In these drab months of winter, add some color to your home with flowering plants.  Several varieties of tropical plants have long-lasting beautiful blooms that will brighten even the gloomiest of days.

Phalaenopsis Orchid

This beauty will have you dreaming of a tropical island vacation even on the coldest of winter days. With cascading blooms, Orchid plants offer colorful flowers for months at a time. Orchids can be intimidating, but once you learn their basic needs you will have them blooming all winter long. 

Light: Like most flowering plants, orchids like bright light. Placing near an eastern or western facing window will provide them with adequate light. 

Water: When in bloom, orchid plants typically need water once a week. The roots are sensitive to overwatering so it is important to experiment with how often and how much water to give your orchid in your home’s conditions. If the plant is in a clear container the soil will be very light in color when it is time to water. If it is dark, hold off on watering. 

Fertilizer: Use an Orchid fertilizer diluted to ¼ strength weekly to keep your plants looking their best. 

Read more about Orchids. 

Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe is a flowering succulent house plant with long-lasting blooms. A newer variety, the Calandiva, is grown with double flowers instead of the single flower you find on the Kalanchoe. Both are easy-to-care-for and will add some bright, beautiful color to your home this winter. 

Light: Because these plants are succulents, they prefer bright, indirect light. They can tolerate medium light but will burn in direct sun. 

Water: Drainage is key to a thriving Kalanchoe plant. If your plant comes in a decorative pot or foil wrap, remove it before watering. Make sure the water drains completely before returning to the decorative container.  They like to dry out completely between waterings, and will not do well if overwatered or are left to sit in water. Water every 2 weeks depending on your home’s conditions.

Fertilizer: Kalanchoes don’t require much feeding. You can use a balanced house plant fertilizer during the Spring and Summer if to give your plant an extra boost. 

African Violets

These quirky little plants add some great color to your home. The leaves are often deep to light green with a layer of peach fuzz, while the blooms are blue, purple or pink. While they can have their challenges when it comes to care, they can be very rewarding to grow. 

Light: Lighting will directly affect your plant’s ability to produce and keep blooms. African Violets required bright to medium filtered light. They should be kept roughly feet from the light source. A Southern window is best, but you can supplement with a fluorescent or grow light if necessary. Turn the plant regularly for even growth. 

Water: Watering is a bit trickier. African Violets need to be watered with lukewarm water that has been standing for 48 hours. Be sure to avoid getting any water on the foliage, this can cause damage. These plants do not like to be too wet or too dry, so finding the middle ground is the challenge. When the soil starts to dry slightly, you can give it a small drink. 

Fertilizer: Use a high phosphorus fertilizer diluted to ¼ strength every watering to keep your plant thriving. 

Anthuriums

Anthurium plants have dark green foliage and beautiful spath-shaped blooms that range in color from red to pink to white. With the right care, these plants can keep their blooms for a long time, making them great for adding color this winter. 

Light: Anthuriums can tolerate low light, but they prefer bright, indirect light. The less light these plants get the fewer flowers they will produce. Keep them away from direct light, the flowers and leaves can get sunburned. 

Water: Water your Anthurium regularly. Water only when the soil is dry to the touch and do not overwater because they are susceptible to root rot. Anthuriums love humidity. Keeping them on a humidity tray will cut back on watering, and help the blooms last longer. 

Fertilizer: Fertilize with a high-phosphorus fertilizer once a quarter.  

Read more about Anthuriums.

Peace Lilies

Peace Lilies are low maintenance plants great for any level plant parent.  These plants have dark green foliage and will sprout white spathes, or waxy flowers, in the Spring. They provide great indicators of their care needs, making them easy for the newbie to be successful. 

Light: These plants do great in low lighting conditions like offices, or hallways and can even grow with just fluorescent light. If given too much light, the leaves will start to turn yellow.  

Water: Water your Peace Lily about once a week. The leaves will start to droop when it’s thirsty, letting you know it’s time for water. 

Fertilizer: Use a water-soluble balanced house plant fertilizer every other month during the growing season to give your plant a boost. Make sure to water your plant after fertilizing to get the food to all of the roots.

Bromeliads

Bromeliads are beautiful tropical plants with spiky foliage and flowers. The flowers are long-lasting and are available in a variety of colors and shapes. These plants will add some bright, bold color to your home all winter long. 

Light: Bromeliads prefer bright sunny spots away from direct sunlight. They will do well in lower lighting conditions, but their blooms won’t last as long. 

Water: Bromeliads are somewhat drought tolerant — they can go a period of time without water.   If your home’s humidity levels are high, Bromeliads won’t need as much water. Fill the plant’s central cut with water weekly, during the growing season (March thru October), and less often during the winter. Get the slightly moist every watering, but do not water through the soil (water through the central cup)

Fertilizer: Bromeliads don’t need much fertilizer. Use a half-strength liquid fertilizer once a year, and your Bromeliad should continue to look its best. 

Learn more about Bromeliads.

Cyclamen

Cyclamens add some delicate beauty to any space. Featuring upswept heart-shaped petals in white, pink, and red, and marbled leaves, Cyclamens are perfect for brightening any winter day.  With proper care, these plants will bloom year after year. 

Light: Cyclamen plants are actively growing during the winter months, so providing them with bright indirect light will keep them happiest. When temperatures warm up you can move them to a medium to low lighting area. 

Water: Watering is tricky with Cyclamens. They are sensitive to both over and under-watering so it is important to monitor regularly. When the top layer of soil is dry to the touch. Avoid getting the leaves wet, this can cause damage. 

Fertilizer: Fertilizer every two months with a half-strength water-soluble house plant food.  

Learn more about Cyclamens.

Shop a selection for Flowering Plants online. For more information on caring for your flowering plants, visit any English Gardens location and talk with an expert.