Birthday
HydrangeasWhen it is grey and cold outside, flowering plants on the windowsill lift your mood better than any décor. Here are 12 of the most beautiful flowering houseplants — from easy-going to more demanding — with what makes each special and the care it needs.
1. Poinsettia
The "Christmas star" brightens the home in the darkest months. Its bright red, pink, cream or variegated "petals" are actually bracts; the true flowers are tiny and yellow, in the centre of the rosette. Poinsettias need bright indirect light, 18–22 °C, no draughts and moderate watering. The milky sap can irritate skin, so keep the plant away from children and pets.
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2. Fuchsia
Elegant "ballerina" flowers in skirts of purple, lilac, pink and white. Fuchsias like cool conditions, a bright spot out of harsh sun and consistently moist soil, with a winter rest at 8–12 °C. If yours won't flower, see our article on why fuchsia is not flowering.
3. Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
A compact plant with dense heads of small flowers in red, pink, yellow and white, including doubles. It blooms for several months and likes sun and infrequent watering. To flower again, in autumn it needs short days — about 9–10 hours of light a day for a month. It is toxic to cats and dogs.
4. Flaming sword (Vriesea splendens)
A bromeliad with striped leaves and a bright red-orange flower "sword" that stays decorative for several months. Water into the central cup with soft water. After flowering the mother rosette slowly dies, but produces offsets you can pot up.
5. Camellia
In winter its flowers resemble roses — white, pink and red. Camellias are thought to be fussy, but problems are usually caused by warmth: to flower they need a cool winter at 8–15 °C, loose acidic compost and no moving while in bud. There are thousands of varieties.
6. Phalaenopsis orchid
The most popular indoor orchid: its sprays of "moth" flowers last 2–3 months, and with good care it blooms several times a year. It needs a bright spot out of direct sun, a clear pot with bark and watering by soaking once the roots turn silvery. Potted orchids make a great gift.
7. Anthurium
The glossy red, pink or white "hearts" are spathes that last for weeks on the plant. Anthuriums like warmth, humid air and indirect light. The sap irritates mucous membranes.
8. Peace lily
White sails above dark green foliage. One of the most shade-tolerant flowering plants, it grows well away from the window and tells you when it needs water by drooping its leaves.
9. Cyclamen
"Butterfly" flowers with swept-back petals appear from autumn to spring. Cyclamen can't stand heat: it needs 12–16 °C, a bright spot and watering from the saucer so the tuber stays dry.
10. Cape primrose (Streptocarpus)
A relative of the African violet with large trumpet flowers in all sorts of colours and patterns. In good light it flowers almost non-stop from spring to autumn.
11. Hoya
A vine with waxy star-shaped flowers in clusters that smell of honey in the evening. Hoya is easy-going but dislikes being moved while in bud; don't cut off old flower spurs — new flowers will appear on them.
12. Hippeastrum
A bulb with huge trumpet flowers on a tall stem, often sold as "amaryllis". It is especially striking when it blooms in winter for the holidays.
How to choose a flowering houseplant
- Consider the light: peace lilies and anthuriums suit a north-facing window, kalanchoe and hoya a south-facing one.
- A cool home in winter is a plus for camellias, cyclamen and fuchsias.
- If you have cats or dogs, check toxicity: kalanchoe, poinsettia, cyclamen, anthurium and peace lily are not safe for them.
- Buy plants in bud rather than in full bloom — the flowering will last longer.
FAQ
Which houseplant flowers the longest?
Phalaenopsis, anthurium and peace lily flower for months with good care and bloom several times a year.
Which beautiful flowering plants are good for beginners?
Kalanchoe, peace lily, hoya and phalaenopsis.
Choose flowering potted plants from the UFL catalogue with delivery in Kyiv.
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Author: Maria Svitlovir
Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.
