Imagine a splash of vibrant color brightening your living room, even in the middle of winter. Doesn’t that sound wonderful? Many of us dream of having houseplants that don’t just grow leaves, but burst into beautiful flowers. However, picking the right blooming houseplant can feel like a guessing game. You worry about choosing one that needs too much light or one that will wilt before it ever shows a single bud.
It is frustrating when your efforts don’t result in a floral showstopper. You want that gorgeous orchid or that cheerful African violet, but you are unsure how to keep them happy enough to bloom. This guide is here to clear up that confusion! We will walk you through the best, easiest-to-care-for flowering plants. You will learn exactly what each one needs to thrive and show off its best colors.
By the end of this post, you will feel confident choosing your next colorful companion. Get ready to transform your indoor space from green to gorgeous. Let’s dive into the secrets of successful blooming houseplants!
Top Blooming Houseplants Recommendations
- Miracle-Gro Blooming Houseplant Food contains nutrients to promote more blooms (vs. unfed plants)
- Liquid fertilizer feeds blooming houseplants instantly
- Use plant food once a week during the spring and summer months
- Apply fertilizer directly to soil or mix with water in watering can
- Great for all blooming indoor plants, including African violets, anthuriums, amaryllis, peace lilies, and geraniums
- For flowering plants, including African Violets
- Instantly feeds all blooming houseplants
- Able to apply directly to the soil or can mix with water
- Apply once a week
- Promotes more blooms versus unfed plants
- 3 bottles of fertilizer per order
- Promotes more blooms on your flowering plants, including African Violets
- Instantly feeds all blooming houseplants
- Able to apply directly to the soil or can mix with water
- Easy application once a week
- LIVE ORCHID PLANTS: Elevate your home with a colorful live orchid plant in a 3.5" white and blue orchid planter, measuring approximately 16 inches tall upon arrival.
- PET-FRIENDLY LIVE PLANT: These pet-safe plants breathe life into homes, bedrooms, and offices. The vibrant, long-lasting flowers last 2 to 4 months.
- REAL PLANT LOVER GIFT: Live orchids are a fun way to brighten someone's day. These live plants make great anniversary, wedding, and birthday gifts for plant lovers.
- EASY PLANT CARE: Orchids arrive in mostly bud form, but the beautiful flowers will blossom shortly after unboxing. Grow them as live indoor plants in indirect sunlight and water every 1 to 2 weeks.
- ABOUT PLANTS FOR PETS: Plants and animals make everything better, from simply raising our spirits to enriching our everyday lives. That’s why a portion of every purchase is directed to our mission to help place shelter animals in happy homes.
- STUNNING BLOOMS: The Pink Desert Rose is renowned for its vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom in beautiful shades of pink. These striking blooms not only add visual interest but also create a tropical atmosphere in your garden or home.
- IDEAL FOR CONTAINERS: This versatile plant is perfect for garden beds, containers, or indoor pots. Its adaptability to various growing conditions makes it a popular choice for enhancing patios, balconies, and living spaces.
- LOW MAINTENANCE: The Pink Desert Rose is easy to care for, requiring minimal watering and thriving in well-drained soil. Its resilience and low maintenance needs make it an excellent choice for both novice and experienced gardeners.
- HARDY AND RESILIENT: Suited for hot, dry climates, the Pink Desert Rose is highly drought-tolerant once established. It is ideal for USDA hardiness zones 10-12, ensuring it can withstand the toughest conditions while maintaining its vibrant blooms.
- SIZE UPON ARRIVAL: Upon delivery, you will receive a young Pink Desert Rose plant, measuring 4-6 inches tall. This small start is the first step in growing a magnificent succulent under your nurturing care.
- For flowering plants, including African Violets; Instantly feeds all blooming houseplants
- Able to apply directly to the soil or can mix with water; Apply once a week
- Instantly provides nutrients and moisture for beautiful orchids
- Apply to roots and growing media once a week; Orchid mist feeds instantly
- In addition to regular watering, spray leaves, roots, and growing media once per week, taking care to avoid flowers (Orchid)
- LIVE FLOWERING PLANT: Experience the beauty of the tropics in your own home with a stunning bromeliad. You'll receive a blooming beauty ready to add color to any office, home, or room decor!
- ENJOY A BEAUTIFUL VARIETY: Each Bromeliad is hand-selected by expert growers, ensuring you receive a healthy, thriving plant with unique, vibrant foliage. The exact variety maycolor vary, offering a one-of-a-kind addition to your indoor plant collection
- CLEANER AIR: Often used in indoor landscaping and as natural air purifiers, bromeliad plants make for an eco-friendly and healthful addition to any living environment
- UNIQUE GIFT: Surprise your loved ones with a live Bromeliad houseplant, ready to be gifted for any occasion, including birthday, anniversary, and housewarming. It's a refreshing alternative to flowers or typical gifts, creating a lasting memory that shows you care
- EASY TO CARE FOR: With minimal maintenance required, our bromeliad plants make an ideal choice for new plant parents, busy homeowners, renters, and plant enthusiasts alike
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Blooming Houseplants
Bringing a flowering plant into your home adds color and life. Choosing the right one makes all the difference. This guide helps you select the best blooming houseplant for you.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop for a blooming houseplant, check these important things first.
1. Flower Quality and Abundance
- Bloom Health: Look for vibrant colors. Avoid flowers that look wilted or have brown edges. A healthy plant shows many buds ready to open.
- Bloom Longevity: Some plants flower for weeks. Others only bloom for a few days. Research how long the specific plant keeps its flowers.
2. Foliage Condition
Flowers are great, but the leaves tell you about the plant’s overall health.
- Leaf Color: Leaves should be deep green, not yellow or pale. Yellow leaves often mean the plant needs more nutrients or different water.
- Pest Check: Carefully inspect the undersides of leaves. You do not want to bring home tiny bugs like spider mites or aphids.
3. Plant Size and Growth Habit
Consider where the plant will live.
- Space Needs: Will the plant fit on your windowsill or shelf? Some beautiful flowering plants grow very large.
- Light Requirements: Does the plant need bright, direct sun, or does it prefer bright, indirect light? Match the plant’s needs to the light in your chosen spot.
Important Materials and Plant Health
The “materials” for a houseplant are mostly the soil and the pot it comes in. These affect how well the plant grows after you buy it.
Potting Medium (Soil)
- Drainage is Key: Good soil lets extra water escape easily. If water sits around the roots, the plant will likely rot. Good quality soil feels light and airy.
- Type of Soil: Different plants need different mixes. Orchids need bark; African Violets need a lighter, peat-based mix.
Container Quality
Ensure the pot has drainage holes at the bottom. Plastic pots are light, but terracotta (clay) pots allow the soil to breathe better, which helps prevent overwatering.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What makes a blooming plant high quality? What makes it poor quality?
Factors That Improve Quality
- Strong Root System: If possible, look at the bottom of the pot. If roots are growing out, it means the plant was healthy and growing strongly.
- Proper Acclimation: Plants moved slowly from a greenhouse to the store tend to adjust better to your home.
Factors That Reduce Quality
- Over-Fertilizing: Sometimes stores give plants too much fertilizer to force flowers. This can weaken the plant over time.
- Temperature Stress: If a plant has been sitting near a cold drafty door or a hot heater vent, it suffers. Avoid plants showing sudden leaf drop.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you plan to use your flowering plant.
For Beginners (Low Maintenance)
If you are new to plants, choose resilient bloomers like Peace Lilies or certain types of Bromeliads. These forgive small watering mistakes.
For Ambiance and Scent
If you want a beautiful smell, look into fragrant options like Gardenias or Jasmine. Remember these often need very bright light to bloom well indoors.
As a Gift
A Phalaenopsis Orchid is a classic gift. It looks elegant and lasts a long time, offering great value to the recipient.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Blooming Houseplants
Q: How much light do most blooming plants need?
A: Most flowering houseplants need bright light to produce good blooms. This usually means several hours of bright, indirect sunlight every day.
Q: Can I make my plant bloom again after the flowers die?
A: Yes, often you can! You must “deadhead” the spent flowers. After the blooms fade, trim off the old flower stalk. Then, provide the right light and fertilizer to encourage new growth.
Q: What is the most common reason my houseplant stops blooming?
A: The most common reason is insufficient light. Plants use light to make the energy needed for flowers. Lack of light equals no flowers.
Q: Is it better to buy a plant that is fully open or one with many buds?
A: Buying a plant with many unopened buds is usually better. This way, you enjoy the flowers for a longer time in your home.
Q: What kind of fertilizer should I use for flowering plants?
A: Use a balanced fertilizer, or one slightly higher in phosphorus (the middle number on the fertilizer package), when you want more blooms.
Q: How often should I water my blooming plant?
A: This changes based on the plant and the season. Always check the top inch of soil. If it feels dry, it is time to water thoroughly until water runs out the bottom.
Q: Do flowering plants need special humidity?
A: Many tropical bloomers, like Anthuriums, prefer higher humidity. You can increase humidity by grouping plants together or using a pebble tray filled with water.
Q: Should I repot a plant right after I buy it if it is blooming?
A: Generally, no. Repotting stresses a plant, and stress can cause it to drop its beautiful flowers prematurely. Wait until the blooming period is completely over.
Q: What does “dormancy” mean for a blooming houseplant?
A: Dormancy is a resting period, often in winter. During this time, the plant may stop growing or blooming. You should reduce watering and stop fertilizing until spring returns.
Q: Are there good blooming plants that tolerate low light?
A: Yes. The Peace Lily is a popular choice. It flowers even in lower light conditions, though the blooms will be less numerous than in bright light.