Beautiful flowering plants can add color to any indoor space, functioning as part of the decor while also providing a variety of mental and emotional health benefits. After all, plants have been shown to reduce anxiety and stress, decrease depression, enhance memory retention, provide greater happiness and life satisfaction, and increase creativity and even self-esteem.
Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced gardener, this list of the 10 most beautiful indoor flowering plants will help you start your garden retreat at home.
Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana)
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Kalanchoe plants are long-flowering perennial succulents that are native to Madagascar, where they thrive in arid environments. The blooms come in a variety of colors including red, pink, yellow, and white, with the plant producing new flowers nearly year-round in response to sunlight. Also known as widow’s thrill, kalanchoes enjoy acidic soil and grow best in clay pots when indoors. This plant causes stomach upset in cats and dogs, so make sure pets don’t have an opportunity to consume it.
Plant Care Tips
- Light: Full sun; can tolerate partial shade.
- Water: Thorough intermittent watering.
- Soil: Well-draining, acidic, light, and sandy.
African Violet (Saintpaulia ionantha)
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One of the most popular plants to grow indoors, African violets are native to Tanzania and known for their vibrant year-round purple blooms, though there are also varieties with pink, red, blue, and white flowers. These flowering plants are nontoxic to dogs, cats, and horses, and also feature delicate fuzzy leaves. Because root rot is a common problem, selecting a well-draining pot is essential for these plants.
Plant Care Tips
- Light: Bright indirect sunlight is ideal, but moderate light is adequate. Thrives indoors.
- Water: Soil should be moist but never soggy. Water when the soil feels dry on top but moist underneath.
- Soil: Well draining and slightly acidic; add sand or other porous materials to typical houseplant potting soils.
Lemon Tree (Citrus Limon)
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Most citrus is typically grown outdoors, but lemon trees produce delightfully fragrant and delicate blooms before fruiting, and can be grown indoors in the right conditions. Trees need air flow and humidity, so you should make sure that there’s good air circulation in your home. You’ll also want a misting device for spraying your plant. In addition, lemon trees need ample sun and water, as well as regular fertilizing.
Plant Care Tips
- Light: Ample direct sunlight (minimum 8 hours).
- Water: Water thoroughly and often.
- Soil: Well-draining.
Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum)
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Gardeners love jasmine because of its sweet fragrance and winter blooms. The plant typically sets in autumn and produces flowers the following February, so growers often leave it outside during this time to ensure the jasmine is exposed to cool temperatures before returning it to a spot near a window inside. A climbing plant, jasmine will need a trellis or some sort of support as it grows.
Plant Care Tips
- Light: Can tolerate four hours of direct sun each day.
- Water: Keep soil moist, but not damp.
- Soil: Porous; can add bark or other materials.
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii)
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Native to Central America, the peace lily is part of a genus of more than 40 species of tropical herbaceous perennial evergreens. Contrary to its name, these plants are not part of the lily family, and are instead related to other popular houseplants, including the philodendron and the alocasia. Growing up to 3 feet tall indoors, groupings of these plants can produce an impressive display. Unfortunately, peace lilies are toxic to house pets.
Plant Care Tips
- Light: Medium, indirect light.
- Water: Water when top inch of soil has dried out.
- Soil: Well-draining; peat moss and sand blend.
Moon Orchid (Phalaenopsis orchid)
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In tropical and subtropical Asia, where orchids are native, they grow in trees and thrive in soil with moss and bark. Also known as moth orchids, these flowering plants prefer warm, humid conditions and are commonly grown indoors around the world. Moon orchids are a favorite of many gardeners and produce showy purple, green, white, or pink flowers, depending on the specific variety.
Plant Care Tips
- Light: Requires indirect light and deep shade.
- Water: Always water in the morning, let soil thoroughly dry between watering.
- Soil: Use bark and/or moss.
Amaryllis (Hippeastrum petiolatum)
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Native to Central and South America, amaryllis plants produce striking, trumpet-shaped flowers that are often striped or mottled. Grown from bulbs typically planted at the end of the fall or early winter, amaryllis likes containers that allow for about 2 inches of space between the bulb and the edge when planted. Ample water and organic fertilizer, applied after a flower bud has emerged, will encourage further blooming. Containing the toxic alkaloid lycorine, amaryllis is poisonous to cats and dogs.
Plant Care Tips
- Light: Bright, indirect light.
- Water: Thorough water at first planting, then sparingly until blooms appear.
- Soil: Loam and perlite blend with plenty of organic matter.
Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii)
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Christmas cacti are known for their flattened stems and vibrant red blooms that typically flower around Christmastime. An easy-care houseplant, these cacti aren’t like the desert varieties; instead, they are native to the Brazilian rainforest and require more water. A Christmas cactus can live for 20-30 years when properly cared for and makes a great holiday gift.
Plant Care Tips
- Light: Adaptable, but prefers diffused light mimicking rainforest conditions.
- Water: Water thoroughly and allow soil to dry between waterings.
- Soil: Lightweight, well-draining.
Angel Wing Begonia (Begonia coccinea)
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Named for its foliage, said to be shaped like the wings of angels, angel wing begonias produce clusters of flowers in a variety of colors including red, white, orange, or pink. This plant does not like to be misted, and too much humidity could encourage spots and mildew on the leaves. A fertilizer rich in potassium, as well as the removal of any flowers as they wilt and fade, will encourage the production of future blooms. Begonias are toxic and should be kept away from plants and children.
Plant Care Tips
- Light: Bright indirect light, no full sun.
- Water: Allow soil to drain and top inch to dry before watering.
- Soil: Well-draining, high in organic material.
Cape Primrose (Streptocarpus saxorum)
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Also known as twisted fruit or false African violet, cape primrose plants produce delicate, small, flowers, and have drooping foliage, making them ideal for hanging planters and tall pots. Native to Kenya and Tanzania, the small herbaceous plant cannot tolerate heat and prefers temperatures between 60-70 degrees, making it an ideal houseplant.
Plant Care Tips
- Light: Bright, indirect light; can tolerate shade but may not bloom.
- Water: Allow mix to feel slightly dry before watering.
- Soil: Well-draining, loamy, neutral pH.
