Zamioculcas–commonly called ZZ Plant–is a tropical perennial often grown as a houseplant. It has attractive dark green waxy foliage and is easy to care for. Zamioculcas has tall, arching fronds. The smooth waxy leaves reflect light giving it a bright appearance. It prefers moderate, indirect light when grown indoors. Zamioculcas grows from a rhizome which […] More
Cyanotis–commonly called teddy bear plant or pussy ears–is a low-growing, compact creeping evergreen plant native to tropical forests in Africa and Asia. It is grown as a houseplant in temperate regions. Cyanotis grows to about 5 inches (12cm) tall and 12 to 16 inches (30-40cm) wide. The leaves may be oval or triangular; they are dark […] More
Chrysalidocarpus–commonly called Areca palm–is a graceful, feathery palm with clumps of slender, reedlike canes and arching, shiny, lance-shaped yellowish-green fronds. Chrysalidocarpus is a genus of about 20 species of single- or cluster-stemmed palms. Only one is grown as a houseplant, Chrysalidocarpus lutescens. Chrysalidocarpus prefers full sun but will grow in shade. Indoors grow Chrysalidocarpus in […] More
Chamaerops–commonly called dwarf fan palm or Mediterranean fan palm–is a bushy palm with bluish or grayish-green leaves. It has multiple stiff, spiny stems that emerge from a fiber-covered base. At the top of each stem is a dark green, fan-shaped frond. Each frond is divided into many sword-shaped sections. Chamaerops is one of the hardiest […] More
Chamaedorea–often called parlor palm–is a slender feathery palm with canelike stems. It has graceful, arching green fronds. Indoors Chamaedorea grows to about 3 feet (1m) tall with fronds about 18 inches (45cm) long. The fronds tend to grow upward rather than out. Chamaedorea is best grown in bright filtered or indirect light indoors. Outdoors it […] More
Caryota–commonly called fishtail palm–is a palm grown for its broad, divided, deep green leaves that resemble the tail of a fish. The finely divided leaves have leaflets that are flattened and split at the tips like fish tails. Cayota is a tropical plant native to Southeast Asia. It is often grown as a houseplant in […] More
Carica papaya is a tropical evergreen tree commonly grown for its sweet-flavored, buttery-textured fruit. Carica also can be grown as a houseplant; it bears interesting deeply lobed fanlike leaves. There are two types of papaya: Hawaiian or “yellow papaya” and Mexican or “red papaya”. Yellow, Hawaiian, papaya has yellow skin when ripe. Hawaiian papayas are pear-shaped […] More
Most orchids are easy to grow. All you need to do is give them what they need. In a nutshell, orchids need suitable potting soil or medium, adequate light, a warm environment–about the temperature of your house, water, fertilizer, and fresh air. These needs are just about the same for all houseplants. There are about […] More
Paphiopedilum is a genus of mostly terrestrial orchids that produce distinctive pouch-shaped flowers. Flowers appear in a range of colors and are often stripe or spotted. Paphiopedilum is a genus of about 70 tropical Asian orchids commonly known as lady’s slippers or slipper orchids because of their unique pouch. Many hybrids have been developed. Paphiopedilum […] More
Orchids make beautiful and interesting houseplants. They are not as finicky or as difficult to grow as their reputation might suggest. After all, there are nearly 1,000 genera and more than 100,000 species of orchids to choose from and those that make their way into garden centers or supermarkets are there because they are, in […] More
Nidularium is a genus in the bromeliad family, valued for its rosette-forming leaves and the bright, eye-catching central bracts that resemble a bird’s nest, which is where the name “nidularium” (derived from the Latin word nidulus, meaning “nest”) comes from. These tropical plants are native to the rainforests of Brazil and are appreciated for their […] More
Dyckia is a genus of bromeliads known for its tough, spiky, and often brightly colored foliage. Native to arid regions of Brazil and surrounding areas in South America, Dyckia species are more drought-tolerant than many other bromeliads. They are often used as ornamental plants in xeriscaping or low-water gardens, but they also thrive as indoor […] More
Stephen Albert