Types of Red Flowers to Grow Indoors or Outdoors

If you want to add red blooms to your indoor floral arrangements, check out the list below for various types of red flowers to grow as indoor plants:

1. 1. Amaryllis: The amaryllis plant, also known as Hippeastrum, is a bulb-grown plant that produces large, funnel-shaped flowers that often bloom in vibrant shades of red. Each amaryllis bulb typically will grow one or two long flower stalks that can bloom up to twelve amaryllis flowers. These warm-weather flowers thrive in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11 and do best in indirect sunlight, making them perfect indoor plants.
2. 2. Begonias: The begonia is a common household plant with colorful red flowers and lush foliage. With over 1,000 species, this genus of flowering plants is relatively easy to grow and care for. Some begonias thrive outdoors as bedding plants (and in warmer climates, year-round) but make hardy indoor plants because they benefit from indirect light and partial shade.
   
3. 3. Calla lilies: The calla lily—also known as the arum lily—is a trumpet-shaped flower native to South Africa. Calla lilies make great indoor houseplants and cut flowers for vases because they are low-maintenance plants that grow well in partial shade. They also prefer warm temperatures and are not frost-tolerant.
4. 4. Dahlias: Dahlias can grow outdoors but are not frost-hardy, making them great plants to grow indoors. Dahlia flowers come in various sizes and colors, such as red, yellow, white, and bi-colors. Smaller bedding dahlias have flowers only a few inches wide, while taller dinner plate dahlias can grow blooms up to fifteen inches in diameter.
5. 5. Geraniums: Geranium is a genus consisting of over 400 species of flowering plants known as geraniums or cranesbills. Geraniums are perennials that often produce red or white flowers (however, some cultivars can produce blue flowers). These plants love warm indoor temperatures and thrive in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 12. They prefer full sun but can tolerate partial shade.
6. 6. Laceleafs: Laceleafs are bright red flowers—also known as the flamingo flower or anthurium—that home-growers typically grow as vibrant houseplants. Anthuriums thrive when ensconced in shade and humidity, making them perfect houseplants. In the wild, they grow routinely as epiphytes (i.e., on other plants and trees rather than in the soil itself).
7. 7. Miniature roses: Miniature rose bushes are small versions of hybrid tea roses. There are hundreds of miniature rose varieties that range in size from one to three feet. Like full-size roses, miniature roses are perennials and vary in color and scent, though you can find them in their signature red color. Their small growth habit makes them perfect for growing indoors.
8. 8. Orchids: Orchids are tall flowering tropical plants with an evolved lip, three petals, and sepals surrounding them. Orchid blossoms come in a wide range of bright colors, including red, white, orange, and pink, and you can grow them indoors to give them the moderate temperatures they prefer.
9. 9. Poinsettias: The poinsettia is a popular plant for the Christmas holiday. You can find these potted plants at florists and garden centers in shades of bright red during the holiday season. Poinsettias feature bracts, or modified colored leaves that also come in yellow, white, and pink varieties. These vibrant plants are perfect for growing indoors because they prefer bright, indirect light and moderate temperatures.

Bring a splash of crimson to your garden and landscaping with any of these red flowers that are perfect for growing outdoors.

1. 1. Azaleas: Azaleas are flowering shrubs in the Rhododendron genus. These perennial blooms are bright in different colors, sprouting red, pink, and purple flowers. Keep in mind that the azalea prefers living under large trees for shade, so plant them outdoors in a place with plenty of shade.
2. 2. Carnations: Crinkly, cheerful carnation blossoms (Dianthus) are among the hardier of ornamental flowering plants. Depending on where you live, there are as many as 300 different types of carnation and carnation hybrids to choose from, in annual, biennial, and perennial varieties with a full spectrum of petal shapes and shades, including red.
3. 3. Chrysanthemums: Chrysanthemums have large flower heads with a proliferation of petals, but there are also varieties of mums that are more daisy-like with smaller petals. Chrysanthemums (like hardy mums) bloom in various colors, including deep crimson red. Plant these fall perennial plants in your garden so that they will come back year after year.
4. 4. Cosmos: Cosmos are daisy-like flowers that come in various vibrant colors, from purple to yellow to dark red. Cosmos flowers are perfect for growing outside because they can thrive in poor soil conditions, attract birds and butterflies to your garden, and easily grow from seed.
5. 5. Coneflowers: Coneflowers are any of three genera of the daisy, aster, and sunflower (Asteraceae) family: Echinacea, Ratibida, and Rudbeckia. These plants are native to North America and considered wildflowers in some areas. The name “coneflower” references the flower’s cone-shaped center or disk. Coneflowers are perfect for outdoor home gardens because they are heat and drought-tolerant and attract helpful pollinators such as butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees.
6. 6. Cranberry hibiscus: Cranberry hibiscus (Hibiscus acetosella) is a hibiscus plant that produces red flowers and red leaves. The cranberry hibiscus flower also goes by several other common names, including Florida cranberry, African rosemallow, red-leaf hibiscus, maroon mallow, and false roselle. Plant these sun-loving plants outside in the early spring so that they can make the most of the warm temperatures of early summer and late summer.
7. 7. Hyacinths: Hyacinths are pungent, beautiful flowers that can be a welcome addition to your spring garden. Many hyacinth varieties are animal-resistant (though toxic to pets) and easy for first-time gardeners to grow outdoors. There are two major categories of hyacinth plants: Hyacinthus orientalis, also known as the common hyacinth, or Dutch hyacinth, and Muscari armeniacum, commonly known as the grape hyacinth.
8. 8. Marigolds: Marigolds are flowering plants of several different genera in the Asteraceae family. Marigolds also bloom in vibrant, red hues. They also make great companion plants for your outdoor garden because they attract beneficial critters such as birds, butterflies, and bees.
9. 9. Peonies: Peonies are large, fluffy flowers with many petals. These highly fragrant flowers bloom red, coral, white, and yellow flowers. Peonies are perennials that grow back in spring year after year—some peony plants can live up to 50 years.
10. 10. Ranunculus: Ranunculus are cool-season flowers that come in various hues ranging from pale yellow and soft pink to bright orange and deep burgundy. Their rose-like petals are thin and delicate. Ranunculus plants make great outdoor companions to other spring flowers such as anemones, bloomingdales, dahlias, daffodils, pansies, picotees, primrose, and snapdragons. When planted in the right conditions, ranunculus flowers yield an impressive harvest.
11. 11. Red bee balm: Bee balm––also known as monarda plant, bergamot, horsemint, or Oswego tea––is a member of the Lamiaceae or mint family. This perennial flowering herb is native to prairie and woodland areas of North America. Bee balm has square stems that appear in red, lavender, white, pink, or purple shades, and its leaves are often blue-green. These flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and true to the name, bees, so they’re perfect as outdoor plantings.
12. 12. Red columbine: The Canadian columbine is mainly found in eastern North America and has red petals and yellow stamens. The columbine flower (Aquilegia) is an herbaceous perennial flower that is part of the buttercup (Ranunculaceae) family. It has a bell-shaped set of inner petals protected by a set of spurred sepals, or outer petals. Gardeners can grow columbine plants in a range of climates. They can grow up to three feet tall and two feet wide, drought-tolerant, and deer-resistant. However, note that this decorative flower is not edible and is toxic to humans and animals.
13. 13. Red roses: Roses are large, dark-leafed bushes that produce beautiful blooms in almost every color—though the red versions are most famous as a symbol of love. Roses once had a reputation for being difficult to grow for beginning home gardeners; the last fifty years have brought plenty of varieties that have made rose gardens fun and rewarding without a lot of extra work.
14. 14. Red poppies: These wildflowers are incredibly hardy, super vibrant, and are great at attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. Poppies typically self-seed and replant themselves yearly. However, red poppies are annual flowers that you will need to replant each year.
15. 15. Scarlet sage: Salvia splendens is an annual salvia with a deep red hue. Scarlet sage’s blossoms can last from late spring up through the first fall frost and tolerate partial shade during its growing season.
16. 16. Tulips: Tulips (of the genus Tulipa) are perennial flowers from the lily family that skyrocketed in popularity during the period of tulip mania in seventeenth-century Holland. These springtime bloomers grow from bulbs and produce large, dazzling cup-shaped flowers in a range of vibrant colors—including red. Grow these popular perennials outdoors for vibrant spring flowers that will return year after year.

Grow your own garden with Ron Finley, the self-described "Gangster Gardener." Get the MasterClass Annual Membership and learn how to cultivate fresh herbs and vegetables, keep your house plants alive, and use compost to make your community—and the world—a better place.