Terrariums are miniature ecosystems under glass, an aquarium for plants instead of fish. A sealed or open container holds drainage, soil, and small plants that thrive on the moisture they recycle, which is why a well-built terrarium can sit on a table, shelf, or window sill and need attention only every few weeks. The glass […]
Monstera esqueleto is the rare, oversized member of the monstera family, prized for leaves that grow up to three feet long and develop fenestrations so deep they nearly skeletonize the blade, which is exactly where the common name comes from. Between the familiar deliciosa and the dainty adansonii, this species is one of the most
Burgundy rubber plants (Ficus elastica ‘burgundy’) rank among the most dependable indoor trees you can grow, with glossy dark green leaves that carry a deep burgundy tint on their undersides and along the new growth. Indoors a mature plant reaches about eight feet tall with a 2 to 3 foot spread, and in tropical gardens
Summer brings pests indoors as well as out. Aphids, spider mites, and other insects find their way onto houseplants through open windows, new pots from the nursery, and fresh potting soil, and a small population can spread across a shelf in weeks. Early detection makes the difference between a quick treatment and a lost plant,
Yellow jackets are the wasps that ruin cookouts. They are defensive, aggressive, and quick to sting, and unlike honeybees they can sting repeatedly without dying. Their name comes from the bright yellow bands on their bodies, the same color logic behind why construction equipment is always yellow: maximum visibility. Keeping them away from your house
Monkshood, native to the mountainous regions of Europe and Asia, is a tall perennial flower known for its striking appearance and its ability to thrive in partial shade. The plant takes its name from the hood-like flowers, where the top sepal curves downward over the petals like the hood of a monk’s robe. Of the
Bonsai is an ancient Japanese art form that grows small, ornamental trees in containers to mimic the appearance of full-size trees in nature. Junipers are the classic starting point because they tolerate aggressive pruning, adapt to shallow pots, and keep their foliage year round. A juniper bonsai asks for full sun, well-drained soil, and consistent
The philodendron ring of fire (Philodendron bipinnatifidum x selloum) is a rare but low-maintenance houseplant prized for variegated leaves in green, orange, red, yellow, pink, and white. It grows slowly, eventually reaching up to eight feet tall and six feet wide with leaves around two feet long, so it rewards a committed spot and a
Jewel orchids (Ludisia discolor), also called tiger orchids, are terrestrial orchids from Southeast Asia grown for their striking, veined leaves rather than their modest flowers. Unlike epiphytic relatives that cling to trees, these plants root in forest soil, so they tolerate lower light and stay easier to grow indoors. Mature plants measure 4 to 12
The blue star fern (Phlebodium aureum) is a houseplant fern known for long, multi-lobed fronds with a silvery blue-green cast. Gardeners also call it golden polypody or cabbage palm fern, names that point to its native range across North and South America and its yellow-brown spore clusters. Mature plants reach 2 to 4 feet tall
