25 Indoor Flowering Plants That Will Thrive in UK Homes (2024)

By MOLLIE BROWN

Houseplants can brighten up any home and are a popular choice for many first-time gardeners as they are usually easy to grow and care for.

However, among the many choices, it is hard to know which houseplants will produce flowers in the UK, with many native to warmer climates.

In this article, I’ll share twenty-five houseplants that will produce beautiful flowers in your home when grown in the UK.

1) Orchid

• BOTANICAL NAME: Dendrobium
• COMMON NAME(S): orchid
• HARDINESS RATING: H1C
• FLOWERS: pink and white
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): winter / spring
• SUNLIGHT: part shade

Dendrobium is one of the largest genera in the Orchid family, with more than 1,600 species.¹Dendrobium. (n.d.). Plants of the World Online. Retrieved June 27, 2023, from https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:325886-2#children

They are an extremely popular houseplant here in the UK, and, with their often layered blooms coming in a hue variety of colours, it’s easy to see why.

These beautiful flowers bloom in the colder months from tall stems that will need to be supported by a bamboo cane or something similar.

2) Madagascar Jasmine

• BOTANICAL NAME: Stephanotisfloribunda
• COMMON NAME(S): Madagascar jasmine / bridal wreath
• HARDINESS RATING: H1B
• FLOWERS: white
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring / summer / autumn
• SUNLIGHT: full sun

Stephanotisfloribunda, more commonly referred to as Madagascar jasmine, is a tender evergreen that produces white flowers that bloom from spring all the way through to late autumn.

These flowers are tube-shaped and highly fragrant and can produce green fruit after flowering at the end of September.

However, when grown in the UK, even indoors, this is highly unlikely, and the beautiful blooms and dark green, glossy leaves will have to suffice.

3) Eternal Flame

• BOTANICAL NAME: Goeppertia crocata ‘tassmania’
• COMMON NAME(S): eternal flame / saffron-coloured calathea ‘tassmania’
• HARDINESS RATING: H1A
• FLOWERS: orange
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
• SUNLIGHT: part shade

Eternal Flame houseplants are mainly known for their large, wavy, oval leaves that are green on the top and purple underneath, but this evergreen plant also produces star-shaped blooms from upright stems when grown correctly.

Although the orange flowers usually appear in summer, they can bloom sporadically all year round.

4) Crown Of Thorns

• BOTANICAL NAME: Euphorbiamilii
• COMMON NAME(S): crown of thorns / Christ plant
• HARDINESS RATING: H1B
• FLOWERS: red and yellow
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
• SUNLIGHT: full sun

An evergreen shrub, Euphorbiamilii, or crown of thorns, produces tiny flowers that are insignificant, but the red or yellow bracts that encase the blooms replicate those of an orchid flower.

The oval leaves grow from thick stems that also bear lots of short grey thorns, giving the plant its common name.

This plant is fairly easy to care for – and can grow up to 1m tall with half the spread.

5) Bird Of Paradise

• BOTANICAL NAME: Strelitziareginae
• COMMON NAME(S): bird of paradise
• HARDINESS RATING: H1B
• FLOWERS: blue and orange
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): winter / spring
• SUNLIGHT: part shade / full sun

The bird of paradise is a unique plant that, if you can get it to flower, is sure to impress anyone who steps into your home.

Over the cooler months, it can produce blue and orange flowers that mirror that of a bird’s beak, but it can take up to 3-4 years for it to bloom – if it ever does.

However, if you water and feed your plant regularly and make sure it is positioned correctly in your home with a high enough humidity, there is a chance that you could get to experience the beautiful flowers of the bird of paradise, which is an experience like no other.

“This South African plant is a great high-impact plant for a conservatoryor a very bright room,” shares Master Horticulturist Colin Skelly.

“It will tolerate dry conditions when established but will thrive when kept well watered.”

6) Peace Lily

• BOTANICAL NAME: Spathiphyllumwallisii
• COMMON NAME(S): peace lily / white sails
• HARDINESS RATING: H1B
• FLOWERS: white
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring / summer
• SUNLIGHT: part shade

The peace lily is a commonly grown houseplant here in the UK, as it is relatively easy to grow and care for and requires little maintenance throughout the year.

It produces stunning spathes that are pure white and encase creamy spadices growing from their tall green stems.

The foliage is an added bonus; with large lance-shaped glossy leaves growing up and around the flowers that are in bloom during the spring and summer months.

7) Wax Begonia

• BOTANICAL NAME: BegoniaSemperflorens Cultorum Group
• COMMON NAME(S): wax plant / wax begonia
• HARDINESS RATING: H1C
• FLOWERS: pink, red and white
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer / autumn
• SUNLIGHT: part / full shade

Wax begonias produce beautiful blooms of single or double flowers in shades of pink, white and red in the summer and autumn months.

Their waxy, round leaves are either bronze or green and might fall from the plant in the winter months as this deciduous perennial enters a period of dormancy.

Grow wax begonias in a dark and humid spot inside your home, like a bathroom or a kitchen.

8) Lipstick Plant

• BOTANICAL NAME: Aeschynanthusradicans
• COMMON NAME(S): lipstick plant
• HARDINESS RATING: H1A
• FLOWERS: red
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
• SUNLIGHT: part shade / full sun

With red, tubular flowers growing in clusters during the summer, the lipstick plant is a unique houseplant that can add a burst of colour to your home.

The flowers, which emerge from unusual calyces that are browny-red in colour, can bloom for a longer period of time if the plant is happy and healthy and grown in the right conditions.

This perennial will look brilliant if placed in a bright spot in your home, but make sure it is not left anywhere that could be draughty.

9) Hoya

• BOTANICAL NAME: Hoya carnosa
• COMMON NAME(S): wax plant / porcelain flower
• HARDINESS RATING: H2
• FLOWERS: pink, red and white
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring / summer / autumn
• SUNLIGHT: full sun

Hoya carnosa, more commonly known as the wax plant, bears beautiful star-shaped flowers that are layered in shades of white, pink and red and produce beautiful aromas that will leave your home smelling lovely and fresh.

Unfortunately, their foliage is susceptible to a few mould-related problems, so will need to be monitored regularly.

Although they can be fussy plants, if grown in the right conditions, their unique flowers and tumbling foliage could be a great choice for a hanging basket in a bright spot.

10) co*ckscomb

• BOTANICAL NAME: Celosiaargentea
• COMMON NAME(S): co*ckscomb
• HARDINESS RATING: H2
• FLOWERS: pink and red
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring / summer
• SUNLIGHT: full sun

With bright pink or red bushy-looking flowers that grow on tall stems throughout spring and summer, co*ckscomb is a delight to grow indoors.

This houseplant, which has seen a surge in popularity in the last few years, grows best in a bright location.

Sadly, you can only enjoy the blooms for a maximum of 1-2 years depending on whether you grow co*ckscomb as an annual or biennial, so if you’re looking for a houseplant with longevity, this might not be the best choice for your home.

11) Ixora

• BOTANICAL NAME: Ixora coccinea
• COMMON NAME(S): burning love / flame flower
• HARDINESS RATING: H1C
• FLOWERS: red
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring / summer / autumn
• SUNLIGHT: full sun

Ixora coccinea, or the flame flower, is an easy-to-grow houseplant when it is grown in a bright, warm location, making it a perfect choice for a windowsill.

The red flowers grow in round clusters, producing big circular blooms that resemble the flowers of a geranium plant.

These blooms flower from spring until autumn, which is another reason this plant is such a great option to consider.

12) False Shamrock

• BOTANICAL NAME: Oxalistriangularis
• COMMON NAME(S): purpleleaf false shamrock
• HARDINESS RATING: H3
• FLOWERS: purple and white
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
• SUNLIGHT: part shade

Although the false shamrock is commonly known for its clover-shaped purple leaves, it also produces lots of small white or pale purple star-shaped flowers in the summer.

Oxalis triangularis is easy to care for, but you must make sure the plant receives enough bright, indirect light in order for it to produce an abundance of flowers.

I have grown this as a houseplant and I must say its most attractive feature is its leaves, which open and close gracefully in response to sunlight – often moving themselves to face towards the light.

13) Moth Orchid

• BOTANICAL NAME: phalaenopsis
• COMMON NAME(S): moth orchid
• HARDINESS RATING: H1A
• FLOWERS: varies
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): winter / spring
• SUNLIGHT: part shade

Moth orchids are extremely popular houseplants that produce exotic-looking blooms in a huge array of colours during the winter and spring months.

Although they are generally easy to care for, moth orchids need to be grown in a bark or rocky-based orchid growing medium – while also requiring temperatures to stay above 16°C.

Luckily enough, you can find orchid compost mixes at most garden centres in the UK and they can easily be sourced online.

14) African Violet

• BOTANICAL NAME: Saintpauliaionantha
• COMMON NAME(S): African violet
• HARDINESS RATING: H1A
• FLOWERS: varies
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring / summer / autumn / winter
• SUNLIGHT: part shade

An evergreen delight, African violets produce stunning frilly flowers, mainly in pink, blue or purple shades, that last all year round.

Yes, you heard that correctly.

These beautiful blooms can add floriferous colour to your home throughout the year when grown correctly, which explains why this is such a popular plant for indoor growing.

15) Anthurium

• BOTANICAL NAME: Anthurium andraeanum
• COMMON NAME(S): flamingo flower / tail flower
• HARDINESS RATING: H1A
• FLOWERS: pink, red and yellow
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring / summer / autumn / winter
• SUNLIGHT: part shade / full sun

Believe it or not, there’s another houseplant that provides floral interest from spring right through to winter – and it’s a special one.

Perhaps my favourite on the list, Anthurium andraeanum, also known as the flamingo flower, produces heart-shaped, glossy red, pink or yellow spathes with creamy-green spadices that remind me of lily pads but with more colour!

Easy to grow and care for, you can find these beautiful evergreen perennials in supermarkets or garden centres all over the UK.

16) Chenille Plant

• BOTANICAL NAME: Echeverialeucotricha
• COMMON NAME(S): chenille plant / white-plush plant
• HARDINESS RATING: H2
• FLOWERS: orange and red
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
• SUNLIGHT: full sun

The chenille plant is a succulent that is most commonly grown for its waxy pale leaves that are covered in a layer of fine white hair.

However, over the warmer months, it bears small orangey-red clusters of flowers that are bell-shaped and grow from thick stalks that emerge from the dense foliage.

These flowers bring an exotic flare wherever they are grown, and would look great on a windowsill or in a display with other succulents or cacti.

17) Christmas Cactus

• BOTANICAL NAME: Schlumbergera truncata
• COMMON NAME(S): common winter cactus / Christmas cactus
• HARDINESS RATING: H1B
• FLOWERS: pink, purple and red
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): autumn / winter
• SUNLIGHT: part shade

Whilst on the subject of cacti, a popular floriferous choice in the UK is the Schlumbergera truncata – the Christmas cactus.

This unique plant produces pink, red or purple flowers in the autumn and winter that grow on the end of the trailing, pendant-like stems.

Due to its trailing habit, this would be a great choice for a hanging basket, or for the top of a cabinet where it can cascade over the shelves.

18) Chinese Hibiscus

• BOTANICAL NAME: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
• COMMON NAME(S): Chinese hibiscus / blacking plant / China rose
• HARDINESS RATING: H1B
• FLOWERS: orange, red, white and yellow
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
• SUNLIGHT: part shade / full sun

Whilst many plants in the hibiscus family make for great indoor displays, it’s the Chinese hibiscus that I think deserves a recommendation.

The flowers here are large and showy, with 5 layered petals that can reach 10cm in diameter, which can come in a range of colours from fiery orange to pure white.

However, these beautiful blooms only last for a couple of weeks – but you can prolong the flowering period by keeping temperatures above 16°C.

19) Persian Cyclamen

• BOTANICAL NAME: Cyclamenpersicum
• COMMON NAME(S): Persian cyclamen
• HARDINESS RATING: H1C
• FLOWERS: pink and white
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): winter / spring
• SUNLIGHT: partial shade / full sun

The Persian cyclamen is another winter flowering houseplant, producing lovely pink and white-lipped flowers on red stems throughout the colder months through the end of spring.

Its foliage also provides some interest and is often variegated, whilst the green and cream leaves are dainty and heart-shaped.

20) Guzmania

• BOTANICAL NAME: Guzmania
• COMMON NAME(S): guzmania
• HARDINESS RATING: H1B
• FLOWERS: red and white
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer / autumn
• SUNLIGHT: part shade / full sun

Part of the Bromeliad family, guzmania is another widely grown houseplant here in the UK.

Its long, thin leaves peel back to reveal a white flower that grows from bright red bracts on an upright stem that can reach up to 0.5m in height.

This low-maintenance plant is unfussy and will flower from summer into autumn.

21) Clivia

• BOTANICAL NAME: clivia
• COMMON NAME(S): forest lily / boslelie / thong lily
• HARDINESS RATING: H1C
• FLOWERS: orange, red yellow and cream
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring / summer
• SUNLIGHT: part shade / full sun

Clivias are a beautiful genus of houseplants that bear string trumpet-shaped fiery flowers in the spring and summer months.

With petals in colours from red through to cream, these big-blooming flower heads will turn heads – whichever position in the room they are placed in.

22) Poinsettia

• BOTANICAL NAME: Euphorbia pulcherrima
• COMMON NAME(S): poinsettia / Christmas flower
• HARDINESS RATING: H1B
• FLOWERS: red / yellow
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): winter
• SUNLIGHT: part shade / full sun

Poinsettia plants produce tiny yellow flowers in the winter months but are more prized for their beautiful red bracts and green leaves that provide some stunning colour in the cooler months of the year.

An exception to the majority of floriferous plants on this list, poinsettia is worth considering because it is relatively easy to care for and can add some winter warmth to any home that is bound to get you in the festive spirit.

23) Flaming Katy

• BOTANICAL NAME: Kalanchoeblossfeldiana
• COMMON NAME(S): flaming Katy / panda plant
• HARDINESS RATING: H1B
• FLOWERS: red
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring
• SUNLIGHT: part shade

Producing small clusters of red flowers in the spring that are accentuated by the ruffled waxy leaves, Kalanchoeblossfeldiana is a delightful indoor flowering plant that is easy to care for.

A succulent in the Kalanchoe genus, the green leaves are often scallop-edged and tinged with red when grown in the right conditions.

24) Bromeliad

• BOTANICAL NAME: bromeliad
• COMMON NAME(S): bromeliad
• HARDINESS RATING: varies
• FLOWERS: varies
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring / summer / autumn
• SUNLIGHT: partial shade

Bromeliads are popular houseplants that come in a range of colours, so you can pick an option that suits the room you want to grow it in.

Not only are the flowers encased in layers of gorgeous petal-like bracts, but the blooms also last from spring all the way through to the end of autumn.

If you’re looking for a low-maintenance houseplant that will flower with little fuss, I’d recommend bromeliads.

25) Brazilian Fireworks

• BOTANICAL NAME: Porphyrocoma pohliana
• COMMON NAME(S): Brazilian fireworks / purple shrimp plant
• HARDINESS RATING: H1A
• FLOWERS: pink and purple
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
• SUNLIGHT: part shade

To close out this list, I’ve chosen a houseplant that is very rarely grown here in the UK but can be a show-stopper (if you can get your hands on it).

Also known as the purple shrimp plant, this perennial produces red deep pink bracts that contain purple flowers which bloom during the summertime.

Make sure to grow this plant in a shaded spot in your home, as too much direct sunlight can scorch its silver-veined leaves.

• 1

  Dendrobium. (n.d.). Plants of the World Online. Retrieved June 27, 2023, from https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:325886-2#children