Even though we’re living in sunny Southern California, the shorter days of winter can be a drag. At Ron & Alicia Robinson Florist, we have the perfect antidote to the dreary days of winter for residents of Rowland Heights, Glendora, and Whittier — winter-blooming flowers, of course! Nothing brightens up a home during the winter months quite like the lovely colors and beautiful fragrance of flowers.

1. Poinsettia

Poinsettia plants are a quintessential winter bloomer. They’re a perfect way to decorate for the holidays naturally, and they make great gifts, too. Although their red and white varieties are the most popular, there are also yellow, pink, orange, salmon, and marbled poinsettias.

Native to Mexico, poinsettias can do really well in Southern California. They’ll stay vibrant all winter long if they receive the right amount of water. They need full sun and perpetually moist soil, but it’s important to be careful not to let your poinsettia sit in standing water.

2. Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe is one of our favorite winter plants. They start blooming in fall and won’t stop until springtime, which means their cheerful colors will be with you throughout all of winter’s short days. Kalanchoes bloom with clusters of small flowers in a range of pinks, oranges, reds, yellows, and white.

These succulents are desert natives, so they need a location where they’ll receive full sun and an owner who doesn’t water them too frequently. Before watering a kalanchoe, make sure the soil has dried completely.

3. Orchids

We love bright colors, and thousands of varieties of orchids bloom with them, but we also love the Phalaenopsis orchid’s white flowers for winter because they create the look of a snow-covered bough, perfect for the season.

Orchids bloom naturally in winter, as they respond to the lower seasonal temperatures. They like to have a sunny location and a pot that drains easily. Be sure to keep yours moist in the dry air with frequent watering and the occasional mist of water or specially formulated plant spray.

4. Cyclamen

In our opinion, cyclamen plants are one of the most beautiful plants that bloom in winter. They have swept-back petals that resemble shooting stars, and they bloom in all the prettiest shades of pink, red, violet, and white. They also have stunning foliage, deep-green with silvery markings threaded throughout.

These plants are native to the Mediterranean and like to have lots of full sun. They also need to have their soil kept moist at all times. To keep your cyclamen blooming throughout the season trim back wilted flowers and remove seed pods as they form. In spring, your cyclamen will go dormant and look like it’s dead. Store it in a cool, dry location for summer and resume water in autumn.

5. Christmas Cactus

Christmas cactus is another favorite plant that blooms naturally in winter. It responds to the days, as they grow increasingly short near winter solstice and Christmas, hence the cactus’s holiday-inspired name. Christmas cactuses have exotic-looking blooms in pink, red, orange, purple, and white.

These plants are also one of the only plants that not poisonous for humans, cats, or dogs, which makes them a great choice for a household with pets and small children. Native to Brazil’s humid forests, Christmas cactuses cannot tolerate drought the way desert cacti are able. Plant yours in a container that drains easily and water it when the top inch of soil is dry.

Green Plants Are Great in Winter, Too!

A plant doesn’t have to have winter flowers to be perfect; we love green, non-blooming plants, too! Some of our favorites that stay vibrant all year long include the Norfolk Island pine, English ivy, pothos, and boxwoods. These plants are perfect, low-maintenance options that will look lovely in any home throughout the year.

For more winter plant recommendations and indoor gardening tips, we welcome you to stop by Ron & Alicia Robinson Florist any time this winter.