Coleus blumei (Plectranthus scutellarioides)

Coleus Blumei Hybrids Can Coleus be grown indoors as a houseplant? Absolutely and to the naysayers we say why not? The Coleus blumei hybrids, the Painted Ne

Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera Buckleyi)

Christmas Cactus Lets just take a moment to look at the scientific botanical name of the Christmas Cactus - Schlumbergera Buckleyi. No wonder almos

Calathea (Peacock Plant / Zebra Plant / Rattlesnake Plant)

The Calathea When Calathea is grown as a house plant it sometimes goes by the name Peacock Plant, Zebra Plant or Rattlesnake Plant because of its le

Cactus (Desert Type)

Desert Cactus If you need an easy care and forgiving houseplant, an ever popular Cactus could be the plant for you. Cacti come in many different sh

Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata Bostoniensis)

The Tranquil Boston Fern The Boston Fern is one of many ferns that is suitable for indoor use as a houseplant. If you want a reliable and fairly eas

Bonsai Tree

Outdoor v.s Indoor Bonsai The word bonsai simply means a "plant in a tray". Being defined as - "The art of growing dwarfed, ornamenta

Strelitzia (Bird of Paradise)

The Spectacular Bird of Paradise Plant The Strelitzia, commonly known as the Bird of Paradise Plant, is a spectacular, unmistakable and the unchalle

Bird Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus)

The Birds Nest Fern The Birds Nest Fern or Asplenium nidus is one of the several popular and beautiful ferns grown as houseplants. They can grow in

Aspidistra Elatior (Cast Iron Plant)

The Cast Iron Aspidistra Aspidistra elatior or the Cast Iron Plant is native to China and Japan, and belongs to the lily family. The most common va

Areca Palm / Butterfly Palm (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens / Dypsis lutescens)

The Areca Palm The Areca Palm or Butterfly Palm is a relatively easy care indoor houseplant that has much going for it. Its attractive nature has

Anthurium (Flamingo Flower / Painters Palette)

The Anthurium A number of Anthurium species have started to become quite trendy of late, tending to appear more frequently in many shops and nurser

Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera)

The Medical Aloe Vera Plant The Aloe plant is one of the more commonly known houseplants because of the Aloe Vera gel you find inside its leaves.

Alocasia (Kris Plant / Elephant Ear)

The Stunning Alocasia Alocasia is normally known as the Kris Plant or Elephant Ear. This unusual looking houseplant will produce flowers on occasion,

African Violet (Saintpaulia)

African Violet Saintpaulia is often know as an African Violet because it originates from Africa and the flowers look like violets (although they ar

Easy Green: Indoor Trees

Its rare to find a universally-appealing anything, especially a hue. But Id like to go out on a limb and say that every room could use a shock of green — not in the form of paint or even a throw pillow mind you, but a lo

Indoor Gardens: Duplicate Nature Inside

With the frosty days of winter quickly approaching, its time to bring the grace and beauty of vegetation inside before it vanishes outside. Designate a space where your plants can get enough light and get creative; there

How to Make Beautifully Untamed Floral Arrangements

Its getting down to the wire for Thanksgiving. Side dishes have been chosen, the turkey has been bought, and the wine rack is well stocked. Luckily for all of us florally challenged, Jill Rizzo and Alethea Harampolis of

Dirt Optional: Amazing Air Plants for Wall or Tree

For outdoor lovers and botanical admirers, winter can be a challenging season. But for the folks at Flora Grubb Gardens in San Francisco, the challenge only fuels their creativity and famously alternative approach to ind

5 Reasons to Design With Houseplants

Live plants are important home accessories and — sometimes they can even become key design elements on their own. Next time you see an unused corner or empty shelf in your home, consider bringing in a plant to fill the s

One Fern Day

I recently joined a group of fellow design writers at West Elm for a planting and terrarium-making workshop led by designer Shane Powers, best known for his work as the style and decorating editor for Blueprint and Marth