Every year the Herb Society of America features one plant that is used as an herb. In 2009, they focus on Laurus nobilis, a woody plant whose leathery leaves are used as a culinary herb – bay leaf. Although it is not hardy in our area, we can still grow this as a container plant to bring indoors over the winter. If you want to learn more about this interesting herb, read this article…
It’s a tropical plant native to rainforests of Central America that is often grown as a foliage houseplant. With big holes in its leaves, it’s aptly called Swiss cheese plant, but is more commonly known as split-leaf philodendron. Did you know it also has edible fruits? Learn more about Monstera deliciosa in this article…
Picture a plant from tropical west Africa that has clusters of inflated white flowers with a red “bleeding heart” emerging from the center. Maybe you’d like to try growing this twining evergreen shrub indoors if you have plenty of light. You can learn more about exotic Clerodendrum thomsoniae in this article…
Pothos is one of the most popular houseplants in North America. Easily propagated and able to grow in relatively low light, this tropical plant is grown for its juvenile foliage. In the tropics the rambling stems can grow up to 65 feet long, but it can be kept much shorter for use as a container plant. To read more about this evergreen root-climber, read this article…
Looking for an easy houseplant? Look no further than spider plant. This tough foliage plant tolerates inconsistent watering, has few pest problems, grows well in medium to bright light indoors, and is easy to propagate. It available in both green and variegated versions. Learn more about this South African native in this article…
Are you looking for a plant to provide both color and architectural interest? Look no further than the succulent Aeonium, a tender perennial used extensively as an ornamental in mild climates. It adapts readily to container culture, so can be grown as a seasonal plant in cold climates or even a houseplant if you have very bright light. Read more about this interesting plant in this article…
With huge, fragrant flowers hanging from a small tree, angel’s trumpet is a spectacular exotic plant common in the tropics. It can also be grown as a seasonal outdoor plant in the Midwest during the summer, or as a conservatory plant. There are many species and hybrids of Brugmansia although many retailers only offer unnamed plants by flower color. To learn more about this interesting group of tropical trees and how they can be grown in cold climates, read this article…
With glossy leaves and clusters of brilliant orange flowers in late winter, this exotic tender perennial makes a nice houseplant. Native to souther Africa, it is now used as a landscape plant in mild climates around the world. To learn more about kaffir lily or clivia, read this article…
Fanciful leaves splashed in pink, red or white on green, makes polka dot plant a great accent plant. Once considered only a novelty houseplant, this tender tropical perennial has gained more popularity as an outdoor annual in the ground or in containers. The colorful foliage remains in good shape throughout the growing season as long as the weather is warm (above 50). To learn more about this fun plant, read this article…
Are you looking for a small plant to grow on a windowsill that doesn’t require too much light or lots of care? A Haworthia just might be what you need! This genus of many small succulents from southern Africa are great for their architectural interest, and their easy culture make them popular houseplants. To learn more about these interesting plants, read this article…
With a lovely perfume coming from the flowers in the evening, Lady of the Night orchid is aptly named. This relatively small epiphytic orchid from Central and South America adapts readily to being grown as a houseplant. To learn more about Brassavola nodosa and how to grow it as a pot plant, read this article…
The iconic, stereotypical flower of the tropics – bird of paradise – isn’t really a tropical plant at all – Strelitzia reginae is from subtropical southern Africa! But there’s no denying it has a very exotic bloom that looks tropical. Although it won’t survive outdoors in the midwest, it can be grown as an indoor or patio plant. To learn more about this interesting flower, read this article…
