The Low-Maintenance Indoor Plant Guests Will Ask You About

Foliage houseplants can be beautiful, but sometimes, especially during cold and gloomy months, what you really want in your home are bold blooms. Not only can they provide a pop of color, but the right flowering plants are also sure to impress your guests. One of the best plants for giving you big colorful blooms, even indoors, is the stunning flame lily (Clivia spp.).

Flame lilies bloom in shades of red, orange, or yellow, and their flowers arrive just in time to add some color to your home during the long winter months. While flame lilies don't have quite as much impact when they aren't flowering, their strappy evergreen foliage is also quite pretty. Considering their similar style and their need for a cool and dry period, it's no surprise that flame lilies are related to amaryllis. They're easy to care for as well, so most growers don't have many problems with flame lilies. Because they are only hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 and higher, they thrive as houseplants as long as they are given the right lighting, watering, and temperature.

They are slow growing, and when started from seed, flame lilies often take around 5 years to bloom. So, it's best to purchase yours as a live plant. As long as it's in well-draining potting mix you shouldn't have to repot it either, as flame lilies flower best when root-bound.

When you bring your flame lily home, it's important to find a good spot for it in your house. They appreciate bright but indirect light when growing indoors, making them perfect for windows where they can receive gentle morning sun. If your flame lily spends time outdoors, make sure it is in a shady spot.

It's important not to overwater flame lilies, as they are drought tolerant, and can be prone to root rot if their soil is too soggy. Because of this, your routine will look different depending on the season. During winter, spring, and summer you should water your plant only when the soil is dry, and then reduce watering during fall even further to help encourage the flower stalks to form. You should also stop fertilizing your plant during fall while diluted monthly fertilizing works well in spring and summer.

In addition to restricting its water, you also need to give your flame lily at least 4 or 5 weeks of cool temperatures in fall for it to flower. Find a spot for it where temperatures are in the mid-30s to high 40s Fahrenheit. Depending on your climate, a porch or patio could work well. For the rest of the year, flame lilies grow well at room temperature.