Top 10 indoor bulbous plants today

Flowers

Indoor bulbous plants are flowers typically grown in pots and planters. They have a bulb, which serves as their base. From this bulb, a shoot grows, which later bears leaves and flower stalks. There are many different types, including amaryllis, hyacinths, clivias, and others. They are popular for their diversity, ease of care (for the most part), and beauty.

Let's highlight 5 advantages:

Variety of species: Available in a wide variety of species, allowing you to choose the plant that is right for you.
Ease of care: they do not require complex care, and can be grown even by novice gardeners.
Longevity: They live for many years, and some even become family heirlooms.
Beautiful flowering: they often bloom very beautifully and for a long time, which makes them an excellent home decoration.
Eco-friendliness: helps purify indoor air and create a pleasant atmosphere.

Features of bulbous indoor plants

Plants commonly referred to as bulbous plants vary widely, but they all have a bulb, which they use to store nutrients. Leaves emerge from the bulb and form a rosette. They require filtered light for normal growth and flowering.

Most of them have a distinct dormant period, during which they shed all their leaves for a short period. Some flowers, which develop thick root systems, retain their foliage throughout the year, but these are very few.

Like most houseplants, bulbous plants don't tolerate frost. Once the foliage dies back, the bulb remains in the pot. During this period, the plants receive little or no watering and no fertilizer.

But some flowers, such as cannas, require completely different care during winter. Indoor varieties have perennial bulbs that produce more flower stalks each year.

Catalog

Growing indoor bulbous flowers doesn't require much time or effort. Thanks to the wide variety of species, you can choose the one that best suits your home's interior.

Amaryllis and hippeastrum

These two plants are difficult for a novice gardener to distinguish from each other, as they are quite similar, which is clearly visible in the photo.

Both specimens have fairly large bulbs, funnel-shaped flowers of rich color and belt-shaped leaves.

Hippeastrum forms an elongated or rounded bulb up to 11 cm in diameter. Up to six buds grow on sturdy stems. The flowers are funnel-shaped with outward-curving petals. Flowering occurs in winter and spring. In rare cases, hippeastrum may bloom in summer. The sturdy stems are hollow inside.

Amaryllis grows from a pear-shaped bulb up to 5 cm in diameter. Dark green leaves reach 0.5 m in length. The flower stalks are quite tall, producing impressive flowers (up to 12 cm in diameter). A single plant can produce up to 12 flowers during a single flowering period, which lasts from April to May.

Vallota

Vallota is a perennial plant belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family. The oval bulb forms a thin layer of dry, brown scales on its surface. The dark green leaves are tinged purple at the base. The leaflets can reach 60 cm in length. An umbel of flowers, varying in number from 3 to 9, forms at the top of the stem.

You can distinguish this flower from other relatives thanks to the following characteristics:

only vallota has a rich purple color of leaves at the base;
The inner scales of the bulb are colored pale crimson.

Most bulbous flowers reproduce by propagating offspring, which form at the base of the bulb, breaking through its surface. But this species has a rather unusual method of reproduction. Tiny "legs" appear inside the bulb, which help push the offspring out.

Hymenocallis pleasant

Hymenocallis completa is a rather unusual plant that stands out among its relatives for its spectacular blooms. The bloom resembles a long-legged spider. The calyx has six narrow sepals, which can reach 20 cm in length. Their bases are pale green.

There are varieties with sepals that curve backward at the tips. However, there are also species with freely hanging sepals. The stamens and petals are fused, forming a funnel-shaped crown about 5 cm deep. A single peduncle can bear up to five fragrant flowers.

The bulb of this plant is quite large and pear-shaped. Its diameter at maturity is 10 cm. The sessile leaves are arranged alternately and form in a single plane. The foliage is green and has a glossy surface.

Zephyranthes grandiflora

This variety of zephyranthes has been the most common indoor plant since the 19th century. The bulb is ovoid and grows to a diameter of approximately 3 cm. The dark green leaves grow up to 0.5 m.

With the arrival of spring, the plant quickly forms tall stems bearing bright pink flowers. A fully bloomed flower can reach 10 cm in diameter. But flowering isn't limited to spring. If you water the plant a few days later than usual, it may believe spring has arrived and bloom.

Zephyranthes is also known as a "upstart." This is due to the incredible speed of its flower stalk growth. After germination, it takes only 24 hours for the stalk to fully grow and form buds.

Veltheimia

Veltheimia is an unusual member of the Hyacinthaceae family. The plant is distinguished by its compact size. Its strap-shaped, green leaves are arranged in a rosette. The foliage has wavy edges.

The flower stalk forms with the onset of winter. It bears drooping flowers in shades of pink. Their shape resembles fireworks, earning the plant the nickname "winter rocket." Flowering lasts for 8-12 weeks.

Veltheimia is rarely grown indoors, as it requires temperatures around 10°C to bloom. In winter, this temperature is almost twice as high indoors. Pots containing the plant are placed in a cool location, such as a covered balcony or winter garden.

Haemanthus

Unlike the veltheimia, the haemanthus is a fairly common houseplant, originating from the tropical climates of Africa. Because of its shape, it is also popularly known as "deer tongue" or "elephant ear."

The flower's distinctive features are its inflorescences, which form an umbel, and its broad, drooping foliage. Each inflorescence is surrounded by brightly colored bracts. The name haemanthus literally means "blood flower," but among the many species, you can find specimens with white flowers. Haemanthus can be either evergreen or have a distinct dormant period.

The haemanthus bulb is round or pear-shaped. It is most often completely underground, although the top portion may protrude slightly. The thickened leaves are strap-shaped. An egg-shaped bud forms at the top of the flower stalk and can be coral or white. The plant can reach a height of 40 cm. Flowering begins in spring and can last until almost mid-summer.

Hyacinth

Hyacinth is a striking example of flowering plants. Its name literally translates as "rain flower," as in its native land, it blooms during the spring rainy season. It is most often grown outdoors, but some growers also keep it indoors. Indoors, it blooms in winter.

Hyacinths range in height from 20-25 cm. Their bulbs are long-lived, lasting for about 10 years. A single flower stalk emerges from the bulb, producing numerous small flowers clustered in a crown. Hyacinth blooms for 2-3 weeks. Among the diverse species, there are single and double varieties, which can be colored white, pink, lilac, purple, blue, red, or light blue.

When working with hyacinth bulbs, you should be careful, as they contain oxalic acid, which irritates the skin.

Gloriosa

Gloriosa is a herbaceous perennial. Climbing stems grow from a tuberous rhizome, reaching heights of 1.5-2 meters. This plant requires additional support, as its stems are quite thin and fragile. Small tendrils form on the leaves of the vine, which it uses to cling to support.

The foliage is broadly lanceolate and richly green. Tall flower stalks emerge from the leaf axils. When pruning this vine for shape, be very careful, as flower buds form only in the axils of the upper leaves.

The drooping inflorescences are surrounded by petal-like bracts that arch upward to form a crown. The fairly long bracts (up to 10 cm) have wavy edges and are colored in orange-red hues.

Gloriosa isn't a particularly fussy plant. However, to thrive, it requires a cool winter, during which time the foliage dies back. Furthermore, the flower is considered a poisonous houseplant, so it should be kept out of reach of children and animals.

Clivia

Clivia is characterized by long leaves arranged in a rosette. The glossy foliage is dark green. A distinctive feature of the flower is the absence of a bulb. The leaves are tightly packed at the base, giving the flower the appearance of a bulb, but it actually grows from a rhizome.

Small flowers form at the top of the peduncle. These inflorescences are typically red, orange, or yellow. A single inflorescence can produce 10 to 20 buds, which gradually bloom.

Young clivias bloom only once a year. With proper care, older specimens can produce buds twice a year. The flowering period occurs in February or March. The plant is easy to maintain and can adapt to virtually any conditions. During winter, it is advisable to provide a cool temperature (10-15°C). However, the plant can also rest at room temperature, but this should be done by significantly reducing watering and avoiding fertilizing.

Frequently asked questions about growing

Do bulbous plants require special care?

Bulbous plants are considered less fussy than most of their indoor counterparts. Bulbous plants are among the most undemanding indoor plants. Caring for them involves regular watering, fertilizing during growth and flowering, and creating favorable conditions for overwintering. Most bulbous plants cannot be pruned. However, gloriosas require pruning to properly shape their crown.

Can indoor plants be planted outside?

Hyacinths are most often grown in open ground, and pots are used for forcing. Most bulbous plants can be planted outdoors for the summer, but it's best to do this by transshipping them to avoid damage.

Repotting should be done in well-warmed soil, when the average daily temperature is at least 15°C. Carefully select the planting site, as bulbous plants dislike both scorching sun and excessive shade. It's recommended to place the flowerpots outdoors during the summer—this helps strengthen the immune system.

Bulbous plants are sure to enhance any interior. Their vibrant, lush blooms captivate. Caring for these flowers requires no special knowledge or skills.