Welcome to the lush world of perennials that thrive indoors, bringing year-round greenery and charm to your living spaces. As a plant enthusiast, you’ll find delight in nurturing these perennial beauties, each offering a unique flair to your home. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a budding plant parent, these 26 perennials promise to brighten your home and spirit. Let’s embark on this verdant journey and explore these magnificent houseplant companions.
1. African Violet (Saintpaulia)
African Violets are classic houseplant darlings with velvety leaves and cheerful blooms in pink, purple, and white. These compact perennials thrive indoors with bright, indirect light and consistent moisture.
Avoid getting water on the leaves to prevent spotting, and let the soil dry slightly between waterings. Use a lightweight potting mix and keep humidity on the higher side for happy blooms.
Place them near a north- or east-facing window, and they’ll bloom almost year-round indoors.
2. Lantana
Known for its fiery clusters of blooms outdoors, Lantana can adapt surprisingly well to sunny indoor windowsills. Its small flowers shift colors with age, giving your home a constant splash of tropical flair.
It needs at least 4–6 hours of direct sunlight indoors and prefers to dry slightly between waterings. Grow it in a container with excellent drainage and prune regularly to keep it bushy.
Lantana will reward you with bright color and pollinator vibes — even without the butterflies.
3. Geranium (Pelargonium)
Geraniums bring cottage-garden charm indoors with their scalloped leaves and vibrant, long-lasting flowers. They adapt well to containers and can bloom happily indoors with enough light.
Place them in a south-facing window and let the top inch of soil dry before watering again. Remove faded blooms to encourage more flowers and pinch back leggy growth.
With good airflow and light, indoor geraniums can flower through the winter, lifting any seasonal gloom.
4. Begonia (especially Rex and tuberous types)
Begonias are showstoppers with either bold foliage (like Rex varieties) or colorful blooms (like tuberous types). They add instant lushness and thrive in bright, indirect light.
Let the soil dry a bit between waterings and avoid soggy roots — they don’t like wet feet. These plants appreciate higher humidity, making them ideal for bathrooms or grouped with other houseplants.
Begonias are a stylish way to add texture and color without needing a sunny window.
5. Coleus
Coleus is a foliage superstar with leaves splashed in neon pinks, purples, greens, and golds. Though often planted outdoors, it thrives indoors in containers if given enough light.
Bright, indirect light keeps the colors vivid, and regular pinching prevents legginess. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry and avoid letting it wilt — it bounces back, but not forever.
For bold indoor vibes, mix several coleus varieties together in one pot.
6. Caladium
Caladiums are pure drama with their heart-shaped leaves painted in pink, red, white, and green. Indoors, they bring a tropical punch to bright, filtered spaces.
They thrive in high humidity, warm temps, and indirect light — direct sun will scorch their delicate foliage. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy, and let them rest dormant in winter.
For an eye-catching accent, grow caladiums in decorative pots on plant stands or shelves.
7. Hellebore (Helleborus)
Hellebores, known as Lenten roses outdoors, can also shine indoors with their nodding, rose-like winter blooms. Their leathery leaves and subtle flower colors bring an elegant calm to indoor settings.
Give them bright, indirect light and cool temperatures, especially in winter, to mimic outdoor conditions. Keep soil lightly moist, and don’t let them sit in standing water.
A potted hellebore on a windowsill is a refreshing winter surprise when little else is blooming.
8. Oxalis (Purple Shamrock)
Oxalis is a charming plant with triangular, butterfly-like leaves that open by day and fold at night. Indoors, its purple or green foliage looks striking on shelves or tabletops.
It loves bright, indirect light and prefers slightly dry conditions between waterings. Too little light will cause it to grow leggy, so keep it near a sunny window.
Its tiny white or pink flowers are just a sweet bonus to that bold foliage.
9. Heuchera (Coral Bells)
Heuchera is all about the foliage — ruffled leaves in shades like plum, lime, or silver offer year-round indoor interest. Though typically garden dwellers, they can do well indoors in cool, bright conditions.
They prefer well-drained soil and light watering once the topsoil begins to dry out. Good air circulation and avoiding overly wet conditions help prevent root rot.
Use them to add texture to an indoor container mix or as stand-alone focal plants.
10. Chrysanthemum (Florist’s Mum)
Chrysanthemums bring an instant burst of color with their full, cheerful blooms. Often sold as gift plants, mums can continue to thrive indoors with the right care.
They need bright light (like a sunny windowsill) and cool temps to extend blooming. Water regularly but don’t let the soil get soggy, and remove faded flowers to keep the plant looking fresh.
With enough light, mums can even rebloom indoors — a bonus round of beauty!
11. Impatiens
Impatiens are shade-loving annuals outside, but indoors they bring soft color and nonstop blooms when kept in bright, indirect light. Their pastel petals and mounding habit work well in pots or hanging baskets.
Keep the soil evenly moist and avoid cold drafts — impatiens like a stable, cozy environment. Pinch back stems to encourage fullness and remove faded blooms for continuous flowering.
They’re perfect for bringing a pop of color to lower-light rooms or corners.
12. Fuchsia
Fuchsias look like tiny ballerinas with their dangling, two-tone flowers that dance on delicate stems. Indoors, they can bloom beautifully with bright, indirect light and cooler temperatures.
Keep the soil consistently moist and mist occasionally to keep humidity levels up. They grow well in hanging baskets or pedestal planters to let those blooms truly show off.
Regular pinching and deadheading keep the plant compact and covered in flowers.
13. Lavender (in bright indoor spots)
Lavender might be a sun-worshipper outdoors, but with a bright, sunny window, it can thrive inside too. Its silvery leaves and calming scent bring a little slice of Provence indoors.
Use a gritty, well-draining soil mix and let the soil dry slightly between waterings. Make sure it gets at least 4–6 hours of direct sun daily to avoid leggy growth.
Trim it lightly to keep it shaped and encourage fresh growth and fragrance.
14. Salvia (compact varieties)
Salvia’s upright spires and fragrant leaves make it a striking and aromatic addition to sunny indoor spots. Many compact varieties adapt well to containers and windowsills.
Give them plenty of sunlight, and let the soil dry a bit between waterings to avoid rot. They’re drought-tolerant but need good airflow indoors to stay healthy.
A south-facing window will keep your salvia upright, bushy, and ready to bloom.
15. Gardenia
Gardenias are famously finicky, but their creamy white blooms and intoxicating scent make them worth the effort indoors. They need bright light, high humidity, and cooler temperatures to bloom reliably.
Keep the soil evenly moist but never soggy, and mist regularly or use a pebble tray to raise humidity. Avoid drafts and sudden temperature shifts to prevent bud drop.
Position your gardenia in a bathroom or bright kitchen for warmth, moisture, and a daily dose of fragrance.
16. Clivia
Clivia brings an exotic elegance indoors with its strappy, dark green leaves and bright orange, red, or yellow trumpet-like blooms. This South African perennial thrives indoors, especially during the cooler months when it naturally flowers.
Clivias prefer bright, indirect light and like to stay on the dry side — overwatering is the easiest way to upset them. Let them go a bit dormant in winter with cooler temps and less water to encourage blooming.
Position them in a decorative pot on a shelf or pedestal, and enjoy their bold, tropical vibe with minimal fuss.
17. Coreopsis (dwarf types)
Coreopsis brings sunshine indoors with its bright yellow or bicolor daisy-like blooms. Compact varieties do well in containers near a sunny window where they can soak up the light.
Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings, and deadhead to encourage repeat blooming. They’re low-maintenance and bring a cheerful vibe to any space.
Perfect for adding a pop of color to windowsills, desks, or kitchen counters.
18. Dianthus
Dianthus, with its spicy-scented, frilly flowers in pink, red, or white, makes a sweet addition to any indoor space. These perennials love bright light and cool temps, mimicking spring garden conditions.
They grow best in well-drained soil and benefit from regular deadheading to keep blooming. Try placing them in a sunny window box or indoor planter by the light.
Their sweet clove scent adds a lovely bonus to their compact charm.
19. Campanula (Bellflower)
Campanula’s bell-shaped blooms offer a romantic, fairy-tale look that’s just as captivating indoors. Compact varieties adapt well to pots and flower for weeks with the right care.
Give them bright, indirect light and water when the topsoil begins to dry. They like cool, airy conditions and will thrive away from heaters or direct sun.
Tuck one on a side table or shelf for a soft, cottage-garden vibe inside.
20. Kalanchoe
Kalanchoe is a long-blooming succulent with clusters of tiny, vibrant flowers and thick, shiny leaves. It thrives in sunny windows and doesn’t mind a little neglect — perfect for busy plant parents.
Water only when the soil dries out completely, and use a well-draining mix to keep roots happy. It’s compact, tidy, and fits easily into small spaces or grouped displays.
Once flowers fade, trim back and wait — new buds often follow in a few weeks.
21. Streptocarpus (Cape Primrose)
Streptocarpus stuns indoors with orchid-like blooms in purples, pinks, and blues that seem to float above its velvety foliage. It loves bright, indirect light and steady humidity levels.
Water when the top inch of soil is dry, and avoid letting it sit in water. Its compact size and prolific blooming make it ideal for shelves or windowsills.
With the right care, it can bloom off and on for most of the year.
22. Sedum (small varieties)
Sedum is a hardy succulent with thick, fleshy leaves and a tidy growth habit — perfect for windowsills and sunny spots. It comes in trailing, upright, and ground-cover varieties that adapt well to indoor containers.
Let the soil dry completely between waterings and provide lots of bright light. Sedums are nearly foolproof and great for beginners or minimalist plant lovers.
They look especially chic in shallow planters or grouped with other succulents.
23. Nemesia
Nemesia brings delicate, snapdragon-like flowers in soft pastel shades and bright colors to the indoor garden. These cool-loving bloomers thrive in bright light and cooler temps.
They do best in rich, well-drained soil and regular moisture — don’t let them dry out too long. While often short-lived, they bloom like crazy and add instant charm indoors.
Perfect for a spring pick-me-up on a kitchen windowsill or entryway table.
24. Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya)
Polka Dot Plants are pure fun with brightly speckled leaves in pink, red, or white. They bring bold foliage color to lower-light rooms where flowers may struggle.
Keep them in moist, well-draining soil and pinch back regularly to prevent legginess. They love humidity and do great in terrariums or grouped with other humidity-loving houseplants.
Their playful look makes them perfect for brightening up desks, bedrooms, or bathrooms.
25. Tradescantia (Wandering Jew)
Tradescantia dazzles with trailing stems and shimmering leaves in purple, green, or silver. It grows quickly indoors and loves bright, indirect light.
Water when the top inch of soil dries out, and pinch regularly to keep it full and bushy. Great in hanging baskets, it cascades beautifully from shelves and windows.
It’s one of the easiest trailing plants to propagate and share.
26. Nasturtium (short-term indoor color)
Nasturtiums may be garden stars, but they can also thrive indoors with good sun and care. Their round leaves and bright, edible flowers bring joy and flavor into your home.
They need lots of sun (ideally a south-facing window) and slightly dry soil to perform well indoors. Grow them in hanging baskets or wide containers where their trailing vines can spill over.
Plus, you can snip the blooms and leaves for salads or garnishes!