Caring for Your Potted Plant – Growing Tips for Indoor Flowering Plants
Potted plants really are the gift that keeps on growing. While cut flowers bloom brightly for a moment, a healthy indoor plant can thrive for years with a little care. Knowing how your plant responds to light, water, and warmth will help it stay lush and full of life.
Plant Care Tips for your Indoor Potted House Plants
Here you’ll find simple, practical growing tips for your indoor flowering plants. Easy maintenance for your potted colour, from peace lilies to orchids and kalanchoes - to keep them looking beautiful and blooming for seasons to come. Written by Jo-Ann Moss - Owner Best Blooms Auckland Florist.
How to Care for Indoor Flowering Plants in NZ Homes
Most indoor plants prefer bright but indirect light, gentle watering, and warmth. Follow our plant-by-plant guides below for orchids, peace lilies, kalanchoes, anthuriums, and more favourites grown across Auckland.
Quick Plant Care Questions We’re Often Asked
How often should I water my kalanchoe or peace lily?
Potted Moth Orchid Plants (Phalaenopsis Orchids) are elegant plants, with their stems of delicate blooms and wide glossy leaves, a moth orchid is a statement piece in the home.
To keep them at their best, keep them warm and in good (but not direct) light.
Water regularly - twice a week in summer, every 7-10 days in winter.
Be sure to not let them sit 'in' water, but it's a good idea to sit the whole plant on a tray of pebbles with water so increase the humidity around the plant.
Re-pot every few of years with a suitable potting mix (high in bark content).
Occasionally wipe the leaves with a damp cloth to remove any dust.
When the flowers are finished, cut the spike back two nodes from the base.
Gorgeous plants, with their brighter flowers and hardy nature, Kalanchoes are a great option for those who'd prefer a low maintenance plant option. A little water deprivation won't hurt these plants - although they aren't a cactus so don't leave them too long without water.
Keep them in a bright spot - direct sunlight is fine.
Water infrequently - wait until the first few centimetres of soil have dried out.
Avoid getting water on the leaves as this can lead to blemishes and rot. Bottom watering can help but don't let them sit in water for extended periods of time.
Snip dead flowers carefully to encourage them to bloom again. And remember, they are a perenial succulent so will bloom again after the initial flowers have died back.
Peace Lilies enjoy a more tropical environment so a warm, indirect sunlit area with minimal drafts is preferred. Keep away from doorways and fireplaces.
Water regularly, ensuring that the top inch dries out before watering, but make sure they never dry out completely - they'll wilt before that happens to let you know they need water.
Re-pot every few years but be careful to only re-pot to a third larger than the current pot.
A peace lily plant will do well with a regular fertiliser once a month.
Cyclamen Plants like a cooler, bright spot out of direct sunlight.
Keep the soil moist but be careful not to overwater. Ideally the top of the soil will be allowed to dry between waters. Bottom watering is best in order to keep water away from the leaves which may promote rot & fungus.
To ensure it flowers again, the cyclamen will need to go 'dormant'. Deadhead old flowers and reduce watering over the summer.
Cyclamens don't require too much feeding - to do so will encourage leaf growth rather than flowers.
Your poinsettia plant will enjoy bright, indirect light, with a draught-free spot and a temperature of around 13-15°C.
Water sparingly when the surface of the soil has begun to dry out.
Mist regularly to increase humidity and keep the colours looking their best for as long as possible. Consider grouping with other humidity loving plants, or sit on a saucer of pebbles with water.
After Christmas feed monthly with a high potash feed, such as tomato fertiliser.
Tips for growing Chrysanthemum Potted Plants inside:
While potted chrysanthemum plants can tolerate direct sun, they prefer cooler temperates so be wary of heat during summer months.
Keep soil moist, but not wet. Water frequently in summer. Keep water away from the leaves to prevent fungal infections.
Remove dead flowers to encourage reblooming and keep the plant in optimal health. Mums need a temperature of 15°-12° C to set and bloom new flowers, so 'wintering' the plant in the right conditions is required to get new blooms.
Ensure good air flow and avoid high humidity areas.
Gerbera's like bright light but lower temperatures (under 21° C) so the right spot is essential. Too hot, and the leaves may scorch - too dark and the flowers won't bloom.
Water deeply when the soil has been allowed to dry out. Do not allow Gerberas to sit in water and become waterlogged however.
Water infrequently over winter but don't allow the soil to dry out completely.
Keep the leaves dry when watering
Pinch off dead blooms when they wilt to encourage new flowers.
Ferns are happiest in a cool place with high humidity and indirect light. Keep away from direct sunlight.
Boston ferns like damp soil - Keep the soil moist but not wet.
Remove spent fern fronds and fertilise regularly to encourage new growth.
Turn your plant at each watering so it doesn't grow 'lopsided', especially if it's located in a corner spot.
Bulbs (Iris, Tulips, Lilies and more)
If you're given a flowering bulb, you can 'winter' your bulbs and enjoy your flowers again next year. A lot of indoor plant bulbs actually prefer being moved outdoors once they've flowered once indoors. Each bulb type has it's own preferences, and while growing bulbs is not difficult, you should research the steps involved with storing, wintering, potting and flowering as there is more involved than we have room for here.
🌼 Keep the Joy Growing
With the right care, your indoor flowering plant will keep brightening your home long after the blooms fade. Whether you’re nurturing a peace lily, an orchid, or a cheerful kalanchoe, every new leaf is a reminder that a little attention goes a long way.
If you’re looking to share that same lasting joy, explore our full range of plant gifts delivered across Auckland — beautiful growing gifts for every occasion.
At Best Blooms, we’ve been delivering fresh flowers and growing gifts across Auckland since 2006. Every bouquet and potted plant is crafted with care by our local team — always fresh, always guaranteed. Whether you’re sending blooms or tending your own, we love helping Aucklanders keep life full of colour and growth.
