Many popular houseplants have uniquely shaped or colored leaves. They add a natural flair and graceful texture to our typically static indoor spaces. While foliage does not lack, we often reserve colorful blooming plants for our outdoor gardens or patios, but this is not necessary. With a little care and maintenance, many blooming plants can thrive in your house or office and rebloom multiple times.
Orchid
Many orchid species grow well indoors. Phalaenopsis are commonly found in stores and are the easiest to care for. While they can be a challenge to rebloom, they will if placed in a window with bright, indirect light. Orchids also need a good source of humidity. Place them in your kitchen or bathroom or on a tray of gravel and water.
Water orchids weekly until water flows out the drainage holes and fills the tray below, allowing it to dry out between watering. Water orchids with collected rainwater or distilled water. Mist the plant frequently to maintain the surrounding humidity level, too.
Kalanchoe
This waxy-leafed succulent is low maintenance and has colorful blooms. Kalanchoe flowers can be red, pink, yellow or white. Cut off all the blooms once they fade to encourage new buds to form. Make sure the soil dries out between watering, as this plant can be easily overwatered.
Kalanchoe grows best in bright, indirect sunlight and may get leggy in low-light conditions. It can also be easily propagated by stem or leaf cuttings to create new plants. Place the plant outside in the summer to grow during the summer months. Bring them inside before the first frost; they will develop flower buds in response to the long nights of fall.
Miniature rose
Instead of an arrangement of cut roses that will die in a couple of weeks, give someone the whole plant, only a miniature version. The delicate miniature buds can be found in red, pink or white and can be deadheaded to encourage new blooms.
When growing them indoors, they need bright sunlight in a south-facing window and constant temperatures ranging from 60-75 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly mist the foliage daily to maintain the humidity level around the plant.
They can also be planted outdoors (in a container or the ground) in the summer, but remember to bring them back in before the first frost. Most miniature roses will go dormant in the winter and begin to grow again in the spring.
Cyclamen
These plants with heart-shaped leaves have unique foliage and showstopper flowers that can bloom for four to six weeks. Flowers can be a variety of shades of red, pink and white. Water cyclamens at the base of the plant when it dries out, soaking the soil until water flows out the bottom drainage holes. Cyclamens grow best in bright, indirect sunlight and thrive in cooler temperatures, between 55-60 F.
Cyclamens will go dormant after they bloom — foliage will yellow and die down to the soil. Remove the dried foliage and place the container in a cool, dark place for two months. After the dormancy period, resume water and add cyclamen bulbs to a new container of soil and place it in bright, indirect light; new foliage should start growing soon with blooms following a couple of months after.
Blooming houseplants are great alternatives to traditional bouquets of cut flowers when celebrating a milestone or expressing your appreciation. They can be enjoyed for many months and add color and a delightful fragrance to their indoor space.
