Plants in family asparagaceae
Agave americana
Agave americana, often called the 'American aloe', is a striking succulent native to Mexico and the southern United States. It is known for its large, gray-green leaves with spiky edges and a sharp tip, which can grow up to 5 feet long. This plant is unique because it flowers only once in its lifetime, producing a tall stalk with yellow blooms before dying. It thrives in sunny, dry environments and is a popular choice for xeriscaping due to its drought tolerance. Agave americana has been used historically in Mexico to make pulque, a traditional alcoholic beverage, and its leaves provide fibers for textiles. Despite its common name, it is not related to the Aloe genus. The plant is also recognized for its ability to grow in various light conditions, from full sun to shade, and requires minimal watering. It has several subspecies and varieties, some of which have received accolades for their ornamental value.
Asparagus asparagoides
Asparagus asparagoides, resembling poet's laurel, is a deciduous climbing plant native to eastern and southern Africa. It thrives in sun to part shade and is considered invasive in Australia and New Zealand. This plant is used in floral arrangements and spreads through seeds dispersed by animals.
Yucca harrimaniae
Yucca harrimaniae is a small, acaulescent species forming clumps of rosettes with grey-green leaves. It produces upright spikes of large white, bell-shaped flowers and is found in sagebrush grasslands up to 7,000 feet elevation in Utah and Colorado. This plant is deer-resistant and requires good drainage, making it suitable for sandy or gravelly slopes.
Sansevieria 'Gold Hahnii'
Sansevieria 'Gold Hahnii' is a hardy houseplant known for its tall, sword-shaped leaves and adaptability to low-light conditions. This easy-care plant is perfect for those seeking a low-maintenance indoor greenery option.
Yucca gloriosa
Yucca gloriosa is an evergreen shrub native to the southeastern United States, known for its striking white, bell-shaped flowers. It forms a multi-headed clump reaching up to 8 feet tall, with rigid, glaucous green leaves. This plant is highly tolerant of drought and cold, surviving temperatures as low as -4°F. It thrives in sandy soils along coastal areas and is a popular choice for xeriscaping due to its low water requirements. The sharp leaf points can cause skin irritation, so caution is advised when handling.
Agave schottii
Agave schottii, or Schott's century plant, is a native of the Sonoran desert, characterized by its small rosettes of cylindrical green leaves with white markings. It forms colonies through offsets and produces tall flowering spikes. This plant is drought-tolerant and attracts a variety of pollinators, including bats and hummingbirds.
Liriope muscari 'Royal Purple'
This groundcover features dark green grass-like foliage and royal purple blooms that turn to black berries in the fall. It grows up to 1 foot tall and wide, tolerates full sun with afternoon shade, and is heat, humidity, and drought tolerant. It is also deer resistant and grows in USDA zones 5-11.
Nolina cespitifera
Nolina cespitifera is a trunkless clump-forming plant with evergreen leaves that can reach up to 4 feet in length. This drought-tolerant perennial is native to Mexico and is well-suited for xeriscaping and rock gardens. It thrives in sunny locations and is known for its ability to attract insects, adding ecological value to its ornamental appeal. Nolina cespitifera's unique form and resilience make it a standout choice for gardeners looking to create a low-maintenance, water-wise landscape.
Chlorophytum comosum 'Hawaiian'
A flowering perennial native to tropical South Africa, this plant has thin ribbon-like leaves and produces small white flowers. It also has air purifying qualities.
Agave toumeyana
Agave toumeyana is a succulent native to central Arizona, forming dense clumps of rosettes with narrow, white-streaked foliage. Its flowering stalks can reach up to 10 feet, bearing greenish-white flowers. This plant is well-suited to rocky, limestone, and volcanic areas.
Chlorophytum comosum 'Variegatum'
Native to southern Africa, this herbaceous perennial features green and white striped foliage and leaves up to 18 inches long. It produces white flowers on long stalks year-round and is known for its air-purifying abilities.
Dasylirion gentryi
Dasylirion gentryi, native to southern Sonora, Mexico, is an evergreen plant with green, slightly twisted, spiny leaves. It is similar to Dasylirion wheeleri but has a more open form. The plant produces impressive 9-foot tall flower spikes with tightly clustered tiny flowers, thriving in seasonally moist conditions.
Ruscus aculeatus
Ruscus aculeatus, also known as butcher's broom, is a rare evergreen shrub with narrow, sharp foliage. It grows up to three feet tall and four feet wide, thriving in dry shade. This plant is deer-resistant and requires a male or bisexual companion to produce red berries.
Agave victoriae-reginae
Agave victoriae-reginae, native to Mexico, is a slow-growing succulent known for its tight rosettes and thick, dark green leaves with dramatic white bands. It is drought-tolerant and requires full sun and well-draining soil. This plant is hardy in USDA zones 9-12 and blooms after 40 years, after which it dies.
Agave potatorum
Agave potatorum, native to Mexico, is a striking succulent known for its use in mezcal production. It forms a basal rosette with leaves up to 1 foot long, adorned with dark spines. This drought-tolerant plant can produce a flower spike reaching 10 to 20 feet, bearing pale green and yellow flowers. It is recognized for its ornamental value and has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Dracaena trifasciata
Dracaena trifasciata 'Black Coral' is a classic houseplant with long, slender leaves featuring dark green and black stripes. Known for its air-purifying qualities, it tolerates a variety of light conditions and requires well-draining soil. This plant is toxic if ingested by pets or humans.
Agave utahensis var. nevadensis
Agave utahensis var. nevadensis is a hardy succulent native to the southern Mohave Desert, thriving on limestone outcrops. It forms a small, slow-growing rosette with grey-blue foliage and large spines. This plant is well-suited for dry conditions and must be kept dry below 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Dracaena 'Marginata Cane'
Dracaena 'Marginata Cane', also known as the Dragon Tree, is a durable and carefree plant with thin variegated leaves. It grows strongly upright and thrives in a wide range of environments, preferring ample light. This plant is known for its air-purifying qualities and is suitable for indoor spaces.
Sansevieria 'Starfish'
Sansevieria 'Starfish' is a striking plant with long, smooth cylindrical leaves featuring stripes. It requires medium to low light and should be allowed to dry out between waterings, making it an easy-care option for indoor spaces.
Sansevieria 'Bantel's Sensation'
Sansevieria 'Bantel's Sensation' is an easy-care houseplant known for its tall, sharply-pointed, sword-shaped leaves. It is adaptable and tolerant of low-light conditions, making it a popular choice for indoor environments.
Agave parryi var. huachucensis
The Huachuca agave, or Agave parryi var. huachucensis, is a compact, rosette-forming succulent native to the Huachuca Mountains in Arizona. It features broad, short grey leaves with distinctive brown terminal spines, reaching up to 8 inches wide and 26 inches long. This plant is known for its cold hardiness, tolerating temperatures as low as -4°F. It produces a broad flower stem with large, bright yellow flowers in late spring to early summer. The Huachuca agave thrives in full sun or lightly shaded areas and grows at a slow to medium rate. It is well-suited for USDA hardiness zones 6a to 9b, making it a resilient choice for various climates. This agave is also known for its ability to withstand drought conditions, making it a low-maintenance option for gardeners seeking a striking, hardy plant.
Hosta 'Krossa Regal'
Hosta 'Krossa Regal' is a herbaceous perennial with frosty-blue green foliage and a vase-like habit. It produces pale lavender flowers atop 5-foot tall stalks and attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, and songbirds. This shade-loving plant prefers evenly moist, organic-rich, well-drained soils.
Asparagus setaceus
A member of the Liliaceae family, this plant prefers humidity and indirect light, with care similar to most ferns. It has lush, frilly foliage and thorny spurs, and is toxic to humans and animals. It is commonly placed in hanging displays.
Sansevieria francisii
Sansevieria francisii is a low-maintenance plant with clumped leaf growth and sharp points. It tolerates lower light conditions and requires well-draining soil.
Drimiopsis maculata
Drimiopsis maculata, also known as little white soldiers, is a bulbous plant from South Africa with fleshy green leaves covered in dark spots. It produces flower spikes of tiny off-white bells and prefers moderate to bright indirect light. This easy-to-grow plant requires a period of dormancy in winter.
Aspidistra 'Cast Iron'
Aspidistra 'Cast Iron' is a hardy tropical indoor plant with long, stiff, pointed evergreen leaves. Known for its ability to withstand temperature extremes and harsh conditions, it features solitary, bell-shaped flowers that are typically lilac in color. This plant is easy to care for and thrives in bright light, making it a popular choice for indoor environments.
Agave macroacantha
Agave macroacantha, native to Oaxaca and Puebla, Mexico, is a medium-sized succulent with greyish-green leaves and sharp black spines. It produces small grey and red flowers on tall stems and prefers dry, sunny locations with well-drained soil. This plant has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit for its ornamental value.
Sansevieria 'Bacularis Fernwood'
Sansevieria 'Bacularis Fernwood' is an easy-care houseplant with long, smooth cylindrical leaves that are green and gray. It requires medium to low light and should be allowed to dry out between waterings. This plant is known for its resilience and ability to thrive in various indoor conditions, making it a popular choice for plant enthusiasts.
Nolina lindheimeriana
Nolina lindheimeriana, also known as Texas bear grass, is an evergreen native to Texas named after botanist Jacob Lindheimer. It features stiff green leaves and, when mature, produces 3-foot spikes of tiny white flowers in late spring. This drought-tolerant plant is ideal for xeriscaping and rock gardens.
Agave maculata
Agave maculata, native to Mexico, is a drought-tolerant succulent with grey-green, deeply channeled leaves marked with purple spots. It forms small rosettes and produces tall spikes of creamy pink flowers in midsummer. This plant is well-suited for xeriscaping and can tolerate both dry and rainy conditions.