When we think of houseplants, we typically think of tropical species that are green year-round. They have colorful leaves, are easy to grow, and some species may have an attractive bloom at some point during the year. There is, however, a special group of indoor plants that grow from bulbs and other fleshy underground structures like corms and tubers. These species are often noted for colorful blooms, but unlike the traditional houseplant, most go into dormancy each year. This dormancy is usually triggered by dry conditions rather than cold temperatures.
Below are some of the dramatic and elegant bulbs that are well-suited as indoor plants. Learn how to care for them and get tips for getting them to rebloom. With these houseplants, you can have a tropical touch, even in the dead of winter!
Amaryllis | Cyclamen | Shamrock | Caladium | Blood Lily | Crinum Lily | Tuberous Begonia | Elephant Ear | Calla Lily | Voodoo Lily | Spider Lily | Ginger | Amazon Lily | Other Species | More Information
Amaryllis
Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) is a large bulb known for its large trumpet-shaped blooms in reds, whites, and pinks. Popular around the holidays, it's grown indoors for its dramatic flowers. It is easy to grow with minimal care, and it can be encouraged to rebloom in the following years with proper care and a period of dormancy.
Learn more in this article: All About Amaryllis.
Cyclamen
Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum) is a popular houseplant in winter. They have attractive marbled or mottled heart-shaped leaves that skirt bright pink, lavender, red, or white flowers. The flowers themselves are unique because the petals curve backward, each blossom somewhat resembling a butterfly or badminton birdie. Plants can be allowed to go dormant and rebloom from its underground tuber what the right care.
Learn more in this article: All About Cyclamen.
Shamrock
Several species in the genus Oxalis are grown as shamrocks indoors. They are grown for their large, green or purple foliage and 3-leaflet leaves. Shamrocks frequently produce dainty white, lavender, pink, or even yellow flowers when grown in favorable locations and given good care. Many of these species require a dormancy period to live year after year indoors.
Learn more in this article: Growing Shamrocks Indoors.
Caladium
Caladiums are tropical plants grown for their colorful foliage. The multi-colored leaves are combinations of green, white, pink, or red. There are fancy-leaved varieties with heart-shaped foliage, strap-leaved varieties with narrower, elongated leaves, and dwarf varieties. Plant heights vary from 18 to 24 inches for the fancy-leaf types to 8 to 12 inches for the dwarf varieties. Learn more about popular cultivars in this article: What are some recommended caladium cultivars?
While traditionally grown outdoors as a tender perennial or annual, caladiums can make lovely houseplants. Grow indoors in bright indirect light. Keep solid consistently moist but not saturated. Remove the unusual spathe and spadix-type flowers when they appear.
As fall approaches, plants will begin to go dormant. Cut back watering as leaves begin to brown, and remove leaves when completely dead. Keep dormant in temperatures that don't drop below 60°F. In February or March, the small tubers can be repotted. Tubers should be planted 1 to 2 inches deep. When planting, place the knobby side up. The knobs are the tuber's eyes or buds. Tubers that are mistakenly planted upside down will grow, but they'll take longer to emerge. When new growth emerges, apply a slow-release fertilizer or begin fertilizing with a water-soluble fertilizer every 2 to 4 weeks.
Learn more about growing caladiums outdoors in this article: Planting and Caring for Tender Perennials: Caladium.
Blood Lily
Blood lily (Scadoxus multiflorus) is grown for its striking globe-shaped flower cluster comprised of dozens (sometimes hundreds) of red, tiny, star-shaped flowers with prominent stamens giving it a brush-like appearance. Flowers typically appear in summer just before or just as the foliage emerges. When finished blooming, deadhead, then water and fertilize regularly.
In fall, gradually reduce watering frequency to induce dormancy and store dormant bulbs in a cool, dry location that does not drop below 50°F. Bulbs in containers are best left undisturbed, so leave them in the container. Plants bloom best when pot-bound, so only repot and divide when absolutely necessary by separating offsets in early spring.
Crinum Lily
Crinum lilies (Crinum) consist of several dozen species that bloom with clusters of white (or nearly so), fragrant flowers that can be more funnel-shaped or more strappy and star-shaped (hence another common name for the genus: spider lily). The tall flower stalks rise above large dark, 1-3 foot long, green, strap to sword-shaped leaves.
Plant the large bulbs in large containers with the top portion above the soil surface. In native areas, plants grow along river banks or swampy areas (hence yet another common name: swamp lily). Keep the soil evenly moist and fertilize regularly when plants are actively growing. Grow in bright indirect light indoors. Allow plants to go dormant in fall and store in a cool (50°F) location, keeping the soil relatively dry. If outdoors, be sure to bring plants in well before the first frost. Avoid repotting as crinum lilies hate root disturbance and can take several years to bloom once potted (or repotted).
Tuberous Begonia
Tuberous begonia (Begonia × tuberhydrida) are just one of hundreds of begonia species and varieties that can be grown as houseplants. This particular species is unique in its need to go dormant each year, dying back to a small tuberous root. Tuberous begonias are well-suited for the indoors because they tolerate the low light levels indoors well. Large (2.5-3 inches across), bright, vibrant flowers appear all growing season in yellow, white, pink, orange, red, and many shades in between. Stems are fleshy and hold dark green leaves. Plants perform well in containers and are perfectly sized, growing 8 to 12 inches tall.
Plants can be a bit finicky to overwinter, but can be worth the effort. Learn more about overwintering and growing them outdoors in this article: Planting and Caring for Tender Perennials: Tuberous Begonia.
Elephant Ear
Several similar species are referred to as elephant ear, including those in the genera Alocasia, Colocasia, and Xanthosoma. All are characterized by large shield-shaped leaves. Most grow from corms, tuberous roots, or fleshy rhizomes. In general, they can be distinguished from each other by how the leaf is held. Alocasia and Xanthosoma leaves tend to be upright (although not always), and Colocasia leaves tend to hang downward. The petiole (leaf stalk) of Colocasia attaches to the underside of the leaf (peltate), whereas Alocasia and Xanthosoma have petioles that attach at the base or edge.
Alocasia and Colocasia are native to tropical Asia and Oceania and Xanthosoma is native to tropical regions of the Americas. While they flower, it is rare indoors and not terribly attractive. These plants are grown for their wonderful, colorful, and large leaves.
Plants prefer bright indirect light indoors. Plants thrive in high humidity and warm temperatures (70°F+). With regular watering and fertilizing, they can quickly grow large leaves. All genera appreciate moist, well-drained soils, but Colocasia can tolerate almost boggy conditions. Conversely, Alocasia and Xanthosoma do not tolerate overly wet conditions in the slightest.
Colocasia will go dormant at the end of the growing season, and the large corm can be overwintered. This large corm is an important food staple called taro, but it must be cooked before consuming. Alocasia and Xanthosoma can be kept as houseplants year-round, provided the humidity and temperatures are high enough.
Learn more about overwintering elephant ear corms and growing them outdoors in this article: Planting and Caring for Tender Perennials: Elephant Ear.
Calla Lily
Several species and hybrids of calla lily (Zantedeschia) are available. These African native plants and distinctive and recognizable flowers consist of a typically yellow spadix surrounded by an elegant spathe in white, purple, pink, yellow, and shades in between. Plants grow from rhizomes with dark green leaves, often with spots.
Often sold as a potted plant, plants can be grown indoors as a houseplant or outdoors in summer as a tender perennial. In native areas, plants grow in boggy stream edges and thrive with abundant moisture. Indoors, grow in full sun and fertilize regularly. Plants demand consistent moisture. However, plants cannot stay too wet or root rot will develop. This "Goldilocks" situation with soil moisture, along with their need for high humidity (which is difficult indoors, especially in winter), makes them a bit more difficult to grow as a blooming houseplant than other bulbs. For this reason, they are often marketed as florist plants and are composted when the blooms fade.
Once blooms fade, slowly cut moisture and allow the foliage to die back. Once dormant, keep on the dry side in a dark area at about 50°F. After two to three months, start watering regularly once new growth starts to emerge.
Learn more about overwintering callas and growing them outdoors in this article: Planting and Caring for Tender Perennials: Calla Lily.
Voodoo Lily
This unique plant has some pretty interesting characteristics. Voodoo lily (Amorphophallus) consists of dozens of species native to Asia, Africa, Indonesia, and Australia, where they grow in lowland forests. Two species in particular are well known in garden circles: Amorphophallus konjac, which is one of the best species to grow as a houseplant, and the remarkable titan arum (Amorphophallus titanum), which produces the largest inflorescence (flower cluster) in the world.
The underground corm produces one large leaf each growing season. This leaf arises on a tall stalk, spotted and mottled with purple and red, and is topped with a horizontal leaf blade that is divided and branched into many leaflets. The leaf itself is a beautiful addition to a houseplant collection, but the bloom often steals the show. The flower is typical of the arum family with a spathe and spadix. The spadix is a large, red-brown to purple amorphous spike reaching up to 2.5 feet tall in A. konjac. The spadix is surrounded by a funnel-shaped spathe that is green with red-purple flecks, and the inside is violet-purple. The real scene stealer is the smell, which is much like a dead mouse, giving the plant its other common name, carrion flower.
The leaf and flower never appear together. Once the flower fades, continue to water regularly to allow the leaf to emerge. In the fall, the leaf dies back. and the plant goes dormant. Store in a cool (45°F) dark location for several months. Watering is typically not needed while dormant. Once a pointed growing point is visible, resume watering. Plants only bloom when mature and healthy enough. This means flowers may not appear every year.
Spider lily
Spider lily (Hymenocallis) should not be confused with crinum lily, which is also called spider lily. This species produces white, fragrant flowers that resemble daffodils with a funnel-like center surrounded by long, narrow petals atop 2-foot stalks. Plants grow from bulbs producing long strap-shaped leaves similar to amaryllis. Plants are winter hardy to USDA Hardiness Zone 8. In places further north (like Iowa), they can be treated like a houseplant.
Indoors, grow in bright, direct light and provide ample moisture and fertilizer. Remove flower stalks after flowers fade and continue to water and fertilize until leaves begin to yellow. Allow the foliage to die back and store the dormant bulbs in a dry, cool (60°F) dark location. They typically don't like their roots disturbed, so keep them potted until they outgrow their container. Begin regular watering when growth resumes. Some species are evergree,n and the leaves do not naturally die back. These species should still be given a rest period after blooming by watering regularly but reducing fertilization.
Ginger
One of the few plants on this list that is more well-known for its fleshy underground rhizome than for the flower or foliage, ginger (Zingiber) can be successfully grown indoors. While dozens of different species exist, the edible ginger (Z. officinale) is the easiest to find. Leaves are long and narrow, reaching 2 to 3 feet in height, and reddish-yellow flowers eventually appear on a green, cone-like structure. Plants grow best in direct sunlight, moist, well-drained soil (that is never too wet), and warm (70-80°F) conditions.
Grocery store ginger can be grown with a little patience. Select healthy rhizomes that have not been treated to prevent sprouting (which can be difficult to determine). Often, organic-grown rhizomes have not been treated. Separate roots into sections that contain 2-3 eyes or buds, and place them horizontally in a container, covering with about two inches of soil. Water sparingly until shoots appear. Ginger is notoriously slow to emerge, often taking 1 to 2 months to sprout growth - be patient! Water and fertilize regularly. When foliage begins to yellow and die back, cut back on watering. Once fully dormant, rhizomes can be harvested for use in the kitchen by digging and cutting off the stalk.
Amazon Lily
While several species of Amazon lily (Urceolina, syn. Eucharis) occur in their native South America, only two are regularly found in commerce (U. amazonica and U. grandiflora), and they are both so similar that they can be difficult to distinguish. Despite the common name, plants are native to the Andes in Peru and Colombia, not the Amazon rainforest. Shiny dark green leaves emerge from bulbs, followed by white, almost daffodil-like blooms that are wonderfully fragrant. Flowers can emerge throughout the year.
Grow in bright light indoors with moist, well-drained soil (never wet) and abundant humidity. The key to success with Amazon ily is to never let plants drop below 60°F, even at night, and to keep plants relatively pot-bound. When healthy, plants never go dormant. This can make them easier to care for since a dormancy does not have to be navigated (just be sure those growing conditions are right!).
Other Species
- Lily of the Nile (Agapanthus)
- Coral Drops (Bessera elegans)
- Half Aarum (Biarum)
- Climbing Onion (Bowiea volubilis)
- Pinecone Ginger (Curcuma)
- Gloriosa Lily (Gloriosa superba)
- Pink Rain Lily (Habranthus robustus)
- Plant-leaf Iris (Herbertia)
- Ginger Lily (Heychium)
- Cape Cowslip (Lachenalia)
- Silver Squill (Ledebouria)
- Guernsey Lily (Nerine)
- Cape Lily (Veltheimia)
- Aztec Lily (Zephyranthes formosissima)
- Rain Lily (Zephyranthes grandiflora)
More Information
- How to Care for Flowering Houseplants
- How to Force Spring-Flowering Bulbs Indoors
- Forcing Flower Bulbs (PDF)
- How to Care for Houseplants
- Selecting and Planting Spring-Blooming Bulbs
- Growing Clivia Indoors
- Growing Orchids Indoors
- Indoor Plants (PDF)
Photo credits: 1: Cindy Haynes; 2: Aaron Steil: 3: Aaron Steil; 4: Cindy Haynes; 5: Cyril Redor/AdobeStock; 6: Aaron Steil; 7: Cindy Haynes; 8: Aaron Steil; 9: satoru/AdobeStock; 10: Aaron Steil; 11: Aaron Steil; 12: tujuh17belas/AdobeStock: 13: Jacquelin/AdobeStock; 14: Mariana/AdobeStock; 15: Shelli Jensen/AdobeStock; 16: Aaron Steil