House Plants

The calamondin orange tree is an indoor or outdoor dwarf tree. Beyond its ornamental value, the tree produces bitter fruit that is nevertheless a culinary hit. Learn how to care for this citrus plant and reap the health benefits!

By Larry Hodgson

Jade plant is a thick-stemmed succulent plant with fleshy leaves edged in red. It's very easy to care for and will survive even under quite adverse conditions. Read about this African native.

By Larry Hodgson

Earth star, or star fish, plant has rosettes of tough, prickly edged leaves with stripes in various greens. In the middle it bears small, unimpressive flowers. Read about these easy-to-care-for bromeliads.

By Larry Hodgson

Mother-in-law's tongue, or dumb cane, has toxic sap that can cause a painful loss of speech if ingested. This easy-to-care-for house plant produces thick green stems with white to yellow marbled leaves. Read more.

By Larry Hodgson

False aralia, also known as threadleaf and finger aralia, is a small tree with coppery leaflets joined in a fingerlike pattern. Read more about this easy-to-care-for house plant, its growth, and preferences.

By Larry Hodgson

Golden barrel cactus, or mother-in-law's cushion, forms a single, large globe. Its ribs are lined with hooked spines. It needs little nourishment but prefers full sun. Read about this special plant and its care.

By Larry Hodgson

Japanese aralia is a fast-growing shrub with leathery leaves. It is quite demanding to the point where touching newly formed leaves can permanently damage them. Read about this brightly colored house plant.

By Larry Hodgson

Rubber plant usually has just one single trunk but can be pinched back to encourage more to grow. It has thick, leathery leaves often with a red mid-vein. Read more about this demanding house plant.

By Larry Hodgson

Oxtongue is a succulent with thick leaves that are often covered with white wartlike protuberances or white spots. After a cool winter rest it bears tall stems with pink, yellow, or red flowers. Read more.

By Larry Hodgson

Purple passion vine has clambering branches and toothed leaves that are completely covered in purple hair making it look soft and velvety. It is easy to care for but do not overfeed it. Read more.

By Larry Hodgson

Snake plant grows over one and one-half foot high. Its leaves come in green- and yellow-striped varieties. Given preferential light, it will bloom nicely scented flowers. Learn why snake plant is easy to grow.

By Larry Hodgson

Burro's tail plant gets its name from the lengthy stems that produce round leaves, giving the appearance of a tail. Flowering isn't common, and it drops leaves when disturbed. Learn how to use fallen leaves.

By Larry Hodgson

Cineraria, an inviting plant with blooms similar to daisies, comes in a variety of colors. Though often given as a gift, it can have whitefly and aphid infestations. Learn how long to display cineraria.

By Larry Hodgson

Heartleaf philodendron looks good displayed from a hanging basket or trained on a trellis. A robust plant, it survives what some gardeners would consider neglect. Learn more about preventing skimpy heartleaf philodendron.

By Larry Hodgson

Peruvian apple cactus is a tall, green, spiny house plant that will live almost anywhere but only really thrives in a sunny spot. Read more about this easy-to-care-for, typical cactus.

By Larry Hodgson

Parlor palm, or good luck palm, is a slow-growing house plant with bright green, fan-shaped leaves. It is quite easy to care for under the right circumstances. Read more about its flowers and needs.

By Larry Hodgson

Spider plant, also known as airplane and ribbon plant, grows rosettes of grasslike leaves with long flower stems. Read about the best ways to care for this easy house plant.

By Larry Hodgson

Flowers have always played a part in our history. Even primitive man used flowers and plants to beautify his face, body, and his cave. Read this article to learn about the materials and techniques for arranging flowers, and the meanings of flowers.

By Editors of Consumer Guide