5 Favorite Flowering House Plants

1. African Violet

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African Violet

Also known as Saintpaulia, the African violet blooms yearly because it doesn’t need rest. While little upkeep is required, the best results come when you keep your African violet in a container that enables watering from the base.

If you use a standard container with no water reservoir, be careful when watering from the top. Avoid splashing the leaves and letting the soil dry completely between watering rounds. Otherwise, the leaves may turn brown and die if the cold water comes into contact with them.

Also, so you know, you only need to pot up when the size of the plant requires it. These shrubs don’t have extensive root mechanisms and will need, at most, a 5 to 6-inch pot at maturity. And don’t forget to remove the dead and damaged leaves from the bottom when potting the plant.

As mentioned already, the African violet is low-maintenance and not very demanding. It can flourish for years on end but may die suddenly as well. To keep the plant in optimum condition, keep it in bright and indirect sunlight while maintaining soil moisture and humidity.  With many colors, including reds, whites, blues, and purples, you can opt for a variety.

You can read more about the African Violet plant here.

2. Begonia

Begonia plants come in many varieties and offer beautiful options for those seeking house flowering plants. Begonias bloom well in bright places. However, please don’t put it too close to a window or door since they don’t tolerate drafts.

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Begonia

Houseplant fanciers note that some plant varieties, such as Rex Begonias, don’t even have to be in bloom to showcase their colorful glory. So, when choosing a begonia to place indoors, consider the elegant Rex variety or go for one of the fibrous-rooted kinds, such as angel-wing begonia or wax-leafed begonia.

For maintenance, the plant needs medium to high light. Frequent watering and misting help meet their need for high humidity. The begonia is available in various color varieties.

3. Christmas Cactus a Favorite of Flowering House Plants

The Christmas cactus is also called “schlumbergera x buckleyi.” Strangely enough, it is a plant that seems to thrive on a lack of attention. You don’t need to adjust its exposure to light to enable blooming. Long life and enhancement from the cuttings are other signature qualities of the Christmas cactus.

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Christmas Cactus

The leaves cascade in long segments with jagged edges. They produce flowers of varying petal lengths from the stem tips. The color palette contains varying shades of pink and red. In addition to the Christmas bloomers, this group of plants also includes some varieties that yield flowers over the Easter period.

Place your Christmas cactus near a window for optimal growth, but don’t let the pads touch the cold panes. Otherwise, the plant may sustain cold damage. The Schlumbergera x Buckleyi needs typically well-draining soil, but the humidity must also be high. Please keep it in bright and indirect sunlight while watering regularly. Every round of watering must be followed by thoroughly draining the soil.

4. Chenille Plant (Acalypha Hispida)

Another favorite flowering houseplant, the chenille plant, is known as “Acalypha hispid” and “red-hot cattail.” People who love gardening often have difficulty not rubbing the fuzzy red flowers that this tropical plant produces. It grows fast and is a long bloomer.

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Chenille Plant

Regarding growth, you can tend to the chenille plant outdoors during the summer and bring it indoors in the fall when the temperature drops. It tends to become partially dormant in colder climates. Therefore, you must feed it in spring when there is new growth.

Encourage branching by cutting off the stem tips during the growing season. The plant needs high humidity to thrive. Also, you must maintain the moisture and mist it regularly indoors to keep it healthy.

5. Clivia or Kafir Lily (Clivia Miniata)

A relative of amaryllis, the clivia or kafir lily, grows from a bulb. And just like the amaryllis, it must be done in a pot rather than a large container. There is also a period of dormancy before the flower stalk emerges.

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Clivia Lily

They need complete darkness when the clivia goes dormant towards the end of the fall. This can easily be managed by placing the plant in a cardboard container or unused locker/closet. The period from April to December will be when the stalk emerges. Restore to regular maintenance after this.

Find a shady spot with no direct sunlight for your kafir lily. Moderate water is usually needed, and you can put the splashing on hold for the winter. The clivia or clivia miniata typically comes in shades of orange and yellow.

1. African Violet Care:

• Water sparingly from the base to avoid leaf splashing and potential damage.
• Keep the soil consistently moist, but allow the top layer to dry slightly between watering.
• Place in bright, indirect sunlight for optimal growth.
• Periodically remove dead or damaged leaves to encourage healthy growth.

2. Begonia Care:

• Provide medium to high light conditions but avoid placing them too close to windows with drafts.
• Water regularly, keeping the soil consistently moist.
• Consider misting the plant to meet its high humidity needs.
• Choose a well-draining soil mix for optimal growth.

3. Christmas Cactus Care

• Place near a window for ideal light exposure, ensuring pads do not touch cold surfaces.
• Use well-draining soil and maintain high humidity levels.
• Water regularly, allowing the soil to drain thoroughly after each watering.
• Enjoy the unique feature of blooming without specific light adjustments.

4. Chenille Plant Care

• Provide high humidity for this tropical plant to thrive indoors.
• Feed in spring when new growth appears and encourage branching by trimming stem tips.
• Water regularly and mist frequently to maintain moisture.

5. Clivia Lily Care

• Allow a period of dormancy by providing complete darkness at the end of fall.
• Place in a shady spot with indirect sunlight.
• Water moderately and reduce splashing during the winter months.
• Resume regular maintenance when the flower stalk emerges from April to December.

How often should I water my flowering house plants?

The watering frequency varies, but a general rule is to keep the soil consistently moist for most plants. Adjust based on individual plant needs and environmental factors.

Can flowering house plants thrive in low-light conditions?

While many can adapt to lower light, it’s ideal to place them in bright, indirect sunlight for optimal growth. Some, like snake plants or ZZ plants, are more tolerant of low-light conditions.

Are flowering house plants safe for pets?

Most of the plants mentioned are pet-friendly, but it’s crucial to check the specific plant’s toxicity. For added safety, consider placing plants out of reach or choosing non-toxic varieties.