More stories

  • in ,

    How to Grow Umbrella Plant — Cyperus

    Cyperus–commonly called umbrella plant or papyrus–is a sedge, a grasslike plant that is different than a true grass; it has three-angled solid stems. Cyperus are known for their striking form, silhouette, and shadow patterns. Cyperus bears grasslike flower heads. Cyperus can be grown in moist soil with its roots submerged in water. It can be […] More

  • in

    How to Grow Acorus – Sweet Flag

    Acorus, commonly called sweet flag–is a wetland perennial that is both grass-like and iris-like. It produces clumps of strap-shaped leaves and bears small nearly insignificant flowers that jut from leaf-like flower stalks. Acorus grow from rhizomes. It grows best in wet soil or standing water. It is a colorful choice to grow the margins of […] More

  • in

    How to Grow Gunnera

    Gunnera is a herbaceous or evergreen perennial with massive ovate to heart-shaped lobed leaves. Gunnera can grow to 8 feet (2.4m) tall and giant leaves can be 4 to 8 feet (1.2-2.4m) across. New leaves emerge every spring in mild-winter regions, old leaves remain green for more than a year. Gunnera grows from rhizomes and […] More

  • in

    How to Grow Nymphaea – Waterlily

    Nymphaea — waterlily–is a large group of water plants with leaves that float on the water surface bearing showy flowers that either float on the surface or stand above it on stiff stalks. Cultivated water lilies commonly found in nurseries are largely hybrids; there are hardy types and tropical types.  Hardy waterlilies come in white, yellow, copper, […] More

  • in

    How to Grow Humulus – Hops

    Hops—Humulus—are grown in gardens for their bold, large-lobed leaves and the decorative flowers (hops) borne on female plants in autumn. Hop vines are rapid growers. Their bright green leaves can cover a trellis or arbor in one season enlivening a garden. Each plant bears either male or female flowers. Female flowers are pale green and […] More

  • in , ,

    How to Grow Pothos — Epipremnum

    Epipremnum–commonly called Pothos–is a vining plant with heart-shaped bright green leaves often splashed with yellow or white markings. Epipremnum is sometimes confused with a philodendron. Epipremnum usually has multiple stems that grow to 6 feet (2m) in length; stems may be climbing or trailing. Leaves are oval to heart-shaped, 3 to 8 inches long, olive […] More

  • in ,

    How to Grow Swedish Ivy — Plectranthus

    Plectranthus–commonly called Swedish ivy–is a shrublike or trailing tropical plant with fleshy, square stems and green leaves that may be heart-shaped, oval, or rounded often with a velvety texture The leaves of Plectranthus have scalloped edges, veining, and a bronzy or purple cast. Small, tubular flowers are borne in terminal spikes throughout the year. In […] More

  • in , ,

    How to Grow Aluminum Plant — Pilea

    Pilea is a low-growing, tropical, shrub. Stems are fleshy and bear green leaves marked with silver, brown, bronze, or red patterns. Leaf surfaces may be quilted, veined, or puckered. Pilea is a slower grower with upright or creeping stems growing to 12 inches (30cm). Insignificant flowers may appear throughout the year. Pileas grow best in […] More

  • in , ,

    How to Grow Peperomia

    Peperomia is a genus of small, compact tropical plants. Cultivars come in a wide range of leaf textures and patterns. Most have fleshy, usually long-stalked deeply textured leaves that can be solid green or purple or green with silver stripes. Peperomia are rosette-forming. They grow erect. Leaves are elliptic to ovate or heart-shaped and usually […] More

  • in , ,

    How to Grow Philodendron

    Philodendrons have large, glossy, leather leaves in a variety of leaf shapes, colors, and sizes. Philodendrons are tropical climbing, trailing, or occasionally erect plant with thick stems to 6 feet (2m) in length. Philodendron leaves may be green or red, and heart-shaped, fiddle-shaped, sword-shaped, rounded, or triangular. They may have smooth edges or deep clefts. […] More

  • in , ,

    How to Grow Prayer Plant — Maranta

    Maranta–commonly called prayer plant–is a leafy, low-growing tropical evergreen perennial. It has broad, oval leaves supported by short leafstalks. Leaves are green with gray or red veins and symmetrical featherlike markings. Maranta leaves fold up at night and resemble praying hands. Maranta is cultivated for their crowded clumps of intricately patterned, blunt-ended, elliptic leaves. Maranta […] More

  • in , ,

    How to Grow Polka Dot Plant — Hypoestes

    Hypoestes–commonly called polka-dot plant–is a striking plant with liberally marked lavender-rose and white leaves. It can be grown indoors in bright light or outdoors in year-round subtropical regions. Hypoestes are good houseplants; they may also be grown as annuals and used as bedding or in patio containers. In warm-winter regions, they can be grown as […] More