Home & Garden
9 Flowering Houseplants To Brighten Up Your Winter
Home & Garden
9 Flowering Houseplants To Brighten Up Your Winter
Let these vivid plants perk up your place all season long.
In the dead of winter, brightly hued indoor plants bring a much-needed burst of life to a space. Bathe these beauties in bright, indirect light for a stunning splash of colour in every room.
9 Flowering Houseplants
Photo by iStock
1. Amaryllis
Amaryllis plants are all about the drama: tall stems support bold blooms in shades of red, pink, orange and white. Plant the bulb in fall and enjoy a spectacular floral show for two to three weeks in the heart of winter.
WATERING: Sparingly at first, gradually increasing as the plant sprouts, allow ing the soil to dry out in between waterings.
TEMPERATURE: Around 18°C to 24°C during active growth.
NOTES: Toxic to pets.
Photo by iStock
2. Christmas Cactus
With bell-shaped flowers in vibrant hues, this plant is a star of the holidays. Its gently cascading branches give it a boho vibe, and its spectacular blooms evoke summer sunsets when winter’s in full swing.
WATERING: Water lightly in fall to encourage buds, then increase once flowers appear—but ensure the soil can drain freely.
TEMPERATURE: Around 18°C to 20°C; keep away from heat sources and avoid sudden temperature changes.
Photo by iStock
3. Florist's Azalea
With bursts of delicate blooms in shades of pink, red and white, an azalea in bloom is like a cloud of colour. Give it a cool spot and keep the soil moist and it will dazzle all winter long, becoming a stun ning decorative detail in your home.
WATERING: Keep the soil moist but well-drained.
TEMPERATURE: Cool, between 10°C and 18°C.
NOTES: Toxic to pets.
Photo by iStock
4. Bromeliad
These beautiful plants bring a taste of the tropics into any room with their striking foliage and colourful bracts. Varieties like Guzmania and Vriesea often bloom in winter.
WATERING: Mist regularly and keep water in the cen tral rosette to increase hum idity, but avoid soaking the soil to prevent root rot.
TEMPERATURE: Bromeliads tolerate a wide range of temperatures and can thrive between 12°C and 26°C.
Photo by iStock
5. African Violet
A delicate gem, this small houseplant produces velvety leaves and clusters of vibrant flowers in a range of beautiful colours—not just violet, but also white, pink and blue.
WATERING: Moderate; keep the soil consistently moist but avoid wetting the centre or leaves to prevent rot. Water by placing the pot in a tray of water for about 15 to 30 minutes.
TEMPERATURE: Between 18°C and 24°C.
Photo by iStock
6. Clivia
Sturdy and evergreen, clivias’ dark green, ribbon-like leaves are striking even without blooms, but when trumpet- shaped orange flowers appear in midwinter, they’re a wel- come dose of colour when summer feels far away.
WATERING: Water very sparingly during the cold months, and moderately in the spring and summer.
TEMPERATURE: About 10°C to 13°C during fall and winter, and 15°C to 24°C in the warmer seasons.
NOTE: Toxic to pets.
Photo by iStock
7. Kalanchoe
This tropical succulent is easy to care for and will reward you with clusters of tiny, vibrant flowers atop long stems. When winter drags on, Kalanchoes keep blooming in shades of red, orange, yellow or pink.
WATERING: Infrequent; let soil dry out between waterings to avoid root rot.
TEMPERATURE: Between 15°C and 24°C.
NOTE: Toxic to pets.
Photo by iStock
8. Cyclamen
It’s hard to resist these frilly, romantic flowers that come solid, bicoloured or striped in shades of red, pink, purple or white. Cyclamens bloom generously from fall to spring and love cool conditions, making them perfect for winter homes.
WATERING: Keep soil moist by bottom- watering when the top layer of soil dries, and let the tuber rest in a cool spot after flowering.
TEMPERATURE: Cool, between 15°C and 18°C.
NOTE: Toxic to pets.
Photo by iStock
9. Anthurium
With waxy heart-shaped bracts in an array of vivid shades including red, purple and green, Anthurium is a show-stopper. Elegant and a bit flamboyant, it stays gorgeous year-round with good humidity.
WATERING: Regular watering helps keep the soil moist (but not waterlogged) and mist- ing the leaves increases humidity.
TEMPERATURE: Warm, between 18°C and 25°C.
NOTE: Toxic to pets.
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