African violets are the classic windowsill bloomer: compact rosettes of velvety leaves topped with flowers in purples, pinks, blues, and white. Given decent light they flower off and on all year indoors, which few houseplants can honestly claim.

Set one in bright, indirect light, an east window is about right, and water when the top inch of soil dries. Water from the bottom and keep drops off the fuzzy leaves to avoid spotting. A light feeding every few weeks in spring and summer keeps the buds coming.