While we undoubtedly love our houseplants for their lush green leaves, there’s something delightful about the moment one surprises us with a bloom. But the benefits don’t stop at beauty. NASA’s Clean Air Study reveals certain indoor plants, including flowering favorites like peace lilies and gerbera daisies, help purify the air by removing pollutants such as benzene and formaldehyde. So, if you are a new plant parent or want to add more plants to your collection, these flowering houseplants are perfect for adding a pop of color and a breath of fresh air to your space. Some have year-round blooms while others will surprise you at different seasons. Here’s a roundup of gorgeous indoor plants that serve as decorative showstoppers with their blooms and natural air purifiers.
1. Peace Lily
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Graceful white spathes and deep green leaves make peace lilies a popular choice for low-light rooms. They can bloom even with minimal sunlight and are known for their ability to clean indoor air. Keep the soil slightly moist and avoid direct sun, which can scorch the leaves. Interestingly, this plant will practically tell you when it needs water. It leaves droop a little when thirsty. Flowering Season: Blooms in spring, but can flower again throughout the year in the right conditions.
2. African Violet
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With its soft, fuzzy leaves and delicate blooms in shades of purple, pink, white, and blue, the African violet is a classic favorite among indoor gardeners. Despite its dainty appearance, it’s a reliable bloomer when given the right conditions, think: bright, indirect light and consistently moist (but not soggy) soil. African violets thrive best at room temperatures. Also, avoid watering their leaves, which can cause spotting. Their compact size makes them perfect for windowsills, desks, or plant shelves, and they are known for flowering repeatedly throughout the year with a bit of care. Flowering Season: Year-round with ideal conditions, but blooms most heavily in spring and summer.
3. Kalanchoe
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Kalanchoes are flowering succulents that brighten up your indoor space with bold, long-lasting clusters of flowers in shades of red, orange, yellow, and pink. Native to Madagascar, these drought-tolerant plants prefer bright, direct sunlight (perhaps a south-facing windowsill) and only need occasional watering. Their compact size and vivid color make them ideal for windowsills, especially if you are someone who forgets to water regularly. According to Nell Foster from Joy Us Garden, “If you want the flowering period to be more long-lasting, buy your plant with at least half the flower buds partially or not yet opened. They’ll gradually open after you get them home.” Flowering Season: Late winter to early spring, with potential for reblooming under the right conditions.
4. Orchid (Phalaenopsis)
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If you want a touch of tropics in your space, Phalaenopsis Orchids (Moth orchids) are your go-to choice. Their curved stems produce broad, butterfly-like flowers in hues of white, pink, purple, yellow, and even spotted or striped varieties. Among all the many species of Orchids, these orchids are easier to care for and are the most popular indoor houseplants. They thrive in bright, indirect light and prefer humidity, making them perfect plants for bathrooms or kitchens with filtered sunlight. Watering once a week is usually enough, and let the roots dry slightly between waterings. Unlike many houseplants, orchids don’t grow in soil but in a loose bark mix that mimics their native environment. After the blooms fade, the plant enters a rest phase, but with a bit of patience and the proper care, it will bloom again. Flowering Season: Late winter to spring, with blooms lasting up to 2–3 months and potential to rebloom yearly.
5. Bromeliad
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With its bold structure and bright, tropical colors, the bromeliad is a statement plant for any indoor space. While each plant flowers only once in its life, the bloom can last for months, and the plant produces “pups” or baby bromeliads that can be potted to start the cycle again. Plus, it’s also a great air purifier. They grow best in bright, indirect light and prefer to have their central cup filled with water. However, in typical settings, it’s not always necessary to keep the central cup filled unless your space is hot and bright. Flush the cup occasionally to remove salt buildup, and water the soil sparingly when the top two inches feel dry. Flowering Season: Typically blooms in spring or summer, depending on variety and care conditions.
6. Anthurium
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Known for its glossy, heart-shaped leaves and bold, waxy flowers, the anthurium (also called Flamingo Flower) adds a splash of tropical color to any indoor space. Its “flowers” are modified leaves called spathes, typically in shades of red, pink, white, or even purple, surrounding a central yellow or cream-colored spadix. Native to the rainforests of Central and South America, anthuriums thrive in warm, humid conditions with bright, indirect light. Too much direct sun can scorch the leaves, while too little can reduce blooming. These plants prefer consistently moist, not soggy, soil and benefit from occasional misting if the indoor air is dry. With the proper care, anthuriums can bloom year-round, each flower lasting up to two or three months. Flowering Season: Off and on throughout the year, with peak blooms typically in spring and summer.
7. Clivia
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Clivia is a tough, elegant houseplant that surprises you with its bold blooms in vivid orange, yellow, or peach tones. Native to South Africa, Clivia prefers to be root-bound, tolerates low light, and requires minimal watering. The plant needs a cool, dry rest period in fall to trigger blooming in late winter or early spring. During its active growing season, water when the top inch of soil feels dry, but ease up in the fall to help it reset. As Cheryl Harrison, a master gardener, says in an article she wrote, “Clivia may flower 2-3 times per year, but note that the plant is slow growing and needs to mature before it blooms. This may take 3 to 5 years if you have purchased a young plant.” While it may not bloom as frequently as some flowering houseplants, when it does, the display is worth the wait. Flowering Season: Late winter to early spring, typically after a cool rest period in fall.
8. Christmas Cactus
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The Christmas cactus brings a burst of color to indoor spaces just when it’s needed most, around the holiday season. Unlike its desert cousins, this tropical cactus hails from the humid forests of Brazil and prefers indirect light, cooler temperatures, and more frequent watering. It produces flowers in vivid pink, red, white, or purple, often just in time for Christmas. To encourage flowering, reduce watering in fall and give the plant at least 14 hours of darkness for several weeks. Once buds form, return it to routine care and enjoy the show. Each bloom lasts several days, and with the right conditions, the plant can rebloom and live for decades, often passed down through generations. Flowering Season: Late fall to early winter, often blooming around November to January
9. Lipstick Plant
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The lipstick plant gets its name from the vivid red, tube-shaped flowers that emerge from dark buds, resembling a tube of lipstick. It’s a tropical trailing plant that looks stunning in a hanging basket or on a high shelf. It thrives in warm, humid conditions with bright, indirect light and benefits from regular misting in dry environments. Too little light will reduce blooming, while soggy soil can lead to root rot, so allow the top inch to dry out between waterings. When happy, the lipstick plant can flower multiple times a year, especially in the warmer months, adding bursts of color throughout your space. Flowering Season: Spring through summer, with potential for scattered blooms year-round in warm, humid conditions.
10. Desert Rose
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With its sculptural and bold, trumpet-shaped flowers, the desert rose is a showstopper among flowering houseplants. Native to arid regions of Africa and the Middle East, this striking succulent stores water in its thick, bonsai-like stem and produces vibrant blooms in shades of red, pink, white, or bicolor. The desert rose needs plenty of direct sunlight, ideally near a south-facing window, and thrives in well-draining soil. Overwatering is a common issue, so let the soil dry out completely between waterings, especially in cooler months. During the growing season, it puts on a dramatic floral display that can last for weeks, with the bonus of sculptural beauty even when not in bloom. Flowering Season: Late spring through summer, with potential for repeat blooming in warm, sunny conditions.
11. Hibiscus
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If you’re looking for big, tropical blooms that bring vacation vibes into your home, hibiscus is hard to beat. These plants produce large, ruffled flowers in shades of red, orange, pink, yellow, and fancy combos. While the flowers only last a day or two, when the plant is thriving, it produces new flowers daily during its peak season. Hibiscus needs lots of bright, direct light—at least 6 hours a day to bloom well indoors. It prefers consistently moist soil, good drainage, and regular feeding during the growing season. Flowering Season: Late spring through fall, with potential for year-round blooms in warm, well-lit indoor environments.
12. Gardenia
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Gardenia is a true classic among flowering houseplants, known for its glossy green leaves and intoxicatingly aromatic white blooms. Native to tropical and subtropical regions, gardenias can be a bit finicky indoors, but the reward is well worth the effort. They thrive in bright, indirect light and high humidity, making them perfect for a sunny bathroom or near a humidifier. Gardenias prefer consistently moist, acidic soil and do best when kept away from drafts or sudden temperature changes. While a bit high maintenance, with the proper care they can bloom in waves, filling your home with their signature perfume. Flowering Season: Late spring through summer, with possible reblooming in early fall under ideal conditions.