This is a popular houseplant that is very adaptable to most indoor situations and can tolerate fairly low light levels, infrequent watering and other abuses. Plants are generally available in 6" pot sizes and will generally grow up to about 12-18" tall and wide. The leaves are usually green with silvery-green markings (almost like veins) in the leaves. The plant may produce small, greenish yellow flowers that look similar to a calla lily flower.
Alstroemeria hybrid Peruvian Lily
Alstroemeria are a very popular cutflower which come in a wide variety of colors including white, yellow, pink, orange, red and purple. Plants can grow quite tall, often exceeding 6' in length. Consequently, they must be grown with caging, which supports the stems and helps to keep them straight. Identifying characteristics of Alstroemeria include leaves that come out from the stem and twist upside down. Flowers are composed of three colored petals, usually with darker spots. The three sepals usually do not have as many markings.
This popular houseplant, often sold during the Christmas season, is really a small form of the real trees that grow to over 200' in their natural habitiat. Norfolk Island pine is characterized by very soft needled branches that droop with age. The needles are about 3/4" in length and cover the twigs and branches that come out from the main stem in whorls along the stem.
Snapdragons are popular cutflowers and also grown as annuals in the flower garden. They come in a wide variety of colors, except blue. The flowers are in a spike, generally with at least 15 flowers or more. Individual flowers look like they have lips and these will open if you squeeze the sides of the flower.
Anthuriums are tropical plants that are often grown as houseplants. They are primarily known for their showy, waxy flowers that come in a variety of colors from bright reds, pinks, greens and white. Perhaps the most interesting characteristic is the prominent spadix (tubular structure) that sticks out over the flower's spathe (the flattened, colorful part). The flowers look like they are fake because they appear to be made of plastic. These are also popular cut flowers. The foliage has a similar shape the spathe, sort of heart-shaped and usually dark green and also waxy in appearance.
Sprengri fern is a very common addition to floral designs due to its fine, needle-like leaves and nice green color. While it is called a "fem" it really isn't a fern. Occasionally the plant develops small white flowers followed by small green fruit that eventually turn red.
Astilbe are mainly grown as a perennial flower. The foliage is made up of small leaflets on a compound leaf. The flowers may be white, pink, red or lavender and have a very fuzzy appearance.
Wax begonias are a commonly grown annual plant in the flower bed. The foliage is generally green or may have a burgundy coloration and is usually quite shiny in appearance. Plants generally flower quite freely with flowers that may be white, pink or red. Flowers appear in clusters on the plants that may be up to about 12" tall.
Cannas are popular sub-tropical plants grown in this area as a summer bulb that is usually dug up in the fall and stored indoors over winter. They are known for their broad, tropical looking leaves and brightly colored flowers. Some cultivars may reach 8' in height while others stay around 3-4' tall. The foliage is usually green or dark burgundy in color but variegated cultivars are becoming more common. The flowers come in many colors, but are usually red, orange, yellow or white and are often spotted with contrasting colors.
The Parlor Palm makes a great houseplant for most rooms in the house, providing it gets pretty bright light. This is a windowsill-sized plant compared to most palms which take up a lot of room. It is characterized by its palm frond type leaves which are pinnately compound.
Waxflower is another type of flower that is often used in floral design work. This woody plant has small, needle-like leaves and small, 3/8" flowers that are usually white, pink or red. The base of each flower is rounded with the four petals coming out from the edge of the rounded base.
Spider plants are very common houseplants. The "spider" name comes from the small wirey stems that develop from the main plant. Baby plants can be seen developing on the ends of these wirey stems. The foliage may be solid green or have creamy-white stripes.
Chrysanthemums are common plants sold at florists shops. They are generally sold in 4 to 6" pots. Flowers come in a wide variety of colors from white, yellow, orange, pink, lavender, burgundy or purple. The flowers are borne on the ends of the stems in clusters or with larger, single flowers. Plants are rather aromatic.
Grape ivy is a hanging basket type plant with dark green trifoliate leaves. Like a grape vine, this plant often develops small tendrils that will twine around anything that is within reach.
Crotons are grown as houseplants, often for their brightly colored foliage which may be green with spots or streaks of yellow, orange, pink or red. The leaves are rather thick and waxy and about 4-6" long and about 2-3" wide.
Jade plants are a type of succulent grown as a houseplant. The thick, waxy leaves are usually about 2" long and 1" wide. Jade plants can become quite large with very thick stems. Occasionally jade plants will develop small, white, 4-petaled flowers. While the foliage is usually just green, there are some varieties that have white variegated foliage.
Cyclamen are popular holiday plants, generally available during the fall to spring. The plants have fairly large roundish leaves, often with some whitish spots or markings. The flowers may be white, pink, lavender, red or purple and may be nicely fragrant. The most interesting characteristic is that the flowers hang down individually with the flower petals pointing upwards.
Cymbidium orchids are a great cut flower that may last for a couple months. The flowers are usually white with pink or reddish markings around the throat of the flower but may also be pink, yellow, green, orange or red. Flowers are usually about 3-4" wide and tall and are borne on strong stems with 6 to 15 flowers on a stem. The plants are quite large with grass-like leaves that are often 24-36" long and about 1" wide.
Carnations are very popular cutflowers that come in a wide variety of colors including white, pink, red, lavender, purple and also other colors through by dying the flowers. The flowers are very doubled and usually about 2-3" in diameter and they may have a spicy aroma. The foliage is usually a grayish green, strap-like and usually curled downward.
Dumbcanes are popular houseplants that are well adapted to growing in lower light locations. The large green leaves may also have patterns of whitish spots or markings. The leaves of some varieties may be up to 2' long but most, smaller houseplant types will have leaves about 6" long and about 3" wide. The name dumbcane comes from the fact that crystalline alkaloids in the plant's sap can cause the throat to swell if eaten, preventing speech.
Dracaenas are great houseplants because they are well adapated to growing in the home, even surviving in fairly low light. Corn plants are so named because they have leaves that look like those of corn, but generally they will have some greenish-yellow stripes running the length of the leaves. Plants can grow rather large, often with a very thick trunk or stem.
The Echeverias are a wonderful group of succulent plants that make great houseplants. They are sometimes called Hens and Chickens because they will often produce little baby plants (chickens) near the base of the main (hen) plant. They come in many forms, depending on the species or cultivar but they all have a rosette growth habit and fleshy, succulent leaves.
Pothos is a very durable and adaptable houseplant that can be grown in a regular pot, hanging basket, or trained up a pole. The most commonly seen cultivar has green, roughly heart-shaped leaves that are variegated with golden yellow or white. The plant develops trailing stems with aerial roots that will grow into moist soil or other support. The plant rarely flowers.
Exacum is generally available as a spring holiday plant, usually grown in a 4 or 6-in pot. The plant has a generally rounded, squarish form and usually has lavender or white flowers with distinctive golden yellow anthers in the center of the flower. The flowers may have a pleasant aroma, especially on a large, well-flowered plant that may have over a hundred flowers. The foliage is glossy.
Weeping Fig is another adaptable house plant, when grown in a small pot or it can be allowed to get quite large in a big tub or larger container where it will become a small tree. It has small 1" wide, plain green or variegated leaves. It will tolerate most environments but likes a consistent temperature and light regimen, if it gets unhappy it will drop (weep) its leaves. When bruised the stems and leaves will emit a white sap, similar to what is used to make rubber.
Rubber plants are large houseplants with thick, waxy leaves that are usually about 8" long and 4-5" wide. The leaves are either dark green or may have creamy white variegation. The sap of this plant is white and sticky and similar to what is used to make rubber.
Freesia are cutflowers, generally available
during winter or spring.
The fragrant flowers are found in a row, atop the stems. Flower color
may be white, pink, lavender, purple or reddish.
The Gerbera Daisy is a very popular cut flower and to a lesser extent, a flowering potted plant or bedding plant. The primary attraction of this plant is its showy, daisy-like flowers, that can come in a huge array of flower colors and types. The plant looks a bit like a dandelion but the flowers are usually large, about 3-5" across and very bright.
Gladiolus are usually quite tall cutflowers
with many flowers developing along the stem up to small bud at the top of
the stem.
Flowers come in a side array of colors from white, pink, yellow, orange, red
or purple. The leaves are long, pointed and grass-like.
Baby's breath is a common filler flower used in floral designs. It has thin, wirey stems with many, tiny white flowers.
English ivy is a common hanging basket type plant with green or variegated triangular or heart-shaped leaves.
Hostas are the most popular perennial plant sold in the US. Grown primarily as a shade plant, hostas are known for their interesting, variegated foliage in shades of green, yellow and cream. Many hostas have attractive lily-like flowers as well. Foliage may be strap-like and about 6" long or almost rounded and up to 18" long and almost as wide.
Hoyas are tough durable houseplants that tolerate neglect. They are usually grown as a hanging basket plant since the plants vine out and will hang down or may twine around a support. The stems and leaves are fairly thick and succulent and have a waxy appearance, hence the common name of wax plant. The foliage may be plain green, speckled with white spots or variegated with creamy white, pink and red. Hoyas will occasionally flower. The flowers are borne in flat clusters and are usually fragrant. Each individual flower is star shaped.
Hyacinths are common spring flowering bulbs but are also common as potted
bulbs available during late winter. Flowers develop in large
clusters on short stems amid the narrow, curved leaves. Flower colors
range from white, pink, red or blue. Flowers are generally quite fragrant.
Hydrangeas are beautiful spring blooming plants that have large, flattened heads of 1/2" flowers in either white, pink or blue. The plants are usually 18-24" tall with flower heads that are about 5-9" across. The foliage is dark green.
Dutch Iris are not usually grown in gardens around here but are a popular cut flower. They are most frequently seen with blue, purple or white flowers, usually with yellow or orange markings on the petals. Florists usually get them in while they are still in a tight bud stage but are allowed to open in the vase or arrangement. The foliage is grassy in appearance, long and thin.
Kalanchoes are common, blooming, potted plants available from fall to spring. The small, 4-petaled flowers may be white, yellow, pink, orange or red. The flowers appear in heads on the upper parts of the stems. The leaves appear very waxy and are quite thick and succulent.
Liatris is a common outdoor perennial flower as well as a common cutlfower. The flowers are generally purple or pink but may also be white. The flower stalks are tall and slender with the flowers lining the upper part of the stem. The flowers have very tiny, stringy petals and open from the tip of the stem downward. The foliage is very narrow and grasslike.
There are many types of lilies grown as garden perennials or as a cutflower. Flowers can be found in huge array of colors from white to pink, red, lavender, yellow, orange or even multi-colored. The flowers are large and have 6 petals. Sometimes there are small spots on the petals and some cultivars are very fragrant.
Statice is another plant that is commonly grown in outdoor flower gardens as an annual but is also used extensively as a filler flower. the flowers are actually small, papery bracts in small clusters on the flattened stems that have wavy, leafy edges. Color ranges from white, pinks, lavenders, blues and purples.
Stock is a popular cutflower prized for the lovely spikes of fragrant flowers that come in white, pinks, yellows, lavenders and purple. The flowers are borne on the upper part of the stem, opening from the base of the stem upward. The foliage is covered with soft hairs, strap-like and usually a grayish-green.
Monsteras are great plants for lower light locations. Their large, dark green waxy leaves have distinctive splits along the edges of the leaves and may also have some small holes in the leaves too.
Daffodils are common outdoor, spring flowering bulbs with their familiar cup and saucer-shaped yellow to orange flowers.
Boston ferns are common houseplants grown for their finely textured leaves. Ferns have fronds instead of stems with leaves. Ferns do well in a bright location.
The Opuntia are a large group of cacti with several species that are often grown as houseplants in our area. They have flattened stem-leaves (pads) that make up most of the plant. These flattened "pads" are covered with small tufts of spines, sometimes very short or they may be over an inch long. We also have a few types that are hardy and grow in gardens or in the wild, especially West River, where they are know as Prickly Pear Cactus. There are many other types of cacti, usually characterized by having fleshy stems or pads and usually spines.
Geraniums are one of the most popular bedding plants in the US. Grown for their dark green, rounded leaves and bright flowers they make a great bedding plant and also work well as a houseplant. Flowers are borne in rounded clusters on short stems above the foliage. Flowers may be white, pink, red, lavender and other bright colors.
Ivy geraniums are popular hanging basket plants with flowers in a variety of colors from white, red, pink and lavender. The leaves are waxy and thick.
This is a cute, fairly small houseplant that does well in a bright location. It is related to the plant that is used to grow black pepper, so that shows up in the botanical name, Peperomia. The leaves are very interesting with a neat rippled texture, kind of like the inside of corrugated cardboard. The foliage may be green, burgundy-green or variegated with creamy-white. The flower stalks are quite unique, long and thin, resembling a rat tail.
Petunias are one of the most popular bedding plants. They have a wide variety of flower colors ranging from white, pink, red, yellow, lavender, purple and bicolors. The familiar broad trupet-shaped flowers are produced in great abundance all summer long.
Phalanopsis Orchids are now one of the most popular flowering house plants. They are available in greenhouses, discount outlet stores, florists shops, even in big box building stores. They are quite easy to grow in typical room conditions where they get some morning sun and a generally bright location most of the day. They can be in flower for 4-6 months of the year and are easy for the home gardener to get them to rebloom. They are often called butterfly or moth orchids because the group of flowers on the arching stem resemble moths in flight. The plant usually consists of 3-6 large, thickened stiff leaves close to the pot with the flower stalk reaching up to a foot or more over the plant. The flowers are usually white, pink, lavender or purple but other colors are available as well.
Heartleaf Philodendron has what you would expect, heart-shaped leaves on cascading stems that may be trained to grow up a pole or other support. The stems often develop small aerial roots at the nodes. This plant grows well in most home situations, will tolerate lower light levels and has few pest problems.
The Artillery Plant is a tough but delicate looking houseplant. Its name is derived from the way the anthers almost explode to release their pollen. This plant is easy to grow in ordinary conditions in the home. It roots easily from cuttings and quickly grows into a nice looking, bushy plant with many, tiny leaves (micro means tiny; phylla means leaves). The typical plant has plain green leaves but a somewhat slower growing, variegated cultivar is also available. The flowers are minute and barely visible amongst the fine stems and leaves.
This is a great hanging basket type houseplant suitable for most home situations. The leaves are generally a nice dark green with a small scalloped edge. Plants may also develop small white flowers that adds to the beauty of this plant.
The Primrose is a popular winter and spring flowering plant. It is grown during the winter in greenhouses because it needs cool temperatures to develop flower buds and bloom. It has elongated, rounded leaves that have distinctive crinkled veins, forming a rosette of foliage. The flowers are borne in small clusters on short stems and come in a variety of bright colors like yellow, orange, blue, pink, purple and white, usually with a yellow center. The flowers are also usually nicely fragrant. These plants are rated as being hardy to Zone 4 outside, but they need consistent snow cover or winter protection in our area.
Azaleas are a very popular flowering potted plant, generally available winter through spring. Flowers range in color from white, pink, red and lavender. The plants are actually small woody shrubs with small elliptical leaves.
Roses are the most popular cutflowers, noted for their lovely form, color and fragrance. Colors range through the entire spectrum except for blue.
Leatherleaf fern is probably the most commonly used green in floral design work in the US. The glossy fronds last a long time in arrangements, corsages and boutonnières.
African violets are a very popular flowering houseplant that have flowers in a wide variety of colors. The foliage of these attractive plants is usually dark green but may be light green or even have white variegation. Plants bloom with small clusters of flowers, held above the whorls of rounded leaves.
Snake plants are one of the most durable houseplants, adapted to very low light and tolerant of neglect. There are two main types of Sanseveria, one has tall, thickened leaves that have horizontal greenish stripes. The other "birdsnest" type forms a neat rosette of foliage about 6" tall and round.
These popular and colorful flowering potted plants are a welcome site during the winter months, when they are generally available. The small, daisy-like flowers come in just about any color, often with bicolor flowers. The plants have large leaves with the large, flattened flower head on top.
Gloxinias are another popular flowering houseplant but not often grown. The large tubular flowers come in white, pink, blue, purple and red. Gloxinias have large, slightly fuzzy leaves that form a nice base for the flowers.
Coleus are popular bedding plants and sometimes used as houseplants. They are primarily grown for their colorful foliage which can range in a wide variety of colors. Coleus are easy to grow and propagate by seed or cuttings.
Peace lilies are another popular houseplant and blooming plant. The dark green leaves are often intermixed with lovely white flowers. The flowers are white with a large flattened leaf-like "petal" called the spathe with a tubular, knobby "flower spike" called the spadix.
Stephanotis are very popular cutflowers, especially for weddings. Unlike many other flowers, stephanotis are used as individual flowers. Because the flowers have very short stems, they are generally wired to increase the stem length for use in arrangements. The creamy-white flowers have five petals and a nice fragrance.
Bird-of-paradise are one of the most commonly used tropical flowers in arrangements. The strong stems support an interesting flower which appears like an orange and blue bird emerging from a green sheaf.
Nephthytis are commonly grown as houseplants. You may sometimes see them grown as a hanging basket plant or in a pot where they are trained to grow up a pole or other support. The leaves are arrow-head shaped, usually green with silvery or lighter green markings. The plants can get quite large, usually with trailing stems that have small aerial roots at the nodes. These plants will flower but they are seldom seen.
The Marigold is an extremely common bedding plant in this area. It is known for its finely textured, somewhat smelly, foliage and usually yellow, orange or brownish rounded flowers. There are many cultivars of marigold, some have simple, single flowers less than an inch wide while others are up to 4" wide and very doubled. The pinnately compound leaves with their distinctive aroma are good identifying characteristics.
Tulips are one of the most common spring flowring bulbs. These popular flowers come in a wide variety of colors.
Pansys are a very popular bedding plant that is often seen in spring and fall gardens. The familiar pansy "faces" come in a wide variety of colors, often with a different color around the center of the flower.
This is probably one of the easiest to grow and easiest to propagate house plants you will find. It is a great plant for kids because is is so easy to grow and they like the zebra striped leaves that are also a lovely purple color on the underside. It has trailing stems so it makes a great hanging basket plant. It also gets small pink flowers but they are not that showy. The stems are easy to root in water or propagating media, usually in about a week.