Growing flowering plants in pots is an easy and spectacular way to beautify your home, balcony, or outdoor spaces. Flowers not only fill your home with color and charm, but many of these blooming plants also have amazing fragrances that act as natural mood boosters.

But what are the best flowering plants for pots, and how do you promote regular and abundant blooms?

How to Get Houseplants to Flower

It’s not too hard to grow a beautiful indoor garden with plentiful blooms. However, in addition to regular watering and care, you’ll also need to know how to stimulate flowering. Here are some tips to get you started:

Feeding 

When choosing a fertilizer for your flowering plants, use a potassium-rich fertilizer to promote healthy and prolific blooms instead of all-purpose or nitrogen-rich fertilizers that encourage leaf growth in the vegetative stage. Potassium supports healthy roots that will naturally lead to better blooming.  

Lighting

Most plants require several hours of bright sunlight to bloom abundantly. Ensure that your plant isn’t struggling to get enough sunshine in its location. Prolonged exposure to low light will cause your plants to fail to bloom or produce sparse flowers that are pale and small.

Temperatures 

Consistent temperatures of 60°F-75°F are best for flowering plants. Keeping blooming plants in very warm rooms can decrease their blossoming time. Similarly, cold drafts or sudden temperature drops, if you grow your flowering potted plants outdoors on the patio, will affect their ability to produce healthy and abundant blooms.

Watering

Ensure you provide sufficient watering according to each plant’s needs during flowering. Most plants need regular watering about once every 7-10 days and prefer well-draining soil instead of soggy soil, which can lead to root rot, yellow leaves, and browning flowers.

Natural Bloom-promoting Methods 

Adding natural ingredients that will break down over time, acting as a natural slow-release fertilizer, is a houseplant care trend for potted flowers gaining in popularity. 

• Use coffee grounds to promote blooming. Leave coffee grounds to dry for a day or two, then add them to the watering can or directly over the soil. 

• Add dry banana peels (ground into powder) to the water before hydrating your flowering potted plants. Using whole banana peels isn’t advisable as they can attract pests like fruit flies. 

• Another option is sprinkling finely ground eggshells over your plant’s soil. If you try this method, ensure the eggshells are completely dry before grinding them into a powder. 

15 Best Potted Flowers to Grow at Home

Not all blooming perennials are great flowering plants for pots. Self-seeding outdoor flowers are best grown in the ground. So, what is the best flower to grow indoors? Or which flowering plants will feel happy and thrive in pots, planters, and containers? We’ve compiled a list of the 15 best potted flowers and abundant bloomers.

1. Red Flamingo Flower – Captivating Tropical Beauty

The glossy, heart-shaped blooms of the Red Flamingo Flower (Anthurium spp. - Red) create a joyful and relaxing atmosphere, making them one of the best-loved tropical flowering plants for your home. Another advantage is that their waxy red flowers are long-lasting, and they can bloom year-round in the right conditions.

2. Peace Lily – Soothing Grace    

One of the plants that excel at cleaning the air of toxins, the elegant Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) is also easy to care for and tolerant of low light. Its sweet-scented and soothing white flowers make it a popular sympathy gift plant.

3. Begonia – Delightful Color and Variety

The charming, rounded flower rosettes of the Tuberous Begonia (Begonia tuberosa) come in different colors, from cream to bright scarlet. Suitable for balconies and patios, Begonias are much-loved blooming house plants; provide them with plenty of indirect light and water consistently.

4. African Violet – Nostalgic and Classic  

The gorgeous African Violet (Saintpaulia Ionantha) isn’t a violet at all, although its delicate flowers resemble a real violet. It’s one of the best indoor flowering plants; it prefers warm locations with medium light. The African Violet blooms throughout the year and is one of the most popular purple flowers, grown in pots.

5. Chrysanthemum – Charm and Durability  

With hundreds of cultivars and varieties, the resilient Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium) is a traditional garden favorite brought to the US in the middle of the 19th century. These beauties are also good flowering plants for pots. Mums symbolize longevity and happiness, which makes this flowering plant a great gift for conveying these wishes to your loved ones. Chrysanthemums often have a crisp, earthy aroma.

6. Pink Aechmea Bromeliad – Uplifting and Exotic

The striking Pink Aechmea Bromeliad (Aechmea fasciata) is an easy-to-care-for, pet-friendly plant that boasts an exotic appearance. It flowers only once during its life cycle, but the bloom lasts for up to six months and looks enchanting, like something out of a fantasy novel.

7. Orchids – Timeless Elegance

Orchids (Phalaenopsis spp.) are gorgeous flowering indoor plants with delicate blooms that can last several months. They come in various glorious colors and symbolize refinement, affection, femininity, and admiration. Orchids are easy to grow, and they only require infrequent watering and a brightly lit location.

8. Daffodil – Sunny Radiance

The cheerful Yellow Daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) is one of the top spring flowers that herald the end of winter. Easy to grow, these flowers are highly popular in springtime potted flower arrangements and can make a delightful Easter gift. Moreover, you can plant them in your garden, too.

9. Kalanchoe – Colorful Fascination

A succulent plant that thrives in bright sunshine, the long-flowering Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana) is one of the favorite easy-care flowering house plants. Because it’s considered to bring wealth and prosperity in Chinese culture, it’s a great good luck gift plant for friends and family.

10. Calla Lily – Sophisticated Style

With its sculpted shape, the Calla Lily (Zantedeschia rehmannii) is an enchanting potted flower with an elegant and unusual charm. These beautiful flowers bloom best in bright or full sun and are available in different colors, like pink, purple, or yellow. The lovely blooms last several weeks. You can grow these beauties on your porch or balcony.

11. Guzmania – Queen of Tropical Allure

If you want more color in your living space, the Bromeliad Guzmania (Guzmania lingulate) is just what you need. Long-lasting and easy to care for, this bromeliad’s gorgeous blooms come in a range of brilliant hues.

12. Calandiva – Compact Magnificence   

Calandiva plants are brightly colored, easy-care container flowers for pots. A cultivar of Kalanchoe, this lovely plant has fluffier flowers that resemble tiny roses. It’s drought-tolerant and will thrive in a sunny location.

13. Giant Bird of Paradise – Spectacular Tropical Charisma 

 The flamboyant Giant Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia nicolai) is a large and tall plant that attracts immediate attention. Its big leaves and majestic, bird-shaped flowers in white and blue will elevate your indoor jungle and bring the relaxing touch of the tropics into your home.  

14. Ranunculus – Tender Harmony

There’s something gentle and romantic about the rounded blooms of the Ranunculus (Ranunculus spp.), also known as Buttercup. But these lovely spring flowers grow best in cooler temperatures, which makes them ideal flowering plants for pots in hardiness zones 8-10. You can also plant them in the garden in warmer climate zones. Ranunculus do not tolerate heat well.

15. Miniature Roses – Small but Perfect 

Miniature Roses are compact flowering potted plants that look great on your porch or windowsill. Symbolic of love, thankfulness, and charm, these tiny roses are the perfect Mother’s Day gift. Miniature Roses come in various colors, such as pink, red, yellow, orange, or white.

Potted Flowering Plants: FAQS

Q: What is the longest blooming indoor plant?

A: Indoor flowering plants that can bloom for a long time include Orchids, Kalanchoe, various kinds of Bromeliads, and Anthurium, which can continue blooming for several months.

Q: What is the easiest indoor flower to keep alive?

A: Some indoor flowers that are nearly effortless to keep alive are the Phalaenopsis Orchids; they require little attention, although you should be careful not to water them more than once a week.

Q: What are the best container flowers?

A: If you’re wondering what good container plants that flower are, start with easy-care varieties, like the Begonia or the Calla Lily. Other potted flowering plants for your container garden include pansies or zinnias.

Q: Is there a house plant that flowers all year round?

A: Calandiva, African Violets, and Kalanchoe plants are pretty year-round bloomers; find the right location for them, and they’ll keep your home filled with bright color.

Conclusion

Brightening your home with indoor blooming plants is easy if you know what varieties to choose. You can get plenty of easy-care and long-blooming options, including pet-safe plants that won’t harm your cats or dogs. You can lengthen their flowering time by feeding your plants with flower-promoting fertilizers, choosing the best location, and keeping the temperatures consistent. 

Some flowers, like the Daffodil and the Ranunculus, are ideal for container gardening but are seasonal. Still, many bloom repeatedly throughout the year. Choose the ones you like best and enjoy!