Michigan winters can be brutal, and many of your favorite annual flowers won’t survive the frost. But don’t let Jack Frost steal your beautiful blooms!
Some annuals can thrive indoors during the cold months, bringing color and life to your home all winter long.
1. Geraniums
Bright geraniums are superstars when it comes to indoor winter survival. Their cheerful blooms add pops of red, pink, or white to any room.
Before the first freeze arrives in Michigan, dig up your geraniums carefully and pot them in containers with good drainage. Place them near a south-facing window where they’ll get plenty of sunlight.
Water them when the soil feels dry to the touch, but don’t overdo it. Too much water can cause root rot and kill your plant quickly.
2. Coleus
With leaves that look like nature’s artwork, coleus plants bring incredible color without needing flowers. Their foliage comes in stunning combinations of purple, red, yellow, and green.
Coleus loves indirect bright light and consistent moisture. Keep the soil damp but never soggy, and pinch off any flower spikes that appear to keep the plant bushy.
Room temperature between 60-75 degrees works perfectly. Watch for leggy growth and trim it back to maintain a full, attractive shape throughout winter.
3. Begonias
Begonias transition beautifully from outdoor gardens to indoor spaces. Both their flowers and foliage varieties make excellent houseplants during Michigan’s freezing months.
Dig them up before temperatures drop below 50 degrees at night. Choose a spot with bright, filtered light rather than direct sun, which can scorch their delicate leaves.
These plants prefer slightly moist soil and appreciate higher humidity. Mist them occasionally or place their pots on pebble trays filled with water for best results.
4. Impatiens
Shade-loving impatiens make the switch to indoor life quite easily. Their continuous blooms provide cheerful color even when snow blankets your yard outside.
Pot them before Michigan frost threatens, using well-draining potting mix. They’ll thrive in bright indirect light, making them perfect for east or west-facing windows.
Keep the soil consistently moist since impatiens hate drying out completely. Feed them monthly with diluted liquid fertilizer to encourage blooming throughout the winter season.
5. Fuchsia
Dangling like tiny ballerinas, fuchsia flowers create a magical display in Michigan homes. Their unique two-toned blooms in pink, purple, and red combinations are simply stunning.
Bring them inside well before frost arrives, as they’re quite sensitive to cold. Fuchsias prefer cool indoor temperatures around 60-70 degrees and bright, indirect sunlight.
Water regularly to keep soil moist but never waterlogged. Mist the leaves frequently since these tropical beauties crave humidity and can struggle in dry heated homes.
6. Wax Begonias
Compact and reliable, wax begonias are practically foolproof as indoor plants. Their glossy leaves and small flowers bloom continuously with minimal fuss.
Transplant them into pots with drainage holes before Michigan’s first freeze. Position them where they’ll receive bright light for several hours daily, though they tolerate some shade.
Allow the top inch of soil to dry between waterings. These tough little plants forgive occasional neglect, making them perfect for busy households during hectic winter months.
7. Caladiums
Tropical caladiums boast some of the most spectacular foliage you’ll ever see. Their heart-shaped leaves display incredible patterns in pink, red, white, and green.
Since they grow from tubers, you can either pot the whole plant or store the tubers dormant. If keeping them growing, provide bright indirect light and warm temperatures above 65 degrees.
High humidity is essential for caladiums to prevent brown leaf edges. Group plants together or use a humidifier to create the moist environment they crave indoors in Michigan homes.
8. Wishbone Flower
Torenia, commonly called wishbone flower, produces adorable trumpet-shaped blooms all winter long in Michigan. Their flowers come in beautiful shades of purple, blue, pink, and yellow.
Move them indoors before nighttime temperatures dip into the 40s. They appreciate bright, filtered light and consistently moist soil without sitting in water.
Cooler indoor spots work wonderfully for wishbone flowers. Pinch back leggy stems to encourage bushier growth, and deadhead spent blooms to promote continuous flowering throughout the season.
9. Alternanthera
Sometimes called Joseph’s Coat, alternanthera offers stunning foliage in burgundy, red, orange, and yellow tones. Flowers aren’t necessary when the leaves themselves are this dramatic.
Transplant before Michigan frost damages the tender foliage. Bright light intensifies their vivid colors, so choose your sunniest window for the most spectacular display.
Regular pruning keeps alternanthera compact and prevents it from becoming straggly. Water when the top layer of soil feels dry, and fertilize monthly for vigorous growth.
10. Polka Dot Plant
Playful polka dot plants live up to their fun name with leaves covered in pink, red, or white spots. Kids especially love these quirky little plants.
Pot them before cold weather arrives, using containers that allow good drainage. Medium to bright indirect light keeps their spots vibrant and prevents them from getting too leggy.
Consistent moisture is important, but avoid soggy soil. Pinch growing tips regularly to maintain a bushy shape, as these plants tend to stretch toward light sources quickly.
11. Persian Shield
Few plants can match the breathtaking metallic purple foliage of Persian shield. Its iridescent leaves shimmer and change color depending on the light angle.
Bring this tropical beauty inside your Michigan home before temperatures drop below 60 degrees. It demands bright indirect light to maintain its stunning coloration and prefers warm, humid conditions.
Keep soil evenly moist and mist frequently to prevent leaf edges from browning. Regular feeding with balanced fertilizer helps maintain vigorous growth and that incredible purple shimmer everyone admires.
12. Dragon Wing Begonia
Vigorous and showy, dragon wing begonias produce cascades of red or pink flowers above glossy, wing-shaped leaves. They’re larger than standard begonias and make bold statements.
Transition them indoors gradually before frost strikes. Bright, indirect light suits them perfectly, and they’ll reward you with continuous blooms if conditions are right.
Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil dries out. These begonias tolerate average humidity better than other varieties, making them easier to maintain in typical heated Michigan homes.