Sometimes when a favorite houseplant dies I feel like I have lost a member of the family. For someone so serious about houseplants, and particularly flowering houseplants, this situation is particularly difficult

A flower is the symbol, at least for me, of beauty and vibrancy

There is a good reason why we give each other flowers at almost any important occasion. The nice thing about flowering houseplants is that they also can help to really brighten a house in the dead of winter.

You know how terrible it can be when winter has been around for a while and you want to see something green or colorful.

These great plants can provide the color and beauty that you are looking for.

Few people realize that these plants can bloom almost constantly or at least several times a year, meaning that you can enjoy the blooms for years to come even in the dead of winter

But how do you care for these amazing plants? Does it require some sort of special care or knowledge?

There are a few things that you should know about caring for flowering houseplants. The first is that each plant will have its own unique set of characteristics and needs.

You need to pay close attention to the directions that come with your plant and follow them.

Another key is to observe each plant individually and alter your care methods according to what you see.

Don’t just continue doing something that doesn’t work.

One of the first things you need to figure out is a watering schedule. Realize that there is such a thing as over watering a plant

Over watering often leads to literally drowning the plant or rotting its roots.

Figure out a schedule and then stick with it.

Watch and see how your plants do with the schedule and adjust accordingly.

Proper placement of plants also makes a huge difference in terms of their success in your home. Flowering houseplants will probably require a fair amount of sun and warm, humid air (depending on the species)

If your plants start to wilt and look sickly consider moving them to another location

Often a draft or exposure to cool air can kill or shock an otherwise healthy flowering houseplant

Watch out for radiators or heating ducts near plants. While these keep your home warm they will probably dry out a flowering houseplant.

Re-potting your flowering houseplants can make a big difference because indoor plants often become root bound and cannot continue to grow.

A good sign of this sort of problem is if the plant either doesn’t seem to grow or if when you water it the water just seems to run through the pot

This is a sign that there is little dirt left in the pot and hence little nutrients left for further growth.

Finally, fertilizing your plant regularly will allow it to continue to grow. Be cautious not to over fertilize, as this can damage a plant and lead to death

A little bit of fertilizer here and there can make a huge difference. Just following these basic rules and guidelines will help you to care for your flowering houseplant.

You can have wonderful flowers in your home for years to come with a little care and know how.