Easy to care for flowering plants
Selecting the right indoor flowering plants can change your home. However, some are much harder to care for than others. To help you find the lowest maintenance plants for the best colour, our plant doctors share their favourites for effortless care.
So whether you're an experienced plant parent or new to indoor plants, try these plants to brighten up your home.
Flowering plants for every space
Flowering plants aren't just decorations; they're a natural way to bring joy and freshness to any room. Not only do they add colour, but some also provide fragrance, clean the air and even flower all year round.
If you are new to indoor gardening, choose an easy care flowering plant.
1. African violets (Saintpaulia)
One of our most popular houseplants, African violets, flowers all year round. They love somewhere bright, warm, and steamy, so tru and bathroom or kitchen windowsill. However, ensure that the foliage doesn't touch the window, as it may scorch.
Water the plants regularly, but only once the soil surface is dry. African violets prefer bottom watering, so use a pot cover that allows them to stand in water. If they get water on their leaves, they may turn brown.
Remove any dead flowers and foliage as soon as they appear to keep them flowering all year.
2. Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum)
Peace lilies are great for new plant owners and make great gifts because they require minimal care.
The flowers appear in early spring and last for several months. Plus, they require less light than other flowering houseplants, blooming even in shady spots.
For watering, keep the soil moist and try not to overwater. However, they will tolerate some over and underwatering. If you find the leaves are looking dusty, use a damp cloth to clean them.
Finally, NASA has also proven that peace lilies clean the air. They naturally clear toxins and pollutants from the air, leaving your home fresh and clean.
3. Bromeliads (Guzmania lingulata)
Many people often consider bromeliads hard to look after because of their exotic appearance. However, they are surprisingly easy to care for. The flowers appear from the centre of the plant in tall spires. Plus, they produce babies that you can divide and pot to expand your plant collection.
The main thing to keep in mind is that they like to stay warm, with a minimum temperature of 15°C. So, make sure to keep them in a room that is used regularly and that you heat in the winter.
Unlike some other plants, they feed through their leaves. So mist the leaves regularly or leave somewhere like a bathroom which has high humidity. They also dislike overwatering, so let the soil completely dry before watering again.
4. Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana)
If you love small, dainty flowers that complement a cottage interior, consider trying a Kalanchoe. This rarely mentioned flowering house plant has rosebud-like flowers surrounded by glossy green leaves.
Require minimal watering; wait for the compost to dry out between waterings. The best way to water thoroughly is to place it in a sink and allow the water to drain through the bottom of the pot. Discard any excess fluid.
Kalanchoes tolerate lower temperatures from 12°C but keep them away from draughts.
Cut off the dead flowers and pinch out leggy stems to keep them producing flowers throughout the year. This will keep your plant looking beautiful and compact.
Finally, in the summer, feed them with liquid fertiliser every 2-3 weeks.
5. Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera)
For a flowering indoor plant that will bloom throughout the winter, consider a Christmas cactus. It blooms from November through to January and you can even use it as a festive centrepiece.
Requiring minimal care, place in a bright spot out of direct sunlight. In the flowering season, stand the cactus on a saucer of wet gravel to keep it moist. Once the plant finishes flowering, you should reduce the watering and move it to a cooler room.
Then, in April, bring it back to a warm room and start rewatering regularly. This will help encourage new flowers for the festive season.
