Houseplants

Croton varieties flaunt their vivid yellows, oranges, and reds in an array of leaf shapes. My Gold Dust Croton (Codiaeum variegatum ‘Gold Dust’) is a speckled variety that brightens up my office windowsill with a pop of color. This fun plant displays random yellow spots on its dark green, ovate leaves as if yellow paint … Read more

I have many favorites in my houseplant collection, but my pink-striped Lilac Tradescantia tops the list. It’s lovely to look at and one of the easiest plants to care for, making it an excellent choice for beginning and seasoned gardeners alike. Lilac is a small-leaved, trailing Tradescantia that grows 6 to 8 inches high and … Read more

Moon Valley Pilea is an eye-catching little houseplant, also known as Moon Valley Friendship Plant or Artillery Plant (Pilea mollis ‘Moon Valley’). It’s a member of the Nettle family, but don’t worry, it doesn’t sting like its cousins and is non-toxic and pet-friendly. Pilea mollis ‘Moon Valley’ is often sold as Pilea involucrata ‘Moon Valley,’ … Read more

I did a double-take the first time I saw a Purple Passion Vine. On closer inspection, I noticed that the dark green leaves were covered in tiny purple hairs that shimmered in the sun. This fascinating native of the Indonesian island of Java grows upright in its native habitat. The cultivar ‘Purple Passion,’ though, is … Read more

The popular Baby Rubber Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia) and its beautiful variegated cultivars are my favorite houseplants. I received my first Peperomia when I was ten and have loved them ever since. They’re perfect houseplants – attractive, easy to care for, adaptable to most household environments, and pet-friendly. Peperomias are native to Florida, Mexico, and islands … Read more

Today’s botanical spotlight shines on the enigmatic Nepenthes, those alluring carnivorous plants that have adapted to thrive in nutrient-poor soils by evolving an insatiable appetite for insects. But what happens when these exotic beauties are transplanted from their natural, insect-rich habitats to the more sterile environment of our homes? Don’t worry, I’m here to guide … Read more

Carnivorous plants sit quietly, creepily waiting to trap and slowly digest unsuspecting insects. One of the best-known is a fun plant called Monkey Cups, or Asian Pitcher Plant (Nepenthes) that can be grown in a hanging pot as a houseplant.   Most species of Monkey Cups are tropical vines that climb up trees, but some species … Read more

Money Trees (Pachira aquatica) are exotic, curious-looking tropical houseplants with 5-parted leaves growing at the top of braided trunks. They are revered in feng shui as lucky plants that bring prosperity and good luck to those who keep them in their homes or offices. You need to provide several things for your Money Tree so it will … Read more