, don't fret: Many require low light and can go days without water.
So, scroll through our roundup below for a blooming plant that matches your aesthetic. These popular picks make great additions to everyday or seasonal decor and can be that dose of color you need to spruce up your bedroom, living room, dining room or kitchen.
courtesy of brands - 2/21
1) Anthuriums
The Sill
thesill.com
$68.00
These heart-shaped blooms require medium to bright light and thrive in humid conditions, making them great indoor plants. They come in various shades: pink, lavender and white, and will grow two to three feet tall.
The Sill - 3/21
2) Crown of Thorns
JM BAMBOO
amazon.com
$35.00
Low maintenance and easily adaptable, the crown of thorns have small, colorful flowers that come in red, yellow, pink, salmon and white. Place them in or near a window so they'll receive tons of light. And if you find yourself too busy to water them, don't worry — they only need to be watered when the soil is completely dry.
Penpak Ngamsathain - Getty Images - 4/21
3) Amaryllis
ProFlowers
proflowers.com
$38.00
Due to their large trumpet-like blooms, amaryllis plants will enliven any part of your space. They're cheerful, perfect for winter and grow in warm, sunny spots. Plus, their stalks can grow as high as 36 inches.
ProFlowers - 5/21
4) Oxalis
Easy to Grow
amazon.com
$14.95
Looking for a fun gift on St. Patrick's Day? With their clover-like leaves, these shamrock plants should be on your list. They produce delicate white flowers but are also known for their purple foliage. Make sure to keep the soil evenly moist and leave them in medium to bright light.
Hirt's Gardens - 6/21
5) Clivia
Urban Cottage and Co
etsy.com
$62.00
Although similar to the amaryllis, clivia plants have smaller trumpet-shaped blooms that retain their foliage all year round. In some cultures, they're known as a symbol of happiness and abundance. Water them regularly in the summer but less in winter. Keep them out of direct sunlight.
Urban Cottage Co - 7/21
6) Peace Lily
Plants.com
plants.com
$58.39
Symbolizing fresh life and rebirth, peace lilies are known for their spoon-shaped flowers and easy care. Keep them in low to moderate light and make sure they're in moist soil. If you see them drooping, that's a sign they need watering.
Plants.com - 8/21
7) Cyclamen
1800 Flowers
1800flowers.com
$39.99
Add a pop of color to those dreary winter days with a cyclamen plant in your home. They're fun, flirty and great for a Valentine's Day gift, especially for their heart-shaped leaves that resemble butterfly wings. They'll need bright, indirect sunlight to grow until they become dormant in late spring.
1800 Flowers - 9/21
8) Flowering Maple
Mamas Home Garden
etsy.com
$21.99
The red, yellow, pink or peach-colored blossoms of the flowering maple will make them standouts among your houseplants. They even dangle like festive lanterns. Grow them upright or in a hanging basket and keep them in intense sunlight with evenly moist soil.
Olga Yakovleva - Getty Images - 10/21
9) Bromeliad
The Sill
thesill.com
$88.00
Part of the pineapple family, bromeliads have tropical foliage pretty enough for holiday decorating. The blooms can last up to six months with proper care: Provide indirect bright light, keep the plants moist and maintain humid air conditions.
The Sill - 11/21
10) Calamondin Citrus Plant
Via Citrus
amazon.com
$65.00
These fragrant plants require intense sunlight. They'll bloom all year round and range from 15 to 22 inches tall. In late winter or spring, you'll see white flowers and orange fruits that'll last for months.
Via Citrus Store - 12/21
11) Gardenia Plant
Plants.com
plants.com
$53.99
Gardenias love the sun so keeping them in bright, direct sunlight is the best. Known to represent a secret message of love between couples, these plants thrive in 55 to 64 F indoors and require proper drainage and moist soil.
Plants.com - 13/21
12) Housewarming Meyer Lemon Tree
ProFlowers
proflowers.com
$105.00
If you want to keep your lemon tree indoors, place it on the window that receives the most sunlight or use grow lights (eight hours being the recommended time). If the soil feels dry, make sure to keep it watered once a week for even moisture. Regardless of the pot you choose for your citrus tree, make sure it has large drainage holes.
ProFlowers - 14/21
13) Pink Polka Dot Plant
California Tropicals
amazon.com
$11.99
These plants may not have flowers, but their leaves make up for it! Their polka-dot leaves vary in white, hot pink and pale pink shades. Stick to bright, indirect sunlight, especially since harsher sun rays can make their color fade.
California Tropicals - 15/21
14) Christmas Cactus
CTS Air Plants
amazon.com
$11.95
These popular plants bloom indoors during the winter and are perfect for gifting. Maintain their gorgeous appearance with a temperature of 65 degrees. When the buds start to form, use a high-potassium fertilizer every two weeks and repot them every year after flowering.
RELATED: How to Care for Your Christmas Cactus so It Will Bloom Indoors All Season
CTS Air Plants - 16/21
15) Azalea Plant
Plants.com
plants.com
$59.99
The azalea plant, part of the rhododendron family, originates from Japan. They have bell-shaped flowers and come in a range of vibrant colors. To make sure they stay beautiful (and grow as high as 16 inches), keep them in indirect sunlight and maintain moist soil.
Plants.com - 17/21
16) Pink Calla Blooming Plant
Plants.com
plants.com
$44.99
Part of the same family as peace lilies, calla lilies have thick broad leaves and sword-like foliage. Classic white is a favorite at weddings, but their blooms also come in dark maroon, yellow, orange, pink, rose and lavender. Make sure they are exposed to lots of natural sunlight and keep your potting mixture moist.
Plants.com - 18/21
17) Orchid
1800 Flowers
1800flowers.com
$59.99
Compared to some of the other indoor plant options, orchids are a bit harder to care for. They have a long-lasting, unique color and require minimal watering. Don't put them in direct sunlight and keep them in warm, humid environments.
1-800 Flowers - 19/21
18) African Violet
Optiflora
amazon.com
$41.99
These easy-to-grow plants are popular for their all-year-round blooms and fuzzy yet velvety leaves. Consider using a self-watering pot and keep them in warm spaces during the colder months. You'll love using them as table centerpieces or decorative accents on shelves.
Optiflora - 20/21
19) Kalanchoe Plant
Plants for Pets
amazon.com
$16.57
The kalanchoe plant only blooms once a year, but the flowers remain for a few months. Since they're succulent-like plants, they prefer bright light and minimal watering.
Plants for Pets - 21/21
20) Ixora
Emerald Goddess Gardens
amazon.com
$30.99
The Ixora plant is known for its stunning red color that's not only visually pleasing but hard to miss. Also called the "flame of the woods," these glossy greens grow in clusters of pink, red, orange or yellow. Keep them in bright light and use well-drained soil to see them reach their fullest potential — with some growing as high as 10 feet tall.
Naphat_Jorjee - Getty Images