The Emerald Gem is a vibrant Homalomena with spade-shaped glossy green leaves. This eye-catching houseplant has ridges on the leaves that fan out in a unique pattern. The Emerald Gem is sometimes confused with the Homalomena Rubescens because they look very similar. However, the Emerald Gem has green stems in contrast to the Rubescens with…
The Homalomena Selby recently became available at big box stores and plant nurseries, catching the attention of houseplant enthusiasts. This plant is hard to pass up with its large, velvety leaves that display light and dark green patterns. As a cultivar of Homalomena, the Selby is a tropical houseplant that will light up your space. It…
Homalomena is a genus of the family Araceae. Homalomenas are native to the humid tropics and sub-tropics of southern Asia, Latin America, and the southwestern Pacific. There are at least 135 known species of Homalomena. These herbaceous plants are grown as houseplants for their assortment of stunning foliage. While Homalomena is not a new houseplant…
The Philodendron Hastatum, known as the Silver Sword, is a striking plant in any collection. This is a truly unique Philodendron with silvery gray leaves that undergo an impressive transformation as it matures. The color of this plant, combined with its growth patterns, makes it a common wishlist plant among plant enthusiasts. There are also…
Commonly a wishlist plant among houseplant collectors, the Philodendron Hederaceum Micans is a beautiful aroid. This trailing or climbing Philodendron is known for its stunning deep green, velvety foliage with reddish backsides. The Micans is a tropical plant in the Araceae family. It is native to Central America and the Caribbean, where it climbs tree…
The Philodendron Hederaceum ‘Brasil’ is a favorite among all houseplant enthusiasts, from beginners to rare plant collectors and experts. This plant is a cultivar of the green Heartleaf Philodendron, native to the floors of tropical rainforests in South America. The Brasil is undeniably a stunning plant, with its heart-shaped green leaves that have neon and…
Commonly a favorite among houseplant enthusiasts, the Alocasia “Black Velvet” is a beautiful and compact plant known for its eye-catching foliage. Native to the jungles of Borneo in Southeast Asia, this jewel alocasia has dramatic dark leaves that are almost completely black with bold grey veins. The Black Velvet was once a very rare find,…
One day at a big box store, I found a sad plant on a corner shelf in the garden center. It had one brown leaf and one new leaf unfurling. The leaves were large, and I was interested to know what kind of plant this was. The pot was light as a feather, the soil…
What type of soil mix do snake plants need? Since snake plants are native to the dry habitat of West Africa, they need loamy, well-draining soil that does not retain moisture. In their native habitat, snake plants experience long periods of drought followed by a thorough soaking when it finally rains. Therefore, they are drought…
Snake plants are often recommended to new plant parents because they are amazing houseplants and fairly easy to care for. However, their light needs are one of the most common elements that people debate about. Snake plants have often been labeled as “low-light-loving plants” when that is far from the truth! So how much light…