Fresh blooms and colorful cuttings are beautiful additions to your space, but despite the many tips to make flowers last longer, sooner or later, they fade. Instead of chasing petals and adding different species that bloom in various seasons, there’s a better way to keep the color in your home: With plants that bear vibrant tones on their leaves year-round.
These bright, beautiful houseplants range from compact, low-light lovers to large, sun-soaking tropical species. Their eye-catching shades can liven up your indoor garden—with no vase needed.
Read on for 5 of our favorite colorful houseplants to brighten up your home.
Orchids
Orchids are probably exactly what you think of when you think of indoor flowering plants. But despite their finicky reputation, they’re actually not too difficult to grow with the right orchid care tips. The main tricks? The right soil, and making sure to water the plant just as its soil runs dry.
Kalanchoe
The brightly colored blooms make kalanchoe an indoor plant standout. “It does well in bright sun, so placing it on a windowsill facing southwest should not be a problem,” Mast says. “This is a succulent-like plant so it does not need much water.”
Hydrangeas
Hydrangea varieties are a summer garden staple, but these shrubs can also brighten up a corner of your house if they’re potted. They thrive best in direct sun, with moist soil.
“If you see the bloom sagging a bit, place the pot in a sink or bucket with approximately two to three inches of water so the soil can soak up the moisture through the drainage hole for about 45 minutes,” Mast says. “Allow the water to drain and set back on the saucer in the sunlight.”
Bromeliads
“Bromeliads come in a variety of vibrant colors and are easy to care for,” says Mast. “They don’t require much water-most likely every two weeks or so, and the blooms can last up to two to three months.” She recommends two in particular-the Achemea Fascita Pink and the Bromeliad Tillandsia Summer.
Chrysanthemums
If you’re looking for an easy indoor flowering plant, chrysanthemums might be right up your alley. “They require very little extra care other than keeping the soil moist and making sure the pot has good drainage,” says Mast.
Cyclamen
If you’re looking for a flowering plant to brighten up your fall and winter, cyclamen might be the perfect fit. “The gorgeous, bright heart-shaped blooms will likely last around eight weeks given the right growing conditions,” Mast says. “Keep the soil moist and make sure there is no standing water in the pot.”
Amaryllis
These forced bulbs are popular in winter-especially around the holidays. To encourage the bloom, place them in a sunny, southern facing window.
Anthurium
“The anthurium symbolizes hospitality with its open heart-shaped flower and inspires happiness and abundance,” Mast says. They come in shades of red, pink, white and purple, and need a warm, bright, and humid spot in your home.
Gloxinias
These easy-to-care-for indoor flowering plants are relatives of the African violet, Mast says. The blooms on the plant last about two months, and the plants prefer bright, filtered sunlight and moderately moist soil.
