7 Beautiful indoor winter houseplants
A few things are important when choosing winter plants: they need to be hardy, and also fit in with the festive theme. Let’s go through a few ideas to get your inspiration flowing!
A Chinese Evergreen plant growing in a white pot. (via ourhouseplants.com)
Chinese Evergreen
The beautiful indoor pot plant Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema), is a staple. It has broad, glossy leaves patterned with silver and cream swirls. Despite its beauty, it’s surprisingly tough. It can survive pretty well in low light, and only needs intermittent watering –– perfect if you’re going away at all over the holidays.
Aglaonema 'Red Valentine'
Amaryllis, with orchids: Covered in moss, a shallow zinc tray holds a flowering amaryllis with orchids and mini orchids. (via Martha Stewart)
Amaryllis
One of the best blooms to buy in winter, amaryllis is a gorgeous flower that can really brighten up your house during the cold and dreary months. It comes in a variety of colors, though red and white are perfect for the festive season. Of course, you could grow your amaryllis plant indoors –– expect it to bloom within about 6-10 weeks after planting. The flowers have pretty big heads on long stems, so choosing a basic, squat planter would be best. If you opt for decorating your home with cut bouquets of amaryllis, they should last for a few weeks so long as you change the water. The stems are tall and hollow, so look great in a longline vase. Winter arrangements should always have a touch of festivity to them, with rich reds and greens. Offset the flowers with a gold or silver vase for a bit of sparkly holiday magic!
A ZZ plant showing off its shiny green leaves. (via @radroots_magazine)
ZZ Plant
ZZ Plants (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) are perfect for novice gardeners, as they look healthy even after months of neglect. They thrive best when left alone. It has thick, rubbery leaves that won’t be damaged by the dryness of the season (and central heating!). Again, it doesn’t need much sunlight and is the perfect plant to keep on your kitchen bench. Eventually, it’ll grow tall enough to sit in the corner of your lounge room. These plants grow into long, wandlike stems dotted with leaves, so will look great in a short, squat pot. If you have a particularly tall plant, a floor pot on a wooden stand is a good option to consider.
A mature Zanzibar Gem can reach 2 to 4 feet. (via Pinterest)
Clivia
Clivia (Clivia miniata) is a great low-light plant that will thrive during the winter, its bright orange flowers bringing joy and warmth to the chilliness of the season. Clivia is also commonly known as Natal lily, bush lily, or kaffir lily, They typically bloom in late spring, perfect for enjoying through the winter months.
Get the look: Put your clivia in a cement fishbowl vase. (via HOLA)
They only need occasional watering too, so are a good low-maintenance option for the busy holiday season when you have a million other things on your mind.
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windowsill with an orange clivia in a terracotta pot. (via Smart Garden Guide)
Even small clivia plants take up a fair amount of space, as the spear-like leaves tend to shoot outwards. A deep blue-colored potter's bowl will pair perfectly with the orange flowers.Moss terrarium
Terrariums are essentially mini greenhouses –– the glass traps warmth and humidity inside, keeping your plants thriving and happy even during the dead of winter. Plus, they make a stylish decor addition to any room.
Add ammonite fossils to your moss terrarium. (via Pinterest)
Ideal plants for covered terrariums are mosses and ferns, which love a damp environment. Making your own terrarium is pretty straightforward. Find a good-sized glass dome or pyramid, then fill it with rocks, moss, soil, and plants.
Martha's pink Christmas cactus. (via themarthablog)
Christmas Cactus
With a name like Christmas Cactus, this certainly has to be the most winter-worthy plant out there! The plant flowers with pretty pink and red flowers at the end of autumn, though the burst of color will have your home feeling like the middle of spring. It’s a super low-maintenance plant, which actually thrives on neglect. Despite the name, it doesn’t behave like a regular cactus. Christmas cacti are at their best when they are in some humidity and mostly have indirect sunlight.
A
white and blush pink Christmas cactus. (via Pinterest)
If you’re growing your own, opt for a wide planter that will allow the plant to sprawl outward for full visual effect. You can also buy cut plants to add to festive arrangements, or display on their own in a striking metallic vase.
Plants that love you back: The sweetheart plant, Hoya kerrii, with heart-shaped leaves. "It practically whispers j’taime in your ear." – New York Botanical Garden
Wax Plant
If you keep your thermostat cranked up high during the winter, and tend to sometimes forget to water your plants (no judgment!) then a Wax Plant (Hoya carnosa) is definitely your best bet.
A white pot showing the trailing stems of a Hoya growing on hoop. (via IKEA)
They have thick waxy leaves and rope-like stems that actually store water, letting them survive for months even if neglected. These plants have tight, cascading leaves, which look best in a hanging pot. Otherwise, you could plant it in an urn-style pot and place it on an end table, letting the leaves spill out around it.
Hoya linearis, when treated well and given a little sun each day, may produce fragrant white blooms to crown its hanging tendrils spangled with linear leaves. For something really eye-catching, there are the bright red flowers of Aeschynanthus ‘Mona Lisa’, which will require a bit more work including regularly misting and watering with bottled or rain water. – Country Living
For all your floral and interior design needs –– for winter and beyond –– check out Jamali Garden. We’ve got everything from pots and planters to silk flowers and candles. Have a look at our huge range and let the inspiration flow!