Designers reveal America's favorite winter-blooming flowers

A new study has named the most sought-after winter flowers in the USA

Red amaryllis flowers
(Image credit: Getty Images/Bruce Christie)

Amaryllis and Christmas cactus plants are the most sought after in America, that's according to research into the nation's favorite winter flowers.

The study by Pergola Kits USA analyzed online search volumes in the last 12 months for a range of flowers that bloom in the coldest months of the year and very early spring. The data uncovered each of the US states' favorite winter bloomer.

Christmas cactus flower

(Image credit: Elena Grishina / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images)

Amaryllis were in the top five most-searched for winter flowers in all states. Overall, there were 235,833 searches nationwide for these beautiful flowers in the past 12 months.

Sticking with the festive theme, Christmas cactus was the second most-searched for winter bloomer. It was also in the top five of every state. Across the US, there were 227,250 searches for Christmas cactus in the last year, the research states.

Festive plants have the highest online search in the US

amaryllis flowers

(Image credit: sagarmanis / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images)

'It is of no surprise to me to see amaryllis and Christmas cactus appear top of America’s favorite winter plants list - they are both utterly enchanting,’ says Rachel Bull, Head of Gardens at Homes & Gardens

‘Both plants are naturally associated with the holiday season, and while they can look incredible as a part of a festive centerpiece, with a little care and attention they can work to brighten up a dark, cozy corner of your living room over many months,' she adds.

Rachel Bull head of gardens
Rachel Bull

Rachel is a gardening editor, flower grower and floral designer. Her journalism career began on Country Living magazine, sparking a love of container gardening and wild planting. After more than a decade writing for and editing a range of consumer, business and special interest titles, Rachel became editor of floral art magazine The Flower Arranger. She then trained and worked as a floral designer and stylist in London for six years, before joining the Homes & Gardens team. 

Other flowering favorites topping the list

Witch-hazel Hamamelis x intermedia 'Harlow Carr'

(Image credit: LEE BEEL / Alamy Stock Photo)

Other winter bloomers in the top five included pansies with 188,583 searches, poinsettia with 134,491 searches, and witch hazel with 127,783 searches.

'In the coldest months when trees are bare and most plants are in hibernation, it can be easy to take a hiatus from appreciating the floral world,' says Fred Von Burg, CEO of Pergola Kits USA.

'These winter-bloomers keep the world bright and colorful when the winter can make it feel bleak and monochrome, so it’s fascinating to know which of these winter beauties are favored across the country,' he adds.

Fred Von Burg
Fred Von Burg

Fred is the founder and CEO of Pergola Kits USA. He and his team have years of experience assisting people design pergolas and pavilions in their backyards. The company designs ready-to-assemble pergola and pavilion kits.

FAQs

How long does it take to grow amaryllis indoors?

Amaryllis is a popular indoor flowering houseplant for its bright red and white blooms that add a festive touch during the winter months. They're easy to grow indoors and will bloom within eight weeks. The blooms will last for many months if cared for properly. You can even keep amaryllis bulbs once they have finished flowering to be rewarded with more beautiful blooms the following year.

Is Christmas cactus easy to care for?

Christmas cactus, or Schlumbergera bridgesii, is an easy to care for flowering houseplant with beautiful orange, red and pink flowers. They should be kept in bright, indirect light and watered frequently during its growing period. Insufficient light and incorrect watering can lead to a Christmas cactus looking limp or not flowering.

Tenielle Jordison
News Writer (Gardens)

Tenielle is a News Writer in the Gardens team at Homes & Gardens with over five years of journalistic experience. She studied BA Journalism, Media and English Literature and MA Magazine Journalism at Cardiff University. Before coming to Homes & Gardens, Tenielle was in the editorial department at the Royal Horticultural Society and worked on The Garden magazine. Tenielle writes on a range of gardening topics, from 'how to' guides to solutions for houseplant problems and inspiring garden projects, as well as the latest gardening news.

She is passionate about sustainable living and the role gardening has to play in tackling the effects of climate change. Tenielle is also a houseplant lover who is slowly running out of room for her ever-growing collection. When she isn't writing, Tenielle can be found propagating her indoor plants, helping others overcome common houseplant pests and diseases, and volunteering at a local gardening club.