18 Plants that Bloom in Winter | 2026 Guide
Discover the 18 best plants to grow in winter. Complete guide with care tips and flowering info.
Winter Plants
Peace Lily
Spathiphyllum wallisii
Spathiphyllum wallisii is an elegant houseplant native to the tropical rainforests of Colombia. It features elongated glossy dark green leaves and distinctive white spathe-shaped flowers. Famous for its air-purifying abilities, it removes toxins like benzene, formaldehyde, and xylene from indoor environments.
Flamingo Flower
Anthurium andraeanum
Anthurium andraeanum is a tropical plant native to the rainforests of Colombia and Ecuador. It is famous for its glossy heart-shaped spathes that come in vibrant colors like red, pink, white, and orange. Its leaves are large, shiny, and dark green. It is one of the most popular houseplants due to its nearly continuous flowering throughout the year.
Moon Orchid
Phalaenopsis amabilis
Phalaenopsis amabilis is a stunning epiphytic orchid native to Southeast Asia, known for its large, pure white flowers that can bloom for several months. It is the national flower of Indonesia and one of the most popular orchids for indoor cultivation due to its elegant appearance and relatively easy care requirements.
Thanksgiving Cactus
Schlumbergera truncata
The Thanksgiving Cactus is an epiphytic succulent native to the humid Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil, particularly found in the mountains of Rio de Janeiro state. Its flattened, pendulous stems produce spectacular tubular flowers in shades of pink, red, white, orange, and purple during fall and winter. It is highly valued as an ornamental plant for its beauty and ease of cultivation.
Jade Plant
Crassula ovata
The Jade Plant (Crassula ovata) is a beloved succulent native to South Africa and Mozambique, known for its thick, fleshy, oval-shaped leaves that resemble jade gemstones. This easy-care plant can live for decades, potentially reaching 70-100 years, and grows into an attractive shrub or small tree. Its compact growth and striking appearance have made it one of the most popular houseplants worldwide.
Mexican Gem
Echeveria elegans
Echeveria elegans is a rosette-forming succulent belonging to the Crassulaceae family, native to central Mexico (states of Hidalgo, Puebla, Guanajuato, and Querétaro). Its fleshy, rounded leaves display a blue-green coloration with pink edges when exposed to sunlight, covered by a fine layer of whitish pruina that gives it a soft and delicate appearance. The rosettes reach up to 10 cm (4 inches) in diameter. It is currently listed as an endangered species due to indiscriminate collection from its natural habitat.
Guava Tree
Psidium guajava
The guava tree (Psidium guajava) is a tropical fruit tree in the Myrtaceae family, native to the Americas. It is widely cultivated for its sweet and aromatic fruits, known as guavas. The tree features smooth bark, elliptical leaves, and delicate white flowers. It is a robust and fast-growing plant that can reach several meters in height, valued both for its fruit production and its medicinal properties.
Flaming Katy
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is a flowering succulent native to Madagascar, known for its vibrant, long-lasting blooms that appear in fall and winter. It is an easy-care plant, perfect for beginners.
Rose Painted Calathea
Calathea roseopicta
Calathea roseopicta is a perennial rhizomatous herb native to the tropical rainforests of Brazil and South America. Part of the Marantaceae family, it is admired for its oval dark green leaves with pink and silvery-green markings, plus a purple underside. Known as a "prayer plant" because its leaves fold up at night like hands in prayer.
Purple Shamrock
Oxalis triangularis
Oxalis triangularis, commonly known as Purple Shamrock, is a charming perennial plant native to Brazil. Distinguished by its deep purple, triangular leaves arranged in groups of three like clover, and its delicate pink-white flowers. The leaves exhibit photonasty - opening during the day and closing at night like butterfly wings. This plant can live for over 100 years, often becoming a treasured heirloom passed through generations.
Mistletoe cactus
Rhipsalis baccifera
Rhipsalis baccifera is a unique epiphytic cactus native to Central and South America. Unlike typical desert cacti, this tropical cactus grows on trees in humid forests, hanging gracefully with cylindrical, branching stems that can reach up to 4 meters in length. It is the only cactus species found naturally outside the Americas, extending to Africa and Asia.
African Spear
Sansevieria cylindrica
Sansevieria cylindrica, now scientifically known as Dracaena angolensis, is a succulent native to Angola in Southern Africa. It features cylindrical green fleshy leaves with white veins that grow in a fan shape from a basal rosette. Each leaf can reach up to 1 meter in length and 3 cm in diameter. It is known for its air-purifying capabilities, designated by NASA as one of the most efficient plants for this purpose.
Bird of Paradise
Strelitzia reginae
Strelitzia reginae, commonly known as Bird of Paradise or Crane Flower, is a striking tropical plant native to South Africa. Famous for its spectacular orange and blue flowers that resemble an exotic bird in flight, it has become the official flower of the City of Los Angeles. This evergreen perennial forms clumps of banana-like grey-green leaves and produces long-lasting cut flowers that can survive up to 2 weeks in a vase.
African Violet
Saintpaulia ionantha
The African Violet is a beloved compact houseplant native to the cloud forests of Tanzania and Kenya. Discovered in 1892 by Baron Walter von Saint Paul, it features velvety, dark green leaves and delicate flowers that bloom in shades of purple, blue, pink, white, and red. With proper care, these charming plants can live up to 50 years and bloom nearly year-round.
Persian Cyclamen
Cyclamen persicum
Cyclamen persicum is a charming tuberous perennial native to the Mediterranean region, prized for its elegant upswept flowers and heart-shaped marbled leaves. It blooms prolifically during winter when most houseplants are dormant, providing vibrant color indoors. The flowers come in shades of white, pink, red, and purple, often with a sweet fragrance.
Noble Dendrobium
Dendrobium nobile
Dendrobium nobile is a stunning deciduous orchid native to the Himalayan foothills and Southeast Asia, prized for its abundant fragrant flowers that bloom along mature canes in late winter to early spring. This sympodial orchid produces clusters of stout pseudobulbs that can reach up to 60cm in height, adorned with beautiful blooms in shades of white, pink, purple, and yellow. Popular as both an indoor and outdoor plant in warm climates, it requires a cool winter rest period to trigger flowering.
Amaryllis
Hippeastrum vittatum
Amaryllis (Hippeastrum vittatum) is a bulbous plant native to South America, belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family. It is distinguished by its large, showy trumpet-shaped flowers that can reach up to 20 cm in diameter. It is one of the most popular bulbous plants for indoor cultivation, especially during winter and spring.
Japanese Aralia
Fatsia japonica
Fatsia japonica is an evergreen shrub native to Japan with dramatic, glossy, hand-shaped leaves that can have 7-11 lobes and grow up to 40 cm wide. Highly valued as an ornamental plant for both indoor spaces and shaded gardens, it is one of the few tropical-looking foliage plants that thrives in deep shade.
Winter Plant Guide
Winter is a special time for plant cultivation. With 18 species that bloom in this season, you have many options to create a vibrant and colorful garden.
Winter Growing Tips
For best results with winter plants, consider factors like lighting, proper watering, and temperature. Each species has specific needs, but generally, plants that bloom in winter adapt well to the typical climate conditions of this season.
Why Choose Winter Plants?
Plants that bloom in winter bring life and color to your space during this season. By choosing species adapted to this period, you ensure a healthier and more floriferous garden with less maintenance effort.