An attractive garden of flowering house plants might not be the first thing you think of when planning an indoor garden. More often what comes to mind is the rich variety of foliage. From the gently waving rich green fronds of Asplenium nidus that curl on along their edges to the angular stiff leafstalks of palms, the beauty of house plant leaves is often more than enough.

Common Flowering House Plants

Christmas cactus, orchids, and African violets are without doubt the first flowering house plants that come to mind. Hibiscus has grown popular for sunny windowsills. Begonia is fairly hardy and blooms well if given enough sunlight. One species of hydrangea is a common house plant, but carrying it over from one year to the next is difficult. Impatiens, under the right conditions, will bloom indoors year-round. Three of the many species of jasmine are indoor varieties. All are grown for their flowers. Two are heavily scented and vigorous climbers. The third is a rambling shrub with no scent at all.

Possibly the most popular flowering house plants are Saintpaulia (African violets), prized for their colorful and abundant flowers. All have shallow roots. Leaves are oval or round, pale green on the underside, and medium green on the upper. Bright but not direct sunlight, warm temperatures, and high humidity will encourage continuous flowering.

Most orchids in the wild grow in either direct or dappled sunlight. Similar conditions are ideal for cultivated orchids. High humidity is imperative, as are evenly warm temperatures throughout the year. Most orchid failures are because of overwatering.