ALOCASIA
< MORE PLANTS STORIES> Alocasia is a genus of broad-leaved plants which often grow to be quite big. Whilst indigenous to tropical areas of Asia and Australia, they are quite coveted houseplants. Their stems can be edible if prepared correctly, but are poisonous if not. Sub Plants Jewel Alocasia Alocasia...
Arrowhead Plant
< MORE PLANTS STORIES> Arrowhead Plant Botanical Name: Syngonium Podophyllum Known as the Arrowhead Plant, this South American creeper has a set of very striking leaves. Shaped like arrowheads, its leaves are variegated with white and green in a pattern which almost resembles the lines seen on ice which has...
Asparagus Fern
< MORE PLANTS STORIES> Asparagus Fern Botanical Name: Asparagus Aethiopicus This plant goes by the common names of Asparagus Fern and Foxtail Fern in equal measure, but it is not, in fact, a fern. Belonging to the asparagus family, and in the same genus as the coveted vegetable, Asparagus Fern...
BEGONIA
< MORE PLANTS STORIES> That the plant genus Begonia takes no common name speaks to the Begonia’s prolific status among plants. Native to tropical and subtropical environments around the world, species of Begonia are usually flowering herbs, and they tend to be perennials. Someone might suspect a flowering plant of...
BROMELIAD
< MORE PLANTS STORIES> Bromeliad refers to a family of plants native to the tropical Americas. The leaves on each species usually grow in the rosette shape associated with succulents, but the leaves themselves depend on how each genus and each species therein have adapted. Bromeliads are infamous for being...
CACTUS
< MORE PLANTS STORIES> The Cactus, a much loved staple from the desert appearing on indoor student home desks all across the world, is a family of succulents (and occasionally epiphytes) native to most places which are prone to drought. Cacti are usually found with thick fleshy stems which are...
CALADIUM
< MORE PLANTS STORIES> Caladiums are a genus of popular ornamental plants. They have large leaves, which gives rise to the colloquial name of ‘Elephant Ear’ - something they share with Alocasia and Colocasia, which are also members of the Araceae family to which Caladiums belong. They are also sometimes...
CALATHEA
< MORE PLANTS STORIES> Calatheas, also known as Prayer Plants, are a genus of plant native to the tropical Americas. Due to their interesting foliage, they are popular houseplants in spite of the difficulty in growing them. Calathea leaves often bear interesting patterns with burgundy undersides and will ‘close up’...
CANELLA
< MORE PLANTS STORIES> CANELLA Botanical Name: Canella Winterana Canella, sometimes known as Cinnamon bark, is a genus containing only one species: Canella Winterana. Native to the Caribbean and Florida, it is often used as a spice to substitute for cinnamon. It is a tree which usually grows to around...
COFFEE
< MORE PLANTS STORIES> The genus of plant known for producing the coffee bean, Coffee (Coffea) are native to Asia and Southern Africa. As the seeds of some species produce coffee, those species of coffee are a sought-after commodity. These plants produce red-purple fruits called pea berries, which is also...
COLOCASIA
< MORE PLANTS STORIES> Colocasia, belonging to the same family as Alocasia, shares many similarities with the Alocasia genus. However, it usually has larger leaves with a downward tilt. Sub Plants Colocasia ‘Mojito’ Colocasia, belonging to the same family as Alocasia, shares many similarities with the Alocasia genus. However, it...
DRACAENA
< MORE PLANTS STORIES> DRACAENA Dracaena is a genus of trees and succulents mostly native to Africa. Species of Dracaena often have very thick leaves, which enable them to survive long periods of drought. Combined with their ability to cope with low light levels, this drought-resistance makes many species of...
EPIPREMNUM
< MORE PLANTS STORIES> Epipremnums, which are a genus of climbing perennials in the araceae family, are often colloquially called Pothos. This is a misnomer and should not be confused with the genus of plant also called Pothos, which is a member of the same family. Epipremnum Aureum is the...
EPISCIA
< MORE PLANTS STORIES> Episcias, sometimes called flame violets, are of the African violet family and native to the tropical regions of Central and South America. The name is derived from Greek, meaning “shaded”, which speaks of the environment it best thrives in. There are 10 species of episcia plants...
False Shamrock / Love Plant / Purple Shamrock
< MORE PLANTS STORIES> False Shamrock / Love Plant / Purple Shamrock Botanical Name: Oxalis Triangularis Oxalis Triangularis, or False Shamrock, is a perennial commonly grown as a houseplant. This eye-catching plant has deep maroon leaves in the trifoliate pattern usually associated with clovers, lending it the ‘false shamrock’ descriptor. ...
FERNS
< MORE PLANTS STORIES> Although ferns are a category of plant, ‘Fern’ is not a genus. Instead, the name fern describes any non-flowering plant with leaves which run along either side of the stem. These divided leaves are called fronds. Although ferns don’t bear flowers (they reproduce via spores!), this...
HEDERA (IVY)
< MORE PLANTS STORIES> Hedera is a genus of around 14 species of evergreen climbers native to much of the world, excluding only Australasia and the Americas, wherein many species are now naturalised. Hedera is most commonly known as Ivy. When Hedera plants are not allowed to climb, they will...
HOYA (‘WAX PLANT’)
< MORE PLANTS STORIES> Hoya is a genus of around 300 species of tropical plants, most of which are native to Asia, but with some species also found in Australia and New Guinea. They are sometimes described as ‘Wax Plants’, a moniker they owe to their relatively thick, tough textures....
Marimo Moss Ball
< MORE PLANTS STORIES> Marimo Moss Ball Botanical Name: Aegagropila Linnaei The Aegagropila Linnaei plant, or ‘Marimo’, is sometimes referred to simply as ‘Moss Ball’, which it owes to the fact that it resembles a ball of moss. It is a type of deep green algae which grows in large,...
MONSTERA
< MORE PLANTS STORIES> It will come as a relief to plant owners that the genus Monstera does not bear any resemblance to Godzilla, King Kong, or Little Shop of Horrors’ human-eating plant from outer space. The name ‘Monstera’ refers instead to the genus’ abnormally shaped leaves, which usually grow...
ORCHIDS
< MORE PLANTS STORIES> The term ‘orchid’ refers not to a genus of plant, but to a category of plants characterised by their symmetrical flowers, small seeds, and fused stamens (the small pollen-producing organ in the middle of a male flower). Orchids can be either perennials or herbs (or both!),...
PHILODENDRON
< MORE PLANTS STORIES> The Philodendron has the second largest number of species in any genus in the Araceae family. Though the specific number is unknown, Philodendrons usually have very large leaves and the appearance of leaves on a single plant can vary dramatically as maturation of Philodendron leaves does not...
Phyllanthus Mirabilis
< MORE PLANTS STORIES> Phyllanthus Mirabilis Generally the entire genus of Phyllanthus, estimated at 750 to 1200, is known as the Leafflower. Phyllanthus Mirabilis is a deciduous shrub native to the Indochina region, with a particularly large population in Thailand. Its relatively oval-shaped leaves are variegated with coppery borders and...
Pilea (Chinese Money Plant)
< MORE PLANTS STORIES> Pilea (Chinese Money Plant) Botanical Name: Pilea Peperomioides Commonly known as the Chinese Money Plant, Pilea Peperomioides is a flowering nettle native to China, but also very rarely found in parts of Scandinavia, where it has been naturalised. The Chinese Money Plant is quite compact –...
Purple Heart / Wandering Jew
< MORE PLANTS STORIES> Purple Heart / Wandering Jew Botanical Name: Tradescantia Pallida Native to Mexico, Tradescantia Pallida is also known as Wandering Jew, Purple Spiderwort or Purple Heart, the latter monikers owing to its purple colouring. As well as their blue-purple tinge, the leaves of the Purple Heart also...
RHAPHIDOPHORA
< MORE PLANTS STORIES> Rhaphidophora is a genus of around 100 species of plant in the same family as Philodendrons. Among others, they are tropical plants native to Africa, then spreading East. They are perennial climbers and they often have fibrous leaves, though this fact is usually not apparent until...
SANSEVIERIA
< MORE PLANTS STORIES> Sansevieria plants belong to the family asparagaceae - the same family as the asparagus. The type of plant varies from species to species, but the genus does contain a notable number of succulents. Originating in Africa, and South Asia, some species of the Sansevieria genus also...
Silver Dollar Vine
< MORE PLANTS STORIES> Silver Dollar Vine Botanical Name: Xerosicyos Danguyi Sometimes called the Silver Dollar Vine, this Madagascan vine has a set of deep green, almost grey leaves. These leaves are round, somewhat resembling coins, and are arranged on either side of the stem. The Silver Dollar Vine produces...
SPATHIPHYLLUM (PEACE LILY)
< MORE PLANTS STORIES> SPATHIPHYLLUM (PEACE LILY) Spathiphyllum, some of whose species are referred to as the ‘Peace Lily’, is a genus of around 40 species of tropical flowering plants native to Southeast Asia and the tropical Americas. Their leaves are often quite large, with a maximum of 65 centimetres...
Spider Plant
< MORE PLANTS STORIES> Spider Plant Botanical Name: Chlorophytum Comosum Chlorophytum Comosum, known as the Spider Plant, is a perennial hailing from tropical Africa, meaning that it’s a houseplant that will stay around for many years to come. The Spider Plant is a quirky, haphazard fixture whose leaves grow abundantly...
String of Hearts
< MORE PLANTS STORIES> String of Hearts Botanical Name: Ceropegia Woodii Popularly known as String of Hearts, Ceropegia Woodii is native to southern Africa (which includes South Africa, of course). It owes its common name to its small, heart-shaped leaves, which are variegated in shades of deep green and light...
String of Pearls
< MORE PLANTS STORIES> String of Pearls Botanical Name: Senecio Rowleyanus Known alternately as String of Pearls, Senecio Rowleyanus is a perennial succulent native to Southwest Africa. Its bright green, pea-sized leaves are unique not for their colour, but because they are almost completely spherical, an adaptation taken on to...
Swallowtail Plant
< MORE PLANTS STORIES> Swallowtail Plant Botanical Name: Christia Obcordata Christia Obcordata, sometimes referred to as the ‘Swallowtail’, is an impressive herb with wing-shaped leaves. More impressive still are the markings on these wing-like leaves, which display as a set of rich mahogany stripes along the leaf’s veins, symmetrical on...
Voodoo Lily
< MORE PLANTS STORIES> Voodoo Lily Botanical Name: Amorphophallus Atroviridis Though the Amorphophallus Atroviridis is known as the ‘Voodoo Lily’, it is not a lily at all, but a perennial herb. It usually grows to around 18 inches, so will accent a dining table or a coffee table but may...
Zebra Plant
< MORE PLANTS STORIES> Zebra Plant Botanical Name: Sanchezia Speciosa Sanchezia Speciosa, a plant native to Peru and Ecuador, is a perennial shrub known as the Zebra Plant. With large elliptical leaves which grow on either side of the Zebra Plant’s stem, it owes its name to the golden veins...
ZZ Plant
< MORE PLANTS STORIES> ZZ Plant Botanical Name: Zamioculcas zamiifolia The ZZ Plant, native to East Africa, is the only species in its genus. It is an evergreen succulent but will become deciduous during drought. The ZZ Plant’s leaves branch from the stem in a pinnate formation, displaying small oval...