Plants in family acanthaceae
Justicia manserichensis
Justicia manserichensis, native to Peru, is known for its large, bright green leaves with intense white venation. It adapts well to vivarium life, preferring moist conditions and moderate light.
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.
Hygrophila ringens var. ringens
Hygrophila ringens var. ringens is an aquatic plant that develops reddish-brown coloration when submerged. It grows in short bushes and is propagated by cutting lateral shoots or along the stem. This plant is native to Brazil and requires high light and CO2 for optimal growth. It is easy to care for and adds a unique touch to aquariums with its olive-red leaves and light pink tips.
Pseuderanthemum 'Purple Dazzler'
Pseuderanthemum 'Purple Dazzler' is a tropical plant with colorful foliage, featuring narrow leaves with pink, purple, gray, and white sections. It has an upright, bushy growth habit and thrives in light shade or sun.
Graptophyllum pictum
Graptophyllum pictum, native to New Guinea and Malaysia, is a garden shrub with variegated leaves used for reducing swelling. It prefers bright, indirect light and a temperature range of 75°F to 85°F.
Ruellia ciliatiflora
Ruellia ciliatiflora is a perennial with square stems and hairy green leaves, growing up to 20 inches tall and wide. It produces purple-blue flowers starting in June and thrives in dry, partially sunny areas. This plant is attractive to butterflies and is suitable for rain gardens.
Dianthera candicans
Dianthera candicans is a tropical shrub characterized by its narrow green leaves and clusters of long tubular flowers. It has a bushy growth habit with arching stems and blooms from spring to fall. Preferring shade to partial shade, this plant grows 8 to 12 inches tall and requires soil to dry slightly between waterings. It thrives in temperatures ranging from 45 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
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.
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.
Hygrophila corymbosa 'Siamensis 53b'
Hygrophila corymbosa 'Siamensis 53b' is a fast-growing aquatic plant with bright green leaves that can turn red-brown under good lighting. It forms a bushy appearance with many side shoots and requires medium to high lighting conditions. This plant is suitable for aquariums and can be propagated by replanting cut-off shoots.
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.
Fittonia albivenis
Fittonia albivenis, known as the Nerve Plant, is a creeping, evergreen perennial from South American rainforests. It features dark green leaves with bold white veins and thrives in humid environments with bright, indirect light.
Fittonia 'Pink'
Fittonia 'Pink' is a spreading evergreen perennial with delicately veined, deep-green leaves. It is known for its variety of vein colors and small white to off-white flowers, making it a popular tropical indoor plant.
Staurogyne repens
Staurogyne repens is a popular tropical aquarium plant from South America, known for forming bright green carpet-like mats. It grows compactly with small, spade-shaped leaves and requires high lighting and CO2 injection for optimal growth. This plant is adaptable to both submerged and emersed environments.
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 '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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 '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.
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.
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 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.
Fittonia albivenis 'Angel Snow'
Fittonia albivenis 'Angel Snow' is a striking plant with dark green leaves accented by white veins and large white sections. It produces light yellow flowers and is ideal for terrariums or dish gardens due to its preference for high humidity.
Hygrophila corymbosa 'Kompakt'
Hygrophila corymbosa 'Kompakt' is a compact aquatic plant with bright green, broad leaves, perfect for aquariums. It grows to a height of 4-8 inches and requires moderate to high lighting. Regular fertilization and CO2 supplementation are recommended for optimal growth, and it helps improve water quality.