A Further Selection of Colourful Indoor Plants for Home and Office
Indoor gardeners will be tempted by the many colorful houseplants available at garden centers during most of the year. They will decorate and add atmosphere to the home and office if given the right growing conditions.
Here is a further selection of flowering houseplants in a variety of colors to suit different interior conditions.
The Showy Gloxinia is a Colourful Houseplant
The Sinningia Speciosa, commonly known as the Gloxinia has short stems with rosettes of oval-shaped velvety leaves of up to 20 cms. The trumpet-like flowers of the Gloxinia are bright red edged with white making it a popular indoor plant.
It needs a temperature of around 15 degrees and good natural light but never direct sunlight. Gloxinias flower from late summer through autumn and then die down when the rhizomes should be kept dry and replanted in the spring in fresh compost.
The Amaryllis is a Regal Tall Stemmed Houseplant
This flowering houseplant takes pride of place in many homes at certain times of the year and is often given as a seasonal gift. The huge flowers form at the end of long stems and can be red, orange, white, or pink.
Some varieties are a mix of color with white. Up to five stunning flowers might form on any stem and two or three bulbs planted in one large pot can look impressive.
These plants will flower at a temperature between 18-24 degrees and should be given plenty of natural light. After flowering let the bulb dry out and remove the yellow leaves. Begin watering again in the autumn and renew the compost for the new season of growth.
Peace Lily Spathiphyllum Wallisii is a Shade Loving Flowering Houseplant
Also known as the peace lily this plant has always had a reputation for being shade-loving. Clusters of long lance-shaped leaves are produced from rhizomes and the delicate white scented flowers form in white spathes.
A temperature of around 16 degrees and damp compost from spring to autumn suits this houseplant. During the winter it should be allowed to dry out before watering and will enjoy natural winter light. See photo.
The Busy Lizzie is an Easy-Care Houseplant
Impatiens are spring and summer flowering plants that can be grown outside in warmer climates but will flourish indoors in a cool fresh atmosphere. They will often flower during the winter too if the conditions are right and suit a sunny windowsill or another naturally light area. Cuttings from these plants will root easily in water. See photo.
The Butterfly Orchid is an Elegant Houseplant
Often seen in garden centers is the Phalaenopsis, carefully wrapped in cellophane to protect its fragile stems and exotic blooms! The hybrids vary in color from pinks, white, creams, mauves, and reds all with different markings. They need good natural light but no direct sunlight with a temperature of around 20 degrees.
The roots gain strength from sunlight which is why they are sold in transparent pots with the roots extending over the surface. Water well while growing but keep the plant almost dry during the winter. After flowering cut the stem down to 10 cms.
A Traditional Flowering Houseplant is the Cineraria
A vibrant and beautiful but short-lived plant is the Cineraria. Garden centers will have these colorful houseplants on sale during the spring and early summer and their daisies like flowers of purple, mauve, red, copper or white make a good splash of color in any room.
They enjoy good natural light and a reasonably fresh atmosphere with no direct sunlight. Maintain the compost damp to encourage flowering after which it will die and should be discarded.
The Hibiscus Rosa Sinensis Produces Beautiful Flowers
When grown as a flowering houseplant the Hibiscus can be kept quite compact reaching about 50 cms in height. It has lots of shiny dark green leaves and generally flowers in summer in a variety of colors including pink, apricot, red and white.
This plant enjoys good natural light and an even warm temperature of around 18 degrees. Sometimes the Hibiscus will flower all year on and off but if too cool or too hot the flower buds will drop. In summer keep the compost damp but restrict watering during the winter, letting it dry out between watering. See photo.
Flowering Houseplants of any Type Always Need Good Natural Light
Indoor gardening can be fun and rewarding provided the houseplants chosen are given the right conditions in which to flourish. Most flowering and foliage houseplants will not appreciate direct hot sunlight although they will do well with good natural light. The above, together with the previous selection will all add warmth and atmosphere to any home or office space.
