House Plants

House plants bring the fresh beauty of the outdoors inside your home. Learn about different kinds of house plants and how to care for them.

Learn More

David Latimer put a plant and some compost in a bottle in 1960. It's still alive and thriving over 60 years later. How does a closed ecosystem like this work?

By Jesslyn Shields

Potting soil looks an awful lot like dirt, except there's likely no earth in the mix. So, what is it really made of? And is it better for potted plants than the stuff from the ground?

By Alia Hoyt

The money tree has long been a symbol of good fortune in Asia. But how did the plant get its name?

By Alia Hoyt & Kathryn Whitbourne

Advertisement

Those white beads you see in potting soil are made of a volcanic glass called perlite. And that's not the only place you'll see this versatile material. So how is it made and what is it used for?

By Nathan Chandler

Despite being pretty in pink, oleander is a highly poisonous plant. And now it's being touted as a cure for COVID-19. We'll break down the facts from fiction.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky

For decades we've been told having houseplants can improve our indoor air quality. But is this true? And do you need to live in a veritable jungle to get better air quality?

By Patty Rasmussen

In Victorian times, only a few plants could stand up to the fumes from coal fires and gas lamps. Now, we have a wide variety of plants to choose from.

By Alia Hoyt

Advertisement

How many poinsettias have languished on high shelves so children and pets can't munch on their dangerous leaves? It may all have been for naught. The poinsettia's poisonous rep is a bit unfair.

By Colleen Cancio

Elephant's ear is a colocasia plant with large leaves. Learn more about other characteristics of elephant's ears.

You have creepy, flying gnats on your plants, and you'd like to learn how to get rid of them. Here's how to get rid of gnats in your houseplants.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

You bought a calathea plant, and now have to learn how to care for it. Learn about how to care for a calathea plant in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Advertisement

You bought some bamboo plants to decorate your home, and now realize that you don't know how to care for them. Learn about how to care for bamboo plants this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

The desert rose plant requires moist, well-drained soil, full sunlight and warm temperatures in order to grow.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Peace lilies are the perfect plant to add color to a room or office.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Your gardenia bush is sure to thrive if you care for it correctly.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Advertisement

Succulents manage to live with a lot less water than some of their thirstier counterparts. That doesn't mean you can just neglect them and expect them to thrive though.

By Jessika Toothman & Melanie Radzicki McManus

Nidularia get their name from the Latin word for "nest" because of the unique leaf structures that they grow just before their flowers bloom. These Brazilian plants like to grow on decaying logs. Learn much more about Nidularia in this article.

By Editors of Consumer Guide

In the late 19th century, a French plant collector was the first to begin cultivating porteas. These beautiful Brazilian plants love bright light and can grow to be quite large. Learn more about these tall, magnificent plants in this article.

By Editors of Consumer Guide

Tillandsia was named after a Finnish professor. The genus contains about 500 different species. You can find Tillandsia anywhere from the southern United States to southern Argentina, and it will grow on almost anything. Learn more about Tillandsia.

By Editors of Consumer Guide

Advertisement

The Vriesea were named after a Dutch botanist. They can grow from five inches to five feet tall, and are found from Mexico to Brazil. Many of them grow well indoors and have been favorites of indoor gardeners for years. Read more about Vriesea.

By Editors of Consumer Guide

Cryptanthus are a type of bromeliad that do not grow stems. They have beautiful foliage with colorful, curling leaves that come in many colors. They are also easy to grow and make an indoor favorite. Learn more about these "hidden flowers."

By Editors of Consumer Guide

Bromeliads are plants that grow from the southern United States through Argentina. They can vary greatly in size, shape, color, and ease of growth. Learn about their characteristics and how to properly light, water, pot, and fertilize these plants.

By Editors of Consumer Guide

Dyckia are bromeliads that mostly grow in Brazil. These succulent plants are tough, hardy plants that can grow easily without needing a lot of special care. Learn more about these flowers that were named in honor of a prince who love plants.

By Editors of Consumer Guide

Advertisement

The great majority of bromeliads in the Guzmania genus are found in the highlands of Colombia and Costa Rica. They have shiny leaves with smooth edges and their flowers are typically a white or yellowish color. Learn more about these unique plants.

By Editors of Consumer Guide

Neoregelia contains about 50 species and many varieties. Most are from eastern Brazil. They were named in honor of Eduard A. von Regel, the 19th century superintendent of the Botanic Garden in St. Petersburg, Russia. Learn more about Neoregalia.

By Editors of Consumer Guide