When everything outside turns gray and bare, your home doesn’t have to follow suit. A few well-chosen winter-blooming houseplants can deliver a burst of color when you need it most…not to mention a little hope that spring will return! Madeline Buiano, editor at MarthaStewart.com, offers a few ideas on blooming houseplants that will brighten your winter:

• Holiday Cactus: Produces cheerful flowers in pink, red, purple, orange, or white during the coldest months. Blooms last four to six weeks and plants thrive in bright light. A note for pet parents: these are generally non-toxic to dogs and cats, although nibbling could cause mild stomach upset. 
• Anthurium: Famous for its heart-shaped glossy leaves and long-lasting blooms in red, pink, or white. Blooms nearly year-round with enough light and humidity. Toxic to pets; keep out of reach, as ingestion can cause oral irritation and drooling.
• Bromeliads: Exotic, architectural, and vibrant, bromeliads bloom once but produce “pups” that can flower later. Available in nearly every color and safe for cats and dogs, making this great low-risk décor!  
• African Violets: Compact and fuzzy with purple rosette blooms that can flower continuously—even in winter. They love bright, indirect light and moist soil. For your four-legged companions, these are generally considered non-toxic, although the leaves are delicate and don’t love curious paws.  
• Moth Orchids (Phalaenopsis): Beginner-friendly orchids that produce stunning, butterfly-shaped blooms lasting for months. They prefer bright light and a loose orchid mix. What’s more, these are non-toxic to pets and one of the safest showy bloomers you can bring home!  

Winter may dim your daylight hours, but these beauties make sure it doesn’t dim your mood. Add one (or all five) to your space and enjoy your own mini tropical escape until patio-planting weather returns.