By Jennifer Noonan, BOB VILA
There are many benefits to decorating your home with bright and colorful potted plants, the most obvious being that they bring in the beauty of the outdoors even in the dreariest of months. But tending to houseplants can be a bit of a struggle, often leading to drooping leaves or spotty blooms, despite one's best efforts. Don't be discouraged! Instead, try one of these 9 hardy varieties that can survive even the brownest of thumbs.
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There are many benefits to decorating your home with bright and colorful potted plants, the most obvious being that they bring in the beauty of the outdoors even in the dreariest of months. But tending to houseplants can be a bit of a struggle, often leading to drooping leaves or spotty blooms, despite one's best efforts. Don't be discouraged! Instead, try one of these 9 hardy varieties that can survive even the brownest of thumbs.
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1
Bright Bromeliad
Exotic in appearance, bromeliads boast both rich texture and color. Despite their intricate details, these bright beauties are very low maintenance, needing only medium to direct light indoors and minimal watering. Once a bromeliad flowers, it dies back. But don’t fear! Though the parent plant is at the end of its life cycle, the pups at its base can be removed and replanted so you can continue to enjoy generation after generation of this fun floral.
2
Kalanchoe Care
[post_ads]A native of Madagascar, kalanchoe is an effortless stunner. It comes festooned with cheerful flower clusters that last several months, in a variety of colors such as pink, yellow, red, and orange. You may be surprised to know that this pretty plant is actually a succulent; it requires little water and thrives in low humidity, making it ideal for brightening any indoor display.
3
Amazing Amaryllis
Because it blooms in winter, amaryllis makes for a popular holiday gift. As it's grown from nearly foolproof bulbs, you can pretty much guarantee that, if watered regularly and given a little light, this festive flower will reward you with rich and shapely blooms in a range of iridescent colors.
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4
Happy Hibiscus
Hibiscus can be a wonderful indoor houseplant. While it needs slightly more upkeep during the summer months, its winter care checklist is far shorter, requiring water only when the soil feels dry to the touch, and no fertilizer at all. Although it’s not necessary, if you pinch the flowering stems back, they will produce more flowers. Add one to your decorative display for an easy, high-impact pop of tropical color.
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5
Elegant Orchid
Orchids are popular houseplants because they are surprisingly easy to care for and they treat their owners to delightfully elegant blooms. Orchids require H2O only about once a week; in fact, the biggest damage you can to do these easygoing beauties is to overwater them. It's also important to plant them in birch bark or another specialized mixture rather than soil. There are many varieties, however, so do your homework before purchasing one that might be more difficult to grow.
6
Effortless Christmas Cactus
[post_ads]Throughout most of the year, the Christmas cactus has a lovely yet unassuming appearance. But come December, this hardy houseplant springs to life to reveal brilliant white, pink, red, purple, and orange blooms. Requiring a minimal watering schedule and bright, indirect sunlight, this houseplant offers yet another bonus: Its cuttings can be transferred and replanted so you can easily share the cheer with all your friends and family.
7
Vibrant African Violet
African violets are hardy little houseplants that feature bright rosettes atop a bed of fuzzy dark green foliage. Once potted, they'll need little supervision, but make sure you use a special lightweight soil mixture. You should also consider purchasing a self-watering African violet pot, which will provide the just-right amount of water to keep the soil moist, but not too wet. Set this beauty in indirect sunlight, then simply step back and enjoy the cheerful blooms.
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8
Heavenly Hoya
The hoya plant has been enjoyed for years as an easy-care variety. Its fragrant flower clusters contrast beautifully with this stunner's dark green waxy leaves for a fun pop of color in any room. Maintaining this unique bloom is as simple as placing it by a window, misting the leaves when you water it, and keeping the soil moist in spring and summer, yet slightly dry in winter. Another tip: After it blossoms, leave the knobby spurs on the plant. They’ll produce more buds, and thus more blooms!
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9
Serene Snake Plant
Snake plants may just be the perfect houseplant, and for good reason. With the ability to survive droughts, thrive in low light, and avoid most insect problems, this indoor beauty is as low maintenance as it gets. Plus, its showy green leaves outlined with gold trim are more than just a pretty face—the snake plant can also improve air quality, removing unwanted toxins, such as formaldehyde, from your home. All you have to do is provide proper drainage for the soil, and you'll reap the benefits of this dramatic plant all year round.
