Plants in family acanthaceae
Acanthus sennii
Acanthus sennii is a perennial endemic to the highlands of Ethiopia, known for its black stems and glossy green leaves. It blooms with bright scarlet orange flowers in early October and has traditional medicinal uses.
Fittonia albivenis 'Verschaffeltii Mini Red'
Fittonia albivenis 'Verschaffeltii Mini Red' is a miniature cultivar known for its dark red leaves with pink veins and trailing growth habit. It produces creamy-yellow flowers on spikes and thrives in shade to partial shade. This plant grows to about 6 to 8 inches tall and requires fairly moist soil, making it a vibrant choice for indoor plant displays.
Aphelandra squarrosa 'Zebra Plant'
Aphelandra squarrosa, commonly known as the Zebra Plant, features vibrant green leaves with bold white stripes. It requires consistently moist soil and thrives in bright, indirect light with higher humidity levels. This plant prefers temperatures between 65-75°F and benefits from a well-draining, peat-based potting mix.
Hygrophila angustifolia
Hygrophila angustifolia is an easy-to-grow aquatic plant suitable for aquarium backgrounds. It absorbs excess waste and nutrients, growing both emersed and submerged. This fast-growing plant may require frequent trimming and can be propagated by cutting and replanting stems.
Fittonia albivenis 'Minima'
Fittonia albivenis 'Minima', known as the nerve plant, features white veins on green leaves. It prefers shade and temperatures between 55 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit, requiring moist but not wet conditions.
Pseuderanthemum maculatum 'Rubrum'
Pseuderanthemum maculatum 'Rubrum', also known as Black Leaf Shooting Star, is a bushy tropical shrub with deep bronze leaves. It produces white flowers with purple dots and thrives in shade to partial sun, adding contrast to garden plantings.
Hygrophila corymbosa 'Variegated'
Hygrophila corymbosa 'Variegated', also known as Nomaphila Variegatus, is a popular aquarium plant with variegated golden and green spotted leaves. It grows well without CO2 supplementation and is suitable for beginners. This plant prefers medium to high lighting and benefits from a nutrient-rich substrate.
Fittonia albivenis 'Crinkle Pink'
Fittonia albivenis 'Crinkle Pink' is a small plant with crisply bulleted leaves and striking pink veins. It grows best in shade to partial shade and requires temperatures between 50 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant reaches a height of 6 to 8 inches and needs fairly moist soil.
Justicia extensa 'Variegata'
Justicia extensa 'Variegata' is a tropical plant native to Africa and the Middle East, known for its dark green leaves with grey mottling and creamy yellow variegation. It prefers shade to partial sun and can be trimmed to 15-18 inches tall. This plant thrives in temperatures ranging from 50 to 95 degrees.
Hygrophila ringens var. ringens 'Purple'
Hygrophila ringens var. ringens 'Purple' is an aquatic plant with narrow, purple-tinged leaves that enhance the visual appeal of aquascapes. It thrives in medium to high lighting and prefers temperatures between 68-82°F. This plant benefits from CO2 supplementation and regular trimming to encourage bushier growth.
Odontonema tubaeforme
Odontonema tubaeforme is a multi-branched plant native to Central and South America, known for its waxy flowers in dense, upright spikes. It attracts hummingbirds and butterflies and prefers bright light for flowering. This moderately fast-growing plant thrives in partial shade and well-drained soil, making it a vibrant addition to gardens in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11.
Strobilanthes alternata
Strobilanthes alternata, also known as the purple waffle plant, is a non-aquatic species thriving in high humidity environments. Its leaves are green on top with a bright purple underside, featuring a ruffled and wrinkly texture. Originating from Southeast Asia, this plant grows 6-12 inches tall and prefers moderate to high light conditions. It is suitable for terrariums, vivariums, or as a bog plant, adding a splash of color with its unique foliage.
Fittonia albivenis 'Nana'
Fittonia albivenis 'Nana', commonly known as the 'Nerve Plant', is a miniature cultivar with dark green leaves and contrasting white veins. It has a trailing growth habit and produces tiny creamy-yellow flowers, making it ideal for windowsills, mixed planters, or terrariums.
Thunbergia grandiflora
Thunbergia grandiflora, commonly known as Blue Skyvine, is an evergreen vine with large trumpet-shaped blue flowers. It is native to Asia and grows rapidly, flowering from spring to fall in sun to partial shade.
Hygrophila 'Chai'
Hygrophila 'Chai' is a natural and stable hybrid from Hygrophila lancea 'Araguaia', discovered in an aquarium plants farm in Singapore. It reproduces extremely vivid neon pink plants and has a slow growth rate, requiring a nutrient substrate and medium-high lighting. This plant is suitable for advanced aquarists seeking a unique and colorful addition to their aquascape.
Thunbergia alata
Thunbergia alata, commonly known as Black-eyed Susan vine, is a climbing perennial native to Eastern Africa. It features twining stems with heart-shaped leaves and vibrant orange-yellow flowers with a dark center. This fast-growing vine blooms throughout the growing season and is easy to germinate in humus-rich soil. While it adds a splash of color to gardens, it is considered invasive in some regions.
Pseuderanthemum longifolium
Pseuderanthemum longifolium, sometimes called 'Orchid Pseuderanthemum', is a tropical foliage plant with light olive green leaves and serrated margins. It grows to about 12 inches tall and produces light pink showy flowers in summer. This plant prefers shade to partial sun and is suitable for indoor or garden settings.
Aphelandra squarrosa
This plant flourishes in abundant, but not direct, light and is sensitive to moisture content. It likes to be kept moist but not wet and needs frequent, small amounts of water. The plant is native to Brazil.
Strobilanthes sinuata
Strobilanthes sinuata, also known as Green Dragon's Tongue, is a small perennial shrub native to Southeast Asia. It grows up to 10 inches tall and features bright green, rippled leaves with a purple underside. This plant thrives in bright, indirect light and high humidity, making it suitable for terrariums. It is not fully aquatic but can grow emersed in high humidity environments. The plant produces small white blooms and has a moderate growth rate. It is known for its unique leaf texture and coloration.
Asystasia gangetica 'You're So Vein'
Asystasia gangetica 'You're So Vein' is a tender perennial subshrub known for its green leaves with prominently highlighted yellow to white veins. It blooms all year in warm climates, producing pale yellow to white flowers, sometimes tinted with purple. This plant prefers full sun to partial shade and is appreciated for its unique foliage and continuous flowering. 'You're So Vein' is a charming addition to gardens in warm regions, offering a touch of color and texture throughout the year.
Ruellia makoyana
Ruellia makoyana, native to Brazil, is an evergreen perennial with velvety, olive green leaves featuring a silver line and purple undersides. It produces bright pink trumpet-shaped flowers in summer and thrives in part sun to shade conditions with moist, well-draining soil.
Hygrophila difformis
Hygrophila difformis, commonly known as Water Wisteria, is a popular and fast-growing stem plant ideal for tropical aquariums. It is easy to care for, making it suitable for beginners, and can grow tall but remains compact with regular pruning. This plant thrives in medium to high light and benefits from a nutrient-rich substrate and additional CO2.
Justicia extensa
Justicia extensa is a tropical plant native to Africa, featuring dark green leaves with silver blotches and an erect growth habit. It is part of the Acanthaceae family and is known for its ornamental foliage. This plant is ideal for adding a touch of the tropics to gardens or indoor spaces.
Pseuderanthemum maculatum 'Reticulatum'
Pseuderanthemum maculatum 'Reticulatum', also known as 'Yellow Veined Eranthemum', is a tropical shrub with large green leaves veined in lemon yellow. It produces white flowers with purple spots and thrives in partial sun to shade, growing 18-24 inches tall.
Pseuderanthemum 'Yellow Edge'
Pseuderanthemum 'Yellow Edge' is a tropical shrub with large oval leaves featuring vibrant yellow variegation. It can grow in shade or low light but prefers bright indirect light to full sun. This plant thrives in temperatures between 45 to 95 degrees.
Hypoestes phyllostachya
Hypoestes phyllostachya, commonly known as the polka dot plant, thrives in plenty of sunlight and prefers temperatures between 64-82°F. It grows well in granular soil with good water retention and is suited for average household humidity. This winter-type succulent is best planted in ceramic pots for optimal growth.
Fittonia albivenis 'Stripes Forever'
Fittonia albivenis 'Stripes Forever' is a small-leaved plant with dark green foliage accented by striking white veins. It has a trailing growth habit and thrives in shaded, moist environments, making it a popular choice for terrariums and indoor gardens.
Aphelandra 'Zebra Plant'
Aphelandra 'Zebra Plant' is known for its vivid zebra-like stripes on the leaves. It thrives in bright, indirect light and prefers consistent moisture, making it an effective air purifier.