Plants
Tillandsia tenuifolia
Tillandsia tenuifolia is an air plant native to South America and the Caribbean, known for its adaptability and variety of forms. It includes several recognized varieties and cultivars, each with unique characteristics. This plant thrives in bright, indirect light and is a popular choice for indoor plant displays.
Glossostigma elatinoides
Glossostigma elatinoides is a versatile aquatic or terrestrial plant from New Zealand, known for its mat-forming growth and small, bright green leaves. It thrives in wet environments and is ideal for creating a lush green carpet in aquariums. This plant requires high lighting and CO2 injection to maintain its low-growing form, and it can grow both submerged and emersed. It is challenging to plant due to its tiny roots, but a dry start can help anchor them before flooding. Glossostigma grows quickly, necessitating regular trimming, and its care level is considered medium to difficult. It prefers a pH range of 6 to 7.5 and can reach a height of 1 to 2 inches. The plant's health can be monitored by observing its growth patterns, with vertical stalks indicating insufficient light and yellowing leaves suggesting nutrient deficiencies.
Graptoveria 'Grim One'
Graptoveria 'Grim One' is a succulent with rosettes of thick, fleshy leaves in colors ranging from deep purple to blue-gray. It thrives in bright, indirect light and is drought-tolerant, producing small, star-shaped flowers.
Hosta ventricosa
Hosta ventricosa is a robust plant native to China, known for its large, heart-shaped dark green leaves. It produces dark lavender flowers on tall scapes, reaching up to 30 inches. This species reproduces through pseudogamous apomixis, making it unique among hostas. It has been introduced to the eastern United States and is appreciated for its lush foliage and ability to attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
Myrtillocactus geometrizans
Myrtillocactus geometrizans is a blue, highly branched cactus that grows up to 15 feet tall, resembling a candelabra. It thrives in sunny, well-draining conditions and is drought-tolerant. This cactus produces sweet, edible fruits and greenish-white flowers, making it both an ornamental and functional plant for arid landscapes.
Stanhopea oculata
Stanhopea oculata, known as the 'upside-down orchid,' is native to Central and South America, from Mexico to Colombia and southeastern Brazil. It is renowned for its fragrant flowers and requires bright, indirect light with high humidity and good air circulation. This orchid's unique blooming habit and aromatic blooms make it a fascinating plant for orchid enthusiasts.
Syngonium podophyllum 'Batik'
Syngonium podophyllum 'Batik' is an easy-to-care-for plant with arrowhead-shaped leaves featuring a lace-like pattern of yellow veins. It thrives in bright, indirect light and can tolerate a wide temperature range.
Coffea arabica
Coffea arabica is a flowering plant known for being the first species of coffee to be cultivated, making up about 60% of global coffee production. It is native to the highlands of southwestern Ethiopia and Yemen, thriving in light shade at altitudes between 4,265 and 4,921 feet. The plant features glossy, dark green leaves and produces small, fragrant white flowers. Its berries, which mature from green to deep red, contain the seeds used for coffee. Coffea arabica is vulnerable to climate change and deforestation, and it is considered endangered. It can grow up to 12 meters tall in the wild but is often kept smaller when cultivated indoors. The plant is toxic to humans and pets, except for its fruit and seeds, and prefers temperatures between 64-70°F.
Howea forsteriana
Howea forsteriana, commonly known as the sentry or paradise palm, is a low-maintenance houseplant that thrives in medium to low light conditions. It can grow between 3 to 12 feet indoors and is non-toxic to humans and pets, making it a safe choice for households. This palm prefers temperatures between 65-75°F and is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 9-11, adding a tropical touch to indoor spaces.
Aloe 'White Fox'
Aloe 'White Fox' is a dwarf succulent with distinctive green leaves adorned with white markings and salmon-colored flowers. This plant is drought-tolerant and thrives in bright, indirect sunlight, making it ideal for sunny areas, especially south-facing locations. It requires minimal watering, allowing the soil to dry completely between waterings. Known for its adaptability, it can reproduce in various ways, making it a versatile addition to any succulent collection.
Lagerstroemia 'Tonto'
This deciduous tree has brilliant pinkish-red flowers that bloom all summer and attractive fall foliage. It has a vase-shaped structure during the growing season and colorful peeling bark. The plant grows best in full sun with rich, moist soil and is resistant to powdery mildew and leaf spot, suitable for USDA zones 7-9.
Begonia 'Moonlight Bay'
Begonia 'Moonlight Bay' is a hybrid plant with large leaves marked with silver, developed by Walter Dworkin in 2017. It has a compact growth habit and belongs to the Begoniaceae family, making it a striking addition to any collection.
Aerides odorata
Aerides odorata is a large, fragrant orchid native to Southeast Asia, known for its cinnamon-scented flowers. It thrives in bright light and is found in subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. This epiphyte is threatened by habitat loss and requires specific care, making it a unique addition to orchid collections.
Hydrocotyle verticillata
Hydrocotyle verticillata, also known as whorled pennywort, is a creeping plant found in marshy, boggy, or wet places in the Americas and the West Indies. It is used in aquaria and can grow into compact bushes with half-dollar-like leaves. It thrives in moderate light and benefits from additional carbon dioxide.
Masdevallia trochilus
Masdevallia trochilus is a small to medium-sized orchid native to South America, particularly Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. It is prized for its intricate patterns and vibrant colors, requiring cool to intermediate temperatures and high humidity.
Dischidia ruscifolia 'Variegata'
Dischidia ruscifolia 'Variegata' is a trailing houseplant with heart-shaped leaves and tiny white flowers. It thrives in bright, indirect light and temperatures between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant's scandent stems make it ideal for hanging baskets or as a twining accent.
Habranthus robustus
Habranthus robustus, also known as the Argentinean rain lily, features flat, greenish-grey, strap-shaped leaves and mauve pink bell-shaped flowers throughout summer. This drought-tolerant plant is well-suited for sunny garden spots.
Wisteria frutescens 'Amethyst Falls'
Wisteria frutescens 'Amethyst Falls' is a vigorous, non-invasive climbing vine native to North America. It features lightly fragrant purple flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds, blooming in late spring and summer. This deer-resistant and drought-tolerant plant can grow up to 15 feet tall, making it suitable for smaller gardens or containers.
Baptisia alba
Baptisia alba, or white wild indigo, is native to central and eastern North America. It features white, pea-like flowers and serves as a host plant for certain caterpillars and moths. This plant is toxic to cows and possibly humans.
Ficus 'Elastica Ruby'
Ficus 'Elastica Ruby' is a tree-like plant with waxy, ovate-shaped leaves featuring yellow, pink, and green variegation. It thrives in bright, indirect light and is known for its easy care. This plant's striking foliage and tree-like growth habit make it a popular choice for indoor environments.
Rosa 'Meilemon'
The Lemon Drift® Rose is a bushy, compact, and rounded plant with a lemony-yellow hue, known for its durability, disease resistance, and winter hardiness, growing best in USDA zones 5-11.
Anthurium sagittatum
Native to Central and South America, this plant has dark green heart-shaped leaves with red veins and thrives in bright, indirect light. It requires consistent moisture and appreciates high humidity.
Paphiopedilum callosum
Paphiopedilum callosum is an orchid species found from Vietnam to northwestern Peninsular Malaysia. It is being investigated for its potential in cancer treatment, highlighting its significance beyond ornamental value.
Camellia sasanqua 'Yuletide'
Camellia sasanqua 'Yuletide' is an evergreen shrub known for its bright red blooms with yellow centers, appearing from autumn to early winter. It has dark green leaves with a lightly serrated edge and grows up to 8-10 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide. This low-maintenance plant is drought-tolerant once established and prefers partial sun and well-draining, acidic soil.
Aloe polyphylla
Aloe polyphylla, native to the high mountains of Lesotho, is an evergreen succulent known for its symmetrical spiral growth. It features fat, serrated leaves and blooms with red to salmon pink flowers in summer. This plant is endangered in its natural habitat and requires well-drained soil.
Hoya elliptica
Hoya elliptica, known for its elliptical-shaped leaves, is a tropical plant with glossy, deep green foliage and prominent veining. It produces clusters of fragrant, star-shaped flowers that vary in color from white to pink or red, making it a charming addition to indoor plant collections.
Philodendron mexicanum 'Red Back'
Philodendron mexicanum 'Red Back' is a tropical plant native to Mexico, known for its long leaves and adventitious aerial roots. It thrives in moderate light and high humidity, making it a popular choice for indoor plant enthusiasts.
Begonia elaeagnifolia
Begonia elaeagnifolia is native to Africa, from Cameroon to the Congo, and features small flowers that are white-tipped pink. This plant adds a delicate touch to indoor or shaded garden areas.