19 Flowers That Bloom in Winter

From cool-season annuals to indoor displays, flowers that bloom in winter brighten the quiet landscape and warm up the interior. A variety of winter-blooming trees, shrubs, and perennials are ready to add interest, while tropicals and forced bulbs bring vibrant color indoors.

When it comes to selecting flowers that bloom in winter, those that are hardy to your growing zone (or two zones hardier for those in pots) are reliable options. Overwinter tender specimens inside to enjoy their full color. Like evergreen boughs, blooms signal life in winter and the regeneration beyond.

Celebrate the season with flowers where you can enjoy them, from the view to the walkway to the porch, and the centerpiece. Our favorite flowers that bloom in winter bring seasonal cheer as gifts for the host or fellow gardener, too.

Outdoors

A landscape with multi-seasonal appeal includes plants that shine in winter, from evergreens to interesting bare branches to loads of berries. Flowering specimens bring special intrigue, blooming while most plants rest and bridging the season for pollinators.

In addition to selecting flowers that bloom in winter in our growing zones, use mulch as insulation in cold climates to regulate soil temperatures and protect against frost heaving.

Violas and Pansies

	botanical name Viola spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6”
	hardiness zones 3-8

Pansies and violas bring a wash of color with sweet faces in a myriad of combinations. The cool-season flowers bloom in winter in their upper zones and withstand seasonal transitions in colder ones. Violas and pansies flower reliably in chilly temperatures and withstand frost. 

The durable Viola spp. tolerates cold spells with temperatures in the 20s or around -7°C (and lower, depending on conditions and protection). Leaves turn gray during freezing snaps but recover as temperatures moderate.

The petite annuals create an instant display, whether nestling them into pots or planting them in a sweep at the front of the border. Opt for trailing pansies like ‘Cool Wave’ for delicate blooms to spill over the container edge in winter tones.

Snapdragons

	botanical name Antirrhinum majus
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6-36”
	hardiness zones 7-10

Like pansies, snapdragons are quintessential cool-season annuals that shine in winter in mild climates. In cold climates, they flower well into fall and tolerate chilly conditions of an early spring planting. Their full bloom spikes in saturated hues make beautiful potted features.

Once established, snapdragons tolerate subfreezing temperatures. Evenly moist soils help defend against freezing conditions. Snaps are hardy to 25°F (-4°C) and perhaps lower with mulch and protection.

Deadhead faded flowers to promote continued blooming. Pair them with evergreens and annuals like pansies, violas, and ornamental kale for a bright arrangement.

Hardy Cyclamen

	botanical name Cyclamen coum
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 3-6”
	hardiness zones 4-8

Cyclamen coum is a cold-hardy, perennial woodland groundcover that we should grow more of in the shaded garden. Heart-shaped leaves bring extended interest, along with short-stemmed blooms that cover the plants in late winter. Pinks, purples, and whites sparkle in the understory, even among frosty conditions.

Also called Eastern sowbread, C. coum flowers from late winter to early spring (around January to March, depending on the climate) with a profusion of pink-purple petals. The Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit recipient has strong landscape performance and cold hardiness.

Kick off the cool season with fall-blooming hardy cyclamen, C. hederifolium, the hardiest and easiest to grow. Fragrant pink blooms appear in October and November.

In addition to showy winter blooms is a rugged nature. Hardy cyclamen tolerates dry shade conditions. They grow and flower best in organically rich, well-draining soils. Employ them in numbers in borders, along walkways, and in naturalized settings. They also make excellent container companions to other perennials with flowers that bloom in winter.

Snowdrops

	botanical name Galanthus spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 12”
	hardiness zones 3-7

Snowdrops bring clusters of crisp white, bell-shaped flowers to the late winter landscape. The nodding blooms pop up through frosty and even snowy ground as early as January and reliably in February or March.

Snowdrops are carefree in woodland and naturalized settings and are lovely in the border, rock garden, and along paths. They spread gently and divide easily if groups become crowded.

Plant the little bulbs in the fall for flowers that bloom in winter, placing them two to three inches apart and four inches deep. The long-lived perennials bring years of recurrent grace with their fresh whites and greens.

Ornamental Kale

	botanical name Brassica oleracea (Capitata group)
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 10-15”
	hardiness zones 2-11

Depending on the climate, ornamental kale survives all winter or performs best in fall and early spring. It thrives in cool weather and tolerates frost.

With ornamental selections of the hardy Brassica, the foliage is thick and colorful with ruffly edges. Flowering cabbage, too, adds a show with full heads for textural interest. Flowering kale and cabbage are rich in green, creamy white, pink, red, and purple.

The ‘Lucir’ and ‘Crane’ series of ornamental kale have small, cabbage-like leaves on tall stems that resemble small rosettes. Use the “flowers” among other annuals to soften the stems and create a floating floral effect.

Arrange flowering kale and cabbage with other leafy greens like bright lettuces and Swiss chard with colorful stems. They also accentuate snapdragons, pansies, and violas in the bed or in the pot.

Glory of the Snow

	botanical name Chionodoxa luciliae
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 4-6”
	hardiness zones 3-8

Like snowdrops, Glory of the snow emerges in late winter with fresh, green shoots. Starry purple-blue blossoms with white centers brighten the quiet landscape. Among the genus, C. luciliae is a large-flowered species with multiple buds and stems per bulb. 

Glory of the snow colonizes and self-seeds, though not aggressively. It makes a graceful, naturalistic ground cover, rock garden, or woodland spray of color. Plant bulbs in the fall, placing them close together, two to three inches apart, and three inches deep in the soil.

Crocus

	botanical name Crocus vernus
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 4-5”
	hardiness zones 4-8

Crocus’ diminutive stature does not diminish the joy it brings in late winter as one of the first to welcome the changing season. Fine blades hold cupped blooms that pop up earlier than taller spring-flowering bulbs. Perfect in grassy swaths, the flowers that bloom in winter open by day and close at night.

Crocus range from white to lilac to deep violet with contrasting yellow centers. They naturalize by slowly spreading to form a clump. Divide the little bulbs and offsets after a few years to expand the colony.

Hellebore

	botanical name Helleborus orientalis
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 18”
	hardiness zones 4-9

Hellebores, also called Lenten roses due to their bloom time, feature large, cupped, nodding blooms atop dark green palmate leaves. The handsome foliage remains evergreen or semi-evergreen, depending on the climate.

With blooms in a scale of shades from creamy white to soft pink to deep plum, and with single or double flowers, they make a gorgeous groundcover beneath trees and in the border. Hellebores benefit from sun in the winter to promote lush leaves and robust flowering, followed by the cooling shade of a deciduous canopy in summer.

For a species that blooms earlier in winter, look for Christmas hellebore (H. niger). Also called Christmas rose or black hellebore, the species emerges before H. orientalis. It blooms around holiday time in upper growing zones and late winter/early spring in cooler climates. The large bowls of white nodding blooms have open centers with yellow stamens. Petals fade to blush pink as they age.

Winter Aconite

	botanical name Eranthis hyemalis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6”
	hardiness zones 3-7

Winter aconite infuses with a dose of sunshine as bright yellow, cupped flowers face upward on short stems. Leaves shoot up in late snow and yield a profusion of the pin-cushion blooms.

Because of its petite stature, winter aconite makes the most significant impact in numbers planted close together at two to three inches apart. Soak the tubers overnight before planting in the fall. Winter aconite charms in containers, edges, woodlands, and rock gardens as a winter carpet.

Camellia

	botanical name Camellia spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6-14’
	hardiness zones 7-9

Camellias are evergreen shrubs that shine in the cool season, flowering in fall to winter or from late winter to early spring, depending on the species. The waxy, pigmented blooms delight when little else is as showy. They also offer pollen and nectar resources during the transitional season for bees and other pollinators.

Camellias lend a lush look to the landscape year-round with glossy, dark green leaves. Camellia sasanqua has flowers that bloom in winter, with a multitude of colors from soft pink to scarlet. It tolerates more sun than Camellia japonica, which blooms in late winter/early spring with huge flowers and larger leaves.

To serve the bees while spreading joy with wintertime color, look for varieties with open centers. C. japonica ‘Hinomaru’ and C. sasanqua ‘Yuletide’ are two of many with accessible pollen resources.

Indoors

Inside our homes, our tender tropicals are safe against cold winter conditions. Whether indoors for the winter or as a full-time resident, the houseplant collection adds a splash of color in flower and foliage to brighten the cold season. 

With overwintering indoors, cultural requirements worthy of special attention include sufficient lighting with shorter days, reduced watering, moderate temperatures, and ample humidity. Keep pots away from heated drafts and fireplaces, as well as cold blasts from open doors, to promote health and flowering for the season.

Persian Cyclamen

	botanical name Cyclamen persicum
	sun requirements Bright, indirect light
	height 6-9”
	hardiness zones 9-11

C. persicum, or florist’s cyclamen, is a favorite for blooming right in time with the holidays. Prolific upright blooms sparkle above the signature heart-shaped, silver-marbled leaves.

Unlike the hardy species on our outdoor winter blooms lineup, florist’s cyclamen aren’t cold hardy and do well as indoor specimens below zone 9. Popular since the age of Victorian gardens and conservatories, potted florist selections bring larger flowers and leaves, and sometimes double blooms, as well as miniature attributes and fragrance.

C. persicum boasts a long bloom time with reflexed petals in bright red, pink, and pure white. A cool spot prolongs the display, as warm temperatures below 70°F (21°C) trigger summer dormancy.  Place them close to a window to experience cooler temperatures for flowers that bloom in winter. An east-facing position offers bright, indirect light.

Amaryllis

	botanical name Hippeastrum spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-2’
	hardiness zones 8-10

Amaryllis are the indoor winter-flowering all-stars, creating stunning displays that span weeks. Huge, bold blooms stand alone with stately beauty. Force bulbs in water, bulb jars, or pots for a wintertime show. Amaryllis grow quickly and bloom within six to eight weeks of indoor forcing.

Look to ‘Red Lion’ for a large-flowering, rich crimson variety on tall stalks. The long-bloomer is a Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit recipient. ‘Picotee’ features bright white petals with the thinnest red ribbon edging. For a sweet twist, ‘Appleblossom’ has massive trumpet blooms in blush pink and white.

Pot up amaryllis bulbs in early November for a holiday display. Where hardy, grow them outdoors for a spring to summer bloom in their natural cycle.

Christmas Cactus

	botanical name Schlumbergera russelliana
	sun requirements Bright, indirect light
	height 6-12”
	hardiness zones 10-11

Christmas cactus looks good year-round as a houseplant before prime time around the holidays. Flowering for four to six weeks, buds emerge along branches of succulent, segmented leaves (phylloclades) in fall. They open to billowy red, pink, white, salmon, and purple blooms in winter.

The Christmas cactus originates in Brazilian rainforests, where it grows in the nooks of trees and crevices of rocks. The adaptable tropical cacti adjust to our temperate homes with ease, enjoying warm months outdoors and moving inside for cold winters, where we can admire their flair. 

Christmas cactus is one of three holiday cacti. The show begins with Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) and wraps up with Easter cactus (Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri). Thanksgiving cactus usually flowers in November, and Easter cactus in March through May.

Poinsettia

	botanical name Euphorbia pulcherrima
	sun requirements Bright, indirect light
	height 2’
	hardiness zones 9-11

The quintessential winter bloomer, the poinsettia livens the holiday season around the globe. Native to Mexico, wild species reach 15 feet tall. The compact varieties we celebrate today are available in numerous colors and patterns, from scarlet to pink to blotched, for a tapestry of interest.

In areas where temperatures drop consistently below 50°F (10°C), poinsettias perform best indoors. Place pots in bright, indirect light and out of drafts to prevent leaves from drying and withering.

While we usually treat poinsettias as annuals, if you’re not ready to part with them after the holidays, prune stems back in March or April, place them on a sunny windowsill, and move them outside when temperatures warm. 

African Violets

	botanical name Streptocarpus ionanthus
	sun requirements Bright, indirect light
	height 6-9”
	hardiness zones 11-12

African violets bloom year-round with warm temperatures. The tropicals have thick, velvety leaves and delicate, ruffled blooms in saturated hues like blue and red. 

European colonists collected violet seeds in eastern Africa in 1892 and sent them to Germany. The Royal Botanic Gardens at Herrenhausen began cultivation. In 1894, a New York florist introduced them to America.

Indoors, a little humidity and a draft-free spot help the flowers bloom in winter. Well-draining potting mix, or a soilless mix, protects their roots from oversaturation. They need to be slightly pot-bound to initiate flowering.

Paperwhites

	botanical name Narcissus tazetta
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 12-16”
	hardiness zones 8-11

Paperwhites join amaryllis, hyacinth, and tulips as popular bulbs to force in a pebbled dish, bowl, or pot. Varieties with a light, sweet fragrance to their crisp white blooms, like ‘Inbal,’ ‘Ariel,’ and ‘Nir,’ are pleasing for indoor displays.

Paperwhites are small bulbs, easy to pot up in groups and quick to flower. After planting, they bloom in as little as a few weeks. For flowers that bloom in winter, make sure bulbs are pre-cooled, either from the grower or from time in the refrigerator.

Once new growth appears, move them to a warmer, brighter spot to initiate budding and hasten flowering. In mild climates, they flower outdoors in four to six weeks after a fall planting.

Primrose

	botanical name Primula spp.
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 6-24”
	hardiness zones 2-9

There are hundreds of primrose species, many of them perennials that are early to flower in late winter. Others are greenhouse-raised to energize the interior. In a rainbow of colors, most primroses bear clusters of tiny flowers that rise above rosettes of dark, ruffled leaves. 

Indoors, forced specimens flower for about six weeks (and may be challenging to keep long-term as a houseplant). They do best in a cool, bright spot.

In the landscape, primrose prefers organically rich, moist, well-drained soils and doesn’t tolerate wet feet. Once established, they need little care except to divide groups if they become crowded.

Orchid

	botanical name Phalaenopsis spp.
	sun requirements Bright, indirect light
	height 6-10”
	hardiness zones 9-12

Orchids are a classic addition to the interiorscape and enchant with exotic floral forms and patterns. Moth orchids, with their sizeable blooms on long, arching stems, are a houseplant favorite. Their lasting beauty, range of colors, and ease of growing bring broad appeal. In optimal conditions, Phalaenopsis can bloom more than once a year.

Moth orchids are epiphytes with plump white roots that absorb moisture from the air and nutrients from decaying plant material. At home, they enjoy balanced moisture, average humidity, and bright light.

Red Anthurium

	botanical name Anthurium scherzerianum
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 18”
	hardiness zones 11-12

Anthurium, or flamingo flower, features bold red spathes and dark green, heart-shaped leaves. It’s a festive winter choice and a symbol of hospitality, love, and abundance.