Hibiscus is a quintessential tropical flower, with big, brightly-colored blossoms. But there is a species that has very different, pendant flowers with elaborately dissected and recurved petals. Like other tropical hibiscus, Hibiscus schizopetalus is a tender plant that cannot survive our winters but can be grown as a houseplant. To learn more about this species, read this article…
Looking for a flowering tropical plant to enliven a really bright corner of your house or sunroom? Allamanda cathartica is an attractive landscape ornamental in tropical locations, but can also be grown as a houseplant or seasonal outdoor plant in colder climates. To learn more about this “golden” plant, read this article…
Tradescantia zebrina is a popular houseplant grown for its variegated foliage. This tender perennial native to southern Mexico and Guatemala can also be used as a seasonal groundcover or trailing accent in containers. To learn more about this tough plant in the spiderwort family, read this article…
Lots of people keep a plant of Aloe vera on hand, but did you know there are many other small species that make great houseplants? These compact succulents from Africa can have very ornamental foliage as well as pretty flowers. To learn more about these tender exotic plants, and how to grow them in a cold climate, read this article…
You can readily find Easter lilies in bloom at this time of year. This hardy bulb is forced out of season to provide floral displays for this holiday. Whether you want these fragrant flowers to brighten your home at this time of year, or would just like to have them bloom in your garden at their normal time, this is a plant well worth getting to know. Read on to learn more about Lilium longiflorum …
Hearts abound in mid-February, so now is a good time to learn about String of Hearts. This tender African succulent plant with heart-shaped leaves is easily grown as a houseplant. Read more…
Crassula ovata is a tender succulent south African native that is very easy to grow and propagate, making it a very common houseplant. You probably know it by its common name of jade plant. To learn more about jade plant read this article…
Flowering houseplants are not as common as indoor foliage plants. If you want a tough plant that produces bright or pastel colored flowers, consider crown of thorns. There are a wide variety of cultivars of this succulent species to choose from. To learn more about this plant and how to care for it, keep reading…
It’s called a ponytail palm, but isn’t really a palm. This succulent plant sort of resembles a palm with its long leaves on a single stem. Its enlarged base gives rise to its other common name of elephant’s foot tree. It makes a low-maintenance houseplant here in the Midwest. To find out more about this easy-to-grow species, keep reading…
It’s getting pretty late in the season for new flowers, but there is one plant that is in bloom now. It’s a tender bulb from South Africa, but does great in container culture. To find out what plant this is and how to grow it, read on…
Did you know that there are mites that eat other mites? Barely visible to the naked eye, these little predators help keep spider mites and other pests in check. Read on to learn more about this fascinating world of tiny predatory mites…
Everything’s coming up green – no, not outside in the yard, but in stores as St. Patrick’s Day approaches. You’ve probably seen the displays in the grocery store, florist or even on discount store’s shelves, but do you know anything about those plants they call shamrocks? Learn more about the plants marketed for this holiday…
