The Colors of Winter

Winter in South Dakota has a way of quieting everything. The landscape turns soft and monochromatic, the days feel shorter, and we find ourselves spending more time indoors. While there’s beauty in the stillness of a Midwest winter, there’s also something powerful about bringing color back into our spaces. At Cliff Avenue Greenhouse, we like to bring color back into our indoor spaces. When vibrant houseplants step in, they remind us that growth and beauty don’t stop just because it’s cold outside.

Three of our favorite winter bloomers, Cyclamen, Begonias, and African violets, do exactly that. They add rich hues, soft textures, and a sense of life to our homes during the snowiest months. And maybe best of all, they help tide us over until planting season returns.

Cyclamen: Elegant Winter Bloomers

Cyclamen are one of the most iconic winter houseplants. With their upswept petals and heart-shaped foliage, they look almost like tiny butterflies hovering above marbled leaves. Cyclamen naturally bloom during the cooler months, making them perfectly suited for South Dakota winters when many other plants are dormant.

What makes cyclamen especially captivating is their color range. You’ll find them in soft blush pinks, deep magentas, classic reds, and crisp whites. Against their deep green leaves, often patterned with silver veining, the flowers seem to glow.

Cyclamen prefer bright, indirect light and cooler indoor temperatures, which makes them ideal for sunny windowsills during the winter months. They appreciate consistent moisture but don’t like sitting in water. With just a little attention, they reward you with weeks (sometimes months) of blooms.

There’s something undeniably uplifting about seeing a pot of bright pink cyclamen against a snowy backdrop outside your window. It’s a reminder that even in the depths of winter, life continues quietly and beautifully.

Begonias: Bold, Textured, and Full of Personality

Begonia are incredibly diverse, offering both colorful blooms and striking foliage. In winter, we especially love flowering begonias for their cheerful blossoms and waxy leaves.

Begonias come in shades of red, coral, pink, orange, and white. Some varieties produce clusters of delicate blooms, while others showcase larger, ruffled flowers that feel almost rose-like. Their glossy green leaves provide contrast and depth, even when the plant isn’t in full bloom.

Begonias thrive in bright, indirect light and prefer their soil to dry slightly between waterings. They appreciate humidity but are generally easygoing, making them a great choice for plant lovers of all experience levels.

In the heart of a South Dakota winter, when everything outside feels muted and brown, begonias bring richness back into the room. They create visual warmth. They draw your eye. They make a corner feel alive again.

African Violets: Compact Charm and Continuous Color

Few houseplants are as timeless as the African violet. These compact bloomers are beloved for their soft, velvety leaves and nearly year-round flowering habit.

African violets are available in an impressive array of colors: deep royal purple, lavender, pink, white, and even bi-color combinations with frilled or ruffled edges. Some varieties have star-shaped blooms, while others are double-flowered and full. Despite their delicate appearance, they’re surprisingly resilient when given the right conditions.

They prefer bright, indirect light and consistent watering, ideally from the bottom to avoid spotting their fuzzy leaves or just be very careful when watering from the top! When happy, African violets bloom repeatedly, offering continuous pops of color on coffee tables, kitchen counters, and desks.

There’s something especially comforting about African violets in winter. Their soft texture and compact size make them feel intimate and homey. A single pot can brighten a bedside table or add charm to a small nook that otherwise feels overlooked during the darker months.

Why Winter Color Matters in South Dakota

South Dakota winters are long. The skies can be gray for days, and the snow-covered ground reflects a kind of quiet stillness. While there’s beauty in that simplicity, our homes benefit from contrast.

Color has a powerful effect on mood. Warm reds and pinks can energize a room. Purples and deep magentas add richness and depth. Even crisp whites feel fresh and hopeful against winter’s heaviness. Bringing flowering plants into your space introduces more than just decoration, it introduces life.

Houseplants also reconnect us to ourselves. When everything outdoors is frozen, tending to something growing indoors feels grounding. Watering, checking for new buds, and watching blooms open becomes a gentle ritual.

For many of us, winter can feel like a waiting period. The garden beds are asleep. Seed catalogs begin to arrive. We start sketching plans and imagining warmer days. In the meantime, flowering houseplants offer a preview of what’s to come.

Creating a “Colors of Winter” Display at Home

One of our favorite ways to embrace winter blooms is by grouping plants together for a layered display. Try pairing a bold red cyclamen with a soft lavender African violet. Add a coral begonia for contrast. Use ceramic pots in warm neutrals, cream, terracotta, or soft gray, to let the blooms take center stage. Or choose similar bloom colors and opt for brightly colored planters with different patterns or textures to really set your space apart.

Even a single plant can make a difference. Place it near your entryway to greet you after a cold day outside. Set one on your kitchen table where it can catch the morning light. Add a few to your workspace for a mid-winter boost.

Because these plants stay relatively compact, they’re perfect for apartments, smaller homes, or anyone who wants color without committing to large houseplants.

A Bridge to Planting Season

At Cliff Avenue Greenhouse, winter isn’t just about surviving the cold, it’s about preparing for what’s next. Tending to cyclamen, begonias, and African violets keeps our hands in the soil and our hearts connected to growth.

As February turns to March, you’ll start to notice something subtle shift. The light lingers a little longer in the evenings. The snow begins to soften. Those bright blooms on your windowsill feel less like a substitute for spring and more like an invitation.

They remind us why we love plants in the first place. They get us excited to start seeds, to plan container gardens, to imagine overflowing hanging baskets and vibrant annual beds. They make us eager for greenhouse aisles filled with flats of starter plants and the scent of fresh potting soil.

Winter color is more than aesthetic, it’s hope and joy bundled together. It’s a promise that brighter days are coming.

Until the ground thaws and the planting season begins, we’ll be here celebrating the many different colors of Winter. Stop by Cliff Avenue Greenhouse to explore cyclamen, begonias, and African violets in full bloom. Bring home a little vibrancy. Let your space feel alive.

Because even in a South Dakota winter, color finds a way.