Pandanus is an easy-to-grow tropical foliage plant with sharp, spear-like leaves. It typically grows indoors to about 3 feet (1m) tall. Pandanus’ spiral leaves give it the common name screw plant. As Pandanus matures, it develops a wood trunk with a thatch prickly-edged, dark green leaves. The edges of the leaves are so sharp they […] More
Nematanthus is an easy-to-grow houseplant with foot-long arching or trailing branches. The orange, red, or yellow flowers, about an inch long, look puffy with pinched “goldfish mouths.” Thus the plant is commonly called goldfish plant or candy corn. The species was formerly classified in the genus Hypocyrta. Get to know Nematanthus Where to plant Nematanthus […] More
Kohleria, also called tree gloxinia, is a topical flowering plant with attractive velvety foliage. Tubular or bell-shaped red flowers appear mostly from summer through fall. With the proper conditions, Kohleria can bloom year-round. Kohleria can be trained upright or grown as a trailing plant in a hanging basket. Get to know Kohleria Where to plant […] More
Hoya is a shrubby or climbing tropical plant with leathery green leaves that appear in pairs along a flexible stem. Clusters of fragrant, star-shaped flowers are borne above pairs of leaves. Vines usually reach 3 feet (1m) long. Both the leaves and flowers of Hoya have a waxy appearance. The glazed look of the star-shaped […] More
Hemisgraphis, Purple Waffle Plant, is an interesting trailing plant with shimmering gray leaves that are puckered, with burgundy-colored undersides. Hempgraphis is grown mainly for its colorful leaves. The leaves are heart-shaped with scalloped edges. A spike of small white flowers enclosed by large bracts appears in summer. Hemisgraphis thrives in filtered light at average room […] More
Gynura is a handsome small perennial or trailing sub-shrub with soft, hairy, purple leaf surfaces that give the plant a velvety texture. It is sometimes called the purple passion plant or velvet plant. Gynura grows easily at average room temperature and under artificial light. It catches the eye immediately with its vivid and exotic foliage. […] More
Dizygotheca–commonly called False Aralia–is tall multiple stemmed plants with flourishes of elegant narrow, serrated leaves in deep, glossy, almost black green. Young leaves are coppery-colored. Dizygotheca is often sold as Aralia. Dizygotheca is lacy-looking; its slender, unbranched stems have long stalks with narrow leaflets arranged in a circle at the top of the leafstalks. Dizygotheca […] More
Ctenanthe is grown mostly for its unusual foliage. Young plants commonly produce several short stalks, each then produces a long stem with stems and leaves branching from the stalks. Leaves are various shades of green with yellow markings and reddish undersides. Get to know Ctenanthe Where to plant Ctenanthe How to water and feed Ctenanthe […] More
Crossandra is a shrubby plant with glossy, dark green leaves and tubular orange to salmon-pink flowers. Crossandra starts blooming when the plant is just 2 or 3 inches (5-8cm) tall. Crossandra will grow 12 to 24 inches (30-61cm) tall. Flowers appear on spikes from spring through fall. Crossandra is a rounded, shrubby plant that adapts […] More
Cordylines are dramatic, supersize houseplants with sword-like leaves and woody trunks. In mild-winter regions, cordylines can grow outdoors year-round as ornamental trees or shrubs. Cordylines grow stiffly erect becoming branched in age. Their long drooping leathery leaves are crowded at the top of the stem, giving a palm-like effect. Small cordylines are easily grown indoors. […] More
Coleus are tender annuals or perennials with brilliantly variegated foliage which surpasses that of other garden plants for color. Leaves can be maroon, green, crimson, yellow, and combinations of these colors. Coleus grows easily outdoors from late spring through summer in most regions. It grows best in full sun but will easily grow in partial […] More
Coffea plant, commonly called coffee, is famous for its beans but is also an exceptionally handsome house plant. Indoors this tropical shrub will top out at about 4 feet (1.2m) tall. Coffa’s glossy, oval, dark green leaves are distinctly ribbed; the leaves look as if they have been polished. Funnel-shaped white flowers are followed by […] More
Stephen Albert