Keywords: Perennial, Evergreen, Trailing, Epiphytic, Branching 

Tillandsia represent all air plants, comprising just over 600 diverse species. These slow growing plants have adapted to take up water through specialised highly absorbent hairs on their leaves instead of roots. These special hairs give them their fuzzy and silvery appearance. Tillandsia are members of the Bromeliad family making them close cousins to such plants as pineapples. When young these plants do grow roots, they soon convert them from a means of water intake to anchorage. Typically, these plants grow on trees in humid rainforests but can also be found in high up cloud forests, deserts, coastlines and mountain sides. 

They are not parasitic and just use their host plants as a place to call home. Most air plants produce offsets or pups (clones) after they flower. They can be removed when they have become a third of the size of the mother plant. Unfortunately, the vast majority of air plants do not have scented flowers. Air plants, unlike many other plants, give off oxygen during the night as an adaptation to their natural habitats. The unique and alien-like appearance of these types of plants will give your home a distinctive appeal. 

Qucik facts

Difficulty: Intermedia to difficult

Origins Florida, Mexico and South America

Light condition: Medium indirect sunlight

Watering: Regular misting

Maximum reach: 5 cm - 2 m/2″ - 6.5 ft

Pet and child suitability: Safe for pets and children

Notable species/variety

usneoides, andreana, bartramii, fasciculata, brachycaulos, caput medusae, didisticha, latifolia, xerographica, 'Rubra'

The most well-known species of Tillandsia is usneoides, which is otherwise known as Spanish Moss. Though not from Spain nor a moss, its name came from the Native American name ‘Itla-okla’ which translates as ‘tree beard’ that reminded the French explorers of the Spanish conquistadors. The name eventually was corrupted to Spanish Moss. Spanish Moss, when placed in a humid area, can rapidly grow, creating a stunning trailing display. Another noteworthy species is the xerographica which has large silvery branching leaves. This species is known as the ‘King of the Air Plants’ due to its size. xerographica was actually on the verge of extinction due to botanical poachers until it was protected back in the 1980s. Finally, you can get some vibrant cultivars including ‘Rubra’ which has bright red leaves and has a distinctive purple flower. 

Most other types of air plant have the appearance of a small tuft of grass as in the case of andreana, bartramii, fasciculata, brachycaulos, caput medusae, didisticha and latifolia. These air plants can be grown in a variety of displays including glass baubles, placed upside down in shells to give the appearance of jellyfish and open terrariums. Please be aware that these displays can sometimes make watering or misting difficult. 

How to care for 

Generally speaking, air plants will also benefit from soaking them in a small container of lukewarm filtered or rain water. To do this, submerge the plant for about 20 mins to 40 mins once per week. After submersion, gently shake them to remove excess water. Then place upside down on a dry paper towel for the same amount of time as they were submerged. Air plants need to dry off after watering to prevent their cores from rotting. As well as submersion, you will still need to mist your air plants regularly. 

One headache caused by air plants in literature is the length of time that you need to submerge your plants for watering. Times range from 20 mins to 5 hours. Please note that the salts in tap water are particularly harmful to air plants. Use misting fertiliser to give your air plants a boost. If you notice that the colour of some of your air plants is fading, this is an indication that they are not receiving sufficient light. Use plant growth mist once per month for optimum growth.

Personal comment 

Watering is key to keeping air plants. Admittedly I have killed one or two trying to learn how to manage their watering. They offer an unusual trailing display to your home.

Keywords: Evergreen, Perennial, Boggy, Insectivorous, Movement

The Venus flytrap is the only species within its genus. This plant has evolved a clever way of determining if there’s an insect or debris within its trap. Contained within the trap are specialised hairs that if touched twice within 30 seconds will trigger the trap to close. After it closes, it forms an airtight seal that takes up to a week to dissolve the body of an insect using a mixture of digestive enzymes. Once the traps re-opens, it only leaves dried bits of exoskeleton that can blow away in the wind. The largest of these traps can grow up to 5 cm (2”) long. However, don’t be tempted to trigger these traps. Don’t worry they do not eat humans but they can only open and close several times before they run out of energy and die. As well as eating flies they also like to eat ants, beetles, slugs, spiders and even small frogs.

The Venus flytrap typically lives up to 20 years within boggy nutrient-poor soil. They do produce small discreet white flowers that do not smell. These flowers are typically pollinated by bees and various beetles that know not to go near the traps.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Origins: North and South Carolina (US)

Light condition: Bright direct sunlight

Water: Keep soil damp

Maximum reach: 12 - 15 cm/5 - 6”

Pet and child suitability: Safe for pets and children

How to care for

You may think that your Venus flytrap isn’t getting enough food so you feed it dead flies. However, this may not be as beneficial as you think. As well as triggering the specialised hairs within the traps, they still need living flies to struggle within their traps in order to stimulate the release of digestive fluids. So, if you choose to feed your plant dead insects, you’ll need to keep gently moving the trap for a few seconds to stimulate the release of these fluids. Once your plant has re-opened its trap, it’s a good idea to brush away any remains to clear it for its next victim. Remember to brush in one gentle swoop not to trigger the trap.

In some odd social media videos, some people have tried to feed small sweets or candy, pieces of chicken, fruit or even bits of hamburger to their Venus flytrap. Do not do this! These plants have evolved to digest living insects, and not processed human food.

Personal comment

Keep the soil of your Venus flytrap damp and do not feed the soil. Ensure that they are also in a bright sunny position. Trim back dead leaves or traps, they appear dry and black to encourage new growth.

Keywords: Dewy, Perennial, Boggy, Insectivorous, Movement

There are at least 194 diverse species of sundew which can be found on all continents but Antarctica. Like a living piece of flypaper, sundews exude a thick sticky mucilage from specialised hairs called trichomes to trap their prey. These trichomes are vibrant red that stick insects typically flies, spiders and mosquitoes. Once stuck the leaf detects the movements of the struggling insect and folds in on itself releasing digestive fluids that consumes its victim. Within 15 minutes they can trap and kill their prey, and within a few weeks completely digest it. Once digested the leaf unfolds. The sundew will only release its digestive fluids once its prey is fully covered to prevent bacterial infection.

After bringing your new sundew back home, they will not start to actively eat anything in the first few days as it gets used to its new environment. Like many carnivorous plants, sundews are fluorescent under UV or black light. They do this to attract their prey. The vast majority of insects use this type of light to see, so to an unsuspecting insect these plants are similar to bright LED billboards.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Origins: Topical regions

Light condition: Bright direct sunlight

Watering: Keep soil damp

Maximum reach: 25 cm/10”

Pet and child suitability: Safe for pets and children

How to care for

Sundews are an awesome introduction to growing carnivorous plants. You can readily observe their leaves folding in on themselves when they have trapped their prey. They will grow well in a mixture of sphagnum moss and vermiculite or perlite. They also grow well in damp soil and should be placed within a humid area of your home out of direct sunlight. Feeding your sundew dead flies isn’t ideal but you can more readily trick the plant into accepting it, using some small tweezers. Stick the fly onto a leaf and move it as if it was struggling. Once the leaf starts to fold remove the tweezers. They will also grow well in self-contained terrariums or under a dome.

An indication of good health is that your sundew produces lots of mucilage. Lots of touching can exhaust its supply of this mucilage affecting its ability to feed. Do not give your plant human food, it cannot digest any of it and will encourage your plant to rot.

Personal comment

Keep their soil damp and do not feed the soil as sundews grow well in nutrient-poor soils. Do not overly touch the sticky leaves of your sundew as it can exhaust the plant. If you do touch the sticky mucilage, it is completely harmless - more like a biological glue. Simply wash it off using soap.

Keywords: Evergreen, Boggy, Insectivorous, Pitcher, Jars

There are over 170 species of Nepenthes and 8 species of pitcher plant. I have merged these two plants as they trap their victims in a similar way; to contain them either by pitchers or jars. Growing in tropical regions the vast majority of these plants attract a huge diversity of insects. Some species of Nepenthes even attract mammals, small rodents and bats to use their jars as toilets, where they can break down their waste into a nutrient rich soup. When in the wild pitcher plants produce complex flowers that ironically need flies and some bees to pollinate them. Their flowers have burgundy petals surrounded by a green bullous centre, where some species produce a minty aroma. The Nepenthes also produce flowers though they have separate sexes, these flowers contain a long chain of miniature flowers. 

When in the wild these pitchers or jars are kept close to the ground and fill up, typically to a third full of rainwater. Nepenthes actually has evolved a leaf shape that creates a drain to direct rainwater into its jars. Where they are native to these plants’ pitchers and jars are eaten by people as a source of fibre, having a similar consistency as damp cardboard. Do not try this at home.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Origins: Madagascar, Southeast Asia and Australia

Light condition: Bright indirect sunlight

Watering: Keep soil damp

Maximum reach; 15 - 20cm/6” - 3 ft

Pet and child suitability: Safe for pets and children

How to care for

When pitchers or jars form, you will need to fill them with either rainwater or filter water. Ensure they remain about a third full. They require water in their pitchers or jars at all times as they use the help of bacteria to aid digestion, very similar to our gut’s microflora. Typically, pitcher plants will be grown in a pot filled with sphagnum moss with either vermiculite or perlite. Whereas, Nepenthes will grow in more soil-based substrate hanging up, so that their jars will drape.

They are both often found in water gardens and highly humid greenhouses in botanical gardens. If their environment is too dry, they will stop producing pitchers or jars. Misting can certainly encourage their development. If their pitchers or jars dry out, they will shrivel up and die. Once the plant has finished with them, they close their lids and behind to shrivel up.

Personal comment

Keep their soil damp and keep them out of direct sunlight. North facing windowsills are good. Unlike their cousins you can actively feed their pitchers or jars with dead insects. Remove dead pitchers or jars by cutting off. Some pitchers or jars can appear tatty but please wait until they dry out before removing.

Keywords: Evergreen, Perennial, Trailing, Twisted, Flowers

There are over 150 species of these gorgeous evergreen vines, which are all related to the African violet (Gesneriaceae). They are so named due to their flowers which look similar to a stick of red lipstick, having a purplish base with a bright red bent tip. Their botanical name, Aeschynanthus derives from Greek to mean shame (auschune) and flower (anthos). This is a rather prudish interpretation of their looks. Their species name of radicans, refers to their rooting stems, making them ideal for cuttings. The lipstick plant also produces leathery opposing apple green leaves that trail.

In the wild the lipstick plant grows on trees and cracks in rocks of the humid tropical jungles of Java and the Malaysian Peninsula. They are fully epithetic meaning that they live in harmony with their tree hosts. Their flowers unfortunately produce a slightly unpleasant smell of egg during the summer months, note that this isn’t too pungent. In their native jungles they are typically pollinated by small birds such as hummingbirds, and can reach up to 1.5 metres (5 ft) wide.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Origins: Southeast Asia

Light condition: Bright indirect sunlight

Watering: Water little and often + misting

Maximum reach: 60 - 90 cm/2 - 3 ft

Pet and child suitability: Safe for pets and children

Notable varieties

‘Variegated’; has creamy-white leaf flecks on leaves, ‘Fireworks’; vibrant red and oranges blooms, ‘Lisa’; glossy curly dark green leaves, ‘Twister’; beautiful curly compact foliage, ‘Curly’; long curly leaves on vines.

How to care for

Keep soil moist but well-draining. Misting is of benefit to their foliage. Fertilise once per month during the spring and summer. Under-watering your lipstick plant is a fatal error. If under-watered their leaves will turn crispy and brown, and will quickly fall off. If over-watered their leaves will turn yellow and begin to drop off. The lipstick plant can easily be propagated via stem cuttings in water. Prune vine ends to encourage bushier growth.

Personal comment

These are incredibly vibrant houseplants to have trailing from a bookcase or shelf. They’re relatively straightforward to care for though their water and humanity levels can be tricky to regulate.

Keywords: Evergreen, Perennial, Trailing, Texture, Tolerant

The String-of-needles belongs to a group of over 160 exceptional semi-succulent flowering plants, which are found on all continents on Earth except Antarctica. These plants in particular bear long thin needle-like leaves that form a green mist when seen from a far. In the wild they typically grow trailing from the branches of trees, and rocks. As a houseplant they can also be trained to climb. They produce tiny pale lavender and white long trumpet flowers that have three fluffy dark purple sticks, which merge to form an open dome shape. Unfortunately, their flowers do not have any scent and are pollinated by flies. The String-of-needles grows from tubers where it stores its water.

The String-of-needles can tolerate a range of conditions, and in its native habitat has adapted to regular periods of drought. They are particularly sensitive to over-watering. In ideal conditions the String-of-needles can grow up to two metres (6.6 ft) a year, and often grow beyond this in their native environment. They will typically not reach their maximum height as a houseplant.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Starter

Origins: South Africa

Light condition: Bright indirect sunlight

Watering: Water little and often

Maximum reach: 2 - 4 m/6.5 - 13 ft

Pet and child suitability: Toxic if eaten

Notable species

linearis subsp. Woodii heart-shaped leaves that can be variegated (see page 48), sandersonii; grows small arrow-shaped leaves that produce a parachute-shaped flowers with green, white and brown spots, stapeliiformis; quite difficult to find and care for but produces long slender brown leaves that look like a bird’s nest, and produces a star-shaped flower with long protrusions, ampliata; produces white and green flowers similar to the String-of-needles, haygarthii; has sage green thick stems with tiny oval-shaped leaves and a lemon reamer-like flowers with a burgundy fluffy ball.

How to care for

The String-of-needles require very little care. Ensure that their soil dries out in-between watering. If under-watered their leaves will look mottled. If over-watered your plant will rapidly start to turn yellow. They are easy to take stem cuttings placing three to six leaves directly into soil. This plant is not affected by humidity. Use fertiliser once per month in spring and summer.

Personal comment

The String-of-needles is a great trailing houseplant for your bookcase or shelf. It is easy to care for and can easily be reproduced.

Keywords: Evergreen, Perennial, Trailing, Variegated, Flowers

Chain-of-Hearts was separated from its parent, String-of-needles (page 48) by geography forcing it to evolve into something different. Chain-of-Hearts, as well as growing its iconic heart-shaped leaves, also produces very unusual flowers which have a bulbous base with a long trumpet that has been decorated by three fluffy joint up sticks. In the wild these flowers are only pollinated by midges, releasing a specific fragrance for them. However, as a houseplant they will attract all sorts of small insects. After flowering, they will produce a long fluffy feather-like seed pod that can be planted up. Unfortunately, they do not tend to produce these seeds as frequently when grown as a houseplant.

On the mature parts of the Chain-of-hearts, you will notice hard pollen-like mottled balls that form around the stem. These are known as aerial tubers and can be used to propagate a new plant when placed into fresh soil. These aerial tubers form by accidental damage to the stem, which induces a plant to grow a clone of itself. Despite this the plant has been placed on the threatened species list due to habitat loss.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Starter

Origins: South Africa

Light condition: Bright indirect sunlight

Watering: Water little and often

Maximum reach: 2 - 4 m/6.5 - 13 ft

Pet and child suitability: Toxic if eaten

Notable varieties

‘Variegata’; electric pink variegation around the edges of the leaf, ‘Silver Glory'; leaves mostly greyish-silver tinge with dark green leaves, 'Heartless' also known as Chain-of-Spades; light and dark green leaf variation in the shape of a spade.

How to care for

When the Chain-of-hearts requires water, they’re leaves will shrivel and become floppy. These plants store water in their thick roots and fleshy stems. When over-watered they’ll start to lose their leaves which will turn yellow. Ensure that their soil dries out in-between watering, after all they’re a type of succulent. Use fertiliser once per month in spring and summer. You can easily take stem cuttings via water or soil with these plants to fill out their pot. Pruning long stems can also encourage bushier growth. When placed in ideal conditions they will produce many flowers along their stems. Try to keep stems untangled.

Personal comment

These iconic trailing houseplants are a must for any home. They are delicate looking but require very little maintenance. Regular watering is required and they will adapt to a range of conditions in your home.

Keywords: Evergreen, Perennial, Trailing, Elongated, Tolerant

Curio plants have developed a range of uniquely shaped leaves, taking the forms of beads, pearls, bananas, dolphins and miniature watermelons. This is reflected in their botanical name of Curio, which means curious. These exceptional trailing succulents have evolved in the most arid plains of Cape Province in South Africa. In the wild they creep along the ground and readily develop a thick carpet of shallow roots. When their stems are in contact with soil it induces them to produce many roots, making them prolific growers.

The string-of-bananas produce discreet little white flowers that have red protrusions with yellow tops, which smell of sweet cinnamon. After flowering their deadheads will grow a white Dandelion-like fluffy seeds. In fact, both these species are close cousins within the Daisy family. While their flowers aren’t majorly exciting, they are most prized for their draping foliage. Their uniquely shaped leaves help the Sting-of-Bananas to store water and even prevent water loss, making them drought tolerant. Regular pruning back of their stems will encourage rapid branching out like in their native habitat.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Origins: South Africa

Light condition: Bright indirect sunlight

Watering: Water little and often

Maximum reach: 1 m/3.2 ft

Pet and child suitability: Toxic if eaten

Notable species

x peregrinus; known as String-of-Dolphins, they produce fleshy dolphin-like leaves, citriformis; known as String-of-Tears, grow blue-green pearl-shaped leaves, herreanus; known as the String-of-Watermelon, produces a stripped watermelon-like beads.

How to care for

Ensure that the soil is dried out in-between watering. Soil must also be free-draining and nutrient-poor. If over-watered the lower leaves will turn yellow and rot. Unfortunately, these plants are hard to recover if over-watered. If under-watered their leaves will look very mottled. Only feed once per year. The string-of-bananas can easily be propagated by stem cuttings in water or directly into soil. If the new leaves or tips start to turn brown or shrivelled up your plant has been exposed to too much light, move to a darker place. Use fertiliser once per month in spring and summer.

Personal comment

These plants are fantastic draping down from a metal bowl or macramé hanging planter. They are very straightforward to care for and can easily be propagated by cutting off a few centimetres of stem.

Keywords: Evergreen, Perennial, Trailing, Foliage, Tolerant

There are 20 species of Curio plants each varying in the shape of their beads, with the String-of-Pearl being the most common. Believe it or not these plants belong within the daisy family. In the wild they crawl along the ground, growing around rocks and other plants to form dense mats. This is helped by their shallow roots. Their maximum reach in the wild is slightly more than if they were grown as a houseplant, just over 1 metre (3.3 ft). Their fleshy spherical leaves are where they store water making them a semi-succulent.

String-of-Pearls evolved beads as leaves as it is a highly efficient shape for preventing loss. However, this shape can also minimise their exposure to light, so they require bright but indirect sunlight to grow. This isn’t an issue in their native habitat. One special property of their leaves is that they have what is called ‘epidermal windows’, meaning that their skin is semi-translucent allowing light to penetrate deeper into their leaves to maximise their photosynthesis. When grown in optimum conditions, they will produce small white flowers that have several reddish-purple protrusions. They smell similar to cinnamon.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Starter

Origins: South Africa

Light condition: Bright indirect sunlight

Watering: Water little and often

Maximum reach: 30 - 60 cm/1 - 2 ft

Pet and child suitability: Toxic if eaten

Notable variety

‘variegata’; white and light green beads.

How to care for

These plants are straightforward to care for. Ensure their soil dries out in-between watering. If over-watered they will look shrivelled and their beads will burst. If under-watered their beads will turn yellow and will have a mottled pattern. These plants are very vulnerable to aphid attack. String-of-Pearls is easily propagated by stem cuttings either by placing them in water or directly into soil. Keep in bright indirect sunlight and away from humid areas of your home. Use fertiliser once per month in spring and summer.

Personal comment

The string-of-pearls are an absolute for any plant enthusiast. They are relatively easy to care for, and produce an iconic waterfall of green little beads from their planter. Be careful not to over-water and watch out for aphids.

Keywords: Evergreen, Vine, Trailing, Climbing, Diverse

Devil’s ivy comes in a huge plethora of colours and shapes (see notable varieties). It’s somewhat surprising there are only 15 species of them. They typically grow under the canopies of trees within tropical jungles and use aerial roots to cling onto their bark. They can also creep along the ground in search of new trees to climb. Though they climb on to trees, they are not completely epiphytic (plants that grow on other plants) as they can live independent from them. Their leaves have evolved to run off excess water by having a fold along the middle of a glossy leaf. This acts as a natural channel.

When in the wild Devil Ivy leaves can grow up to 30 cm ,(12 inch) wide but will only ever produce leaves that are up to 20 cm (8 inches) when in our homes. They also tend not to reach full maturity within our homes. Furthermore, when in the wild and reach their full maturity, they will produce discreet flower stalks with cream-coloured spathes (modified coloured leaf) marked with purple blotches within the centre of the flower. Please note that they will not flower within our homes.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Starter

Origins: Southeast Asia

Light condition: Bright indirect sunlight

Watering: Water little and often

Maximum reach: 1.5 - 3 m/5 - 10 ft

Pet and child suitability: Irritant if eaten

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Notable varieties

'Golden'; yellow and green stripes, 'Marble Queen'; light and dark green mottling pattern, 'NJoy'; white and green barcode stripes, 'Neon'; vibrant lime colour, amongst many others.

How to care for

These plants are very forgiving and can tolerate a wide range of conditions. Devil’s ivy have also been demonstrated by a NASA study to filter out a range of home-based pollutants including xylene, benzene, nitrogen oxide and formaldehyde from a range of items including paints, lacquers, adhesives and rust preventers. Generally speaking, wilting indicates a lack of watering and yellowing indicates too much water. Their growth is progressive with each leaf growing larger as they age.

Devil’s ivy can be often confused with Philodendrons. However, the major difference between them is that the Devil’s ivy has thick waxy leaves with thicker black aerial roots compared with Philodendrons. Use fertiliser once per month in spring and summer.

Personal comment

Devil’s ivy is a must have for any plant enthusiast. They produce larger leaves when climbing up a totem pole but can also be encouraged to trail. Keeping the totem pole damp will also enhance growth. These iconic plants are easily reproduced via stem cuttings in water.

Keywords: Evergreen, Perennial, Trailing, Variegated, Tolerant

The creeping fig belongs to a huge family of plants, which come in many forms from trees, shrubs and vines, many of which are covered in this book. There are in fact over 900 species of figs. The creeping fig develops long delicate stems that have tiny oval-shaped leaves. These evergreen plants can grow as a climber or as a trailer, each vine reaching up to 3 metres (10 ft) long. Their species name, pumila (directive from pumilus) refers to their cute miniature growth.

In the wild these plants creep along the trunks and branches of trees in order to climb. They can also grow small hairy purple inedible fruits that are about 5 cm (2”) in length. However, these plants will not typically grow fruit in our homes. Their flowers are completely inconspicuous, being tiny and white. Their foliage is much more interesting. The creeping fig has naturally vigorous growth, covering a typically wall within two to three years when placed in ideal conditions.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Starter

Origins: Australia and Asia 

Light condition: Bright indirect sunlight

Watering; Water little and often

Maximum reach: 1.5 - 3 m/5 - 10 ft

Pet and child suitability: Irritant if eaten

Notable varieties

‘Arina’; compact plant with light green leaves, ‘Bellus’; variegated white edges, ‘Curly’; tiny light green leaves, ‘Sunny’; oval-shaped leaves with thick white variegated edges, ‘Dorty’; waxy-textures with creamy variegation in centre of leaves.

How to care for

Keep soil moist but well-draining. Misting is of benefit but not essential. Apply fertiliser once a month during the spring and summer. If under-watered their leaves will start to curl and develop a blistered texture. If over-watered their leaves will turn yellow and rapidly drop off. This plant can be propagated via stem cutting place directly into soil. Keep cutting in plastic bag to maintain humidity levels.

Personal comment

The creeping fig is a fantastic plant to add some greenery to your book case or shelf. They’re really straightforward to care for though they can look a bit messy after time.

Keywords: Evergreen, Perennial, Trailing, Palmate, Hardy

There are 18 distinct species of English ivy, all of which are self-climbing woody vines. Their leaves tend to have three to five lobes with white coloured veins. The shape of their leaves is reflected by their Latin name, helix. English ivy often produce small clusters of yellowish green domed-shaped flowers but only when they’re planted outside. These flowers will unlimitedly produce blackcurrant-like berries, but be warned that they are very poisonous to people, making them exclusively for birds. They are an important source of protein for them.

In woodlands, Ivy cling onto surfaces via secreting highly sticky mucilage from their aerial roots. Like a plunger, this mucilage helps their aerial roots to establish a grip onto a rock or tree before they start to climb them. In ideal conditions English ivy can grow up to 3 metres (9 ft) per year, topping at 30 metres (98 ft) when fully mature. This prolific growth makes them ideal for covering unsightly walls or patches of ground. However, this growth can also strangle and starve trees when they take over. Ivy has been demonstrated to filter out various airborne pollutants in our homes.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Starter

Origins: UK

Light condition: Bright indirect sunlight

Watering: Water little and often

Maximum reach: 3 m/10 ft per year

Pet and child suitability: Irritant if eaten

Notable varieties

‘Harald’; dark green leaves white edges, ‘Mona Lisa’; light green leaf with yellow edges, ‘Jubilee’; elongated leaf with yellow splodges, ‘sagittifolia’; long and jaggy leaves, ‘Lutzii’; variegated white flecks on a green leaf, ‘Cristata’; very frilly leaves.

How to care for

English ivy is a very easy to care for houseplant which can grow very fast. They’re also easy to propagate by stem cuttings via water or directly into soil. They rarely need potting up and their soil needs to dry out in-between waterings. Misting Ivy can be of benefit but not essential. If over-watered their leaf edges will turn brown and dry out. If under-watered they’re leaves will start to curl and lose their colour, becoming a bit washed out and yellow. Use fertiliser once per month in spring, summer and autumn.

Personal comment

English ivy is a great addition to your home, trailing from shelves or bookcases. They are fast growing, very easy to care for and to propagate, and are very forgiving to some level of neglect.

Keywords: Evergreen, Perennial, Trailing, Glossy, Tolerant

The wax plant grows evergreen glossy leaves that elegantly drape or climb. ‘Gracilis’ specifically has creamy-white flecks on their leaves. Though their foliage is gorgeous they will often produce flowers, which radiate a strong sweet odour during the night. Their flowers are formed of a thick cluster of little star-shaped flowers that can come in white, baby pink or burgundy. The inner part of their flower’s contrasts with the colour of their petals i.e., if white their centres will be either pink or burgundy. Though it must be added that getting a Hoya to bloom is very tricky, and can take a while to get the conditions right.

The wax plant is native to the tropical jungles of Eastern Asia and Australia, where they grow on the branches of trees as an epiphyte. They can even reach up to 6 metres (20 ft) long whilst climbing the tree canopies. Though these plants are sold as trailers they tend to prefer climbing, and will grow larger leaves if left to do so. The wax plant has also been shown to purify the air that we breath, removing xylene, benzene and formaldehyde from our home.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Origins: Eastern Asia and Australia

Light condition: Bright indirect sunlight

Watering: Water little and often + misting

Maximum reach: 3 m/10 ft

Pet and child suitability: Safe for pets and children

Notable species

kerrii; grows heart-shaped leaves, pubicalyx; elongated small oval-shaped leaves with cream coloured flecks, kentiana; long dark green tapering leaves, australis; creamy-yellow leaves with dark green edges and stripes, also has red stems, obovate; round disc-shape leaves with creamy flecks, retusa; small flat needle-like leaves with one large star-shaped flower, wayetii; dark and light green folded leaves, macrophylla; oval-shaped leaves with yellow thick veins, fitchii; light green-yellow leaves with creamy-white veins, multiflora; produces inverted star-shaped flowers, looking like an arrow in motion.  

How to care for

Keep soil moist but well-draining. Misting is of benefit to their growth. Fertilise once per month during the spring and summer. Dust their leaves when you can as they can accumulate a fair amount. Keep out of direct sunlight as they are vulnerable to scorching. If under-watered their leaf tips will shrivel, turning a brownie-yellow. If over-watered their leaves will wilt and turn brown. The wax plant can be propagated by stem cuttings.

Personal comment

This is a fairly typical trailing houseplant that is ideal for shelves. The wax plant will continually flower during the growing season, producing a uniquely sweet aroma during the night-time, if kept in their ideal conditions.

Keywords: Evergreen, Perennial, Draping, Waxy, Growth

The trailing wax plant is a type of Hoya, which is comprised of over 900 species. They were first introduced to Europe by Scottish botanist Robert Grown in 1810 who named it in honour of botanist Thomas Hoy. Their species name also reflects their long trailing growth, linearis (i.e., linear). In the wild these pendent-like succulents grow on tree branches within the tropical jungles of northern India, specifically areas that are within the sight of the Himalayas. The trailing wax plants extracts most of its water from the air, having delicate shallow roots. In optimum conditions they can grow up to half a metre (2 ft) per year if not faster. Their leaves are needle-like and have a soft slightly hairy texture that grows up to 5 cm (2”). They take between three to five years to fully mature. Bear in mind that as a houseplant they can be tricky to source.

When the trailing wax plant receives sufficient resources, they will produce really interesting lemon-scented flowers from their tips. Their unique flowers will often bloom in clusters of between 10 and 13, and slowly burst open in late summer to autumn.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Starter

Origins: Northern India

Light condition: Bright indirect sunlight

Watering: Water little and often

Maximum reach: 3 m/10 ft

Pet and child suitability: Safe for pets and children

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How to care for

Ensure that soil dries out in-between watering. Misting is of benefit to the trailing wax plant though it’s not essential. Grown in well-draining soil. If over-watered their lower leaves will turn yellow and rot. They can be tricky to recover from over-watering. At the worst you may need to take cuttings to recover your plant. If under-watered their leaves will develop a mottled pattern, almost looking stuck in. The trailing wax plant is easy to propagate by removing a stem of at least three to five leaves and placing them either directly into water or in soil. These plants are particularly vulnerable to scaly bugs, mealybugs and aphids to keep a close eye on your plant if you regularly open your windows and doors. Use fertiliser twice a month in spring and summer.

Personal comment

The trailing wax plant is awesome to have to your home, trailing from a bookcase or shelf. When they flower, they become even more interesting, filling your room with a sweet lemon scent. They’re relatively easy to care for, can easily be propagated but can be difficult to find.

Keywords: Evergreen, Iconic, Large, Holey, Climbing

There are 48 species of this iconic houseplant. These tropical vines come in a range of shapes and sizes with the holes and slits, making them particularly striking. These holes and slits also have a function to help the plant withstand heavy rainfall, what with being in a rainforest, and helping them to deal with strong winds. In the wild these gorgeous plants grow over 20 metres tall (65 ft) with each leaf reaching 1 metre (3.3 ft) wide. Additionally, in their native habitat they produce conical shaped fruit that tastes like a heavenly marriage between a strawberry, passion fruit, mango and pineapple.

When immature the leaves of these plants do not have any holes or slits. They actually develop when the leaf matures. Monstera are classed as a hemi-epiphyte as they live most of their lives on trees, and in some cases can actually strangle its host tree, becoming a full-on parasite. In some parts of the globe such as New South Wales in Australia they are actually classed as an invasive weed, which is in complete contrast to their growing popularity as a houseplant, sometimes fetching thousands of pounds or dollars per plant.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Origins: Mexico

Light condition: Bright indirect sunlight

Watering: Keep soil damp/regular misting

Maximum reach: 2 - 3m/6.5 – 10 ft

Pet and child suitability: Toxic to pet if eaten

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Notable species/varieties

adansonii; petite with enclosed holes, pinnatipartite; elongated dark glossy leaves with slits, dubia; small leaves with variegated white and green leave without gaps, obliqua; large openings taking 90% of the leaf area, ‘variegata’; a rare variety with white and green leaves.

How to care for

Grow your Monstera on a moss filled totem pole which can easily be watered and kept damp. If aerial roots are kept damp, they will encourage larger fuller growth. If not, they will dry out and convert to purely keeping the plant upright rather than supporting growth. Do not keep them in soggy conditions, they prefer their pot or totems to lightly dry out in-between watering. Yellowing of leaves is an indication of too much water. Whereas, leaf curling indicates too little water. Sometimes with a Monstera you'll need to help unfurl a stuck leaf. You can do this by gently pulling away any knocks. A warm damp cloth can help with this as well. Use fertiliser once to twice a month in spring and summer.

Personal comment

Monstera deliciosa is a large fast-growing plant so you will need plenty of space. Please note that these plants can accumulate a few imperfections, which are perfectly normal that may not match your Instagram expectations.

Keywords: Evergreen, Perennial, Trailing, Variegated, Fleshy

The string-of-turtles belongs to a wider group of plants consisting of over 1,500 unique species. This plant’s common name eloquently describes its leaf variegation which looks similar to that of a green Turtle shell. The underside of their leaves appears similar to a semi-clear gel. These plants are semi-succulents, storing water in their fleshy leaves that can easily fall off if disturbed. In the wild these plants grow on trees as epiphytes, being subjected to constant periods of flood and drought. Their growth doesn’t change much compared to when they are grown as houseplants. Their flowers are very discreet and grow upright and appear as long brown upright catkin-like spiky flowers, which do not give off any scent. They naturally drop off after they have been pollinated.

As they age, their leaf veins turn from white to a dark blue or silver. It is typically a slow growing plant, even in the wild taking over three years to reach full maturity. The string-of-turtles was considered rare at one point but now has recovered due to its popularity as a. houseplant. It is also unusual for a plant to be both a semi-succulent and tropical plant.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Origins: Brazil

Light condition: Bright indirect sunlight

Watering: Water little and often

Maximum reach: 30 cm/1 ft

Pet and child suitability: Safe for pets and children

How to care for

The string-of-turtles prefers its soil to dry out in-between waterings. If their leaves develop a reddish hue, it is due to too much sunlight. If the leaves droop and develop brown tips this indicates too little water and/or your plant is too cold. If your plant is slowly growing it is a possible warning that your plant may not be receiving sufficient light. The string-of-turtles can readily be propagated by stem cuttings either by water or by directly in soil. If their leaves start to turn yellow, they have been over-watered. They don’t have a preference for humidity. Pruning encourages bushier growth. Use fertiliser once per month in spring and summer.

Personal comment

These delicate little trailing houseplants are a great addition to any home. They are quite small so can be placed on any shelf, and are relatively easy to care for. They are most suited to a small decorative plant pot with legs or metal hanging bowl. While their leaves are delicate if dropped or knocked the majority of them will be fine.

Keywords: Evergreen, Trailing, Climbing, Diverse, Tolerant

There are over 450 diverse species of Philodendron that come in a plethora of colours, shapes and sizes. In their native jungles these plants can grow up to 20 metres (60 ft) tall, with each leaf reaching a size of 1 metre (3.3 ft) long. Many Philodendrons are epiphytic living on trees, with some being completely disconnected to the ground. Other species are fully terrestrial, having tough reinforced stems to hold up their large leaves. Some Philodendrons even start life in the top of tree canopies. Interestingly, it has been recorded that some Philodendrons can exude a sugar-rich sap that attracts ants. Once attracted, these ants set up a colony next to the plant and protect it from its natural predators.

In the wild Philodendrons produce white cupped flowers that appear similar to Calla Lilies, being in the same family. In order to attract their pollinators, male beetles they emit special pheromones that mimic eligible female beetles. When each Philodendron leaf emerges, they leave behind a small wrapper that previously kept the developing bud protected. They will naturally fall off.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Origins: South America

Light condition: Bright indirect sunlight

Watering: Water little and often + regular misting

Maximum reach: 1 m/3.2 ft

Pet and child suitability: Toxic if eaten

Notable species/varieties

plowmanii; striking dark green nerves with light green stripes, verrucosum; bright green nerves with black velvety stripes, squamiferum; star-shaped leaves, ‘Florida Ghost’; variegated white star-shaped leaves, ‘Silver Sword’; silvery velvety leaves.

How to care for

Philodendrons like many other climbing houseplants, can also be grown as a trailer but will produce smaller leaves. Philodendrons are very hardy and can adapt to a range of conditions in your home. Ideally, they should be placed in indirect sunlight and grown on a totem pole, which can be kept damp to encourage the growth of larger leaves. These plants are also very easily propagated by stem cuttings in water.

Philodendrons can be often confused with Devil’s Ivy. However, a key difference between them is that Philodendrons have wider, more textured leaves with smaller thinner aerial roots that emerge from their stem. Use fertiliser once per month in spring and summer.

Personal comment

These plants are striking and are very hardy and potentially fast growing if kept in ideal conditions. These plants come in a large range of colours including black, pink and white. They’re also straightforward to care for with little known issues. 

Keywords: Evergreen, Diverse, Trailing, Climbing, Variegated

There are over 66 species of satin pothos with nine common varieties available for us to collect in our homes. The vast majority of these plants come with a unique variegation that uses some form of splashed on shimmering silver dots – this is reflected by their Latin name ‘pictus’ meaning painted. This shimmering effect is down to the plant developing air pockets between the outer and inner leaf layers, where their chlorophylls residue. This creates a highly reflective spot on their leaves.

In the wild satin pothos leaves don’t differ much in size when compared to when they are grown as houseplants. They tightly cling onto a tree’s bark and even rock, where they spend the rest of their lives. Interestingly, when they climb their leaves will lie flush against the surface. They also typically grow up to about 3 metres (10 ft) just below the tree canopy. Satin pothos produce a Calla Lily-like cream or yellow flowers. They’re in the same family as the Devil’s Ivy often getting confused with them. When satin pothos mature, their leaf shape changes from an oval or heart shape to a more pinnate shape, similar to a small maple leaf.

Quck facts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Origins: Borneo, Thailand and Philippines

Light condition: Bright indirect sunlight

Watering: Water little and often

Maximum reach: 3 m/10 ft

Pet and child suitability: Irritant if eaten

Notable varieties

'Argyraeus'; green with spotted silver variegation, 'Silver Ann' silvery blue leaf with dark green blotches, and the rarer ‘Treubii Moonlight’; glossy silvery green leaves and ‘Treubii Dark Form’; dark green to black elongated glossy leaves.

How to care for

If these plants do not receive sufficient light their variegation, usually a silver colour will start to fade. Move to brighter light. Ensure soil dries out in-between watering, these plants are sensitive to over-watering. If over-watered leaves will turn yellow. If you notice brown spots remove affected leaves, this is a sign of a bacterial infection. Misting can be beneficial but is not essential. These plants like to be kept in pots that are compact. Satin pothos are easily propagated by stem cuttings in water. Despite their common name they are not related to the Pothos or Epipremnum. Use fertiliser once per month in spring and summer.

Personal comment

Satin pothos are straightforward to care for and tolerant of a range of conditions. They come in a large range of variegation that adds a touch of uniqueness to your home. They are usually grown as climbers but can also grow as trailers but won’t produce larger leaves without any type of support.

Keywords: Evergreen, Perennial, Trailing, Textured, Tolerant

Burro’s tail grows thick fleshy segmented sage green leaves that grow long trailing stems (up to 60 cm/2 ft each), making them perfect for hanging planters. Their common name of Burro (also known as a small donkey) tail accurately describes their draping stems, looking like an animal’s tail. This evergreen succulent belongs to a highly diverse group of over 400 plants. Their plump leaves are where they store their water. Burro’s tail can take up to six years before the plant starts to mature and reaches a tipping point where it will produce long trails. This is of course from a cutting or small plant.

When placed in ideal conditions they will produce tiny reddish-pink star-shaped flowers at their stem tips, which emerge in late-summer. Unfortunately, their flowers do not produce any scent. Burro’s tail can be found naturally growing off of rocks and trees of Southern Mexico, typically reaching well over 2 metres (6.6 ft) long. Their flowers produce large sums of nectar making them very popular with bees and other insects.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Origins: Southern Mexico

Light condition: Bright indirect sunlight

Watering: Water monthly

Maximum reach: 60 cm - 1.2 m/2 - 4 ft

Pet and child suitability: Safe for pets and children

How to care for

Keep in moist but well-draining soil. Also keep in a dry, low humid part of your home. Each leaf segment is quite delicate and can easily be knocked off. If knocked off you can use these leaves to propagate a new plant by placing directly onto cacti compost. Burro’s tail can also be propagated via stem cuttings.

Fertilise once a month during the spring and summer. If over-watered the lower leaves will turn yellow then brown and will eventually fall off. They are very sensitive to over-watering. If under-watered their leaves will develop a mottled pattern. Under-watering is better than over-watering with the burro’s tail. Most of these plants will die of over-care.

Personal comment

This is an interesting trailing plant to have in your home. They can be tricky to manage their watering and their leaves are rather fragile. However, they do produce these lovely clusters of red flowers.

Keywords: Evergreen, Perennial, Trailing, Iridescent, Variegated

There are approximately 85 different species of wandering Jew, three of which are synonymous with living in our homes. The most iconic species being zebrina, which produces dark green leaves that have purple barcoded stripes topped with a silvery sheen. Whereas, fluminensis produces green shiny leaves with white strips. The other species of wandering Jew, pallida produce dark purple elongated leaves.

The wandering Jew is highly adaptable and is a fast-growing ground coverage plant which is considered an invasive weed in many subtropical and temperate rainforests around the globe. This of course makes them ideal for our homes. The leaves of these plants are iridescent and even produce small purple flowers that are pollinated by beetles and other non-nectar seeking pollinators. Their iridescence is due to a special arrangement of the chlorophyll that forms a crystal-like arrangement that reflects light in a particular way. The growth of the wandering Jew when as a houseplant doesn’t change much when compared to their native habitat.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Origins: Mexico

Light condition: Bright indirect sunlight

Watering: Water little and often + regular misting

Maximum reach: 1.5 - 2m/5 - 6.5 ft

Pet and child suitability: Slight irritant if eaten

How to care for

These plants grow well out of direct sunlight but are highly adaptable and will certainly benefit from a regular misting. As the wandering Jew matures, they will start to look a bit straggly, typically between the first and second years. Unfortunately, these houseplants do not age gracefully. When they do start to become straggly, you can start off a new pot by taking stem cuttings via water. Within days you’ll have sufficient root growth to make another display. Use fertiliser once per month in spring and summer.

If the wandering Jew does not receive enough light their iridescent variation will start to fade. Move to brighter conditions if this happens. Regularly pinching back long growth will encourage them to be bushier. If under-watered their leaves will begin to curl and become crispy. If over-watered their leaves will start to turn yellow. Generally speaking, it is better to under-water these plants than to over-water them as they are particularly prone to root rot.

Personal comment

The wandering Jew is a magnificent trailing houseplant to have in your home. They’re super easy to grow and easy to reproduce via stem cuttings, just in two days you’ll see roots developing in the water. They also tolerate a range of conditions and are very forgiving if you forget to water them. However, they will look rather scrappy after a year or two.

Keywords: Evergreen, Perennial, Trailing, Rounded, Glossy

These trailing plants have incredibly beautiful smoothly rounded shade green leaves that develop on a thin stem. Once matured, the silver dollar plant produces these elegant trailing coins; each vine emerges from a tuber. They are in fact close relatives to the cucumber, which is reflected within their botanical name of Xerosicyos, meaning dry (xero) cucumber (sicyos). In the wild these plants will creep along the ground until they come across a tree trunk where they will use it to climb to the tree canopy where they will live the rest of their lives. They will also often reach 3.6 metres (12 ft).

Despite their popularity within our homes, there are only three species of them in their native Madagascar, all of which are fast becoming endangered due to deforestation. These climbers do flower but they aren’t much to shout about, they’re foliage is much more interesting. The silver dollar vine grows clusters of small yellowish-green tiny flowers on the tips of their stems that do not have any scent. These plants do have separate sexes so if you want to grow a silver dollar vine by seed you will need two plants.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Origins: Madagascar

Light condition: Bright indirect sunlight

Watering: Water little and often

Maximum reach: 50 cm/20"

Pet and child suitability: Toxic to cats if eaten

How to care for

Pruning encourages bushier growth. Keep soil moist but in well-draining soil. Also let soil dry out a bit in-between watering. Keep in relatively low humid areas of your home. The silver dollar vine is particularly vulnerable to root rot caused by over-watering. If over-watered the leaves closest to the soil will turn yellow and begin to rot. If not caught in time root rot will set in quite fast. If under-watered their older leaves will start to look mottled and shrivel.

To take a cutting, remove a piece of new growth at the tip (about 5-10cm; 2-4”) and place directly into well-draining soil, do not let the soil dry out. The silver dollar vine can be grown as both a climber on some sort of frame and as a trailer in some sort of hanging planter. Only use fertiliser on your silver dollar vine once per year.

Personal comment

This is an amazing houseplant to have trailing off your bookcase or shelf. They produce these elegant vines with sage green coins. They’re relatively straightforward to care for and can easily be propagated by stem cuttings.

Keywords: Evergreen, Perennial, Foliage, Fruit, Sharp

There are nine species of Pineapple with 37 varieties that are in production across the globe. They are the sixth most popular fruits grown today. Surprisingly the pineapple are close relatives to bromeliads and air plants. To distinguish themselves from the masses, upper class Victorians built pineries, hot houses devoted to the production of pineapples. They would show off their collection and serve as a stand-alone dessert. These days, 27 million metric tonnes of the fruit are produced each year, three for every person in the world.

As a houseplant they are unlikely to produce edible fruit due to requiring very specific conditions; consistently hot and humid conditions. They will instead produce miniature cutesy fruits that are a great talking point, the typical cultivar used as a houseplant is ‘Smooth Cayenne’. Their fruit will last a couple of months before dying back, leaving elegantly long emerald green leaves that emerge from a central point. ‘Smooth Cayenne’ Pineapples will only produce fruit after reaching full maturity at between two and three years. After fruiting these plants will start to produce offshoots that can be easily propagated.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Origins: South America

Light condition: Bright direct sunlight

Watering: Water little and often

Maximum reach: 60 cm - 2 m/2 - 6.5 ft

Pet and child suitability: Safe though spiky

How to care for

Pineapples are relatively straightforward to care for. They prefer moist but well-draining soil, making sure their soil dries out in-between watering. Pineapples grow well in direct bright sunlight. Though they grow in humid conditions in their native habitat they do not require much humidity in our homes. After fruiting prune stalk. Pineapples will produce lots of offshoots after fruiting, you can gently pull them off when they get to about a quart of the size of their mother plant, and place directly into soil.

The leaves on top of their fruit can also be propagated by cutting the base, leaving some fruit left to be placed into water or directly into soil. The tops of fresh pineapple fruit (fresh being essential) can also be cut to produce a plant. If over-watered the older leaves will start to turn yellow. If under-watered their tips will become brown and all their leaves will start to yellow. Use fertiliser once per month in spring and summer.

Personal comment

Pineapples are a great talking point. They may not produce edible fruit but they look very cute and can be used as a centrepiece houseplant for a dining table. They will produce lots of offshoots after fruiting but be patient for them to fruit once again.

Keywords: Evergreen, Flower, Vibrant, Glossy, Spathe

The flamingo plant produces these flamboyantly coloured spathes, which are formed of a glossy heart-shaped bract with a long creamy-yellow spadix. These plants come in a range of colours from red, pink, white, peach and yellow. Their flowers are also long-lasting, keeping for three months at a time. They will also continue to flower throughout the year. Though they do not produce any scent. Flamingo plants belong to a huge group of over 1,000 species that are all placed within the Arum family. There are also many more man-made cultivars available to purchase.

In the wild they grow as large evergreen shrubs within the tropical rainforest of South America and the Caribbean. They can even grow up to 2 metres (6 ft) tall. Most common names refer to their unique spadix including their botanical name, Anthurium which derives from Greek meaning tail flower. Assumingly their other common name of little boy plant also refers to this phallic-shaped part of the plant.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Origins: South America and Caribbean

Light condition: Bright indirect sunlight

Watering: Water little and often

Maximum reach: 30 - 60 cm/2-3 ft

Pet and child suitability: Toxic to dogs if eaten

Notable species/varieties

clarinervium; grows spectacular dark green leaves with white veins and bright pink flowers, ellipticum ‘Jungle King’; has elongated oval shaped light green leaves, ‘Pink Champion’; grows beautiful baby pink bracts, ‘Champion Zizou’; produces lilac frizzy bracts, ‘Black Love’; grows velvety black bracts, ‘Million Flowers’; has bright red bracts, ‘White Winner’; produces creamy-white bracts, ‘Prince of Orange’; grows peachy bracts.

How to care for

Keep soil moist but well-draining. Misting is of benefit to foliage; 80% is ideal. Fertilise once per month during the spring and summer. If over-watered their leaves will start to turn yellow and droop. If under-watered their leaves will simply wilt. Flamingo plants will only need repotting about every two years; they prefer acidic soil. Flamingo plants are also vulnerable to scorching, scale bugs, mealybugs, thrips and aphids. If kept in direct sunlight their colourful bracts will start to fade. You can propagate your plant through root division and by stem cuttings.

Personal comment

These are very colourful plants to have in your home. The hardest thing about keeping flamingo plants is to maintain a humidity level, making them ideal for bathrooms.

Keywords: Herbaceous, Perennial, Flowers, Variegation, Delicate

There are over 23 species of these pretty little flowering plants. Cyclamen grow from a special organ known as a corm, which is a bulb-like tuber. They grow heart-shaped leaves that are dark green with some silvery patterns. The underside of their leaves also has a burgundy hue. Their Latin name derives from the Greek word, ‘kylos’ meaning circle which refers to their flat circular corms where they grow from. Not named, as commonly believed after their uniquely shaped flowers that look similar to a sickle.

Each of their flowers is formed of five petals that are twisted and swept back from their cup-shaped base. Some species even give off a sweet primrose smell. They typically grow red, pink, white and purple flowers. After flowering their flower stalks twist into a spiral, bringing the fruit closer to the ground to almost plant them. Their fruit are green small balls that are not edible. After producing fruit, they will go dormant often looking like they have died. In the wild they are typically found living in woody and rocky areas surrounding the Mediterranean Sea.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Origins: Mediterranean

Light condition: Bright indirect sunlight

Watering: Water little and often

Maximum reach: 10 cm/4”

Pet and child suitability: Irritant if eaten

Notable species

hederifolium; ivy-like leaves with tall prostate flower stakes, coum; rounded plain dark green leaves, libanoticum; squat version of a typical cyclamen growing pale pink flowers, persicum; grows variegated pink and white flowers, creticum; squat leaves with large white blotches, repandum; dwarf variety with serrated leaf edges and deep-pink flowers.

How to care for

Keep out of direct sunlight and areas where it is hot as this will encourage early dormancy. They generally look good for two months of the year whilst they flower. Keep in cool indirect sunny areas of your home to extend flowering. Can be planted outside after flowering in a woodland-style garden or kept in a cool dry place in your home for next year. Keep soil moist but in well-draining compost. Yellowing leaves indicates too much water, they will often lose their leaves. If under-watered they will droop and will be hard to recover. To remove dead leaves, wait until they completely turn brown and gently pull them off by their bases. Use low nitrogen fertiliser in autumn and winter once per month.

Personal comment

These are great flowering plants to add to your home for a short-period in the spring. However, they don’t keep for long so you can plant them in your garden or keep them in a cool dry place until the following year.

Keywords: Evergreen, Perennial, Flower, Scent, Tolerant

There are over 200 species of this beautiful rose-like flowering small evergreen tree. The Gardenia was named after the famous Scottish physician and naturist, Alexander Garden. This plant produces a heavily sweet perfume that can easily fill a room. Their flowers are their key feature, developing by themselves or in small clusters at the end of their stalks. Their leaves are dark green and have a leathery texture. After flowering they produce oval-shaped orange berries with green tentacles at the end. These fruits have been used as a natural source of yellow dye for various textiles and even in food products such as in noodles. In the wild these fruits are dispersed by larger grazers such as elephants.

When grown as a houseplant they will only grow into a small shrub to about 1.5 metres (5 ft) maximum. Whereas, in the wild they typically reach up to 2.5 metres (8 ft). They can be found in most tropical regions including parts of Africa, Madagascar, Asia and Australasia. The Gardenia are actually close relatives to the coffee plant.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Origins: Tropical regions

Light condition: Bright indirect sunlight

Watering: Water little and often

Maximum reach: 60 cm - 1.5 m/2 - 5 ft

Pet and child suitability: Safe for pets and children

Notable variegates

‘Aimee’; largest double flowering variety, ‘August Beauty’; small habit with large blooms, ‘Buttons’; dwarf variety that grows an open rose-like flower that has a lemon-yellow centre, ‘Crown Jewel’; has spreading habit and is relatively cold hardy, ‘Fortuniana’; large growing plant that is a prolific flowerer, ‘Frostproof’; tolerant to some frost and grows magnolia-like blooms with long open petals.

How to care for

These plants require a constantly high amount of humidity. If they do not receive this their leaves will turn yellow. Regular misting is definitely of benefit to these plants. If over-watered their leaves will start to yellow and develop brown spots. The overall plant will also wilt. If under-watered, Gardenia will wilt and leaves will develop crisp brown patches. These plants also require moist acidic nutrient-rich soil that is well-draining. Gardenia leaves scorch easily so keep out of direct sunlight. If the temperature drops too much the buds of your plant will not develop and drop off. They are particularly frost sensitive. Use fertiliser once per month in spring and summer.

Personal comment

Gardenia grows wonderfully scented snow-white coloured flowers. Their leaves are dark and leathery which also adds some interest to your home. They can be tricky to care for, mostly due to maintaining their humidity levels.

Keywords: Annual, Bulb, Flower, Vibrant, Scent

There are about 90 species of this bulb with over 600 ornate cultivars. Their botanical name, Hippeastrum comes from the Greek word for horse (Hippe) and star (astrum), this is because their developing bubs emerging from the leaves look similar to a horse’s head. After they open, they have a neat star shape. Hippeastrum flowers are long-lasting, flowering for six to eight weeks. Their flowers develop on one long and thick stalk that supports between two and five flowers. There is often confusion with these plants and the amaryllis. While Hippeastrum are commonly known as amaryllis, the amaryllis are in fact a different species which originate from South Africa. They are also not as often grown indoors, have less variety and have a less sturdy stalk.

When the stalks of Hippeastrum are breached, they leak large amounts of fluids. As well as looking so incredible their flowers produce a strong sweet scent that can easily fill a room. The bulbs of the Hippeastrum are quite hefty, reaching 25 cm (10”) in diameter. Bulbs should always be placed half in the soil and half exposed to the air.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Origins: South America

Light condition: Bright indirect sunlight

Watering: Water little and often

Maximum reach: 40 - 90 cm/15 - 35"

Pet and child suitability: Toxic if eaten, particularly bulb

Notable varieties

‘Aphrodite’; double frilly petals white with and pink stripes, ‘Apple Blossom’; vibrant pink petals with white stripes, ‘Ice Queen’; double snow-white petals, ‘Magnum’; blood red petals, ‘Orange Sovereign’; burnt orange petals, ‘Picotee’; vibrant pink highlighted edges on white petals, ‘Red Lion’; bright ruby red petals, ‘Samba’; long strawberry and cream coloured petals, ‘Summertime’; watermelon pink petals, ‘Yellow Star’; lemon and cream coloured petals, ‘Evergreen’ green petals, ‘Chico’ long spindly pink petals.

How to care for

These plants are easy to care for. Keep soil moist but free-draining. If over-watered leaves will turn yellow and the soil will develop an eggy smell. If under-watered their leaves will droop. After flowering, cut the flower stalk about 2 cm (1”). Do not cut the leaves until they go brown. Place outside or in a shaded area of your home after flowering. When leaves die back completely, cut back and keep outside or in a shaded area. When leaves regrow, bring back indoors and place back in the area displayed. Only use fertiliser when growing, once every two weeks.

Personal comment

These houseplants grow beautiful ornate flowers that typically bloom between December and June. There is also a huge variety to choose from. 

Keywords: Evergreen, Perennial, Epiphytic, Flower, Delicate

Orchids have been the fascination of botanists for thousands of years. There are in excess of 28,000 hugely diverse species of orchid which are found across the globe. Orchidaceae, the family of orchids, is one of the oldest groups of plants believed to have evolved over 112 million years ago, and also contain the greatest number of flowering plants in the whole plant kingdom. The majority of orchids (70%) are epiphytes, growing on trees in tropical and subtropical rainforests. The most popular orchids grown is Vanilla planifolia, which is where we get our natural vanilla from. Sadly, these orchids are endangered.

Orchids have evolved a variety of fiendish methods of luring in pollinating insects, from providing rewards of sugar nectar to deception, tricking male bees into thinking that the flower is actually a female as in the case of Ophrys apifera (bee orchid), and trapping wasps until they stick enough pollen on their backs as in the case of Drakaea (Hammer orchid). After pollinating orchids produce spores rather than seeds that require the help of a special fungi in order to grow a baby orchid and lots of moisture.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Difficult

Origins: Global

Light condition: Bright  indirect sunlight

Watering: Water little and often + regular misting

Maximum reach: 20 cm - 1 m/7.8" - 3 ft

Pet and child suitability: Safe for pets and children

Notable species

Phalaenopsis or moth orchid; comes in range of colours and has the iconic butterfly-shaped flower, Cattleya; comes in a range of colour and has spotted elongated petals which produce a strong sweet aroma, Dendrobium; flowers grow along stem and comes in white, yellow or lavender, Paphiopedilum; large cup-shape lower lip with two long antenna-like petals.

How to care for

Orchids grow in bark, coconut husk chips or sphagnum peat. Misting benefits the growth of these plants. To water, flood the pot with rainwater or filtered water over stink and leave to drain – once per week. Transplant your orchid only after flowering or when new growth develops with no flower stalk. Orchids are very sensitive to over-watering, which purely kills off the roots without much effect on leaves. Under-watered orchids will appear stunted, limp and scrawny. Regular feeding is needed for healthy growth, every two weeks growing the summer months. Remove flower stalk after blooms have died back. Use specialist orchid fertiliser once per month in spring and summer.

Personal comment

Orchids produce incredibly beautiful long-lasting flowers, which mostly do not have a scent. Many people are put off by them due to their care needs. However, the most common types like the month orchid are surprisingly quite tolerant and straightforward to care for. 

Keywords: Evergreen, Perennial, Flower, Scent, Tall

When you hear the word, Geranium you may think of those annual bedding plant displays in parks and gardens. However, there are many species (over 250 species) of Geranium or to use their correct name, storksbill or Pelargonium. what people think are geraniums are actually called cranesbill, which are  blue and purple herbaceous wildflowers. here i have recommended two kinds, limonium which is a perennial evergreen storksbill that produces a strong citrus smell (reflected in its species name), and grandiflorum which produces frilly evergreen leaves that do not produce any scent. Though not fragrant they do produce a plethora of colourful flowers that have various decorations.

limonium produces flowers but they are less showy, only coming in pale pink with dark pink painted decorations. Their petals and leaves are also edible, being used as a garnish. Essential oil can be squeezed from their leaves that is actually used in spas across the world to aid relaxation and even used as a natural insect repellent. Both these species can be found growing in the arid forests of South Africa.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Starter

Origins: South Africa

Light condition: Bright indirect sunlight

Watering: Water little and often

Maximum reach: 40 - 60 cm/15" - 2 ft

Pet and child suitability: Irritant if eaten

Notable species

odoratissimum; foliage smells of apple and it grows white flowers, scabrum; foliage smells of apricots and it produces ruby-red flowers, capitatum; foliage smells of rose and it grows vibrant pink flowers, copthorne; foliage smells of fresh cedar and grows lavender petals with violet painted decorations, x citrosum; foliage smells of citronelle lemon with small lavender and pink flowers, radens; grows conifer-like leaves that emit a strong sweet aroma.

How to care for

These are very tolerant and forgiving plants to care for. If under-watered their leaves will wilt, if over-watered their leaves will turn yellow and then brown, and start to rot. Misting can be of benefit to foliage but not essential. They will rarely need to repotted. Pruning encourages bushier growth. Either using leftover material or by taking a cutting of the stem and placing it into water will enable you to rapidly grow more. Use high strength potassium fertiliser once per month in spring and summer.

Personal comment

These are great starter plants to have in your home. limonium emits a strong citrus smell that can repel insects. Whereas, grandiflorum produces a range of colourful flowers. They are also very easy to reproduce via stem cuttings in water, making them particularly great for kids.

Keywords: Evergreen, Perennial, Flower, Textured, Tolerant

This delightful plant is prized for its clustered blooms that come in a range of hues from its traditional violet to mauve, blue, pink, red and white. Though they look similar to a primrose they are not at all related, one being from Eastern Africa and the other being native to Europe and northwest Africa. In fact, they’re not even violets at all but they’re own thing. This is reflected in their species name of ionantha meaning violet-like. The African violet produces blooms from the centre of their rosette leaves that are hairy and come in either dark green or black.

If kept in ideal conditions they will continually flower for months. Some man-made cultivars even grow dual-coloured flowers. Note that their flowers do not produce any scent. This is how you can tell the Parma violets apart from the Africa violet, where the Parma violet produces a sweet odour (used in sweets or candies) as well as having peduncular flowers. The African violet can live as long as 50 years if kept in good conditions. Unfortunately, within their native habit they are fast becoming extinct due to human activities.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Starter

Origins: East Africa

Light condition: Bright indirect sunlight

Watering: Water little and often

Maximum reach: 20  - 40 cm/7.8 - 15"

Pet and child suitability: Safe for pets and children

Notable varieties

‘Summer Twilight’; violet centred-flowers with creamy-white edges, ‘Gold of Scythians’; extremely frilly white and baby pink petals, ‘Julia’; violet flowers that frilly edges, ‘Silver Romance’; baby pink petals with green and white edges, ‘High School Sweetheart’; tickle-me-pink petals contrasted with vibrant green frilly edges.

How to care for

Keep soil moist but well-draining. Water from below due to them being sensitive to burning when water pools on their leaves. Do not keep in compost but in a potting mix with lots of drainage and Sphagnum moss, as they naturally growing on rocks. Keep out of direct sunlight. Give some fertiliser once a month during the spring and summer. If over-watered they’re leaves will droop and turn brown. African violets are particularly suspectable to moulds. If under-watered their leaves will wilt and turn yellow with brown crispy edges and tips.

Personal comment

These are really cute plants to have in your home. They were traditionally known as an old granny plant. However, they’re having a bit of a resurgence in popularity amongst all types of growers.

Keywords: Evergreen, Perennial, Flower, Spathe, Tolerant

The peace lily was first introduced to Europe by botanist Gustav Wallis (reflected within its species name, wallisii) in 1824, where it fast became popular as a houseplant. Growing on the dark humid rainforest floor, these evergreen perennial plants produce long-lasting flowers, lasting up to two months. Peace Lilies can easily live as long as five to ten years. They have unusual flowers formed of a bract, white modified leaf that resembles a petal, which wraps around what is known as a spadix. This spadix is formed of many thousands of miniature flowers that flies and bees pollinate. Their flowers emit a slight sweet fragrance.  

Their botanical name, Spathiphyllum is a mash up of Spathe, referring to their flower and phyllum referring to their leaves so essentially their name means: flower-leaves. Although mentioned within their common name, peace lily they are not actually a lily but a type of Arum. Like other Arums they spread via rhizomes and can be root divided to propagate more plants. It has been shown that the leaves of the peace lily can filter out various chemicals and mould spores in the air that we breathe within our homes.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Starter

Origins: Colombia and Venezuela

Light condition: Medium indirect sunlight

Watering: Water little and often + regular misting

Maximum reach: 30 cm - 1.2 m/1 - 4 ft

Pet and child suitability: Irritant if eaten

Notable varieties

‘Piccolino’; dwarf and compact peace lily, ‘Sensation’; huge peace lily with long striped leaves, ‘Little Angel’; dark green glossy leaves that regularly flowers, ‘White Stripe’; oval-shaped leaves with a white stripe down the centre, ‘Domino’; variegated white stripes on light green leaves, ‘Jetty’; glossy leaves with deep veins, ‘Mauna Loa Supreme’; large Calathea-like leaves with greenish white spathes, ‘Picasso’; oval leaves that are half dark green and half creamy-white.

How to care for

The peace lily is an easy houseplant to care for, requiring a slightly shaded area to grow. If under-watered they will wilt and their leave will turn yellow. If over-watered they will also wilt and yellow but their leaves will rapidly turn brown and go mushy. They will benefit from a regular misting. Deadheading old blooms will encourage more flowering. Wipe their leaves with a damp cloth as they tend to collect a lot of dust. Keep soil moist but well-draining. Use fertiliser once per month in spring and summer.

Personal comment

These are a classic houseplant that any new plant enthusiast should grow. They are straightforward to care for and have ornate foliage. However, they don’t flower often.

Keywords: Evergreen, Perennial, Flower, Foliage, Tolerant

There are only six species of these stunning bird-like flowers that are actually close cousins to the banana. Their genus, Strelitzia derives from Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz who ruled, together with her husband King George III Great Britain and Ireland, between 1744 and 1818 because she was an avid botanist. the flowers of the bird of paradise are long-lasting and are pollinated by birds, typically of the humming kind as well as the sunbird. to pollinate, a bird sits on the flower (spathe) with the weight of the animal opening up the bract to allow the bird to get the sweet nectar, all whilst depositing pollen on their feet.

the most common colour of the bird of paradise is orange with a tinge of iridescent blue in the shape of a mohican hairstyle. they take approximately five to eight years to develop flowers. if placed in a hot dry area of your home they will flower. their leaves emerge all at once and are evergreen becoming larger as they mature, forming a large paddle-shape leaf. in the wild the bird of paradise can reach up to 10 metres (33 ft), spreading out via their rhizomes up to a length of 1.5 metres (5 ft).

Quick facts

Difficulty: Difficult

Origins: New Guinea

Light condition: Bright direct sunlight

Watering: Water little and often + regular misting

Maximum reach: 2 m/6.5 ft

Pet and child suitability: Toxic if eaten

Notable species/varieties

nicolai; grows short snow-white flowers, ‘Mandela’s Gold’; beautiful bright lemon-coloured flowers.

How to care for

Keep plant in as bright and warm conditions as possible. If over-watered their older leaves will start to yellow. If under-watered the leaves of the bird of paradise will start to curl, wilt and develop brown and brittle leaves. Only prune if the whole stem has died, you cannot partially prune stems of this plant. Keep soil moist but free-draining during the growing season. Use fertiliser once per month in spring and summer.

Wipe foliage with damp cloth as leaves get easily dirty. Maintaining humidity levels is also key, regular misting can enhance foliage. These plants can be propagated through root division. If leaves start to shred it has been exposed to a draught move to a more protected area. This plant is particularly susceptible to scale bugs and mealybugs.

Personal comment

These are centrepiece plants, producing exotic bird-like flowers. Though they don’t flower often in our homes their leaves are very architectural. They can be difficult to care for but one thing to remember is to give them as much light and heat as possible. 

Keywords: Evergreen, Perennial, Epiphytic, Flower, Tolerant

The pink quill is astutely named due to its quill-shaped baby pink bract, which also grows a display of velvety purple little flowers from its edge. These purple flowers sequentially open until they reach the tip of the bract where they stop, a bit like a slow firework. Their bract also has this Art Deco oval pattern on it. The foliage of the pink quill grows is long thin dark green and slightly folded, as that have evolved to drain water away from the centre of the plant. They are a typical of bromeliad, being close relatives to the pineapple and air plants. They are native to the tropical jungles of South America, mainly in Ecuador growing on tree branches as an epiphyte. 

As they’re a bromeliad their flowers will last for several months. After flowering they will start to grow offshoots, also known as pups where the mother plant will die. Furthermore, their large bracts will also turn green where chlorophyll starts to replace the coloured pigment before it dies. Though sad you can remove these pups to grow more pink quills. Note that they will take a full year until they re-flower. The pink quill is a great houseplant to instantly add a touch of colour to your coffee table or mantlepiece.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Starter

Origins: South America

Light condition: Bright indirect sunlight

Watering: Water little and often

Maximum reach: 30 cm/1 ft

Pet and child suitability: Safe for pets and children

How to care for

Keep medium moist but well-draining. Misting is of benefit but not essential. They don’t need as much water as other houseplants, perhaps once a month during the growing season. Only give a dilute fertiliser once per year. If you need to repot, use orchid compost. After flowering the plants will produce pups that can be removed and planted up. Keep out of busy areas as their leaves are vulnerable breaking.  

They also don’t like draughty areas and can easily get scorched; they will develop brown crisps tips if affected by both. Remove bract when it starts to develop a green hue. If under-watered their leaves will go brown and shrivel up. If over-watered their leaves will turn yellow and brown.

Personal comment

These are quite compacted plants that produce a specular flower that can last up to four months. They’re relatively easy to care for and readily available to purchase.

Keywords: Annual, Flower, Rhizome, Glossy, Tolerant

There are six species of calla lily which are actually not lilies but a type of Arum. The most striking feature of this plant are their flute-shaped flowers that are brightly coloured, available in a plethora of different colours, not just white. Wrapped within this flute is a creamy-yellow spadix which is made of many thousands of tiny flowers. Interestingly these colourful blooms are a form of modified leaf. After flowering they produce many green berries that are popular with the birds in their native habitat. Unfortunately, these elegant flowers do not produce any scent. The leaves of the calla lily are quite architectural, being dark glossy green arrow shapes.

Most of these plants are not frost tolerant and will die back in the darker colder months, leaving you with a pot of soil during the winter. In the wild Calla Lilies grow in semi-aquatica boggy areas of South Africa. They can rapidly spread through rhizomes and prefer growing in close quarters with one another. They can also grow up to 2 metres (6 ft) tall. In South Africa these plants are classed a weed and quickly invade a particular area.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Starter

Origins: South Africa

Light condition: Bright indirect sunlight

Watering: Water little and often

Maximum reach: 30 - 60 cm/1 - 2 ft

Pet and child suitability: Toxic if eaten

Notable varieties

‘Acapulco Gold’; bright sunny-yellow blooms, ‘Night Cap’; deep purple blooms with grey-ish coloured spadix, ‘California Ice Dancer’; crisp snow-white blooms, ‘Red Alert’; blood red blooms with white blotches on light green leaves, ‘Pink Melody’; blushing pink edges with white centre, ‘Fire Dancer’; burnt orange with yellow centred bloom, ‘Captain Melrose’; salmon-pink bloom.

How to care for

Keep Calla Lilies in moist but free-draining soil. If over-watered their leaves will yellow and begin to wilt. If under-watered they will wilt without any yellowing. If under- or over- watered their flowers will droop in a dramatic manner, they may not recover. Regularly move the plant as they are susceptible to bending. Misting can be of benefit but not essential. Sometimes their blooms can be rather top-heavy and naturally develop a slight bend. If there is a lack of essential nutrients in the soil their leaves will turn yellow from their base. Use fertiliser once per month in spring and summer.

Personal comment

Calla Lilies produce stunning flowers that come in a range of colours though they don’t produce any smell. They can also grow outside as a part of summer displays. They are low maintenance but do die back during the winter months.  

Keywords: Evergreen, Perennial, Foliage, Variegated, Long-Leaf

There are up to 21 different species of this beautifully variegated evergreen perennial. The Chinese evergreen are iconic jungle plants that can be found creeping along the jungle floors of Southeast Asia. They have many forms of variegated patterns from blotches to flecks, to speckles and spots. Some man-made cultivars come in blood red and light pink. The key thing about the Chinese evergreen is that they are very hardy and are drought resistant and can even withstand a fair bit of neglect, making them great for new plant enthusiasts. It has even been shown by NASA’s Clean Air Study that the Chinese evergreen is able to filter the air of various toxins and pollutants in the air we breathe.

As these plants belong to the arum family (Araceae), they grow a spathe which usually comes in yellow or greenish-white. The Chinese evergreen is also quite slow growing and naturally grow deep within the jungle so can live in low light levels of your home. When kept in ideal conditions these plants can live up to 10 years if not older. In the wild their leaves can reach up to 60 cm (2 ft) in length.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Starter

Origins: Asia

Light condition: Medium indirect sunlight

Watering: Water little and often

Maximum reach: 30 - 90 cm/1 - 3 ft

Pet and child suitability: Toxic if eaten

Notable varieties

‘Silver Bay’; white centred leaves with light and dark green flecks edges, ‘Emerald Bay’; emerald green leaf edges with silvery-blue centres, ‘Cutlass’; long leaves with creamy-green centres with dark green veins, ‘Burmese Evergreen’; bluey-green variegated centres with dark green veins, ‘First Diamond’; creamy-yellow centre with dark green flecks, ‘Pictum Tricolor’; blotchy light to dark green leaves, ‘Anyanmansee’; blood-red to light pink centres with dark green flecks.

How to care for

The Chinese evergreen prefers to live in a humid environment. Misting is of benefit to their growth. If under-watered their leaves will droop with their mature leaves turning yellow. If over-watered their leaves will just turn yellow. Do not allow to stand in water. Apply fertiliser once in spring and then in summer. Prune off dead leaves to encourage branching. Crisp leaf edges indicates that your plant has been place in too draughty of area. These plants can be propagated by stem cuttings in water and by root division. If kept in too dark of condition their variegation will fade and leaves will elongate.

Personal comment

These plants are awesome for your home. They’re low maintenance, prefer low light levels, tolerant and add a touch of greenery to your home.

Keywords: Evergreen, Perennial, Variegated, Nerves, Foliage

There are over 97 stunning species of Alocasia. This highly diverse group of elegant plants originate from the tropical rainforests of one of the most highly biodiverse places on Earth. In the wild they can live up to 20 years and become more than 3 metres (9 ft) tall, with each leaf reaching up to 1 metre (3.3 ft) wide – reflected by one of its common names, the Elephant Ear. These plants will produce Calla Lily-like flowers (or spathes) that tend to have a bulbous base and come in shades of white, green or orange. Unfortunately, within our homes they don’t tend to flower.

The leaves of Alocasia tend to be glossy with prominent veins to help water to run-off. Some species have even evolved a hydrophobic leaf; similar effect to waterproof clothing to help channel the water away. Alocasia tends to self-reproduce via small offshoots from their roots. Some species of Alocasia become dormant during the winter months in the northern hemisphere. One variety of Alocasia, dubbed ‘x amazonica’ is actually man-made, being bred in a nursery in the US during the 1930s.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Difficult

Origins: Philippines

Light condition: Bright indirect sunlight

Watering: Keep soil damp

Maximum reach: 1.2 m/4 ft

Pet and child suitability: Irritant if eaten

Notable species/varieties

x amazonica; dark glossy leaves with bright green nerves topped with a frilly edge, zebrina; black and white zebra patterned stem with large green glossy leaves, portodora; large plant with beautifully frilly glossy green leaves, macrorrhiza 'Stingray'; similar to zebrina but with stingray-shaped leaves, macrorrhiza 'Variegata’; elegant white and green painted leaves, ‘Black Velvet’; small plant with obsidian black velvety leaves.

How to care for

The key thing to do with Alocasia is to maintain their humidity levels. Keep the soil damp and out of direct sunlight. If a stem wilts the leaf is dying. Remove dead brown leaves by gently tugging at the base of the affected stem. The roots of Alocasia are sensitive to over-watering so don’t leave standing water in the pot. If leaves develop brown spots or leaf edges your plant requires more humidity. Use fertiliser once per month in spring and summer.

Personal comment

These plants are absolutely gorgeous and make for a fantastic centrepiece. However, be warned that they can be difficult to care for, requiring constantly high humidity. Alocasia tends to lose leaves when first brought back to our homes due to not receiving their ideal growth conditions. They tend to have artificially more leaves than they can support to look prettier in the shops.

Keywords: Evergreen, Perennial, Foliage, Forgiving, Hardy

Known as one of the toughest houseplants on the street, there are over 100 species of them. The cast iron plant is so named as it could withstand the dust filled, fume ridden homes of the Victorians. As well as being tolerant to a range of conditions, they grow well in compact pots, are drought resistant, pet and child friendly and are resistant against most common diseases and pests that affect houseplants. These plants grow long elegant glossy light green leaves that emerge from a single stem. In the wild they grow on the rainforest floors of Japan and Taiwan and produce unusual discreet bowl-shaped cream and lavender-coloured flowers at their base. Their flowers are pollinated by a range of flies and do not produce any scent. Within our homes they do not grow any flowers. They can rapidly spread, covering the ground through their rhizomes.

The cast iron plant can on average live for over 50 years, with some in the wild living much, much longer. Typically, in our homes they will grow up to 60 cm (2 ft). Whereas, in the wild they will grow up to 1.2 m (4 ft). Within our homes this plant is able to filter out various pollutants and helps to purify our air supply.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Starter

Origins: Japan and Taiwan

Light condition: Medium indirect sunlight

Watering: Water little and often

Maximum reach: 1.2 m/4 ft

Pet and child suitability: Safe for pets and children

Notable varieties

‘Variegata’; light green leaves with white speckles, ‘Asahi’; light green leaves with white tips, ‘Hoshi-zora’; green leaves with white and yellow speckles, ‘Lennon’s Song’; light green and yellow striped leaves.

How to care for

The biggest problem with keeping these hard-to-kill houseplants is over-watering. When over-watered they develop yellow leaves with brown tips and droop. If under-watered their leaves will just wilt. They can easily be propagated by root division. Keep soil moist but well-draining. Misting can be of benefit but is not essential. Their foliage can accumulate some dust, so do give them a wipe with a damp cloth. If the cast iron plant receives too much sunlight their leaves will develop brown scorch marks and shrivel up. If so, move to a darker place in your home. Draughts and cold temperatures can also cause browning of the leaves. Use fertiliser once per month in spring and summer.

Personal comment

These hard-to-kill plants are a must for the busy person. They can tolerate a range of conditions and are resistant against the vast majority of diseases and insects common to houseplants. The biggest issue with growing this plant is too much care. 

Keywords: Evergreen, Perennial, Bulbous, Foliage, Striking

This iconic plant has long narrow curly (or twisted) leaves, which emerge from a trunk that has a thick coconut-like bulbous base. This is where the plant stores its water. The ponytail palm’s evergreen leaves almost look like a water fountain. in fact, their species name, recurvata reflects their leaf shape i.e., curved. though called a palm they are not actually a palm but a type of succulent, being close relatives to the agave. there are nine known species of the ponytail all of which are native to the semi-desert regions of Mexico. they can live up to 100 years if cared for properly or in the wild, with some living as old as 350 years. they can also grow up to 9 metres (30 ft).

the ponytail palm will produce a huge pampas grass-like fluffy flowers made of many thousands of miniature white florets from their tops. Though you must be patient if growing from a young plant as they can take up to 30 years to produce any flowers. When grown as a houseplant they will not tend to flower due to them being so young and not grown in their ideal conditions. Their flowers do not produce any scent.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Origins: Southeast Mexico

Light condition: Bright direct sunlight

Watering: Water little and often

Maximum reach: 1.5 m/4 ft

Pet and child suitability: Safe for pets and children

Notable species/varieties

gracilis; light green upright leafed plant, compacta; miniature version of the typical Ponytail, guatemalensis; Ponytail with red variegated leaves, variegata; variegated white thick leafed Ponytail, ‘Gold Star’; variegated yellow thick leafed version.

How to care for

Keep the ponytail palm in free-draining soil ensuring that the soil dries out in-between watering. Keep in as bright conditions as possible. Also keep in low humid areas of your home. If over-watered the leaves of your plant will turn yellow. If you start to notice this, withhold watering and drain as much as possible. If under-watered their leaves will wilt and the base will turn soft. Ponytail palms are very difficult to recover after over-watering. The plant will rarely need fertiliser, only two to three times a year. If any more the leaves will develop brown spots. They are also slow growing and will rarely need repotting. Use fertiliser once per month in spring and summer.

Personal comment

The ponytail palm is a stinking plant to have in your home. Its long delicate leaves seemingly flow out of its stem like a water fountain. They are also relatively easy to care for, though they take up to 30 years to reach maturity.

Keywords: Evergreen, Perennial, Tuber, Variegated, Foliage

There are over 1,900 diverse species of Begonia that come in a massive range of colour, shape and size. They were named after Michel Bégon who was an amateur botanist. Many may know begonia as an annual bedding plant used in parks. However, there are many tropical kinds, all being close cousins to the Cucumber and Pumpkin. Here I’ve focused on maculata or the polka dot begonia that has shiny silvery spots along its leaves, and rex that has a range of iridescent metallic pink and silvery textured leaves. Both of these stunning species are native to the tropical rainforests of the Amazon. They are an evergreen low growing perennial plant that only live for about two to three years even as a houseplant.

Begonia rex naturally spread through thick rhizomes. Whereas, Begonia maculata have thin fibrous roots that do not spread but the plant grows much taller. As well as having showy leaves both these begonia produce flowers; rex tends to grow small pink flowers. Whereas, maculata grow a long stalk that has many white clustered flowers. They do not have any scent. The seeds of begonia are one of the smallest in the world, 2 million per 30 g (1 oz).

Quick facts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Origins: Brazil

Light condition: Bright indirect sunlight

Watering: Water little and often + regular misting

Maximum reach: 30 – 60cm/1 – 2 ft

Pet and child suitability: Irritant if eaten

Notable varieties

‘Escargot’; have stunning swirling pattern that comes in green, pink and silver, ‘Montgomery’; jagged maple-shaped leaf that has silvery variegation, ‘Chlorosticta’; lime green with brown variegated spots, ‘Brevirimosa’; stunning pink or red leaves with green stripes, ‘Inca Night’; raspberry-pink or strawberry-red leaves with deep purple edges.

How to care for

These plants benefit from regular misting. Keep soil moist but well-draining. Begonias will wilt if under-watered. If over-watered their leaves will wilt and drop off. They are particularly sensitive to over-watering usually being fatal to them. Use fertiliser once per month in spring and summer. Begonia are prone to scorching if placed in bright direct sunlight. Pruning encourages bushier growth. Begonias are easily propagated via stem and leaf cutting. For maculata simply take a small stem cutting and place into water. For rex simply place the leaf on top of damp soil and pin down. Place leaf cutting in a plastic bag to retain moisture.

Personal comment

These are stunning plants to have in your home. As well as looking great they are really easy to propagate making them ideal for starters and kids. Maintaining moisture is key to keeping these gorgeous plants. 

Keywords: Evergreen, Movement, Foliage, Large, Striking

Prayer plants are actually formed of two different species; Calathea which is formed of 60 species, and Maranta which has 16 species. These plants have beautifully decorated leaves that come in a huge diverse range of colour, shapes and patterns such as stripes, spots and blotches. Their common name comes from the way prayer plants close their leaves during the evening; almost looking like they’re praying. it is theorised that this closing helps these plants to channel excess water off their leaves during the night, where they are most likely to rot from stagnant water. As well as being active in the morning and evening, their leaves also track the sunlight and can shift their leaves to maximise their exposure to light. They have adapted to do this as they live on the jungle floor.

Their leaves are variegated simply due to a genetic fault resulting in different colours and patterns. Despite their extravagant leaves, the flowers of Maranta are generally rather small and discreet – looking like shy violets. Whereas, the flowers of Calathea are rather usual, ranging in colour and emerging from the centre of the plant, looking like a frilly cup.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Origins: Central and South America

Light condition: Bright indirect sunlight

Watering: Water little and often + regular misting

Maximum reach: 90 cm/3 ft

Pet and child suitability: Safe for pets and children

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Notable species

Calathea orbifolia; large oval leaves with dark green stripes on a light green leaf, Calathea makoyana; dark green strips and blotches on light green leaf, Calathea ornata; dark purple and green leaf with pink stripes, Maranta leuconeura; electric pink nerves on a light and dark green barcoded leaf, Maranta var. erythroneura has vibrant lime green nerves. 

How to care for

Prayer plants are relatively easy to care for. They like growing in humid environments but can also survive with regular misting in not so humid areas. If they don’t receive sufficient water their leaves will start to wilt and curl. If over-watered they will start to yellow and develop black patches on the base of their stems. To preserve their striking leaves, keep to using rainwater or distilled water otherwise they will develop white limescale-like spots, and keep out of direct sunlight or they’ll start to fade. Remove dried and curled up leaves from the base of the plant by gently pulling. Use fertiliser every two months in spring and summer.

Personal comment

These flamboyantly decorated houseplants add a striking element to your home. They really benefit from regular misting. Some species can be heard folding their leaves up for the night. However, their flowers will only last for one day.

Keywords: Evergreen, Perennial, Tall, Striking, Tolerant

There are over 100 species of this architecturally elegant palm. These are one of the most popular houseplants in the world. They were first made popular by the Victorians as they could grow in their dark and dusty homes. Parlour palms produce long and slender dark green fronds that add a touch of sophistication to your home. Within our homes, the Parlour palm has been demonstrated to filter out various pollutants and purify stagnant air. They are also slow growing and naturally thrive in cramped conditions, being sold in small clumps of palms. In their native environment they grow as small trees, reaching up to 5 metres (16 ft) tall within the depths of the tropical rainforests of Mexico and Guatemala.

Parlour palms also produce a long spray of pretty little yellow balls as flowers even within our homes, but be warned that they can cause a mess on your floor due to all the pollen. They are actually pollinated by a combination of the wind and beetles. After flowering they produce long lines of red berries that are inedible.

Quick Facts

Difficulty: Starter

Origins: Mexico and Guatemala

Light condition: Bright indirect sunlight

Watering: Water little and often

Maximum reach: 2 m/6.5 ft

Pet and child suitability: Safe for pets and children

LISTEN TO PODCAST EPISODE

Notable species

seifrizii; known as the bamboo palm, has much larger fronds than the parlour palm, radicalis; has few leaves that are bamboo-like, cataractarum; small palm growing up to 60 cm (2 ft), amabilis; small palm with broad crinkled leaves, costaricana; tall fast growing cross between a bamboo and a palm.

How to care for

Parlour palms are a low maintenance houseplant. Keep their soil moist but well-draining. Misting can be of benefit to their growth but not essential. If you don’t want pollen on your floor, cut off flowering stalks. They can be vulnerable to spider mites so watch out for them. These palms rarely need repotting. If over-watered their fronds will turn yellow, droop and eventually fall off. They can be recovered by drying soil. If under-watered their fronds will wilt and become brown; they can more readily recover from under-watering. Use fertiliser once per month in spring and summer. As a houseplant they can range in size from 30 cm (1 ft) to 2 metres (6.5 ft). Parlour palms can easily be propagated by root division. Their fronds get dirty so give them a regular wipe with a damp cloth.

Personal comment

These are fantastic centrepiece plants to have in your home. They are low maintenance and even clean the air in your home. They’re one of the most popular houseplants around the globe and have been in our homes since the Victorian Era. 

Keywords: Evergreen, Perennial, Cascade, Plantlets, Variegated

There are over 200 species of spider plant which naturally grow on the ground spreading through their rhizomes and offshoots. There are many kinds of spider plants ranging in colour, size and variegation. In ideal conditions these plants can live up to 50 years. Their growth doesn’t differ much when compared to their wild counterparts. They generally produce discreet little white flowers before they start to produce their plantlets. Plantlets will start to appear after a thick orangey stem develops from the centre of the plant.

Their roots are thick and fleshy, enabling the plant to store water during periods of drought. Spider plants have been demonstrated to remove benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and xylene from your home’s air. In fact, only 15 of them would fully clear an averaged sized home of these home-based pollutants.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Starter

Origins: South Africa

Light condition: Bright indirect sunlight

Waterin: Water little and often + regular misting

Maximum reach: 40 cm/15”

Pet and child suitability: Safe for pets and children

LISTEN TO PODCAST EPISODE

Notable species/varieties

viridescens; larger thicker leaves than comosum, bichetii; almost grass like appearance, ‘Bonnie’; very curly leaves, ‘Reverse Variegatum’; dark green leaves with white edge.

How to care for

a spider plant will grow well in an area with consistent humidity, they will also benefit from a regular misting. If you notice that your spider plant has developed brown and dry tips, your plant is receiving too much light, move to a darker area. They can also become pot bound rather fast due to their quick growth. When they produce clones of themselves, they need to be removed when the little ones start to produce roots. These clones can be grown in water or directly in soil. You can keep them attached to the mother plant but this will stress it out due to the demands on the plant’s water and nutrient supply.

In some social media videos, I have seen people advising you to cut off brown tips, do not do this! They will eventually drop off on contact due to them drying out. You may cause more harm than good. During the summer months spider plants can be quite demanding for water. Do not water using tap water. Use fertiliser once per month in spring and summer.

Personal comment

These classic houseplants bring an elegant touch to your home. They’re straightforward to care for and tolerate to a range of conditions. When happy they produce a cascade of plantlets or more cutely known as babies, which enhances their appeal as a houseplant. 

Keywords: Evergreen, Perennial, Bulbous, Large, Striking

To answer an age-old question, is a coconut a fruit or a nut? Well, botanically speaking it is a fibrous one-seeded drupe, i.e., fruit. Surprisingly, there is only one species of this fruit, though many growers have bred many different cultivars. This elegant palm grows long pleated fronds typically reaching up to two metres (6.6 ft), making it an excellent centrepiece plant. In the wild these plants travelled the globe by their thick hollow nuts floating around the tropics until they became beached on desert islands. An average journey of a coconut is 5,000 kilometres (3,000 miles) before it can germinate. Coconuts in the wild can grow three times as large as when grown as a houseplant. They produce long fluffy grass-like flowers, which are bright amber.

At home your coconut palm will not produce flowers or a coconut. It takes up to ten years for a Coconuts to start producing fruit. Once mature they can produce about 100 coconuts per year. The husks of the Coconut are used for a range of items including coir totem poles for climbing plants, growth medium, fibre boards, natural rope and mats.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Origins: Tropical regions

Light condition: Bright direct sunlight

Watering: Water little and often

Maximum reach: 6 m/20 ft

Pet and child suitability: Safe for pets and children

How to care for

The most important thing about a coconut palm is that they should be kept in as bright and warm conditions as possible. Any draught will kill them. If the temperature gets too low the fronds of your palm will start to fold in on themselves and will start to turn black. If over-watered, the fronds of your plant will turn yellow. If under-watered they will result in paling with brown tips. Try to keep their soil moist but must also be well-draining. Coconut palms prefer to live in high humidity so frequent misting is beneficial. Use fertiliser once per month in spring and summer.

Personal comment

These palms are super elegant and add a touch of sophistication to your home. The most important thing about coconut palms is that you keep them in as hot and bright conditions as possible. Having high humidity levels also helps their growth. You will not get any coconuts or flowers from your palm, just their foliage.

Keywords: Evergreen, Perennial, Variegated, Forgiving, Tolerant

The croton produces year-round autumnal coloured glossy leaves, ranging from ruby red, raspberry-pink, vibrant orange, lemon-yellow and lime-green – all on the same plant. These plants are evergreen and can add an element of pizzazz to your home. They are native to the tropical rainforests of India and Southeast Asia, where they grow on the forest floor and open fields as large shrubs. They have separate sexes, having male and female plants. There are more than 100 varieties of these flamboyant plants that belong in the Euphorbia family, meaning their sap is rich in latex that could cause some irritation to people with allergies.

Though they produce stunning foliage their flowers are rather disappointing, growing long stalks with lots of little white flowers, known as inflorescence. Until fairly recently their botanical name was the Croton but was changed to Codiaeum. In the wild the croton can reach up to six metres (20 ft) tall.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Origins: India and Malaysia

Light condition: Bright indirect sunlight

Watering: Water little and often

Maximum reach: 3 m/10 ft

Pet and child suitability: Irritant if eaten

Notable varieties

‘Zanzibar’; small elongated leaves that are ether green and yellow or black and red, ‘Yellow Iceton’; lemon-yellow foliage on dark green foliage, ‘Mrs Iceton’; produces red, orange and yellow foliage on dark green foliage, ‘Petra’; has yellow and orange nerves on dark green leaf, ‘Oakleaf’; grows oakleaf-shaped leaves with vibrant yellow variation, ‘Mother and Daughter’; oval-shaped leaves with yellow and red variation, ‘Gold Dust’; yellow spots on dark green leaves, ‘Eleanor Roosevelt’; long leaves with lemon-yellow and light green leaves.

How to care for

Keep the soil of croton moist but well-draining. Misting is of benefit to foliage. Fertiliser once per month during the spring and summer. If foliage starts to fade, place in a darker position. If over-watered their foliage will completely turn yellow and drop off. If under-watered their foliage will wilt. The croton can be propagated by stem cuttings using root hormone powder. These plants are susceptible to spider mites.

Personal comment

Crotons add a striking amount of colour to your home with their vibrant foliage. They’re relatively easy to care for, just keep in indirect sunlight and within a humid area of your home.

Keywords: Evergreen, Perennial, Variegated, Vibrant, Tolerant

There are only seven species of these tropical evergreen plants all of which are native to the jungles of Asia, Australia and various Pacific tropical islands. Their stunning foliage doesn’t just look sharp but the edges of some species can cause paper-like cuts. Lots of people can mix Cordylines as being a type of Dracaena, due to their similar foliage but they are completely different plants. The most vibrantly coloured pink, red and black varieties aren’t found in the wild but are man-made cultivars.

In the wild they grow thick notched trunks that look very similar to a palm though it’s not at all related to a palm. They can also grow up to 5 metres (16 ft) tall. When happy they will grow large fluffy white flowers from their tops, even when grown as a houseplant. The flowers of Cordyline produce a sweet aroma which are very popular with the bees.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Origins: Asia, Australia and Pacific region

Light condition: Bright indirect sunlight

Watering: Water little and often

Maximum reach: 2 m/6.5 ft

Pet and child suitability: Irritant if eaten

Notable variegates

‘Florida Red’; vibrant pink with dark brown oval-shaped leaves, ‘Candy Cane’; apple green leaves with creamy-white and pink barcoding, ‘Black Magic’; velvety black oval-shaped leaves, ‘Morning Sunshine’; purplish-red stems with green and golden stripy leaves, ‘Red Sister’; vibrant pink long foliage, ‘Red Star’; reddish-brown grass-like plant, ‘Bolero Tricolor’; thick oval-shaped leaves with tickle-me-pink and green barcoding, ‘Miss Andrea’; dark green, brown and yellow marbling variegated stripped leaves.

How to care for

Keep in moist but well-draining soil. Fertilise once per month during the spring and summer. Remove dead foliage by gently tugging leaf at the base. If kept in too draughty of place their leaf tips will turn brown. If under-watered their whole leaf will turn crispy brown. If over-watered their leaves will again turn brown but become mushy. Generally speaking, it is much hardy to recover a ti plant from being over-watered.

Personal comment

These are very jazzy and colourful plant to have in your home. Some require quite a bit of space and can be grown outside in the northern hemisphere though you must either bring them in or give protection during the winter.

Keywords: Evergreen, Perennial, Variegated, Nerves, Large

There are over 15 flamboyantly decorated species of the never-never plant, which are sometimes lumped into the broad category of Prayer Plant. Though never-never plant is placed within the Prayer Plant family it is its own thing. They are typically much more robust compared to Prayer Plants. These beautifully ornate plants naturally grow on the floors of the Amazon rainforest as large bushy shrubs. In their native environment they can grow up to 1 metre (3.3 ft) tall and wide. Their leaves will close during the night-time to prevent water from rotting the centre of the plant. The leaves of some species even can be seen and heard snapping shut. Never-Never plant grows outwards from the base, enabling it to spread.

There is a huge diversity of leaf variegation and nerve colours on these plants, and they all have oval shaped leaves. The never-never plant produces relatively discrete short-lived bromeliad-like flower stalks that do not have any scent. They typically come in four colours: red, pink, yellow and white. Unfortunately, these plants are unlikely to flower when grown as a houseplant.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Origins: Brazil

Light condition: Bright indirect sunlight

Watering: Water little and often + regular misting

Maximum reach: 45 cm/18”

Pet and child suitability: Safe for pets and children

Notable species/varieties

amailis; light green with silvery strips, compressa; glossy light green leaves, burle-marxii; pale green with dark green teardrop-shaped variation, lubbersiana; glossy dark green leaves with yellow stripes and blotches, marantifolia ‘Golden Mosaic’; glossy yellow and dark green barcoded leaf variegation, oppenheimiana ‘Amagris’; elegant silvery leaf with dark green veins and a maroon leaf bottom.

How to care for

The never-never plant when in ideal conditions will grow as a large houseplant, needing to be repotted about every two years. During the late-spring and summer they will require a fair bit of watering. Regular misting is of benefit to their foliage. Resit removing dying leaves until they fully curl up and turn yellowish-brown. To remove, gently tugging the stem close to the base to remove. These plants can be divided at their base to produce smaller plants if potting up is not an option. Brown tips indicate too little water or humidity. Use fertiliser every two months in spring and summer.

Personal comment

These are fantastic centrepiece houseplants. They are hardy and come in a huge range of colours. They will close their leaves during the night, sometimes making a rustling sound. This has made me jump on occasion.

Keywords: Evergreen, Perennial, Variegated, Stem, Tolerant

There are 24 species of dumbcane, so called as when chewed on (not advised, they’re poisonous) they can leave a person speechless due to its microscopic needle-like crystals within their leaves and stems, numbing the vocal cords. In the wild they grow on the rainforest floor, and are becoming an invasive pest in some parts of the world such as Samoa and Fiji. Dumbcanes will typically reach their maximum height of 3 metres (10 ft) in the wild. However, they will rarely reach this height as a houseplant. They also rarely flower as houseplants but in their native habitat they will produce long white Calla Lily-like flowers, or more technically spathes that do not have any scent. Their flowers are pollinated by various small beetles, with males on top and females on the lower half of the stalk.

When growing in rainforests some water can pool in between their leaves and stems to form ideal places for poison frogs to lay their eggs. The dumbcane can readily spread via its roots and even being able to take hold from disregarded garden waste in tropical areas. A NASA study has demonstrated that these plants can filter various pollutants from your home’s air.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Starter

Origins: South America

Light condition: Bright indirect sunlight

Watering: Water little and often + regular misting

Maximum reach: 90 cm - 3 m/3 -10 ft

Pet and child suitability: Toxic if eaten

Notable varieties

‘Camille’; light centre leaves with dark green edges, ‘Camouflage’; pale green elongated leaves with spotted dark edges, ‘Tropical Tiki’; dark green leaves with cream blotches, ‘Seguine’; dark green leaves with pale green fern-like strips, ‘Delilah’; long pale green leaves with dark edges all from a central thick stem, ‘Mary’; pale green leaves with dark green flecks, ‘Tropic Marianne’; mainly albino leaves with green edges.

How to care for

The dumbcane prefers well-draining but damp soil. They do not grow well in full sunlight but can cope with low light levels. These plants are very forgiving and do not need much in the way of care. If under-watered their whole structure will begin to droop and develop yellow leaf tips. If over-watered bottom leaves will start to turn yellow and drop off before the rest of the plant starts to wilt. Use fertiliser once per month in spring and summer.

Personal comment

These are a great starter plant; easy to care for and have beautifully decorated leaves. They form thick stems with notches in and can grow in a range of conditions. They rarely need potting up and benefit from regular misting.

Keywords: Evergreen, Perennial, Stem, Variegated, Tolerant

The corn plant produces long flowing leaves that can be either plain green or variegated. They also develop these thick trunks, similar to that of the Yucca though their leaves are much smoother and glossier. There are over 120 species of these elegant plants with many more man-made cultivars available to buy. Interestingly, there are close relatives to the asparagus. Their most commonly used name, corn plant, refers to their foliage which looks similar to that of the corn plant or maize. Though that’s where their similarity ends.

These evergreen plants have been popular within our homes since the 1800s, and are prized for their tolerance to adverse conditions. They are naturally found growing in the plains of Africa, from Sudan to Mozambique where they develop into large shrubs. The corn plant can reach a total height of just over 15 metres (49 ft) high. This makes them ideal for hedging where they can grow outdoors. Though they flower, they aren’t particularly interesting, just forming a long chain of tiny white flowers, otherwise known as inflorescence. In the wild they will also grow small orange berries that aren’t edible.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Starter

Origins: Africa

Light condition: Bright indirect sunlight

Watering: Water little and often

Maximum reach: 3 m/10 ft

Pet and child suitability: Toxic if eaten

Notable varieties

'Variegata'; light green leaves with creamy-white edge, ‘Massangeana’; light green leaves with lemon-yellow stripes, ‘Lemon Lime’; stripes of limy-yellow, dark green and cream on leaves, ‘Warnecki’; stripes of light green and creamy-white leaves, ‘Compacta’; compact foliage that has lemon-yellow strips in centre, ‘Ulises’; dark green leaves topped with white stripes, ‘White Jewel’; dark green leaves with large stripes of white and cream.

How to care for

Keep soil moist but well-draining. If under-watered their leaves will droop. If over-watered their leaves will turn yellow and then brown, their leaf tips will also turn brown. Fertilise these plants once a month during spring and summer. Keep out of direct sunlight as the corn plant is vulnerable to scorching.

Personal comment

These are iconic houseplants that have been around for hundreds of years. They’re very tolerant of neglect and easily fill up a dull corner in your home.

Keywords: Evergreen, Perennial, Draping, Glossy, Zig-Zag

The fishbone cactus truly grows leaves that look similar to a fish’s bone, or at least a cartoon version. This is also reflected within this species name of anguliger, meaning fish-like. There are only up to 20 species of Epiphyllum though there are over 13,000 man-made cultivars ranging in colour, shape and form. The leaves of the fishbone cactus are long, flat zig zag and very glossy, growing upwards before lying flat when they finish growing. As well as having incredible foliage they grow showy short-lived flowers (only lasting about 24 hours) that are cupped-shaped with long petals emerging from behind. Their flowers are vibrant, coming in white, pink, red and yellow. In the centre the fishbone cactus also has a starfish-like protrusion. Their flowers, only open at night and are highly scented, being similar to that of a lily. However, they will only flower when fully mature.

In tropical rainforests of Mexico, this succulent shrub grows along the trunks and branches of trees, reaching an eventual height of 1 metre (3.3 ft) in diameter. Their beautiful flowers are pollinated by various no nocturnal insects such as moths.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Origins: Mexico

Light condition: Bright indirect sunlight

Watering: Water little and often

Maximum reach: 60 cm/2 ft

Pet and child suitability: Safe for pets and children

How to care for

Keep soil moist using cacti compost that is free-draining. Do not stand in any water. If over-watered their leaves will yellow and begin to collapse. Over-watering is a major issue for the fishbone cactus, where their roots are particularly vulnerable to root rot. If under-watered their leaves will become limp and develop crispy edges. Leave soil to dry out in-between watering. Use fertiliser once every two weeks in spring to early autumn.

To take a cutting, cut a leaf at base and leave for a couple of days to dry out – out of direct sunlight of course. Once a thick callus develops at the cut, plant up in cacti compost and keep soil moist. Misting does benefit the growth of the fishbone cactus but it is not essential. Plant goes dormant during the winter so do not water much.

Personal comment

The fishbone cactus is a stinking centrepiece plant for your table or to hang from your ceiling or to place on a shelf. I cannot recommend enough that you get yourself one due to its foliage alone. It’s not too tricky to care for, just do not over-water or keep standing in water.

Keywords: Evergreen, Perennial, Growth, Large, Hardy

There are only three species of this low maintenance prolific grower. Their genus, Fatsia derives from their Japanese name of ‘yatsude’ meaning eight-lobbed referring to the shape of the shape of their leaves. The paper plant grows as a large evergreen shrub or small tree within the woodlands of Japan, reaching up to 6 metres (19.8 ft) tall. These plants are very hardy producing their iconic palmate leaves that can each grow up to 50 cm (1.7 ft) wide. They are even able to adapt to a range of conditions, even to below 5°C (41°F). When placed in ideal conditions they can grow up to 30 cm (12”) per year. Despite this the paper plant is not considered an invasive species due to its fairly weak and vulnerable roots.

This plant produces unusual white or lavender clustered flowers each with a yellow centre. These flowers are in a fractal-like pattern, where smaller parts of a flower look like the whole part. Their flowers do produce a scent but it is rather musky. After flowering, often during the early winter they produce black berries that are not edible but are a useful source of food for wild birds.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Starter

Origins: Japan

Light condition: Bright indirect sunlight

Watering: Frequently water

Maximum reach: 4 m/13 ft

Pet and child suitability: Irritant if eaten

Notable species/variegated

polycarpa; long thin palmate leaves, oligocarpella; sparsely branched shrub with elongated leaves, ‘Variegata’; white edges and blotches on a light green leaf, ‘Green Fingers’; elongated palmate leaves with jagged leaf edges.

How to care for

This plant will require lots of watering when they start to mature. They will need to be kept in nutrient-rich compost which is slightly acidic. Regular pruning will be required to keep from spreading too much. Regular potting up is needed for this plant. If kept in semi-shade their growth will be much slower. However, if kept in an area of too much sunlight their leaves will start to turn yellow. Leaves will dramatically droop if under-watered. If over-watered their stems will turn yellow and brown. Use fertiliser every two months in spring and summer. They are particularly vulnerable to aphids, black mould and honeydew mould.

Personal comment

The paper plant is extremely hardy and forgiving of neglect. These plants do have prolific growth so you will need to reserve a large space in your home for them. They can also grow outside in many parts of the world, being used as a centrepiece or to cover up some bare patches of ground.

Keywords: Deciduous, Movement, Pinnate, Thorny, Flower

There are over 420 species of sensitive plants that are all close relatives to the pea. The sensitive plant is a deciduous and is widespread across Central and South America. The most well-known feature of this plant is their ability to rapidly close their leaves to look dead. They do this to protect themselves from predators. Closing their leaves uses a lot of energy and reduces a leaf’s ability to photosynthesis. Research has shown that sensitive plants can actually remember a particular stimulus like rain and do not react to it, similar to a person getting used to a noise. The leaves of this plant are not just sensitive to touch but also changes in temperature, predominantly at dusk and dawn. Over-touching can result in a reduced ability to react and eventually kill the plant.

The sensitive plant produces a small lavender bottlebrush-like flower with a yellow fluffy centre. This plant can also produce a light sulphurous eggy smell from its roots if they have been damaged in order to scare off any predators. Thankfully this smell is not as noticeable when they are grown as a houseplant.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Difficult

Origins: Central and South America

Light condition: Bright indirect sunlight

Watering: Water little and often

Maximum reach: 45 cm/18”

Pet and child suitability: Safe for pets and children

How to care for

Keep your plant in bright but indirect sunlight. Keep soil moist but well-draining, do not let the soil dry out. The sensitive plant will grow well in areas with high humidity. Plant benefits from a good mist. This plant when grown as a houseplant will usually be planted with several other smaller plants to fill out its pot. If over-watered their leaves will turn yellow and begin to droop, their stems will also start to collapse. If under-watered their leaves will start to fall off and the plant will start to lose its ability to move its leaves. This plant is able to fix its own nitrogen from the air so doesn’t need much fertiliser throughout the year. Use low-nitrogen fertiliser once in spring and summer.

Personal comment

This plant adds a bit of curiosity to your home. It does require areas of high humidity and does lose its leaves during the winter, so essentially you are left with a pot of soil for a part of the year.

Keywords: Evergreen, Perennial, Glossy, Large, Growth

There are over 1,000 varieties of bananas grown in over 150 countries. The most commonly cultivated one, ‘Cavendish’ accounts for about half of global production. Though they grow to a large height, they are not trees but a perennial herb due to their soft trunk. In the tropics, banana plants will die after fruiting but do produce many offshoots via their rhizomes, which can be removed to grow another banana plant. A developing banana fruit (technically a berry) is quaintly referred to as a finger which is why they’re called bananas, derived from the Arabic word for finger, ‘banan’. These fingers collectively grow within a cluster otherwise known as a hand. In the wild these plants grow up to 240 bananas at one time. Outside of our homes they can grow as tall as 7 metres (23 ft).

After thousands of years of breeding efforts, the banana today is very different from their wild counterparts, which produce small green or red bitter fruit. Today’s fruit are much larger, sweeter and have tiny indistinguishable white seeds. Unfortunately, you cannot grow a banana plant using seeds collected from fruit due to them being all sterile females.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Origins: Tropical regions

Light condition: Bright direct sunlight

Watering: Water little and often

Maximum reach: 3 m/10 ft

Pet and child suitability: Safe for pets and children

Notable species/varieties

ornata; large light green elongated leaves, sikkimensis; reddish-brown variegation on dark green leaves, ‘Cavendish’; most commonly grown banana around the world, has some brownish-red variegation on leaves, ‘Velutina’; commonly known as the pink banana, has pink-ish hue foliage, ‘Siam Ruby’; ruby red leaves with some green variegation.

How to care for

Keep the soil moist but well-draining, do not let soil dry out. Keep in as bright and warm conditions as possible. Misting your plant is of benefit, after all they grow naturally in rainforests. If over-watered their leaves will lower and turn yellow with their stem becoming mushy. It is hard to recover an over-watered banana. If under-watered your banana leaves will wilt, curl at the tips and develop a greyish hue. Use fertiliser once per month in spring and summer. Banana plants are particularly susceptible to root rot, moulds, leaf-spot diseases and powdery mildew. Shredded leaves are a sign of being placed in an exposed area with strong draught. Brown tips on leaves indicates that the humidity is too low.

Personal comment

Growing a banana plant in your home offers an interesting centrepiece. They are relatively easy to care for and require as bright conditions as possible. They will grow large over time. They will not produce flowers or fruit in your home if you live within the northern hemisphere. 

Keywords: Foliage, Perennial, Purple, Flower, Delicate

There are over 550 species of false shamrocks. They are named after the Clover as they look similar to it, which is the national symbol of Ireland. The delicately decorated leaves of these plants actively fold up during dusk and re-open during dawn, which is believed to prevent water pooling during the night. Oxalis triangularis is the most unusual type of false shamrock possessing deep velvety purple leaves with an inner lighter purple hue. They often grow lavender trumpet-shaped flowers which elegantly and slowly unfurl a bit like origami. The more common, Oxalis regnellii has emerald green leaves with white flowers.

When comparing the growth of the false shamrock in the wild to when they are grown as houseplants, they do not differ much in size. Their stems actually grow from small bulbs that enable the plant to spread outwards relatively quickly. The false shamrock is sometimes used to garnish salads, in fact their Latin name Oxalis literally means sour, which refers to their taste. This is due to the presence of oxalic acid. However, do not consume any more than a small garnish as it can cause sickness.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Origins: Brazil

Light condition: Medium indirect sunlight

Watering: Water monthly

Maximum reach: 30 cm/1 ft

Pet and child suitability: Toxic if eaten

How to care for

Just before the false shamrock goes dormant their foliage will start to look faded and stop folding. Once leaves dry out, gently pull at the base of the stem to remove them. You can store your new pot of soil in a cool dark cupboard but regularly check it for new growth. The false shamrock can also go into dormancy during the spring and summer and if the temperature becomes too cold or hot. They can be rather sensitive to have in your home. If dormant, leave soil to air dry. During dormancy your plant will fully die back.

When grown in a nursery they would have been grown in ideal conditions. However, when you bring them back home, they will start to naturally lose leaves as our homes aren’t tropical. Allow soil to dry out in-between watering, which should occur about every two weeks. If they are over-watering their leaves will start to droop and their bulbs easily rot. Use slow-release fertiliser once in spring and summer.

Personal comment

These are beautiful houseplants to have in your home. However, they are deciduous, losing their leaves during the winter and they tend to artificially have too many leaves when bought. So don’t be surprised if you have only end up with a small handful of leaves after a few months of caring for your false shamrock.

Keywords: Evergreen, Perennial, Stem, Large, Braided

The money tree grows in the tropical wetlands and swamps of Central and South America. There are 24 species of them that each store water in the base of their stems, forming a prominent bulge. Interestingly, they are close relatives to the marshmallow plant. In the wild, the money tree grows as a large tree, growing as large as 18 metres (59 ft). However, as a houseplant they are typically sold with braided trunks of up to six for purely decorative purposes. The money tree produces palmate light green leaves with a smooth bark. When they flower, they produce large long yellow to red porcupine-like protrusions that emerge from a trumpet that spills up. Money tree flowers produce a sweet scent during the night that attracts the attention of bats and moths for pollination. However, as houseplants they do not produce flowers. 

Research has shown that these plants can filter out various home-based pollutants from our air. In parts of East Asia and Japan these plants are often placed in the front windows and doorsteps of homes and businesses to bring them good luck and fortune. 

Quick facts

Difficulty: Starter

Origins: Central and South America

Light condition: Bright indirect sunlight

Watering: Water little and often

Maximum reach: 2 m/6.5 ft

Pet and child suitability: Safe for pets and children

How to care for

If your money tree has been over-watered, their leaves will start to turn yellow and fall off. If under-watered they will develop brown leaf tips and develop wrinkled leaves. Use fertiliser twice a month in spring and summer. Keep plants in bright but indirect sunlight with moist but well-draining soil. Your plant can benefit from a regular mist. Humidity isn’t completely essential for their growth. Money trees rarely need repotting and like to be compact. You can propagate this plant via stem cuttings in water. Mature leaves can become rather brittle, this is perfectly natural. Money trees are particularly vulnerable to mealybugs and scale insects so keep an eye out for them. Their foliage can become over-grown or leggy so a regular prune will be required.

Personal comment

This is a fabulous plant to have in your home essentially when it has braided trunks. They are easy to grow and are very forgiving if you forget to water them.

Keywords: Evergreen, Perennial, Squat, Nerves, Rounded

The watermelon peperomia belongs to a hugely diverse range of plants. In fact, these plants, as their botanical name suggests are close relatives of the pepper; ‘peperi’ Latin for pepper and ‘homoios’ (omia) meaning similar to. This plant grows thick fleshy oval leaves that have dark green veins on a silvery iridescent leaf, which looks like a watermelon skin. In the wild they grow on the floors of the South American rainforests, reaching no more than 30 cm (1 ft). Their growth doesn’t differ much when compared to their native environment and grown as a houseplant. The flowers of the watermelon peperomia appear to look like very thin candle sticks, which are green and do not produce any scent. Some ruthless growers even advise cutting them off due to being ‘unsightly’. They are more known for their foliage.

In Brazil these plants are a symbol of luck and are often given as gifts such as for a new home or starting a new job. These plants have been demonstrated to remove various pollutants that are present in our homes.

Quick facts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Origins: South America

Light condition: Bright indirect sunlight

Watering: Water little and often

Maximum reach: 30 cm/1 ft

Pet and child suitability: Safe for pets and children

Notable species/varieties

obtusifolia; oval light and dark green leaves with a woody stem, ferreyrae; elongated thin bright green leaves, tetragona; zebra-like pale and dark green pattern with burgundy stems, caperata; dark purple crinkled leaves, albovittata; dark green and silvery banded leaves with burgundy stem, perciliata; petite trailing oval jade green leaves, incana; sage green thick fleshy leaves and stems, columella; column like stems with gem-shaped small dark green leaves, hutchisonsii; squat plant with thick leaves that have toad-like texture, ‘Ruby Cascade’; small rounded trailing leaves with burgundy underside.