30 Indoor Flowering Plants That Are Easy to Keep

Indoor flowering plants bring colour into a room long after a cut bouquet has faded, and many of them are much easier to keep than people expect. The trick is matching each plant to the light you actually have and not overwatering. Below are 30 indoor flowering plants that are easy to keep, grouped by light level and growth style, followed by simple care tips that work for most of them.

A quick note on pets: several popular houseplants are toxic to cats and dogs. We flag common ones below, but always check a trusted pet-poison resource before bringing a new plant home.

Plants for Bright, Indirect Light

Most flowering houseplants are happiest near a bright window but out of harsh midday sun. An east-facing window or a spot a little back from a south or west window is ideal.

1. African Violet

Compact and almost always in flower, African violets like bright, indirect light and water at the base rather than on the fuzzy leaves. They are generally considered safe for pets.

2. Moth Orchid

The moth orchid, or Phalaenopsis, can bloom for two to three months. Grow it in bark rather than soil, water when the roots look silvery, and let excess drain away.

3. Slipper Orchid

Paphiopedilum orchids have pouch-shaped flowers and tolerate slightly lower light than many orchids. Keep the potting mix lightly moist rather than soggy.

4. Anthurium

Anthuriums produce glossy red, pink or white spathes for much of the year. They like warmth, humidity and indirect light, and they are toxic to pets if chewed.

5. Bromeliad

Bromeliads carry a colourful flower bract that can last for months. Many types are watered by keeping a little water in the central cup, refreshed regularly. The parent plant slowly fades after flowering but produces pups you can pot up.

6. Streptocarpus

Also called Cape primrose, streptocarpus is a relative of the African violet with trumpet-shaped flowers in blues, purples and pinks. Let the top of the compost dry slightly between waterings.

7. Begonia

Flowering begonias, such as wax and Rieger types, bloom in bright colours over a long season. Avoid soggy soil, which causes rot. Begonias are toxic to pets.

8. Spider Plant

Best known for its arching striped leaves, the spider plant also sends out small white flowers followed by baby plantlets. It is very forgiving and generally considered pet safe.

Plants for Lower Light

No home has perfect light everywhere. These plants cope with medium or lower light, although they flower best with some brightness.

9. Peace Lily

Peace lilies produce white spathes and tolerate lower light better than most flowering plants. They droop when thirsty, which makes watering easy to judge. They are toxic to pets.

10. Clivia

Clivia has clusters of orange or yellow trumpet flowers in late winter or spring. It prefers a cool, dry rest in winter to trigger blooms and is toxic to pets.

11. Lipstick Plant

This trailing plant has red tubular flowers that emerge from dark cases, rather like lipstick. It enjoys medium to bright indirect light and looks great in a hanging basket.

12. Goldfish Plant

The goldfish plant has small orange flowers shaped like tiny leaping fish. It likes moderate humidity and evenly moist, but not wet, soil.

Plants for Sunny Windowsills

If you have a bright south- or west-facing window, these sun-loving plants will reward you with plenty of flowers.

13. Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe is a succulent with clusters of small, bright flowers that last for weeks. Water only when the soil is dry. It is toxic to pets.

14. Crown of Thorns

This spiny succulent produces small red, pink or yellow bracts nearly all year in good light. Handle it with gloves, as the sap can irritate skin, and keep it away from pets.

15. Geranium

Pelargoniums, commonly called geraniums, bloom happily on a sunny windowsill indoors. Deadhead spent flowers to keep new ones coming. They are toxic to pets.

16. Hibiscus

Tropical hibiscus produces large, showy flowers that each last only a day or two but appear in succession. It needs plenty of light and regular watering in summer.

17. Desert Rose

Adenium has a swollen trunk and pink or red flowers. It needs lots of sun and very little water in winter. Its sap is toxic, so keep it away from children and pets.

18. Jade Plant

Mature jade plants can produce small white or pink star-shaped flowers in winter, especially after a cool, dry spell. It is very easy to care for but is toxic to pets.

19. Abutilon

Flowering maple, or abutilon, has lantern-like blooms in shades of orange, red and yellow. It likes bright light and regular feeding in the growing season.

20. Shrimp Plant

The shrimp plant has curved, salmon-coloured bracts that resemble shrimp. It flowers for long periods in bright light and benefits from a trim to stay bushy.

Seasonal and Holiday Bloomers

These plants are often bought in flower for a season but can be kept and reflowered with a little planning.

21. Christmas Cactus

Christmas cactus flowers in winter after shorter days and cooler nights in autumn. Unlike desert cacti, it prefers indirect light and slightly more regular water. It is generally considered pet safe.

22. Easter Cactus

The Easter cactus blooms in spring with star-shaped flowers. It needs a cool, drier rest over winter to set buds.

23. Cyclamen

Cyclamen flowers through the cooler months and prefers a cool room away from radiators. Water from below. It is toxic to pets, especially the tuber.

24. Amaryllis

Amaryllis bulbs produce huge trumpet flowers on tall stems, usually in winter. After flowering, keep the leaves growing to build up the bulb for next year. The bulb is toxic to pets.

25. Primrose

Potted primroses bring cheerful colour in late winter and early spring. Keep them cool and moist, then plant them outdoors after flowering.

26. Forced Hyacinth

Hyacinth bulbs can be grown indoors in pots or bulb glasses for fragrant late-winter flowers. The bulbs can irritate skin and are toxic to pets.

Climbing and Trailing Bloomers

Trailing and climbing plants add height and movement, and several flower generously indoors.

27. Hoya

Hoyas have waxy, star-shaped flower clusters, often with a sweet scent. Do not cut off the old flower spurs, because new flowers grow from the same spot. Hoyas are generally considered pet safe.

28. Jasmine

Pink jasmine, Jasminum polyanthum, is often sold on a hoop and fills a room with fragrance in late winter. It needs a cool spell to set buds.

29. Mandevilla

Mandevilla is a tropical climber with large pink, red or white flowers. Indoors it needs a bright spot and a small trellis to climb.

30. Oxalis

Purple shamrock has striking triangular leaves and small white or pink flowers. The leaves fold up at night. It can go dormant, so do not panic if it dies back; reduce watering until new growth appears. It is toxic to pets.

Easy Care Tips for Indoor Flowering Plants

• Light first: Most flowering problems come from too little light. Move a plant closer to a window if it grows leaves but no flowers.
• Water wisely: Overwatering kills more houseplants than underwatering. Check the soil with your finger before watering.
• Use drainage: Choose pots with drainage holes and empty saucers after watering.
• Feed in season: Use a balanced or high-potash houseplant feed during spring and summer, following the label.
• Deadhead: Remove faded flowers to encourage more blooms, except on hoyas.
• Avoid drafts: Keep plants away from radiators, heaters and cold doorways.
• Check pet safety: Look up every plant on a reliable pet-poison list before buying if you share your home with animals.

Final Thoughts

With the right light and a light hand on the watering can, indoor flowering plants can bloom for months and even years. Start with a forgiving choice such as an African violet, a moth orchid or a kalanchoe, and add more as your confidence grows. Before long, your windowsills can be filled with colour all year round.