Plants
Loropetalum chinense 'Purple Daydream'
This evergreen shrub has deep-colored foliage year-round and blooms in shades of darker pink. It is a dwarf variety, highly resistant to pests, and hardy in USDA zones 7-10. It grows best in full or partial sun, is moderately drought-tolerant, and reaches 2-3 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide.
Monstera lechleriana
Monstera lechleriana is an epiphytic climbing vine native to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. It is distinguished by its large, deeply lobed leaves with intricate fenestration patterns, making it a striking choice for indoor or outdoor spaces. This plant is ideal for hanging baskets or as a climber, requiring indirect light, regular watering, and a well-draining potting mix. Named after German botanist Willibald Lechler, it is a popular choice for those looking to add a touch of the tropics to their plant collection.
Polyscias fruticosa
Polyscias fruticosa, known for its ferny leaves and bonsai-like contorted stems, is a low-maintenance plant that can reach up to 6 feet tall. It prefers bright, indirect light and can handle light shade, making it ideal for indoor settings. This plant is toxic to humans and pets if ingested, so caution is advised.
Euphorbia grandidens
Euphorbia grandidens is a plant native to southern Africa, known for its unique growth and adaptability to its native environment.
Cypripedium parviflorum var. parviflorum
Cypripedium parviflorum var. parviflorum, also known as the American native ladyslipper, is a hardy orchid with bright yellow, pouch-like flowers and mahogany sepals. This plant prefers moist, well-drained sites and should be planted shallowly with roots spread out horizontally. It is native to the United States and thrives in light shade, making it a beautiful addition to woodland gardens. The ladyslipper is known for attracting insects and is a unique choice for those interested in native plantings.
Cornus florida 'Cherokee Chief'
Cornus florida 'Cherokee Chief' is a deciduous tree native to the United States, known for its blush red spring flowers and glossy red drupe berries in fall. It grows up to 25 feet tall and wide, with purplish crimson fall foliage. This tree provides food and shelter for birds.
Asarum ikegamii
Asarum ikegamii is a heat-tolerant evergreen ginger from Northern Japan, featuring large dark green glossy leaves. It has a semi-running habit, forming a tightly knit groundcover, making it ideal for shaded garden areas.
Drosera 'Hercules'
Drosera 'Hercules' is a hybrid sundew resembling a fat Cape Sundew, with medium-sized, long, wide strap-like leaves and red tentacles. It glistens in sunlight and traps insects with sticky dew, rolling its leaves over prey in about 30 minutes. This tropical plant grows year-round in warm, bright conditions, producing pink flowers on tall, multi-flowered scapes.
Gibasis geniculata
Gibasis geniculata is a fast-growing trailing plant native to Mexico and tropical America, often misidentified. It produces tiny white flowers and thrives in shade to partial shade, tolerating temperatures from 45 to 100°F.
Alocasia 'Nebula Imperialis'
Alocasia 'Nebula Imperialis' is a rare and striking plant known for its thick, arrowhead-shaped silver leaves with dark gray veins. This plant thrives in high humidity environments, making it well-suited for indoor cultivation in terrariums or humid rooms. Its dramatic foliage adds a touch of elegance and exotic appeal to any plant collection. Alocasia 'Nebula Imperialis' requires bright, indirect light and consistent moisture to maintain its lush appearance. This plant is a favorite among collectors for its unique coloration and bold leaf structure, offering a captivating visual presence.
Carya illinoinensis 'Amling'
Carya illinoinensis 'Amling' is a pecan tree that can reach up to 100 feet tall, known for its scaly grey bark and medium green leaves. It is resistant to pests and scab, making it a reliable choice for nut production. This tree is a Type 1 pollinator and thrives in full sun across various USDA zones.
Peperomia trinervula
Peperomia trinervula is a semi-succulent plant native to Central and South America, known for its glossy green leaves. It thrives in environments with moderate light and humidity, making it ideal for terrariums. This plant prefers moist soil and can be propagated using sphagnum moss. Its adaptability to various conditions makes it a popular choice for indoor gardening.
Episcia cupreata
Episcia cupreata, commonly known as Flame Violet or Chocolate Soldier, is a tropical plant native to Central and South America. It features stunning dark leaves with shimmery pink veins and blooms year-round with small, tubular flowers in red, pink, or purple. This plant thrives in moist conditions with high light and is adaptable to vivarium life. It is easily propagated in sphagnum moss and has adventitious, aerial roots.
Nymphaea nouchali var. nouchali
Nymphaea nouchali var. nouchali, also known as Dwarf Water Lily, is suitable for aquariums or ponds. It grows from bulbs with red arrowhead-shaped leaves and thrives in moderate to high lighting. This plant is easy to care for and does not require CO2.
Philodendron mayoi
Philodendron mayoi is an uncommon tropical plant from Brazil, recognized for its striking, deeply lobed leaves that resemble palm fronds. This aroid thrives in moderate, indirect light and prefers a humid environment, making it suitable for terrariums. As it climbs, it produces larger leaves, adding to its exotic appeal. The plant's elegant appearance and ease of care make it a popular choice for indoor plant enthusiasts. Its ability to purify air and its unique leaf structure make it a fascinating addition to any plant collection.
Philodendron mamei
Philodendron mamei, also known as 'Silver Cloud', is a climbing plant native to Ecuador, prized for its large, glossy, heart-shaped leaves with silvery patterns. This plant is easy to care for, making it ideal for beginners, and thrives in bright, indirect light with high humidity. It grows quickly and can climb aggressively if supported by a totem. The deep green leaves with prominent veins add a tropical touch to any indoor space. Known for its ornamental appeal, it is a popular choice for plant enthusiasts.
Dendrobium densiflorum
Dendrobium densiflorum is an epiphytic or lithophytic orchid native to Asia, known for its densely flowered, hanging bunches of pale yellow and golden yellow flowers. It grows on trees and rocks in mountain valleys and is found at elevations of 400-1,000 meters. This orchid is valued for its medicinal properties.
Begonia 'Bibi'
Begonia 'Bibi' is a compact houseplant with tear-shaped leaves and pale pink blooms. It is well-suited for vivariums and terrariums, adding a touch of elegance to indoor plant collections.
Hieracium maculatum
Hieracium maculatum is a perennial plant with grey-green leaves and purple spotting, topped with daisy-like yellow flowers. Native to Europe, it has been introduced to North America and is considered a weed in Canada. This plant thrives in a variety of light conditions and adds a touch of wild beauty to gardens.
Rubus 'Black Satin'
Rubus 'Black Satin' is a thornless blackberry variety known for its sweet, soft fruit and pink spring flowers. It is self-fertile, heat tolerant, and disease resistant, thriving in full sun and well-draining soil.
Begonia 'Purple Curl'
Begonia 'Purple Curl' is a Rex begonia cultivar with metallic hot pink to red leaves and black veins. The leaves have a cleft and fluted margin with a spiral shape, and their color varies with the season. This plant grows 12 to 14 inches tall and prefers shade to partial shade.
Syngonium macrophyllum
Syngonium macrophyllum is a plant with an unusual rubbery texture to its mature leaves, which range in color from green to glaucous. It produces pink flowers and contains milky sap. This plant grows well in bright indirect or medium-low light, making it a versatile choice for indoor environments.
Ficus altissima 'Golden Gem'
Ficus altissima 'Golden Gem' is a striking plant with lemon-lime green and dark green variegation. It thrives in bright, indirect light and is part of the Ficus genus, which includes about 900 species. This plant is ideal for adding a touch of color to indoor spaces.
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Zaunkoenig'
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Zaunkoenig' is a compact variety with deep pink or purple lacecap flowers and strong stems. The blooms dry on the plant, adding interest to the garden. This hydrangea was bred in Switzerland in 1979 and is suitable for USDA zone 6.
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Miss Saori'
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Miss Saori' is a mid-sized shrub with double blooms featuring deep red edges and soft pink petals. The foliage starts as dark burgundy in spring, turning deep green in summer and plum in autumn. This award-winning plant remains the same color regardless of soil type and is excellent for cut and dried flowers.
Saintpaulia ionantha
This small, herbaceous perennial plant is native to Tanzania and southeastern Kenya. It has velvety, heart-shaped leaves and colorful flowers in shades of purple, pink, blue, and white. Growing 6-8 inches tall and wide, it prefers bright, indirect light and slightly moist soil, and has air-purifying properties.
Arum concinnatum
Arum concinnatum is a unique member of the arum family, native to Crete and the eastern Mediterranean. It features hastate-shaped, glossy green leaves with silver spotting, which emerge in the fall and remain through winter. In early spring, it produces a fleshy spadix with an unpleasant odor, followed by a stalk of red berries. This plant thrives in moist woodlands and dry hillsides, preferring part sun to light shade. It is known for its tropical-looking foliage and is summer dormant, requiring no supplemental moisture during this period. Arum concinnatum is not suited for deep shade and naturalizes slowly in woodland areas.