The great indoors

Regardless of what you’re growing or what you would like to grow, it all boils down to one thing: it’s about what the consumers want. Whether it’s sprucing up a formal commercial setting or adding a touch to a homeowner’s living area, consumers love indoor potted plants. Here are 12 varieties that can have success in the great indoors.

Streptocarpus ‘Cape Cool’

The new seed raised variety of ‘Cape Cool’ by Floranova has a neater plant habit and produces more flowers than old heritage varieties. Available as pelleted seed with 90 percent germination, it is less prone to disease, has a height of 6 inches, a spread of 8 inches and a flower size of 2 to 2.5 inches. Thriving in a warm, shaded environment, ‘Cape Cool’ comes in four colors and a formula mix, and can be used both indoors and outdoors.

For more: www.floranova.com

SunPatiens

This line of impatiens by Sakata Seed America Inc. comes in a variety of colors and can be used for both indoor and outdoor use. The best part about SunPatiens? They are completely resistant to downy mildew, the disease that has been destroying Impatiens walleriana. You can choose spreading, compact, or vigorous varieties from the series. Spreading Carmine Red is the newest addition to this lineup.

For more: www.sunpatiens.com

Dianthus Oscar

This new series of pot carnation from Selecta has “hyper-uniformity,” i.e., it is very consistent in habit, timing and bloom time. It is more compact than SuperTrouper and has a great branching habit. Available in four colors, you can grow for easy, pot-tight production and it is great for low-energy growing.

For more: www.selectnorthamerica.com

Cordyline fruticosa ‘Flamingo Road’

With strawberry and cream-colored streaks running through the upper leaves, Cordyline fruticosa ‘Flamingo Road’ by Hort Couture is a unique plant for indoor use, but can also be used in an outdoor mixed container. It does best in medium to high lighting conditions and is easy to grow to 42 inches.

For more: www.hortcouture.com

Hydrangea ‘Hokomarevo’ Everlasting Revolution

The Everlasting series by Plants Nouveau offers long-lasting, strong flowers that change colors as they age. Most hydrangeas bloom sporadically, but this series will bloom on old and new wood, offering combinations of deep pink, maroon, blue and green from May through September. It has no known pests or diseases and grows between 24 to 30 inches for both its height and width.

For more: www.plantsnouveau.com

Geranium Nano

This series by Hem Genetics has the same genetic compactness as Limbo and Mambo petunias. It has a natural dwarf habit, making the use of plant growth regulators unnecessary. The geranium grows between 4 and 6 inches in height in a pot, blooms early and is free flowering throughout the season. The series comes in seven colors and a formula mixture.

For more:  www.hemzaden.com

‘Sunblaze’ miniature roses

Consumers love them, and fortunately for growers these are easy to grow. With 12 varieties in the series, ‘Sunblaze’ roses by Greenheart Farms features dense, dark green foliage with large Grandiflora blooms between 2 and 3 inches big. They have a height of 18 inches with a width of 24, and do well in Zones 5-9. Consumers can purchase the roses for indoor use and then plant outside in their garden to enjoy for years.

For more: www.greenheartfarms.com

Gerbera Revolution Select Mix

Supplied as easy-to-sow coated seeds, the Revolution series has medium-sized bright and bold flowers and is ideal for pot production. With short stems and dark green leaves, it’s a vigorous and bushy plant with an upright habit. It’s a good choice for a 6-inch pot or larger container.

For more: www.kieftseed.com

Brachyscome Radiant Magenta

It’s called radiant for a reason. This bright magenta brachyscome has a strong iron uptake, resulting in a healthy plant with dark green foliage. With a mounded, upright habit, this compact variety is great for pot-tight production and requires no PGRs or pinching. It does best in 4- to 6-inch pots and gallons.

For more: www.ballfloraplant.com

Hypericum ‘Kolmuni’ Magical Universe

With plump, mahogany-colored fruits and bright yellow flowers, this hypericum blooms from May through June and fruits from August through September, making it a great addition for autumn displays. It grows between 30 to 36 inches in both height and width, is rust resistant, and needs moist but well-drained soil. It can also work as a cut flower and has a long vase life.

For more: www.plantsnouveau.com

Begonia Fire Balls

This hiemalis begonia has large, semi-double to double blooms in a peachy pink color. Its upright, vigorous habit does well for impulse purchases at retail. It has a height of 14 to 16 inches and a width of 12 to 16 inches.

For more: www.ballseed.com