Blog
Grow Beautiful Flowers Indoors This Winter
Nov
Just because the outdoor garden is settling in for winter doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to beautiful flowers!
In fact, some of the most spectacular blooms of the season can happen right inside your home!
From the dramatic blossoms of amaryllis to the delicate, fragrant flowers of paperwhites, indoor flowering bulbs are a wonderful way to add color and cheer during Maryland’s chilly winter months.
And here’s the best part: You don’t need a greenhouse or years of gardening experience to grow them!
With a few simple supplies and a little patience, you can enjoy gorgeous blooms long after your outdoor garden has gone quiet.
1. Amaryllis: Big, Bold Winter Beauty
If you’re looking for flowers that make a statement, amaryllis are hard to beat!
These impressive bulbs produce tall flower stalks topped with large, trumpet-shaped blooms in beautiful shades of red, pink, white, coral, and striped combinations.
They’re especially popular during the holiday season, but their beauty can brighten your home well into winter.
Why gardeners love amaryllis:
- Large, spectacular flowers.
- Beautiful colors for holiday decorating.
- Easy to grow in indoor containers.
- Healthy bulbs can be saved and grown again.
How to Grow Amaryllis Indoors
Start with a firm, healthy bulb and a container with drainage holes that’s only slightly wider than the bulb.
Plant it in well-draining potting mix, leaving the upper third to half of the bulb exposed above the soil.
Water after planting, then allow the soil to dry somewhat before watering again. Place the pot in a bright, warm location away from cold drafts.
Amaryllis generally bloom within 6 to 12 weeks, depending on the variety and growing conditions.
Once the flowers begin opening, moving the plant out of direct sunlight can help the blooms last longer.
Gardening tip: Rotate your pot occasionally as the flower stalk grows to encourage straighter growth.
2. Paperwhites: Fragrant Flowers With Very Little Fuss
For a softer, more delicate winter display, paperwhites are a lovely choice!
These members of the narcissus family produce clusters of small, star-shaped white flowers with a distinctive fragrance.
Unlike most traditional spring-flowering bulbs, paperwhites don’t require a prolonged chilling period before blooming.
Why gardeners love paperwhites:
- Beautiful clusters of white flowers.
- Can grow in soil or decorative containers with pebbles.
- No extended cold treatment required.
- Perfect for centerpieces and holiday displays.
How to Grow Paperwhites Indoors
One of the prettiest ways to grow paperwhites is in a decorative bowl filled with pebbles.
- Fill a shallow container with clean decorative stones.
- Nestle the bulbs into the stones, pointed ends facing upward.
- Add water until it sits just below the bases of the bulbs.
- Keep the container in a cool location while roots develop.
- Once growth begins, move it to a bright location with indirect light.
Continue maintaining the water level just below the bulb bases, allowing roots to reach the moisture without submerging the bulbs.
Paperwhites generally bloom within 4 to 8 weeks, depending on growing conditions.
Gardening tip: Keep paperwhites in a bright, relatively cool location to help prevent tall, floppy stems.
3. Hyacinths: A Burst of Fragrance and Color
Looking for a flower that fills your home with a wonderful fragrance?
Hyacinths produce beautiful clusters of flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white.
They make lovely additions to windowsills, tabletops, and decorative indoor arrangements.
Unlike amaryllis and paperwhites, most hyacinths need a chilling period before they can be encouraged to bloom indoors.
Look for bulbs specifically prepared for forcing, or plan ahead to provide the appropriate cold treatment.
Their colorful flowers are well worth the wait!
4. Crocuses: A Little Taste of Spring
Few flowers announce the arrival of spring quite like crocuses!
These charming little blooms can also be enjoyed indoors through a process called forcing.
Forcing simply means providing bulbs with the temperature and growing conditions they need to bloom earlier than they would naturally outdoors.
Most crocuses require approximately 15 to 17 weeks of chilling before they can be brought into warmer indoor conditions.
But here’s an idea for gardeners who don’t want to wait!
White House Nursery still has beautiful Advance Crocus bulbs available for fall planting!
This charming variety produces delicate, golden-yellow flowers with soft purple-bronze shading on the outside.
Plant them in well-drained soil before the ground freezes, and they’ll reward you with a cheerful display in late winter or early spring.
They’re especially pretty planted in groups along walkways, in rock gardens, or near the front of garden beds.
5. Don’t Forget About Outdoor Spring Bulbs!
While you’re enjoying colorful blooms indoors, it’s also the perfect time to think about next spring’s outdoor garden.
White House Nursery still has interesting spring-flowering bulb choices, including Mount Everest Allium!
This spectacular ornamental onion produces tall stems topped with large, snow-white globe-shaped flowers in late spring to early summer.
Its dramatic height and elegant appearance make it a wonderful addition to sunny garden borders.
Plant Mount Everest Allium in well-drained soil before the ground freezes, following the recommended planting depth and spacing.
A little planting now can create a spectacular garden display next spring!
These outdoor bulb varieties are best promoted for fall garden planting. Indoor flowering bulbs such as amaryllis and paperwhites are the easier choices when you’re looking for blooms inside your home this winter.
Create a Beautiful Winter Flower Display
Indoor flowering bulbs are more than just fun to grow. They’re also wonderful for decorating!
A Holiday Centerpiece
Group several paperwhite bulbs in a decorative bowl with natural stones, moss, or seasonal greenery for an elegant holiday table display.
A Statement Amaryllis
Place a single amaryllis in a beautiful ceramic pot and let its dramatic blossoms become the star of your entryway, dining table, or mantel.
A Winter Windowsill Garden
Arrange several containers of flowering bulbs together for a cheerful indoor garden. Mix different heights, textures, and colors for added interest.
A Thoughtful Gift
Potted flowering bulbs and bulb-growing kits make wonderful gifts for gardeners, teachers, neighbors, and anyone who could use a little extra color during winter.
There’s something special about giving someone flowers they can watch grow!
Tips for Keeping Indoor Bulbs Happy
A few simple habits will help your indoor flowers look their best.
- Provide bright light. Most flowering bulbs appreciate plenty of light while growing.
- Avoid overwatering. Keep soil appropriately moist without leaving bulbs sitting in soggy conditions.
- Watch the temperature. Cooler indoor temperatures often help flowers last longer.
- Rotate containers. Turning pots occasionally helps prevent plants from leaning toward the light.
- Plan ahead. Plant bulbs at different times to enjoy flowers over a longer period.
- Protect pets. Many flowering bulbs, including amaryllis, paperwhites, tulips, and hyacinths, are toxic if eaten by cats or dogs.
Can You Save Your Bulbs After They Bloom?
The answer depends on the type of bulb!
Amaryllis can often be saved and encouraged to bloom again. After flowering, remove the spent flower stalk but allow the green leaves to continue growing. They help the bulb replenish its energy for future blooms.
With proper light, watering, and seasonal care, a healthy amaryllis can become a favorite you enjoy year after year.
Paperwhites grown in pebbles and water are generally treated as one-season displays, while many other forced bulbs may not bloom reliably again without time to recover.
Bring a Little Spring Into Your Home This Winter!
Who says you have to wait until spring to enjoy beautiful flowers?
Whether you’re drawn to the dramatic blooms of amaryllis, the delicate fragrance of paperwhites, or the cheerful colors of forced spring bulbs, growing flowers indoors is a wonderful way to brighten the colder months.
Looking for inspiration for your next indoor gardening project?
Stop by White House Nursery in Upperco, MD! Our friendly team is happy to help you explore seasonal gardening ideas and discover beautiful ways to bring flowers into your home.
And don’t forget to check out our remaining spring-flowering bulbs, including Mount Everest Allium and Advance Crocus, while there is still time to plant outdoors!
Because even when winter is knocking at the door, there’s always something beautiful waiting to bloom!
