Five Best Indoor Winter Flowering Plants (Besides Poinsettias)
With the holidays approaching, adding some cheer to our indoor spaces with flowering plants can be a welcome break from the increasingly gray landscape outside. Flowering plants help us liven up the winter months and create a more festive and cozy atmosphere in our home. Poinsettias are a popular Christmas plant, but if you want to go beyond this traditional plant, there are many other flowers you can choose as holiday flowers indoors. Here are some additions and alternatives to consider when gifting houseplants or decorating for the holidays.
Christmas cactus
In terms of choosing the color of your flowers, nothing beats the Christmas cactus . There are many colors to choose from, from white to bright red and purple , and they are non-toxic to both people and pets. The Christmas cactus is easy to care for: it needs to be watered when the top inch of soil dries out during flowering, and less often after that. When the cactus is not blooming, you can keep it in a shaded area and lightly water it about once a week. During the shorter days of late fall and winter, the cactus will begin to prepare to bloom. Starting six to eight weeks before you hope to get flowers, keep the plant in the dark for at least 10 to 12 hours to encourage it to bloom. You can also keep the plant’s temperature below 65 degrees—giving it some time in a darker, cooler place like a basement will help it produce a big, showy burst of flowers for the holidays.
Amarylis
Amaryllis are another popular choice for holidays due to their tendency to bloom in the winter if kept indoors, but be aware that they are toxic to pets. These bulbs sprout in late fall on windowsills and require less light than other types of flowering bulbs, making them ideal winter houseplants. If you keep the soil around the bulb moist while keeping the stem and top of the bulb where it protrudes from the soil dry, the amaryllis will grow well. You can also skip potting the bulbs and wax them instead, but these bulbs will only grow in wax for one season and are difficult to replant because the wax coating prevents the bulbs from forming roots. To make your own waxed amaryllis bulb, simply melt some paraffin wax in a double boiler and then apply the wax to the bulb. Then, as with potted amaryllis, place the bulb in a warm location with access to daylight to encourage it to bloom.
White papers
Paperwhites are snowy white flowering plants that grow from bulbs. They do well as houseplants and don’t require much light to bloom, but be aware that they are toxic to pets and can even be fatal, especially if the bulb is ingested. Keep their roots moist, either in soil or in a vase, and they will bloom for about two weeks after they burst. Paperwhites are fine as long as they are not exposed to freezing temperatures and can bloom even in indirect sunlight.
Orchids
Orchids are another indoor plant that will give you spectacular blooms during the holidays. Orchids are non-toxic and safe for pets and children. Because orchids often require a lot of effort to get them to bloom. (However, if you want faster results, you can buy ready-made orchids ). They need warmer temperatures, around 65 degrees, and if your area doesn’t get much natural sunlight – at least six hours a day – you should use a grow light to keep them happy.
Kalanchoe
Kalanchoe plants will bloom in the winter and come in a variety of colors, from white to hot pink. They are toxic to pets but are known as low-maintenance houseplants. They prefer plenty of light, so if you don’t get full sunlight for at least eight hours a day, adding a grow light can help them keep blooming. To encourage flowering, Kalanchoes need a minimum of six weeks with 14 hours of darkness per day. In addition to minimal light requirements, they need moist soil and regular indoor temperatures to stay healthy.