Perennials are a mainstay for outdoor gardens, but there’s no reason to deprive your indoor space of blossoming flowers! And although wrapping your head around perennial flowering plants can seem a little confusing at first, it’s actually easy to nurture these beauties inside and watch them thrive. There are just a few things to know before you shop for a new perennial, so read on: it’s all right here! 

What are perennials? 

A perennial plant is a plant that lives longer than an annual year. It’s a familiar term for outdoor gardeners, who may plant both annuals (plants that only live for one year, then die) and perennials (which live for years and bloom yearly, if not even more frequently than that). The term “perennial” typically refers to flowering plants that produce blooms, and those are the perennial varieties we’ll be discussing here. 

What are the best perennials for indoor spaces?

We think that the best perennial plants to buy for an indoor space are the ones that require the least care! The perennials we offer at Léon & George were curated specifically for their easy care disposition and for the vibrancy of their blossoms- which is typically what people are looking for when they’re shopping for a perennial. Calandivas, or Kalanchoe varieties, are a great option because they are perennial succulents. That means that as long as they get lots of light, and are watered only sparingly, they’ll be happy. We offer both white, or Snowdrop Calandivas, and yellow, or Sunshine Calandivas. Other great options for low-maintenance perennials are Anthuriums, like the King of Hearts and Queen of Spades Anthurium. Their flowers are technically spathes (neither a flower nor a leaf, but rather a sheath that protects the plant’s flower). Spathes maintain their beautiful coloration longer than blossoms. 

What kind of light do indoor perennials require?

Most perennials require ample light in order to induce blooming, and indoor perennials are no exception. Indoor perennials should receive abundant, bright sunlight.  Consult a light guide to determine the level of light that your space receives. Indoor perennials want all the light they can get!

It’s important not to overwater your perennial

Plants use the water that they receive much more slowly indoors than outdoors, because they receive less sunlight in enclosed spaces. It’s crucial not to overwater indoor perennial plants for this reason. They can become waterlogged, which will result in their blossoms and spades getting soggy, darkening and falling off. 

You can use a moisture meter as a supplemental tool to support your watering routine. They’re a great way to keep an eye on moisture levels in between manual checkups, and are easy to read. Simply check the moisture meter’s window: if it is white, the plant is ready for water, and if it is blue, the soil is still moist and does not need watering. 

But overwatered perennials can be rehabilitated

It happens on occasion: despite best efforts, we find that our indoor plants have been overwatered. Luckily, there’s an easy set of steps to rehabilitate overwatered indoor perennials.

First things first: you’ll need to get the perennial away from the “wet.” That means removing it from its pot and dumping out any standing water that may have accumulated.

Secondly, trim off any parts of the plant that appear seriously waterlogged, mushy, or discolored. It can feel dire to perform minor surgery on your flowering plant, but indoor perennials actually love it. Trimming off unhealthy parts of the plant sends it a big signal to push out healthy new growth, and trimming or plucking off old blossoms will encourage the plant to push out new flowers.

Once you have trimmed the perennial of any areas that have lost viability due to overwatering, let the plant dry out. You don’t need to place the plant back in its pot for now- just place it in a spot that receives lots of bright light, but isn’t in the direct patch of scorching rays. The goal is to dry the plant out, not sunburn it. After a couple days of generous light, you should see the plant’s soil dry out entirely. 

At this point, you should have a nice, dry plant on your hands. You can return it to its pot, and after a few days of acclimation, resume your watering routine. This time, with a lighter touch!

Exercise caution when misting your perennial 

This may come as a surprise because, as a general rule, most indoor plants appreciate a nice misting. Indoor plant varieties are often native to humid, tropical climates, and misting helps to imitate the moist biome that they’re accustomed to. But indoor perennial plants are a bit different in this regard. Why? Because of the flowers. 

Flowers and spathes are delicate, and when water sits on the surface of blossoms or spathes for a prolonged amount of time, it can cause discoloration- typically in the form of browning. Because it’s easier to overdo misting rather than to have too light a touch, you can forgo misting altogether as a precaution. Not to worry- your plant can still absolutely thrive. Ample sunlight and appropriate watering are what are really key to their health. 

Will perennial flowers stay fresh forever?

Great question, and we’re glad you asked! The answer here is no: as is the case with so many of nature’s creations, when it comes to perennial flowers, “nothing gold can stay”. But don’t let that put you off: the magic of perennials is that they will blossom and blossom again with appropriate care.

No individual flower is forever: their purpose is to help the plant reproduce through seeds and pollination. But perennial plants can blossom regularly, so you’re not limited to only one bumper crop of blooms from a Calandiva or Anthurium. The key to encouraging your perennial plant to blossom year-round is to pluck or trim its flowers off once they have begun to brown. Again, this signals to the plant that it is time to direct its energy toward growing new flowers.

A note on toxicity in indoor perennials

Indoor perennial plants like Calandivas and Anthuriums are considered to be toxic. We know, we know- it’s frustrating. But it’s simply science at work: a trait that the plant has evolved over time to deter wild animals from snacking on them. Still, it is important to consider toxicity if you live with curious kids or pets. And if toxicity is an absolute no-go, don’t panic: you still have options!

How to select a thriving, gorgeous perennial

There are always a few things to check up on as you shop to make sure you pick the perfect plant specimen for your home. When it comes to flowering perennial plants, you’ll want to look at the plant’s blossoms. A plant that is covered in mature, gorgeous blooms will look gorgeous for a spell- but because its blooms will already be older at the time you buy it, they will also brown sooner. Don’t be afraid to buy a perennial that has lots of buds that have not yet bloomed- they’re on their way! 

Carefully inspect the overall foliage of the perennial, looking especially for signs of overwatering, illness and pests. A healthy perennial plant will have vibrantly colored leaves and foliage, without significant yellowing leaves or discoloration. Additionally, the leaves, stems and trunks of healthy plants will have a firm texture and strong limbs, and will not appear floppy or exhausted. 

Avoid purchasing your perennial from a garden center

Once you’ve decided to buy your new perennial, it’s important to ensure that you purchase one that will thrive for years to come. After all, they’re not annuals!

Our recommendation when shopping is always to opt for a premium grower rather than a lower price tag. Stores like garden centers and home improvement stores often appear to offer low prices and convenience, but we ultimately find that purchasing plants of a sub-par quality results in a higher cost and less convenient experience overall. There are a few reasons for this:  

Garden centers and home improvement stores tend to provide the same kind of care to all of their plants, regardless of the specific needs of the plants’ species. This means that many plants are overwatered during their time at these stores, and are often receiving light that’s inappropriate for their particular requirements. 

Additionally, It is almost impossible to know the plant care routines that these businesses have in place from the outset, but it’s highly common for garden centers to use a one-size-fits-all approach with their plants, and although it saves time for these businesses, treating all plants in the same way is just not conducive to their health. 

Purchasing your new perennial plant from a premium grower will help ensure that it has been kept in appropriate light and watered correctly. There is also the issue of insects to consider. Insects have a habit of hopping from plant to plant, and funguses and viruses tend to spread- so if you cannot guarantee that the business you’re buying your new hanging plant from treats pests and plant diseases both prophylactically and as needed, there is a chance of bringing a pest or disease-ridden plant into your space, where those issues can (and often do!) spread to other plants in their vicinity.

And finally, there is the issue of transport. Plants are resilient and strong, but no living plant loves the experience of transportation or significant environmental shifts. And flowering plants like indoor perennials are more delicate than most: they’re covered in fragile blossoms. 

There are many factors at play when it comes to moving a plant from Point A to Point B: fluctuations in light, the risk of structural and foliage damage, and the risk of stress from temperature changes and forced air from A.Cs. Going to the extra mile to ensure the safe transit of your new perennial will pay dividends over time. By purchasing your plant from a business that offers doorstep delivery, and/or ships using packaging that is custom-engineered for plants, you can simply rest easy and enjoy the confidence of knowing that your plant has been amply protected and well cared for. Then lean back, and enjoy the blooms!

Even the healthiest perennial can experience stress from time to time

Stumbles can happen along the path of any plant parenthood journey. The good news? Every plant purchased from Léon & George comes with lifelong access to our Plant Doctor service: a team of expert horticulturalists, here to offer assessments, tips and adjustments, and to generally support you as you care for your plants. There’s no catch! No fees are required to enjoy this service. Free, lifelong access to the Plant Doctor service is just one of the ways that we work together to support plant owners as we green up the world together.

We’ve compiled a list of common problems that indoor perennials can face, as well as helpful guidance for assessing your plant’s health. Informed and supported plant parents are the key to our success! Click here to learn more about how to care for and grow your new perennial. 

Explore the flowering Snowdrop Calandiva

A gorgeous perennial succulent with abundant, cloud-white blossoms, the Snowdrop Calandiva is the perfect accent for indoor spaces that receive ample, bright sunlight. Easy to care for and incredibly charming, the Snowdrop Calandiva will bloom for years. All it needs is love and light!

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Succulents are a wildly popular plant family for indoor placement- and for good reason! Known for their juicy foliage structures, succulents have fleshy leaves, stems and roots that were designed to store water in the plant itself. In other words, succulents are about as self-sufficient as a plant can be in terms of water: they practically water themselves! Many succulent plants are also potent air purifiers, so these beauties do a lot of work while requiring very little care. Given their popularity, it’s possible that you’ve heard all of this about succulents before. But get ready for a little-known fact: there are a huge variety of succulents that you likely have not heard of. And when you’re ready to buy a succulent, you don’t have to settle for the same run-of-the-mill variety you see at big box stores. You have options, so read on. We’ve compiled a list of everything you need to know before you pick the perfect succulent for your space!

Which Succulent Variety Is Right For Me?

So you’re kicking off your succulent journey and ready to shop! We’re as ready as you are to let the fun begin. But before you buy, think about the aesthetic that you’re looking for from your succulent. Seeking a glossy succulent with tons of foliage? A Zanzibar Gem is the perfect fit. If you love the wild, jungle style of aloe varieties, a Snake Plant is ideal. Many of us are used to seeing petite succulents around that could fit in a teacup- and they’re charming! But they are the tip of the iceberg. You don’t have to sacrifice size when you choose a succulent. Plenty of succulent varieties can achieve great heights, like the Zanzibar Gem, Snake Plant, Ponytail Palm and Euphorbia Ammak.

Forever flowers: the Snowdrop Calandiva, a type of succulent, flowers year-round.

Flowering Succulents Exist- And They Are Gorgeous!

Succulents are already such a cheerful plant family that you could argue that they don’t need blooms. But who doesn’t love flowers (especially ones that can bloom year-round!)? Calandivas, also known as Kalanchoes, like the Snowdrop Calandiva and Sunshine Calandiva, are beautifully full, juicy succulents that blossom year-round. All they need is bright, indirect sun.

It’s Science! Air-Purifying Succulents

Just when we thought that NASA couldn’t get any cooler, we learned about their gold-standard Air Purifying Plants study. And you’ll be happy to hear that succulents come in on top, with varieties like the Snake Plant ranking especially high for their ability to eliminate toxins and convert carbon dioxide to oxygen. The Ponytail Palm is another great air purifier. Toxic gasses don’t stand a chance against the playful Ponytail Palm: it simply captures them in its canopy of blades, and converts them into fresh oxygen.

The Ponytail Palm is a stunning agave variety and a potent air purifier.

A Succulent For The Cactus Lover

We love cacti as much as the next team of avid horticulturalists, but we also know that you might be in the market for a cactus aesthetic without the ouch-factor. For your consideration: the Euphorbia Ammak! An air-purifying succulent with a classic, slender cactus structure, the Euphorbia Ammak is a gorgeous statement plant that can grow up to ten feet tall indoors. It still has the classic prickles that speak to iconic cactus beauty, but only a light amount, so you don’t need to worry about accidental injuries. As they say, moderation in all things: even cactus spikes!

The Euphorbia Ammak and Snake Plant Sansevieria are an air-purifying match made in heaven!

A Note On Toxicity In Succulents

Good news for succulent lovers that cohabitate with furry friends and curious kids: there are non-toxic succulent varieties! That being said, you’ll find that succulent varieties have some degree of toxicity more often than not. And many popular indoor plants across the board have some toxic compounds- it’s an evolutionary trait, adapted by the plant to deter wild animals from snacking on them. Ponytail Palms are non-toxic (just another reason to love them!) but Calandivas, Sansevierias and Zanzibar Gems can cause illness when ingested. Luckily, most creatures are disinclined to munch a succulent no matter how delicious they look, but you can always read up on the toxicity designation of any plant species when you’re ready to buy a succulent. If toxicity is an absolute no-go, don’t panic: you still have options!

Watering Succulents Is Simple

Succulents are such great communicators: they will show you when they need water. Because succulents store their water throughout their structure, they will appear plump, firm and yes, “juicy” when they have sufficient water in their system. Thirty succulents will let you know by exhibiting foliage that looks soft or limp, wrinkled, or puckered. In general, succulents can survive for one to three months with no new water at all- but the other side of this coin is that overwatering can cause health issues fast. So err on the side of underwatering, stick your finger into your succulent’s soil every ten days, and water only when the top few inches of soil are dry. If your succulent wants more water, it will tell you.

Zanzibar Gems and Snake Plants are among the most easy-care succulents around!

And Overwatered Succulents Can Be Healed

Of course, you’ll never overwater your succulent (just kidding, we’ve all done it) but if you do, it’s not the end of the world. There’s an easy set of steps to rehabilitate overwatered succulents, and we have found that this method works like a dream.

First things first: get the succulent away from the “wet.” That means removing it from its pot, dumping out any standing water that may have accumulated, and knocking any soaking-wet soil off of the succulent’s root system and overall form.

Secondly, trim off any parts of the succulent that appear seriously waterlogged, mushy, or discolored. It can feel dire to perform minor surgery on your succulent, but the plant actually loves it. Trimming off unhealthy parts of the plant sends it a big signal to push out healthy new growth.

Once you have trimmed the succulent of any areas that have lost viability due to overwatering, let the plant dry out. You don’t need to place the plant back in its pot for now- just place it in a spot that receives lots of bright light, but isn’t in the direct patch of scorching rays. The goal is to dry the succulent out, not sunburn it. After a couple days of generous light, you should see the succulent’s soil dry out entirely.

At this point, you should have a nice, dry succulent on your hands. You can return it to its pot, and after a few days of acclimation, resume a watering routine. This time, with a lighter touch!

How Much Light Do Succulents Need?

Almost all succulents need ample, bright light to thrive. Placing your succulent close to a sunny window is a good bet for keeping the plant happy, especially if it is a Euphorbia Ammak, Calandiva or Ponytail Palm. Sansevierias like the Snake Plant and Zanzibar Gems are more flexible and can tolerate medium light, but in general, you can look to the native habitat of succulents as your guide. The majority of succulents are native to areas on or around the equator, and you know what that means: sun!

How To Select A Thriving, Gorgeous Succulent

We know what an underwatered succulent looks like (wrinkly, puckered, with soft or limp leaves) and we know what an overwatered one looks like, too: overwatered succulents will appear mushy, discolored or brown. So as you shop for a new succulent, look for these signs of good health: plump, firm leaves that appear “juicy”, a strong plant structure that has little stem or branch breakage, and soil that is not soaking wet. Ensuring that your succulent has been watered correctly before you buy it will go a long way toward ensuring that you have a healthy new plant on your hands.

Avoid Purchasing Your Succulent From A Garden Center

We love a great deal, but when it comes to living plants, you’re better off directing your bargain-shopping prowess toward other purchases. With all the consideration that you’ve putting into buying a gorgeous new plant, there’s no need to sell yourself short by buying one whose quality is sub-par, and you can avoid this by avoiding your new succulent from a garden center or home improvement store. The prices at these locations are often low for a reason: specifically, the fact that the plants are not premium quality or purchased from trusted, reputable growers. Premium growers know their plants, and they tailor their care to that plant species’ requirements. All plants don’t need the same light or water (though we admit that would be convenient!) and if you purchase a succulent from a garden center, there is a good chance that it has received just as much water as the plant next to it- which may need wildly more water than succulents do. Additionally, premium growers treat and prevent pests on plants prophylactically, ensuring that the plant you bring home will not bring bugs along with it.

Another aspect to consider when you’re ready to buy your new succulent is transportation. The wonderful things about succulents: those juicy, abundant leaves, their delicate blooms, and more are all prime reasons to make sure that your new plant is transported to your home with special care. Transporting a new plant in your vehicle- especially one with delicate leaves- can result in structural damage to the plant if it is tipped over or jostled. Additional consideration should be given to the fact that succulents are susceptible to becoming stressed by forced air from a car’s A.C. or vents. Transit can be stressful, and can result in health issues that take time to recover from.

Plan on buying your new succulent from a premium supplier that offers doorstep delivery, or ships utilizing packaging that is specifically engineered for the transport of plants. When you buy from a trusted supplier who knows their stuff and takes plant health seriously, you are able to reap the benefit of their expertise, and bypass any negative effects that might result from improper care or transportation.

Even The Healthiest Succulent Can Experience Stress From Time To Time

With appropriate water and light, your new succulent will have no problem thriving and maintaining beautiful health. But any living plants can experience stress, and sometimes, despite our best efforts, issues can arise. (Accidental overwatering, anyone?) At times like these, having the support of a responsive team of knowledgeable horticulturalists makes a world of difference.

Plants that are purchased from Léon & George are more than just healthy from the start: they are primed to thrive throughout their life, and they come with lifetime access to our Plant Doctor service. Our Plant Doctor team is comprised of horticulturalists with decades of experience growing and caring for plants. They’re here to assess your plant’s health and growth, provide tips and treatment plans, and to offer supportive guidance as you green up your space and make your life just a little more succulent! No fees are required- the Plant Doctor service is just one way we work to ensure that every plant we sell is kept healthy and gorgeous for years to come.

Shop Blossoming Sunshine Calandivas from Léon & George

Discover the charm of the Sunshine Calandiva, a blossoming succulent variety that provides beautiful flowers year-round. Perfect for tabletop placement, the Sunshine Calandiva is ideal for for spaces that receive bright, indirect light.

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