It’s no secret that houseplants have a profound effect on us. From diminishing our stress to beautifying our homes, having a few potted companions can really soothe our souls.
If you don’t have a tinge of green in your thumb but still dream of having an indoor garden sanctuary, fret not, for these indoor flowering plants are hardy and great for beginners.
Other houseplants to add to your collection:
Image credit: Anna’s Flowers
Known best for its air-purifying qualities, the peace lily actually topped NASA’s 1989 study on toxin-ridding plants.
Able to thrive in both low-light and high-light conditions, the versatility of the peace lily means it can be placed in any corner of your house, even if your home doesn’t receive a lot of sunlight. If you prefer multiple blooms as opposed to just one or two, your best bet is to place your plant by a window, as they bloom more in brighter light.
The peace lily loves humidity, which makes it well-suited for the bathroom or kitchen. Whilst it doesn’t require frequent watering, remember to mist the plant often to prevent its leaves from discolouring.
If you often struggle to keep tabs on your plants’ watering schedule, you’ll be glad to know that the peace lily conveniently begins to droop as a sign that it needs a top-up. Alternatively, you can check if the top layer of the soil is dry. If so, water heavily.
Water: Infrequent, but heavily each time
Light: Medium-bright
Recommended varieties: Spathiphyllum wallisii
Size: Up to 45-60CM
Toxicity: Toxic to pets and humans when ingested
You’d be forgiven for disbelieving that the kalanchoe is a succulent – but it is! That means gorgeous flowers and the ultra-low maintenance that succulents are known for. Requiring little watering, the kalanchoe only needs to be watered once every few weeks.
Fun fact: the kalanchoe is said to bring prosperity and wealth. Known as wan zi qian hong in Mandarin, it literally translates to 10,000 purple and 1,000 red, in reference to its small flowers. Believer of auspicious plants or not, it doesn’t hurt to look after this baby for some potentially pretty bucks.
Image credit: @delicadezaemflor
As the kalanchoe needs a lot of light to bloom, it’s recommended to leave it by a window where it can receive bright sunlight. You can also add an NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) formula fertiliser with a higher concentration of phosphorus to further encourage blooming.
Although kalanchoe seeds are commonly sold in Singapore’s nurseries, it can take four to six years before the plant blooms. If you don’t wish to wait this long, opt for a matured plant instead.
Water: Infrequent
Light: Bright
Recommended varieties: K. blossfeldiana
Size: 20-30CM
Toxicity: Highly toxic to pets when ingested
Image credit: Planting Man
Native to SE Asia, the lipstick plant actually calls Singapore home. Rest assured that humidity and heat will not batter your plant in the slightest; quite the opposite, actually. And as the name suggests, this plant blooms in striking, deep reds – much like the lip colour you’d wear on a classy night out.
Image credit: Garden Tags
A switch-up from your usual upright potted plants, the lipstick plant makes for an artsy hanging feature. Not only does this majorly up your houseplant game, but it also allows those living in flats to squeeze even more plants into your home. Because let’s face it, there’s only so much space between our four walls.
The lipstick plant does best in indirect or filtered light; the brighter the light exposure, the more it’ll bloom. If you’re unsure about when it’s time to water, just have a feel of the soil to check if the surface is dry.
Water: Infrequent, but heavily each time
Light: Medium-bright
Recommended varieties:
Size: Up to 90CM
Toxicity: Non-toxic
Image credit: @orchidlover22
With its unique heart-shaped leaves, the anthurium is as charming as it is romantic. According to Feng Shui, this plant brings good luck to your relationships while symbolising abundance and hospitality, making it a great addition to any newlywed couple’s home garden.
Whilst the anthurium fares well in low-light conditions, you’re most likely to achieve a bright red bloom in a well-lit environment. If not, your anthurium will take on a more muted, but otherwise healthy, pink tone instead. Again, indirect or filtered light is best recommended to avoid burning the leaves.
Image credit: @stigmaimportaciones
Though rare to find in Singapore, some anthuriums feature white spathes instead of the usually recognisable red. Exquisite in appearance, the white anthurium makes a grand centrepiece for those who prefer a minimalistic vibe.
Water: Once a week
Light: Medium-bright
Recommended varieties: Anthurium andraeanum (Flamingo Lily)
Size: Up to 45CM
Toxicity: Toxic to pets and humans when ingested
Image credit: @clakasto
We’ll admit: orchids aren’t as easy to tend to like the other plants mentioned here. With some time and practice, though, you’ll find they’re actually much hardier than their reputation suggests. The Moth Orchid variety is a great starter for the virgin orchid grower.
Pro tip: Use ice cubes instead of water to hydrate your orchids. Doing so helps to prevent root rot and overwatering – common issues that plague orchid owners.
The bathroom is the perfect spot to place this flower as it thrives in humid environments. It’ll also add an elegant touch to your sink, reminiscent of a posh hotel bathroom. If your showers aren’t frequently occupied, do mist your orchids to maintain the humidity levels.
Available in practically any colour imaginable, there is a kaleidoscope of options to choose from. If you can’t decide on a colour, try one with variegated petals, which mesh two colours together in a unique pattern.
Image credit: @007shutterbug
For the more eccentric, try the Venus Slipper, with a curious pitcher-like shape and a broader range of colours. In fact, it’s not uncommon to see up to three different colours within a single Slipper flower.
The orchid is rather sensitive to direct light, more so than other flowers on the list, so do keep it further away from the window if your home is prone to receiving more sunlight.
Water: One ice cube, twice a week
Light: Medium-low
Recommended varieties:
Size: 20-30CM
Toxicity: Non-toxic
Image credit: @pine.sg
If you’ve always loved the beauty of roses but were turned off by their finicky needs, look no further than the tuberous begonia. With large, velvety, multi-petaled flowers, this subset of begonia could be mistaken for a rose to the untrained eye.
Other varieties include the angel wing cane begonia. With droopy, smaller petals, this plant trails more neatly than the lipstick plant, making it a good choice for embellishing your shelf without a tangled foliage mess.
House your begonia in a semi-shaded area, away from direct sunlight. With WFH still the default, you can even add these cheery companions to your home office for an uplifting pop of colour. More tolerant of cooler temperatures, you need not worry about strong AC affecting begonias either.
Unlike the other plants mentioned above, you needn’t wait for the soil to dry out completely before watering. Simply stick a finger in, and if it is dry to your first knuckle, it’s time for some watering.
Water: One a week
Light: Medium
Recommended varieties:
Size: 20-50CM
Toxicity: Toxic to pets when ingested
Creating your own greenhouse sanctuary doesn’t have to be a tough or disappointing experience. With these flowering houseplants that are pretty easy to care for, you can easily adorn your home garden with vibrant pops of colour.
Check out our home gardening guides:
Cover image credit: Anna’s Flowers, @007shutterbug, decorfacil
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