Winter can be a challenging time of year for houseplants due to lack of light and colder temperatures, but take advantage of the many houseplants which flower during winter to brighten up your home. These are my top 6 flowering plants for the festive season – I know I normally offer 5 suggestions, but it’s Christmas so there’s a bonus one!
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
Kalanchoe blossfeldina was named after Robert Blossfeld, the plant hunter, who discovered this plant in its native habitat of Madagascar. It is a flowering succulent, blooming in an array of colours from deep pink to bright orange. The flowering period is usually 7-8 weeks but it can re-flower.
Kalanchoe are drought tolerant due to their fleshy leaves which store water and keep it alive during times of drought. For this reason, it is best to water when the soil is nearly fully dry, usually every 10-14 days for a desk size plant.
It does best in bright, indirect light but can tolerate some shade and direct sun in winter. It can withstand cold temperatures and indoor drafts, making it a great choice for winter. I have grown this plant for many years and it is definitely one of my favourites for colour and maintenance. It makes a great gift for a plant lover this Christmas!
Did you know?
After flowering, cut dead flowers back and place the plant in a dark room for around a month. Stop watering and when you see new shoots emerging, put it back into a bright spot, and it should flower again.
Moth Orchid, Phalaenopsis
The moth orchid is probably one of the most common flowering plants you will see in shops and garden centres. It comes in so many different colours and sizes, and has long-lasting flowers which survive well in heated rooms.
It is best to position this plant in bright, indirect light to encourage flowering, keeping it out of direct sun, especially in the summer. Allow the soil to partially dry out in between waterings, watering every 10-14 days. Over-watering can quickly lead to root-rot and kill the plant.
After flowering, cut back the old stalk to above the second node (joint) and you should see a new flowering shoot emerging soon after. This is how you get your orchid to re-bloom several times.
Did you know?
In the wild, Phalaenopsis orchids grow on trees and rocks in the tropical rainforests in Asia and Australia.
Christmas Cactus, Schlumbergera
This unusual looking plant makes a great flowering choice for your home, coming in many different colours and sizes. Schlumbergera is a forest cacti and in the wild, it grows in tropical rainforests, attached to trees.
It follows then that it thrives in dappled light, where it receives indirect light for most of the day. It can tolerate shade but might not flower. Allow the soil to partially dry out in between watering which is usually every 10-14 days in winter.
Fun Fact!
Schlumbergera is non-toxic to cats and dogs, making it a great choice if you have pets.
Flamingo Flower, Anthurium andraeanum
Anthurium is a genus consisting of around 1000 perennial plants native to Central America. Lots of them grow well indoors and make excellent houseplants. They are known as Flamingo Flowers due to their unique shape and colouring. The most popular colours are white, red, and pink but they also come in yellow, green, and even dark burgundy which appears to look black. It is called Anthurium ‘Black Love’ and is one of my favourite varieties.
In terms of care, these plants do best in bright, indirect light. Any room with a window will work but be sure to avoid direct sun touching the leaves. It is best to allow the top half of the soil to dry out in between waterings. These plants can be prone to root-rot which will quickly turn the leaves yellow and black before they drop off. Avoid this by checking the soil and if it feels damp, do not water for another few days.
Did you know?
Anthuriums are great air-purifying plants and help to remove harmless pollutants from your home.
African Violet, Streptocarpus
Also known as Cape Primrose or African Violet, Streptocarpus is a genus with over 150 species. It grows best indoors on an east or west facing window spot which receives early morning and evening light, but is protected from harsh afternoon sun.
It is best to water Streptocarpus when it is on the drier side which is usually every 7-10 days for a desk sized plant. Make sure to remove dead blooms to keep the plant clean and promote new growth. My favourite variety is one called ‘Summer Twilight’ which has variegated leaves and lilac-purple blooms with a white border.
The best way to get an African violet to flower is to make sure that the plant receives adequate light, water, humidity, soil, and fertiliser. Keep this plant in smaller pots and only re-pot when the roots are growing out of the bottom of the container. Use a houseplant soil with added perlite for good drainage. You can also feed this plant with a general houseplant food or diluted tomato feed every two weeks for healthier growth. Follow these steps and you will have a happy African Violet all year long which provides your home with some winter colour!
Fun Fact!
With the proper care and maintenance, an African violet can live for around 20 years and as long as 50 years.
Peace Lily, Spathiphyllum wallisii
This lovely plant will not only brighten up a living space, but is also great at cleaning the air of the room. Most commonly, a Peace Lily has dark green foliage and white flowers which are actually a type of leaf bract that covers the real flower inside.
Like many indoor plants, a Peace Lily will thrive in bright, indirect light but can also tolerate shade. There are over 50 different species of peace lily from which to choose so if you are looking for something small and compact look out for Spathiphyllum ‘Chopin’; if you want something larger then Spathiphyllum ‘Sensation’ is one to look for, growing up to 150cm in height and spread.
Water when the soil partially dries out – a good indication that your plant needs watered is when the leaves start to wilt or drop. It is better to underwater slightly than over-water which can cause more problems. Other than getting watering and light levels right, prune any dead flowers off and feed with a general houseplant food every 2-3 weeks for better growth.
Did you know?
The Peace Lily is poisonous so make sure to keep it out of reach from pets and small children.
Jordan Trainer is Glasgow-based plant enthusiast, and business owner of Plantique. With a particular passion for houseplants, he has been growing and collecting them for almost 10 years. Follow Jordan for more inspiration on Instagram and Facebook.