Kitty's Flowers

Kitty's Flowers

Posted by kittysflowers on December 16, 2019 | Last Updated: November 6, 2020 Uncategorized

The Best Winter Plants for Your Indoor Garden

When you think about winter activities, gardening probably isn’t one of your top five. At Kitty’s Flowers, gardening is definitely one our favorite things to do no matter the season. Even though it’s too cold in Salisbury for much, other than evergreens, to survive the winter weather outside, there are still plenty of beautiful plants that will grow happily indoors.

Red Poinsettia

1. Poinsettias

Poinsettias are our number-one favorite winter plant because we associate them with Christmas and good cheer. These plants make wonderful holiday gifts and decorations. Of course, the red and white varieties are the most popular for the season, but they’re also available in yellow, orange, and pink. These funky colors can make for an unexpected, off-beat alternative to the more traditional holiday display.

Most people think that the poinsettia’s flowers are its brightly colored bracts (leaf-like structures). The plant’s true flowers, however, are the small yellow clusters located at the center of the bracts.

Originally from Mexico, poinsettia plants need plenty of sunshine to stay healthy throughout the season. Be sure to water yours often enough that the soil stays moist, but never let a poinsettia sit in standing water.

Cyclamen with Pink Flowers

2. Cyclamen

Cyclamen is another cheerful flowering plant to enjoy during the winter months, when it’s in bloom. These plants have elegant blooms with a swept-back appearance that make them resemble shooting stars.

These plants are originally from the Mediterranean, and they like lots of sunlight and for their soil to be kept moist, but not soggy. Cyclamen goes dormant starting in the spring. At this time, the plant might look like it’s dead. Keep it in a cool, dry place throughout the summer and resume watering in the fall to enjoy more flowers in winter.

Kalanchoe Plant with Purple Flowers

3. Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe is a winter favorite of ours because it produces beautiful, colorful blooms, and it’s also a succulent plant. Kalanchoe blooms come in clusters of small flowers in bright red, pink, orange, yellow, and white.

Since these plants are naturally desert dwellers, kalanchoes like lots of indirect sunlight and soil that drains easily. Be careful not to water them too frequently, making sure the soil is allowed to dry completely between drinks.

Amaryllis Plant with Red Blooms

4. Amaryllis

Another holiday favorite, amaryllis features large bright-red blooms that are perfect for decorating. They bloom six to eight weeks after planting. For winter flowers, plant in late summer or early fall. Amaryllis is a bulb plant, which means it can be replanted once it dies. Between growing seasons, keep your amaryllis bulbs cool and dry, so they won’t rot.

A cousin of the lily, amaryllis plants are poisonous. If you have small children or pets in your home, be careful to keep your amaryllis in a place where they can’t reach it.

Paperwhites

5. Paperwhite Narcissus

A type of narcissus, paperwhites are perfect for winter. They have delicate bulbs in a snowy shade of white that look absolutely festive paired with red blooms.

Paperwhites are another bulb plant, and they can be replanted once they die. Between blooms, store their bulbs in a cool, dark, and dry place, so they won’t rot. Then, replant in late summer or early fall.

More Indoor Gardening Fun!

Our florists simply can’t get enough of gardening in the winter, which makes it tough to choose just five favorite plants for the season. We also love boxwoods, a vibrant-green shrub that’s relatively simple to care for and can thrive in a container indoors or in the ground outside. Pruned into the shape of a Christmas tree, a boxwood makes a great holiday gift.

In addition to boxwoods, Christmas cactuses are wonderful for winter. They bloom naturally around Christmastime and produce the most beautiful tube-shaped flowers in shades of red, pink, orange, and white. Plus, they’re non-toxic, which makes them safe for pets and small children, and they’re easy to take care of, which means you’ll be able to enjoy them for many winters to come.

African violets are also a great winter plant. They get a reputation for being difficult to grow, but a self-watering pot takes all the guesswork out of caring for these beauties. In addition to having stunning blooms, they’re easily propagated with a single leaf, so you can start new violets come spring and share them with all of your friends.

For more indoor garden inspiration and growing advice, we welcome you to stop by Kitty’s Flowers any time this winter!