Tips for Flowering Houseplants

If your are looking for ways to brighten your home, why not try adding fresh houseplants? Not only do they add color to a room, it also brings in the “nature factor” in your home. Here are some of the most recommended houseplants that are also easy to take care of.

Saintpaulia – Also known as African Violets, they have velvety leaves and dainty flower clusters. You can choose between the traditional Saintpaulia ionantha or several hybrids, which bloom in a rainbow of colors. They are fairly easy to grow and prefer an east-facing window. Water only when the plants dry out, placing moisture directly onto the soil since the leaves should not be moist.

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana – This has been a standard indoor flowering potted plant in the United States for many years. Kalanchoe is bolder in color and bigger in size. Its vibrantly-colored clusters of flowers are long lasting, and the leaves are big and glossy. Taking care of kalanchoe requires indirect lighting and watering only when the soil is dry.

Cyclamen – Native to the Mediterranean, the cyclamen has delicate petals that resemble tiny butterflies in flight. Its blooms lasts a long time with colors ranging from coral to pink to purple. In taking care of this houseplant, temperature should be kept below fifty degrees Fahrenheit, although they prefer humid environments. It should be watered daily directly to the soil to keep it moist or, ideally, should be kept on top of a pebble-filled tray of water.

Begonia semperflorens – Many plants that are usually grown outdoors can also be purchased as potted houseplants, such as Begonia semperflorens or Wax Begonia. They have waxy green, bronze, or red leaves, as well as single or double flowers that appear in small clusters in white or shades of pink or red. Water them only when the soil is dry.

Rhododendron – Also called as azalea, it is known for its papery blooms of bright colors. Once the blooms drop off, the rhododendron continues to provide shiny green leaves. You can put organic mulch on its soil to conserve water loss and minimize winter injury. Prune all diseased branches.