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
Callisia, commonly called Inch Plant, is a trailing plant with striking leaves, the tops are olive green, striped with creamy yellow, the undersides are purplish. Because of its dangling growth, Callisia is best displayed in a hanging basket or on a pedestal. Callisia has succulent stems that support solid green or variegated, pointed oval leaves […] More
Calatheas are upright, leafy houseplants grown for their ornately patterned leaves. Their spectacular foliage bears colored veins or prominent blotches on backgrounds that range from white to almost black. Calathea leaves commonly have variegated markings that can take the form of bands, streaks, patches, spots, or stripes. Slender leafstalks form clumps from the center of […] More
Streptocarpus–commonly called Cape Primrose–is a showy relative of the African violet. Streptocarpus boasts trumpet-shaped, long-lasting blooms in a wide range of colors. Bright light and cool temperatures are ideal for this show-stopper. Streptocarpus wants evenly moist soil. Unlike African violet, water will not damage the foliage. Fertilize during the active flowering period, and remove spent […] More
Murraya–commonly called Orange jasmine–is a subtropical small shrub. It can be trained as a houseplant or bonsai. Its waxy, white, bell-shaped blossoms smell like orange blossoms. Murraya has graceful, pendulous branches. Where winters are mild Murraya can be planted in hedges or as foundation plants. It can be grown as a small single- or multitrunked […] More
The quintessential holiday houseplant, the poinsettia is actually a tropical plant native to Mexico. The true flowers are tiny, yellow centers that are surrounded by showy, colorful leaf bracts that are typically thought of as the flowers. While poinsettia is grown as a colorful landscape shrub in southern Florida, California, and Mexico, most know it […] More
Cigar plant, Cuphea ignea, is a shrubby perennial that bears showy blooms that look like firecrackers or lit cigars. The plant is commonly grown indoors but can be grown outdoors in mild winter regions or planted as a summer annual. Cuphea ignea’s flowers are tuber to about 3/4 inch long; they are red with a […] More
Bougainvillea is a flamboyant addition to the landscape. It can also be grown as a houseplant. The brilliant colored crepe-paper-like blooms can nearly cover the plant. Bougainvillea has arching, sprawling, thorny stems. The stems can be trained and tied as a climbing vine, forming a thick canopy of foliage and blazing flowers. Bougainvillea can also […] More
Matching a plant to the light in your home or office is very important. Plants need the right light to thrive and grow; the amount of light needed can vary from one plant to the next. Plants use light to make food during the process of photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, the green leaves make complex sugars […] More
A houseplant is any plant that can be grown in an ordinary room. Houseplants can be hardy or tender but well-adapted to withstand average house conditions—dry atmosphere, warm and sometimes uneven temperatures, and often inadequate light. The best spot for a houseplant is a room that gets sunlight, and the best position is nearest the […] More
Stephen Albert