The Heroic Plants Ready to Brighten Your Winter

Does everything in your garden feel a bit grey at the moment? Don’t worry, Nature has some heroic plants that bloom bright even in the depths of winter. And if you don’t have an outdoor space, pick out one of the vibrant houseplants that are ready to bring some serious colour into your home right now.

Schlumbergera

Also known as the Christmas cactus, because of the time of year it flowers, this exotic-looking houseplant bursts into vivid bloom around now. And because it releases oxygen at night rather than in the day, it’s believed to help you get a better night’s sleep. Dreamy!

Cyclamen

The versatile star of the winter show, colourful cyclamen can be grown inside or out, and flower all winter long. With pretty blooms in shades of pink, purple and red, these hardy plants deliver a much-needed splash of colour long after summer bedding plants have died off.

Mahonia

Warm up a winter garden with this sunny shrub, which bears fragrant, golden-smelling flowers throughout the cooler months. It’s big hit with wildlife, too: winter-active bees love it, making it an important pollinator. And in autumn, birds will flock to eat its berries.

Winter Pansies

The cheerful pansy needs no introduction, but you may associate it with spring. Happily, you can buy hardier versions bred especially to withstand frost. Enjoy bold pops of yellow, purple and orange, no matter how dull the skies outside. 

Kalanchoe

With its clusters of fragrant flowers and attractive, scalloped leaves, this little houseplant makes a perfect winter pick-me-up. Choose from orange, yellow, pink and red shades. And because it’s a succulent, it will forgive you if you forget to water it every now and then. Phew.