As the summer begins to draw to a close, we all want to keep the vibes and the beauty of the season going. Although outdoor blooms are starting to fade, it is easy to bring some of the color and scents from our outside gardens indoors for the upcoming seasons.

Without a doubt, leafy green houseplants are wonderful and easy to care for. But expand your indoor gardening skills by adding a few flowering houseplants into the mix. Blooming plants inject vibrancy, color, and fragrance into your living space. Here are seven of the most favorite types of indoor flora to decorate your space.

African Violet

This violet is small, but it definitely packs in a wow-factor. Better yet, the African violet is fairly easy to care for. Available in hundreds of variations, this houseplant typically blooms year-round with blue, purple, or white flowers. Keep this plant slightly root-bound to force more flowers, provide it with partial sunlight, avoid getting the leaves wet, and it can thrive for years.

Begonias

The begonia is a favorite houseplant for many indoor gardeners. Why? Its beautiful and large blooms are certainly eye-pleasing. They require little care and yet reward this sparse attention with colorful flowers. With over 1,000 varieties, there’s a size, color, and shape that’s just right for your home.

Orchids

While it is true that orchids are a bit challenging to keep at times, don’t let that stop you from trying. They are delicate and just lovely to gaze upon. Caring for an orchid gives gardeners a chance to put their green thumbs to the test. Your patience and effort will be paid off in the end.

Peace Lily

The peace lily is a showstopper, and a remarkably low maintenance one, at that. The large plant has large green leaves and elegant white flowers. When the peace lily’s leaves start to droop you’ll know it’s time for a watering. Peace lilies are toxic to pets, so avoid bringing one home if you have curious cats and dogs or keep it well out of their reach.

False Shamrock

With its deep plum leaves and dainty violet flowers, this colorful houseplant is often mistaken for a shamrock because of the shape of its leaves. But the bright color won’t be the only thing that makes the false shamrock stand out among all your houseplants; it is photophilic, meaning its leaves open in daytime to catch the sun’s light, and then close at night.

Amaryllis

Ahhh. The amaryllis. It blooms indoors in the winter when there are almost no signs of life in your outdoor garden beds. Easy to grow in a small pot, you can expect bright, large flowers in shades of red, orange, and pink.

Jasmine

Looking to freshen up a room? Jasmine is a great pick for those who prefer natural air fresheners. Not only does this houseplant produce soft, star-shaped flowers, but it has a strong and sweet fragrance. Place it in a sunny spot away from the cold and be vigilant for pests or disease.  

By adding a few of these favorites, the beauty that you enjoyed summer long from your outdoor flower beds will be transported inside…