How to Brighten Your Home with Houseplants That Bloom

By Melinda Myers

Brighten

your indoor décor with plants that bloom. Whether you grow traditional favorites, flowering tropical plants, or annuals that get moved inside for winter, their colorful flowers are sure to elicit smiles and months of enjoyment. Just provide the right growing conditions and sufficient light, and you will be enjoying months of indoor color.

You may have enjoyed an initial burst of color from traditional favorites like African violets and orchids but struggled to get them to flower again. Maximize your enjoyment and their colorful floral display by providing supplemental lighting. Plants with colorful flowers benefit from brighter or longer periods of light, than what streams through your windows, especially in the winter. Grow lights, which provide bright, full-spectrum illumination, are an ideal solution.

You can find many types of grow lights, including simple hanging lamps, DIY fixtures, and metal stands. These are often relegated to the rec room or basement but might be less welcome in your living room. Consider furniture-style light stands like the Bamboo LED Grow Light Gardens (gardeners.com) that will complement your living spaces. They’re outfitted with special high-output bulbs that are tucked out of sight and provide light more than twice as bright as that of most standard LEDs. This allows you to grow most flowers, and even some fruits, without needing to raise and lower the lights to accommodate different plant heights.

Once you have your supplemental lighting in place, expand your indoor flowering plant collection with a few tropicals. Here are four favorites:

1. Flowering maple (Abutilon). Give them bright light and cooler winter temperatures to enjoy their beauty all year long. The solid green or variegated maple-shaped leaves inspired their common name. Plants may be compact and upright or vining, while the flowers may resemble those of hibiscus or dangling lanterns. Select varieties known for year-round flowering.

2. Chenille plant (Acalypha). Create a focal point with these unique blooms. The long, fuzzy, cascading flowers resemble chenille yarn. They are perfect for a hanging basket, set upon a plant stand or pruned into tree form. This plant needs high humidity and plenty of light to maintain its health and year-round beauty indoors.

3. Shrimp plant (Justica brandegeana). Enjoy its coppery bronze flowers. This long-blooming Mexican native performs best in bright light and high humidity. Use it as a hanging basket, prune into a small tree, or set it upon a plant stand where the cascading shrimp-like flowers can be enjoyed.

4. Lipstick vine (Aeschynanthus). Brighten your fall and winter décor with these vivid red flowers that emerge from dark maroon structures, resembling a tube of lipstick. The glossy green foliage adds needed greenery indoors throughout the year. The more light these plants receive, the better the floral display.

Whether you’re growing tropicals or traditional favorites indoors, always check plant tags for specific care instructions. You can also boost your indoor floral display by placing annuals you’re overwintering, such as geraniums and mandevilla, under lights to encourage blooming. Give these plants bright light, water thoroughly as needed, and enjoy the extra color. Prune if necessary, to keep the plants full and compact.

Incorporating flowers into your living space will boost your mood and reduce stress while livening your indoor décor.

Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” DVD series and the Melinda’s Garden Moment TV & radio segments. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Her website is MelindaMyers.com.

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Are you an advertiser with Prince William Living or interested in becoming one? Now online, our publisher Rebecca Barnes will help you discover how to “Make the Most of Prince William Living.” Meet the people behind greater Prince William’s premier lifestyle magazine. Visit princewilliamliving.com/ lunchwiththepublisher.

Ice Skating at Stonebridge

Daily | Hours vary

Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center

15201 Town Center Place, Woodbridge

The ice rink at Stonebridge is open! Check stonebridgeicerink. ticketsocket.com/#/event-details/iceskating-2022-2023 for hours and to reserve a time to skate.

Ice Skating at Harris Pavilion

Daily | Hours vary

Harris Pavilion

9201 Center Street, Manassas

This outdoor ice-skating venue is now open! Check facebook.com/ HarrisPavilion for hours.

Family Movie Night

Thursdays 6:30 to 10 p.m.

epiQ Food Hall

14067 Noblewood Plaza, Woodbridge

Complimentary popcorn, lounge seating and delicious cuisine for every taste. Free kids’ meals from Little Miner Taco and half price kids’ meals from Stacks

Signature Sandwiches.

Manassas Farmers Market

Saturdays | 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Prince William Street Commuter Lot

9024 Prince William St., Manassas

With 100+ vendors, shoppers can choose fresh produce, flowers, foods, and a variety of local goodies. Weather permitting, live bands play keeping everyone entertained. No pets allowed at the market.

Dale City Winter Farmers Market

Sundays | 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Dale City Commuter Lot

14090 Gemini Way, Dale City

Since 1987, Dale City Farmers Market has been at the forefront of serving Prince William County residents. With 20+ vendors in the winter, it’s one of the largest open-air markets in the region.

11th Annual Prince William County Public Schools

Student Exhibition

Runs through Sat., Feb. 18

Hylton Performing Arts Center

10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas

Featuring expressive and original works of art, this student artwork from Prince William County Public Schools represents the creative talents of students from elementary to high school. The visual arts program in PWCS prepares students to be visually innovative and to develop an awareness and appreciation of visual art.

Leopold’s Preserve Winter Lecture Series

Wed. Feb. 1 | 10 to 11 a.m.

Villages of Piedmont II Clubhouse

6770 Pinchot Lane, Haymarket

Alison Zak, founder of the Human Beaver Coexistence Fund, will discuss beavers' role in our ecosystems. The lectures will be held indoors at the HOA clubhouse in the residential neighborhood that Leopold's Preserve surrounds.

Souper Bowl

Fri. Feb. 3 | 6 to 9 p.m.

Historic Downtown Manassas

Unlimited soup tastings at participating restaurants. Purchase tickets at historicmanassas.org.

Barnes House Open House

Sat. Feb. 4 | 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Barnes House

5049 Waterway Drive, Dumfries

Built in 1797, the Barnes House is an average Prince William County residence, but the people who lived here were anything but typical. First used as a tavern, in 1899 Eppa Barnes bought the house where he was born into slavery. Join local historians for an open house to explore the exhibits highlighting the site's diverse history and an amazing story of historic preservation in Prince William County. Barnes House Historic Site is located near the Montclair Community Library.

Romance Scams

Sat. Feb. 4 | 3 to 5 p.m.

Chinn Park Library

13065 Chinn Park Drive, Woodbridge

Just in time for Valentine's Day. Learn to identify scams that prey upon people's emotional attachment. Register at pwcgov. libnet.info/event/7552413.

Books on Tap @ Ornery Beer Company

Sun. Feb. 5 | 6 to 7 p.m.

Ornery Beer Company

8088 Flannery Court, Manassas

Like books? Like beer? Books and beer pair perfectly in this beer book club hosted by Ornery Beer Company and Prince William Library. If you like to read and discuss books, especially over a cold pint of beer with friends, this is the club for you. They meet monthly on the first Sunday of the month in the taproom at 6 p.m. to discuss a monthly book selection. For more information contact jraghunathan@ pwcgov.org or visit the brewery’s Facebook events page.

Early Literacy Open House

Fri. Feb. 10 | 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Haymarket Gainesville Library

14870 Lightner Road, Haymarket

Help children learn important skills now so they can become good readers later. Parents and caregivers play an important role in getting young children ages 3-5 ready to read. Parents and guardians will learn hands on activities and strategies for incorporating important literacy skills into their daily lives. Help children learn important skills now so they can become good readers later.

McCall Studio Gallery

Valentine Gala

Sat. Feb. 11 | 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.

McCall Studio Gallery

9409 Battle Street, Manassas

McCall Studio Gallery is hosting a Valentine Gala and Show featuring Mystique Streets and Valleys. Reservations available through McCall Studio Gallery Facebook page.

Veterans Lunch Bunch at Potomac Place

Tues. Feb. 14 | 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Potomac Place Assisted Living and Memory Care

2133 Montgomery Avenue, Woodbridge

Veterans are cordially invited to a monthly lunch in their honor. Two fellow veterans may accompany a veteran for this complimentary meal.

The Business of Data Centers — What You Need to Know

Wed. Feb. 15 | 8 to 10 a.m.

Old Hickory Golf Club

11921 Chanceford Drive, Woodbridge

A panel discussion focused on data centers, moderated by Josh Levi, Data Center Coalition President. Join the Prince William Chamber for breakfast and a lively discussion. Register: pwchamber.org.

Tastes of Home: AfricanAmerican Culture and American Cuisine

Sat. Feb. 18 | 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m.

Ben Lomond Historic Site

10321 Sudley Manor Drive, Manassas

Many Southern dishes have their roots in west and central African culture that enslaved workers brought to America. Participants will be able to prepare and taste African and Southern dishes in the historic slave quarter at Ben Lomond. Please wear appropriate shoes and clothing for the weather. Advance registration is required: 703-367-7872.

The Enslaved People of Rippon Lodge

Sat. Feb. 18 | 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Rippon Lodge Historic Site

15520 Blackburn Road, Woodbridge

Continuing with Rippon Lodge Historic Site’s 275 years of history, come learn of the untold stories of the enslaved population during Black History Month. Tours will focus on the primary documentation found for both the colonial and early Victorian eras. Space is limited. Advance registration required at pwcparks.org/historicprograms.

In the Garden with Dr. Carver

Tues. Feb. 21 | 10:30 to 11 a.m.

Bull Run Library

8051 Ashton Avenue, Manassas

Join Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom and read “In the Garden with Dr. Carver” by Susan Grisby. This is a historical fiction picture book that teaches children about agricultural scientist and inventor Dr. George Washington Carver. In the story, Dr. Carver visits young Sally’s school and teaches them about soil, peanuts, sweet potatoes, and more! After story time, everyone will have a chance to make a germination necklace to take home and to watch it grow into a plant.

Financial Glee: A Financial Workshop Series

Wed. Feb. 22 | 1 to 2 p.m.

Central Library

8601 Mathis Avenue, Manassas

Led by financial experts from Financial Glee, learn what to look out for, available resources that work, and key tips on how to plan for social security, wealth building, and ultimately have financial freedom.

The Preserve: Reconstructing an African American Neighborhood in the Bull Run Mountains

Thurs. Feb. 23 | 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Old Manassas Courthouse

9248 Lee Avenue, Manassas

Historian and archaeologist Patrick O’Neill will share his research on local African American communities in the Bull Run Mountains. Part of the Prince William Historic Preservation Lecture Series.

2023 Business Awards and Silent Auction

Thurs. Feb. 23 | 5 to 9:30 p.m.

Heritage Hunt Golf and Country Club

6901 Arthur Hills Drive, Gainesville

The annual Business Awards is a prestigious ceremony where Prince William Chamber members recognize their peers. This event is a great opportunity to bring the Prince William Region business community together to celebrate businesses for their innovation, business sense, and commitment to the community. The evening will include a high-end silent auction, the awards ceremony, and a plated dinner. Register at pwchamber.org.

For an annual $20 donation to Give Back Prince William (a 501c(3) non-profit organization), you can get YOUR community magazine delivered to your door!

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