With average extreme minimum temperatures hitting lows of -10 to 5 degrees F, not much will survive outdoors in the winter in Springfield. So, our experts at Durocher Florist recommend getting your green fix by strictly sticking with indoor gardens throughout the winter months. To help you choose the best-blooming plants for your home, we’ve selected some of our favorites for winter.

1. Christmas Cactus

These are a seasonal favorite for their cheerful tube-shaped flowers that come in a variety of hues from reds and pinks to white and orange. Native to the humid forests of Brazil, the Christmas cactus won’t tolerate drought as well as its cacti cousins from the desert. As a result, it’s important to provide these with plenty of filtered sunlight, well-draining soil, and frequent watering.

Christmas cactuses respond to the amount of daylight they receive each day and bloom when the days grow short enough. A true Christmas cactus blooms at Christmastime. Similar varieties of the plant, the Thanksgiving cactus and the Easter cactus, bloom around their respective holidays. While these cacti have other differences, like the shapes of their segments and spikes, that can be spotted by a well-trained eye, the timing of their blooms is the easiest way to tell them apart. One major benefit of the Christmas cactus is that it’s not poisonous to people or animals. Although it would give anyone an upset stomach, if ingested, the Christmas cactus is one of few plants that’s basically harmless.

2. Poinsettia

displayed winter plants. While their most popular varieties feature bright red or snowy white bracts (leaves), they also come in varieties with leaves of unexpected colors like yellow, orange, and pink, which can be used to create a surprising, non-traditional holiday display. Most people mistake a poinsettia’s brightly colored bracts for its flowers, but the flowers are actually the small yellow clusters found at the center of their vibrant foliage.

We especially love poinsettias because when properly cared for, they can last throughout the whole winter. Provide them with plenty of sunlight and be careful not to let their soil dry out, while also making sure they’re never soaking in a puddle of standing water.

3. Amaryllis

Amaryllis bulbs or plants are another perfect for celebrating the winter holidays. These plants feature clusters of large, bright-red flowers that create the perfect look for any seasonal display. They typically bloom six to eight weeks after planting, which makes it simple to time their planting for winter flowers.

Cousins of the lily, amaryllis plants do contain toxins that are poisonous to people, dogs, and cats. Be sure to display yours out of the reach of small children and household pets.

4. Orchids

We couldn’t leave orchids off our list because there are nearly 30,000 different species, each of which features its own uniquely beautiful appearance. These plants naturally bloom in the winter and their exotic-looking flowers will add warmth to any indoor space.

To make sure you get to enjoy your orchid for many years to come, provide it with porous soil in a pot that drains easily. Place it in a location that receives filtered sunlight and water it about once a week. Orchids prefer a humid climate, so it’s a good idea to spritz their leaves with water occasionally when your furnace is running frequently.

5. Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe plants provide bursts of bright color when we all need it most, in the winter months when the days are at their shortest. Their clusters of small flowers bloom in vibrant shades of red, pink, yellow, and orange.

A type of succulent, the kalanchoe plant thrives in the less-humid air typically found inside homes being heated for the winter. Provide them with lots of sunlight, well-draining soil, and spare watering to make them feel like they’re at home in the desert.

Clean Your Indoor Air with an Inside Garden

With all the doors and windows sealed tightly, indoor air pollution is a common problem during the winter. Thankfully, there’s a simple and attractive solution — indoor plants! Several leafy green plants that thrive indoors also have the ability to clear toxins and other impurities from the air. We especially love English ivy, spider plants, bamboo palms, snake plants, and dragon trees.

For more information on the best indoor plants for winter, we welcome you to stop by Durocher Florist for expert advice and personalized recommendations.