Giant Bird of Paradise is remarkable, decorative foliage plant with exotic large, upright, banana-like leaves and extraordinary flowers. The leaves of Strelitzia nicolai are fewer but larger than the reginae types. Giant Bird of Paradise makes for a great houseplant and can be used outdoors during warmer periods as well. It grows striking blue and white flowers, nestled within broad its grey/green leaves. These long-lasting flowers usually appear 3 to 5 years after germination. Also an air purifying indoor plant. Seed Germination: Soak the seeds for 24-48 hours in lukewarm water and sow the seeds in sowing mix. Keep the soil constantly moist, cover with plastic and let the seeds germinate at a temperature of 75F. Germination may take 3-5 weeks.
A fun plant that can be grown indoors. One reason people are taking to olive trees as houseplants is that caring for olive trees inside is easy. These trees tolerate dry air and dry soil too, making it an easy-care houseplant. And the trees are attractive too. The branches are covered with narrow, grey-green leaves that have furry undersides. Also does a great job at purifying indoor air. Seed Germination: Outer layer of seed should be broken or soaked in water for 48 hours before planting.
A beautifully bold, shiny, dark green palmate leaves more than 1' across, forms a large, rounded, open shrub, white flowers in fall, should be grown in bright, indirect light. Often grown as a house plant, native to Japan. Also know as paper plant. Seed Germination: Find a bright, indirect spot within your home. Plant 1/8" below soil and keep soil 80F with heat mat. Keep soil moist and avoid drying out. Should germinate within 2-4 weeks.
China Doll, Radermachera sinica, is a bushy subtropical stunner. It makes great impact with lots of attractive, fresh green leaves, that stay glossy even in the dry air of heated homes. great for air purification indoors. Seed Germination: Plant the seeds 1/4” deep with 2-3 seeds per container. Cover the soil with plastic to maintain the humidity and keep soil temperature around 70F. The seeds should germinate in 3-6 weeks.
Confetti Compact Red is a fun, tropical foliage plant, with a neat and compact habit and a very playful look. It has heart-shaped leaves, with colorful dark green and red speckles and blotches. Hypoestes makes for a great evergreen houseplant and helps purify the indoor air. Also know as the Polka dot plant, Baby’s Tears, Flamingo plant and Freckle Face. Seed Germination: Make sure to keep soil warm above 70F. Can take between 4-14 days to germinate.
'Baby Blue' is a common florist's staple as a bouquet filler. This plant is known for its long stems with rounded leaves in shades of dusty green. Great for bouquets, wreaths or drying. Eucalyptus has a lovely menthol-like fragrance. A tender perennial in USDA zones 9–11 but mainly grown by florist as an annual. As an annual, plants reach about 24"–48", but it can become a 35'-tall tree over time where perennial. This plant is very drought and heat tolerant once established.
A beautiful indoor tree that does great in a container. Native to the Canary Islands this is one of our favorite indoor plants. Once mature this tree is a site to see with unusual shape and white flowers that are deeply perfumed. Dragon tree is one of the several sources for the aromatic, garnet-red resin known as “Dragon’s Blood.” The plant prefers mesic to dry conditions, well-drained soil, and sun to part shade. Seed Germination: Plant at least 3 seeds per pot. Bottom heat is helpful. Takes 30-90 days to germinate.
Ponytail aka, Beaucarnea recurvata or Nolina recurvata, often gets mistaken for a palm, but actually is a semi-succulent. This unique looking tree-like perennial has a large swollen trunk, which stores water. The dark green leaves are long and thin and emerge from the trunk like a fountain. Ponytail is a well-known robust, sun-loving houseplant. In mild to warmer climates it can be used as a waterwise patio plant or for landscaping. Also know as Bottle palm or Elephant's foot. Seed Germination: These seeds inherently have a low germination rate. They should also be soaked in a wet paper towel 7-21 days until they germinate. Check on seeds daily. Once germinated transfer to your seed starting soil.
Silver Dollar Eucalyptus, scientifically known as Eucalyptus cinerea, is a striking evergreen tree prized for its distinctive, rounded leaves that resemble silver coins, giving it its common name. Native to Australia, this fast-growing tree can reach heights of up to 30 feet, although it is often cultivated as a smaller shrub in gardens. The leaves are a soft gray-green color, with a waxy texture that adds to their visual appeal and resilience in various climates. Also know as Redbox. Silver Dollar Eucalyptus is particularly valued for its aromatic foliage, which emits a fresh, minty fragrance when brushed or crushed. This makes it a popular choice for landscaping and floral arrangements. The tree produces small, cup-shaped flowers that are generally less showy but attract pollinators. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, adapting well to a range of conditions. With its unique foliage and pleasant scent, Silver Dollar Eucalyptus is a favorite for both ornamental gardens and as a cut foliage in floral displays.
Schefflera arboricola, a.k.a. Dwarf Umbrella Tree, is a stunning shrub with a compact and bushy habit. This decorative, subtropical beauty has glossy, oblong leaves. The shiny green, leathery leaves are arranged on their slender stalks like an umbrella, or like fingers on a hand. This dwarf-type Schefflera arboricola looks like a small version of the more tree-like S. actinophylla, with smaller thicker leaves. As a houseplant Schefflera is super versatile and it adapts well to various conditions. Schefflera is easy to prune to keep it tall and slender or short and compact. In addition, Schefflera is a great air-purifier. Seed Germination: Soak the seeds in hot water for 24 hours before planting. Plant the seeds 1/4” deep with 2-3 seeds per container. Cover the soil with plastic to maintain the humidity and keep soil temperature around 70F. The seeds should germinate in 3-6 weeks.
Lemon Bush Eucalyptus, scientifically known as Eucalyptus citriodora, is a fragrant evergreen tree renowned for its refreshing lemon-scented leaves. Native to Australia, this tree typically grows between 30 to 50 feet tall, although it can be maintained as a smaller shrub through pruning. The leaves are long and narrow, with a bright green color, and they release a strong citrus aroma, especially when crushed, which has made it popular for its essential oil. Lemon Bush Eucalyptus produces clusters of small white flowers, which attract bees and other pollinators. This tree thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, preferring warm climates and tolerant of drought once established. It is often used in landscaping for its aromatic foliage and attractive appearance, as well as for its potential medicinal properties. With its vibrant scent and lush green foliage, Lemon Bush Eucalyptus adds both beauty and fragrance to gardens, making it a favorite among gardeners and herbal enthusiasts alike.
Blue-Stem Yucca is a super popular houseplant that is easy to grow and needs very little care. They do best in long-lasting, direct light. Seed Germination: Can take 4-8 weeks to germinate so patience is needed. Plant 1/2" below soil and keep soil 60-70F.
Bridal Creeper a.k.a. Asparagus asparagoides, is a low-growing subtropical beauty, with a climbing and creeping habit. This fern has tiny, oval-shaped leaves that give a soft evergreen appearance. This plant can be grown indoors as a hanging plant or as a guided climber. Is an excellent air-purifying plant. Seed Germination: Plant at least 2-3 seeds per pot. Bottom heat is helpful. Takes 14-30 days to germinate.
Kalanchoe thyrsiflora is a great succulant that forms a basal rosette of large rounded, fleshy leaves, which are grayish cream with red margins. Plants are erect, upward-facing and are tightly arranged leaves. A beautiful indoor plant that does well in most conditions. Seed Germination: Moisten soil in a container and surface sow the seeds. Do not cover the seeds. They need sunlight to germinate. Put the container in a plastic bag to create a humid environment for the seeds. Germination should occur within 10 days.
Arabian is a coffee plant with a compact, bushy and upright habit. Coffea arabica is appreciated for its attractive shiny, dark green leaves. This compact Coffea arabica makes for a great houseplant. Kept as a houseplant, it’s unlikely to produce its scented flowers and its coffee bean containing fruits, but it is for sure a great conversation starter. Also helps purify the air indoors. Seed Germination: soak the beans for 48 hours before sowing. After soaking, place the seeds on top of the planting medium but do not cover them as light facilitates seed germination. Germination may take 4-8 weeks.
Madagascar palm (Pachypodium lamerei) is a stunning succulent with a single, shiny silver, thorny trunk. It is topped with long, slender showy green leaves with a prominent white leaf vein. This plant is tolerant to a wide range of growing conditions and well-resistant to pests and diseases. As a houseplant P. lamerei stays less tall, but it can still grow dramatically over time. In its trunk it stores water, making it a highly water-wise / drought-resistant plant. Seed Germination: Soak seeds for 12 hours before planting. Plant at least 4-5 seeds per pot. Bottom heat is helpful. Takes 4-14 days to germinate.
Yucca rostrata is an eyecatching tree-like desert plant with a thick trunk. It has a showy rosette of thin, sharp pointy leaves on top of the trunk, in a grey or bluish/green color. The slow-growing Yucca rostrata is very hardy and great for patios and indoor growing. In summer it can grow clusters of white, bell-shaped flowers. Seed Germination: Soak the seeds in water for 24 hours before planting. Plant the seeds 1/4” deep with 2-3 seeds per container. Cover the soil with plastic to maintain the humidity and keep soil temperature around 70F. The seeds should germinate in 4-8 weeks.
A fun indoor plant that will need vine support. A fast growing vine, especially in the tropics, the passion fruit can grow over 20ft in a single year. This fern has tiny, oval-shaped leaves that give a soft evergreen appearance. This plant can be grown indoors as a hanging plant or as a guided climber. Also does a great job at purifying indoor air. Seed Germination: Soak seeds in water 24-48 hours before planting. Plant 1/2" below soil and keep soil 75-80F.
