10 Flowering Houseplants That Are Easy to Grow and Care For

10. Christmas Cactus

Christmas cactus

Cacti and succulents are known for being incredibly easy to grow, requiring almost no maintenance of any kind as they typically survive and thrive in harsher environments (with low humidity). The Christmas cactus (belonging to the Schlumbergera Buckleyi group) is no different.

This cactus prefers dryer, well-drained, sandy soil, though upon planting it should be evenly moistened.

Hang the cactus near a window, making sure not to let the foliage touch the glass (to prevent cold damage in winter, when the plant blooms). It does well in bright light and only needs to be moved to a darker area in fall, a few weeks before it blooms.​

It’s best to actively and frequently water the cactus during its main growth period (Spring-Summer) while making sure not to overwater (as this promotes root decay). During this period, applying very mild fertilizer solution once every few weeks is good too. Once summer ends, don’t water nearly as much, however misting throughout the winter period is recommended.​

Don’t put this plant in the way of drafts (That is, near fans or floor vents).

9. African Violet

African violets

A very popular houseplant because of its tendency to bloom all year round, African violets are also simple to grow and maintain. It rewards minimal investment with active development and eye candy. You can find them in shades of purple, red or white.

A mixture of peat moss, perlite and vermiculite keeps the soil aerated while also preventing nutrients from draining out. You can make this combination yourself, or find a pre-made mix at a nearby garden center.

African violets thrive indirect, moderate indoor light. 8 hours of exposure is the ideal, and flowers should be turned away from the light.

African violets are best watered using lukewarm water at the base of the plant. Take care not to touch the foliage (damage occurs otherwise), and if possible prepare the water up to 48 hours in advance. This plant doesn’t do well while sitting in water or while the soil is parched, so try to water only when the soil feels dry.

8. Calla Lily

Calla lilies

Interestingly enough, this plant is not actually a lily (as it belongs to the Zantedeschia group). However, it certainly is a beautiful, versatile plant that almost raises itself. Plant it after all frost disappears in early spring.

If it’s well-drained and relatively loose, it’s good for Calla lilies. It’s as simple as that. Plant them around 3 inches deep (and a foot or so apart if you’re using wider containers for multiple plants).

Full sun or moderate shade. This plant is not picky, as long as you move it into a darker environment over the winter.

Regular watering and fertilization is the way to go. Keep the soil moist, keep the weeds out. It’s fairly intuitive. After the flowering stops, stop watering for up to 3 months, then resume as normal.

Read more here: ​How to grow calla lilies

7. Peace Lily

Peace lily

This plant is so easy to grow, you can gift it to someone who has never taken care of a plant before, and they will do just fine. All it takes is a tiny bit of consideration when it comes to the peace lily’s environment.

A peat potting soil mixed with bark chips and perlite.

Peace lilies thrive in the low-to-medium light range. The more light you give them, the more they produce flowers. Less light results in a more traditional-looking foliage plant.

This plant deals much better with low water conditions than overwatering. If you can hold a watering can, you can take care of a peace lily. Don’t do it on a planned schedule, just water if the soil is dry. Fertilizing once a year is enough to keep the plant healthy.

Make sure to re-pot the lily into a bigger pot when it starts looking unhealthy soon after watering.

6. Bromeliad

Bromeliad

A wonderful tropical plant that can be grown in a variety of homes, bromeliads are very low-maintenance but reward care with breathtakingly gorgeous flowers. Here’s what they need:

One-half potting soil, one-half a mixture of perlite and bark. Bromeliads often grow attached to trees so that they can collect sunlight more efficiently. Using a shallow pot is a smart idea.

Bright light works best. There isn’t much more to it than that.

Bromeliads have what is called a “tank.” This is the center part of the plant that holds water, and this is where you want to water. Fill it up again before it becomes empty. Help maintain a humidity level by sitting the pot in a tray with gravel and water. Drain the pot regularly to avoid root decay.

5. Columnea

Columnea

Perfect for hanging baskets, the goldfish plant (as it’s sometimes called) looks amazing whether or not it’s flowering. Expect lovely flowers in the spring-summer period.

Use a mixture of sphagnum moss, vermiculite, and perlite. Since Columnea plants also use trees as perches to get more sunlight, their roots are not made for gathering purposes as much as they’re made for anchoring.

At least 12-14 hours of bright light is required. Avoid direct sunlight to prevent damage, though. Interestingly enough, as a plant that typically grows under a tree canopy, the goldfish plant doesn’t want a lot of heat. Room temperature is ideal.

Mist the plant daily with lukewarm water. Cold water does damage so it should be avoided. During the flowering period, use a fertilizer that’s high in phosphorus.

4. English Ivy

English ivies

English ivies are amazing climbers. You can plant them almost anywhere, and they’ll do well. Incredibly easy to work with and elegant, they’re a great addition to any home environment, and you can use them to hide less attractive things in the house since they cling to anything. Keep in mind that this plant grows very slowly at first. Don’t get discouraged and think you’re doing something wrong, English ivies are durable.

Organic soils work best. It’s that easy.

English ivies prefer the shade. However, flowers form on the branches closer to direct sunlight.

While the vines are growing, water regularly to keep the soil good and moist. Once they develop though, you can (and should) slow down the watering. Fertilize very rarely with half-strength fertilizer spray.

3. Anthurium

Anthurium

Also known as the Flamingo Flower, all it takes to raise one (or more) is understanding its very reasonable needs. Keep away from children or your cat as the leaves are poisonous when eaten. This flower is typically bright red, but other variations exist (such as white, pink or green).

The flamingo flower does alright in darker areas, but if you want to stimulate proper growth, bright indirect light is ideal. Direct sunlight (as it tends to with a lot of plants) often damages the leaves.

Possibly the toughest part about maintaining this plant, but it’s still fairly simple. The anthurium is very vulnerable to root rot, so do not overwater under any circumstance. Only water when the soil feels dry. If you underwater, a good way to quickly rehydrate the plant is to soak the lower part of it in water for an hour (with the pot and all). Fertilize sparingly (once every 4-5 months) with a weak fertilizer (high in phosphorus).

2. Hoya

Hoya carnosa

One of the best plants for beginners, the common Hoya variant (Hoya carnosa, also known as the wax plant) is almost impossibly beautiful in bloom and lives long enough to be spectacular many times. Here are some tips on how to get the most out of this one and amaze even the most hard-to-please guests with adorable flower clusters:

The wax plant does well in African Violet soil with extra perlite. You want it to be moist and light.

Don’t expose the leaves to the hottest direct sunlight, as it scorches them. However, do keep the plant in a location with bright indirect sunlight. While you’re at it, keep the plant away from the cold and drafts.

Keep the soil moist through the warm seasons, but slow down the watering during winter. Fertilize once a month during the growth period to see good results.

1. Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe

Succulents are known for being resilient, simple plants that need little to no attention. Kalanchoe is as easy as that but rewards a bit of extra effort with more flowers. A nice bonus is that the plant looks stunning even without flowers.

Plant the kalanchoe in a mixture of peat and perlite to ensure that the soil is well-drained.

Ideally, you should place the kalanchoe in partial sunlight, to remove the risk of scorching the leaf tips. Make sure the temperature in the environment is at least 60F (16 degrees Celsius).

As a succulent, the Kalanchoe needs only minimal watering. Water only when the soil has completely dried out. Once per month, fertilize lightly with houseplant food during the growth periods.

If you want your kalanchoe to flower again, cut off the flowering head and reduce watering for a while.