With their nodding bell-shaped blooms in shades of white, pink, burgundy, and green, hellebores add unique late winter interest in the garden. While traditionally grown outdoors, hellebores can also be kept as houseplants and may even bloom indoors with proper care.
Here is what you need to know about growing hellebores indoors as houseplants
An Overview of Hellebore Plants
Hellebores also called Lenten roses or Christmas rose, are perennial flowering plants in the Ranunculaceae family. They are native to Europe and commonly grown as ornamentals for their early season appeal.
There are over 20 hellebore species, with the most popular being:
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Helleborus orientalis – Large saucer-shaped blooms in colors like white, pink, burgundy, and green
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Helleborus niger – White or pinkish flowers with dark centers
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Helleborus foetidus – Bell-shaped green flowers with red edges
Hellebores grow 1-2 feet tall and wide, with leathery evergreen leaves. The flowers appear in late winter to early spring, sometimes even peeking through the snow. They last for several weeks before fading.
Can You Grow Hellebores Indoors?
While they prefer being outdoors, hellebores can adapt to becoming houseplants. Their ability to bloom indoors will depend on providing proper care.
Some tips for growing hellebores indoors:
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Soil – Use a rich, well-draining potting mix. Hellebores dislike soggy soil.
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Light – Place in bright indirect light. Avoid direct hot sunlight.
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Water – Water when the top inch of soil is dry. Don’t let pots sit in water.
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Temperature – Ideal temps are 60-65°F. Cooler is better to initiate blooms.
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Humidity – Mist leaves regularly or use a pebble tray for added moisture.
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Fertilizer – Feed monthly with a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength.
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Repotting – Repot when rootbound, usually every 2-3 years.
Getting Hellebores to Bloom Indoors
The key to getting hellebore plants to bloom while kept as houseplants is providing a cool period of temperatures between 40-45°F for 4-6 weeks. This cold period kickstarts the hormonal process that initiates blooming.
Here are some ways to provide cooling for indoor hellebores:
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Place pots outdoors in a protected area like a garage or patio temporarily.
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Keep hellebores in a cool basement or unheated room for several weeks.
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Use a mini fridge or wine cooler to give hellebore up to 6 weeks of chilling.
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If you have central air conditioning, adjust the thermostat down to 60°F to cool the environment.
Aim to give hellebores their cool period about 2 months before you want them to bloom. Once chilling is complete, move the plants back to their normal indoor growing area.
Caring for Potted Hellebores Indoors
Caring for hellebores as houseplants takes some tweaking from how you would grow them in the garden. But meeting their basic needs will keep them thriving indoors.
- Water whenever the top of the soil becomes dry. Avoid letting pots sit in water.
-Trim off any dead or damaged leaves and spent flowers as needed.
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Move plants to a shady outdoor location in spring through fall. Bring back inside before frost.
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Watch for common pests like aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites.
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Repot every 2-3 years or when rootbound into well-draining soil.
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Rotate the pot weekly to prevent uneven growth towards the light.
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Fertilize monthly during the active growing season with a balanced fertilizer.
The Drawbacks of Growing Hellebores Indoors
While hellebores make unique houseplants, they come with some challenges and drawbacks when grown exclusively indoors:
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Getting them to bloom consistently indoors can be difficult without proper chilling.
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Plants may become leggy and stretched indoors lacking their preferred cool weather.
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Indoor heat and dryness can stress them, causing leaf scorching and dieback.
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Hellebores prefer being planted in the ground so pot culture goes against their nature.
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They decline over time without a winter dormancy period. Plan to replace plants every 3-5 years.
Enjoying Hellebores as Outdoor-Indoor Plants
For best results growing hellebores indoors, consider using them as outdoor-indoor plants. Here are some suggestions:
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Plant hellebores in the garden in spring and let them establish roots outdoors.
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As winter approaches, dig up a few plants and repot into containers.
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Give the potted plants the required cool period for blooming, then bring indoors as they come into flower.
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After blooming, place the hellebores back outdoors for the summer. Repeat the process each winter.
Treating hellebores as outdoor-indoor plants allows them their needed dormancy while still enjoying their blooms inside. With the right care, you can successfully feature hellebores as unique flowering houseplants.
Growing Zones and Size
- Zones of Hardiness: Hellebores can grow in USDA zones 4 through 9, so they can be used in a lot of different climates. They can handle cold weather and are often one of the first plants to bloom when the weather gets warmer.
- Size: Hellebores come in a range of sizes, depending on the type they are and how they were grown. Their height ranges from 12 to 18 inches, and their width is about the same. Their compact size makes them ideal for container gardening.
- Flowering Season: Hellebores are known for their early flowering season. They bloom late winter or early spring, adding color to the garden while most other plants are still dormant.
- Foliage: The foliage of hellebores is another attractive feature. Most of the time, the leaves are dark green and can be shiny or dull. Some types have leaves with serrated or lobed edges that make them look better.
- Perennial Nature: As perennials, hellebores will return year after year. They live a long time and often do well in the same spot for years with little care.
- Low Maintenance: Hellebores require relatively low maintenance. Once they’re established, they don’t need much care other than being watered and fed every so often. They also don’t usually get pests or diseases.
Check out my guide: What To Do With Hellebores in Summer
The Basics of Hellebores
- Characteristics: Hellebores have strong, leathery leaves and flowers that look like bowls. There are many colors of these flowers, such as white, green, pink, purple, and almost black.
- Varieties: Theres a wide variety of hellebores. For example, the Helleborus Onyx Odyssey has flowers that are very dark, almost black. Other types, like the Helleborus Niger, have pure white flowers. The flower color, size, and shape of each variety are a little different, but they are all strong and beautiful.
- Here is my favorite hellebore to grow:
Hellebore Care Guide // Garden Answer
FAQ
Do hellebores make good indoor plants?
Can hellebores survive inside?
How do you care for hellebores in pots indoors?
Is Helleborus indoor or outdoor?
Are hellebores evergreen?
Most Hellebores feature evergreen foliage that remains handsome year-round and provides multiseason interest. Hellebore is a member of the buttercup family of flowering plants, Ranunculaceae, which also includes monkshood, delphinium, and anemone. 20 species inhabit Europe and Asia.
Can hellebore be grown indoors?
Hellebore can be grown indoors and outdoors in pots and containers. As long as they have enough rich soil and sunlight they can thrive. A little bit of shade is ok but try to get as much sunlight as possible and make sure that the container and soil drain well. Perennial flowers, such as hellebores, are very easy to grow.
Do hellebores need to be kept outdoors?
No, hellebores do not need to be kept outdoors. They can be kept in containers, indoors and outdoors. Indoors, they need to get enough sunlight and be in a well-drained container. I’ve been growing perennial flowers and plants for over 30 years.
What temperature should hellebores grow?
Temperature: Hellebores prefer cool temperatures between 50°F to 60°F (10°C to 15°C) when grown indoors. Avoid placing them near heat sources such as radiators or vents, as excessive heat can cause their foliage to wilt and flowers to fade prematurely.