Iron-Cross Begonia
Wondering where this plant got its name? Look for the dark brown markings on its leaves and you'll notice a cross pattern. It doesn't mind being a little potbound, but do stop it from completely drying out.
Here's a tip: If you see brown, crispy leaf edges, give the plant more humidity. If you see yellowing or browning leaves, cut back on the amount of water you give it.
Why We Love It: It's an old-fashioned plant that reminds us of our grandmothers. Plus, it's extra easy to grow.
Name: Begonia masoniana
Growing Conditions: Medium to bright light; 65-75 degrees F.; keep soil evenly moist
Size: To 12 inches tall and wide
Note: The roots and stems can cause painful irritation of the mouth, lips, or throat if eaten or chewed by children or pets.
Prayer Plant
Green prayer plant (pictured) is sometimes called rabbit tracks for its purplish brown leaf markings. Closely related red prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura erythroneura) has bright red leaf veins along with the markings. Leaves of both forms fold together in the dark, creating the impression of praying hands. Prayer plant appreciates high humidity and even soil moisture except in winter when it goes semi-dormant and need slightly drier conditions.
Why We Love It: It's a fun plant for children because the leaves open and close at night. The big leaves create a nice accent to rooms and they fit in with a wide variety of decorating styles.
Name: Maranta leuconeura
Growing Conditions: Medium light; 60-75 degrees F.; keep soil evenly moist, drier in winter
Size: To 2 feet tall and wide
Nerve Plant
The fine tracery of pink, red, white or silver veins on leaves give nerve plant its common name. It's a great way to add color to a brightly lit kitchen or bathroom because it appreciates high humidity and moist soil.
Why We Love It: It combines well with other plants in dish gardens and terrariums.
Name: Fittonia albivenis Verschaffeltii Group
Growing Conditions: Medium light; 65-75 degrees F.; keep soil evenly moist
Size: To 1 foot tall and wide
Ti Plant
Colorful strap-like leaves emerge from a central stalk on ti plant, which is also called good luck plant and sometimes classified as C. terminalis. As the plant ages, it loses its lower leaves to show off a woody trunk. It's easy to propagate; just place sections of the trunk horizontally on moist potting soil. Then be patient: It may take several months for new shoots to sprout.
Why We Love It: The variegated leaves make this one of the best houseplants for creating a splash of constant color (because you don't have to worry about whether it's going to stop blooming): It looks great 365 days a year.
Name: Cordyline fruticosa
Growing Conditions: Bright to intense light; 60-85 degrees F.; keep soil evenly moist
Size: To 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide
China Doll
China doll has a fine texture, even though individual leaves can be 2 feet long. It is usually sold with several plants in one container to give it a fuller appearance. Pinch or prune shoots regularly to keep plants lush and full.
Why We Love It: Its finely textured leaves add grace and elegance to any room -- and it fits well with a wide variety of decorating styles.
Name: Radermachera sinica
Growing Conditions: Medium to bright light; 60-75 degrees F.; keep soil evenly moist
Size: To 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide.
Aluminum Plant
Enjoy the fun, metallic-silver splotches of aluminum plant's green leaves. It makes an attractive tabletop plant or hanging basket. If the plant gets leggy, move it to brighter light and pinch it back to force more compact growth.
Why We Love It: Its compact size makes it a good candidate for mixed dish gardens or terrariums.
Name: Pilea cadierei
Growing Conditions: Medium to bright light; 60-75 degrees F.; allow the soil surface to dry between waterings
Size: To 1 foot tall and wide
Note: The roots and stems can cause painful irritation of the mouth, lips, or throat if eaten or chewed by pets.
Wandering Jew
The most widely available form of this easy-care vine has leaves with olive and silver striping on top and purplish maroon underneath. Some forms have purplish color on both surfaces of leaves. In bright light plants may bear pink flowers with three petals. Wandering Jew starts easily from stem cuttings stuck in moist potting soil or water. While you can leave the cuttings growing for months in water, they'll do best if you plant them in potting mix.
Why We Love It: Besides offering great foliage, it's also extra-easy to grow and propagate.
Name: Tradescantia zebrina
Growing Conditions: Medium to bright light; 55-75 degrees F.; allow soil surface to dry between waterings
Size: To 1 foot tall and 2 feet wide
Fatsia
Unlike many tropical plants, Japanese fatsia likes to be kept on the cool side, but adapts well to normal room temperatures. Try it near a sliding glass door or in a cool entryway as a dramatic specimen plant. Wash the leaves periodically to maintain a glossy shine and to remove the occasional spider mite infestation.
Why We Love It: This plant is all about texture. The big leaves create a dramatic, tropical look in an instant.
Name: Fatsia japonica
Growing Conditions: Low to medium light; 50-65 degrees F.; keep soil evenly moist
Size: To 6 feet tall and wide
Pleomele
This plant used to be classified as Pleomele reflexa, and is still sometimes sold under that name. The wild form has solid green leaves, but the cream-and-green variegated cultivar 'Song of India' is more widely available. If the plant grows too tall or loses its lower leaves, prune it back to force new, more compact growth.
Why We Love It: This shrubby plant mixes well in a variety of decorating styles. Its variegated foliage adds extra interest.
Name: Dracaena reflexa
Growing Conditions: Medium to bright light; 65-75 degrees F.; allow soil surface to dry between waterings
Size: To 3 feet tall and wide
Note: This plant is poisonous if eaten or chewed on by dogs.
Moon Valley Friendship Plant
In bright light Moon Valley friendship plant may offer small creamy-white flowers, but its most outstanding feature is its waffle-like foliage. If the plant becomes leggy, simply pinch back the stems to keep the plant compact.
Why We Love It: Its color and texture make it an excellent companion plant for iron-cross begonia.
Name: Pilea involucrata 'Moon Valley'
Growing Conditions: Medium to bright light; 60-75 degrees F.; allow soil surface to dry between waterings
Size: To 1 foot tall and wide
Note: The roots and stems can cause painful irritation of the mouth, lips, or throat if eaten or chewed by pets.
Blushing Bromeliad
Although small purple flowers form in the center of blushing bromeliad's vase, the variegated foliage is the star attraction and source of its common name. Leaves have saw-tooth edges, so take care when handling the plant. Water the central vase rather than the soil.
Why We Love It: Its green-and-white striped leaves with central red blaze on young foliage create a bold statement.
Name: Neoregelia carolinae 'Tricolor'
Growing Conditions: Bright light; 65-80 degrees F.; keep water in central vase of leaf cluster
Size: To 1 foot tall and 3 feet wide
Strawberry Begonia
Although strawberry begonia is commonly used as a landscape ground cover in Zone 7 and warmer, it makes a terrific houseplant most anywhere that receives a moderate amount of light. It is not closely related to either strawberry or begonia, but has some characteristics that resemble those plants. Like many begonias it has multicolored leaves, and similar to strawberries, it produces plantlets on runners sent out by the mother plant.
Why We Love It: It's an easy-to-grow plant with beautiful foliage. It's also really easy to propagate and share with friends.
Name: Saxifraga stolonifera
Growing Conditions: Medium light; 50-75 degrees F.; keep soil evenly moist
Size: To 6 inches tall and 12 inches wide
Purple Passion
You may also know this old-fashioned houseplant as purple velvet plant because of the color and texture of its foliage. Its fast-growing stems trail as they lengthen, making the plant well adapted to hanging baskets. Older plants may produce orange flowers.
Why We Love It: The fuzzy purple foliage is interesting and distinctive. Plus, it's easy to grow from cuttings.
Name: Gynura aurantiaca 'Purple Passion'
Growing Conditions: Bright light; 60-75 degrees F.; keep soil evenly moist
Size: To 2 feet tall and wide
Aralia
Balfour aralia (pictured) is one of several aralias commonly available as houseplants. Ming aralia (Polyscias fruticosa) has deeply cut lacy leaves. Parsley aralia (P. f. 'Elegans') is smaller, with dense curled leaves. All develop corky, gnarled trunks as they age. Aralias need warm temperatures and high humidity. Keep them away from cold drafts.
Why We Love It: They're great trees with glossy green, scalloped leaves that create a beautiful texture indoors.
Name: Polyscias scutellaria 'Balfourii'
Growing Conditions: Medium to bright light; 65-85 degrees F; keep soil evenly moist
Size: To 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide
Note: This plant is poisonous and can make children or pets ill if they chew or eat it.
Asparagus Fern
Several plants go by the common name of asparagus fern. Foxtail fern (pictured) has bottlebrush plumes of medium green needles. 'Sprengeri' has arching stems covered with flat needles, giving the plant a frothy appearance. Plumose fern (Asparagus setaceus) looks more like a true fern, but like the others is an ornamental form of asparagus.
Why We Love It: The feathery foliage looks good in a variety of settings and decorating styles.
Name: Asparagus densiflorus 'Myers'
Growing Conditions: Medium to bright light; 60-75 degrees F.; keep soil evenly moist
Size: To 2 feet tall and wide
Note: The red fruits can make children or pets ill if eaten (though the plants rarely fruit indoors).
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