Tough as cast iron
The Basics
Care Level
Easy
Light
Low to moderate
Soil
Potting mix
Watering
Keep evenly moist; provide humidity
Fertilizer
Use monthly, only in spring and summer
Temperature
Average
SIZE
Floor
The word palm often conjures up an image of large arching fronds swaying along a sun-drenched oceanfront, but the metallic palm (Chamaedorea metallica) is here to prove that even if you’re constrained to small, dark, city quarters, you can still give your home a tropical flair.
The metallic palm, as the name suggests, is not only incredibly tough but also bears a metal-like sheen on its dark blue-green leaves, which it flaunts exceptionally well when the leaves are kept moist. At full maturity, it can reach up to 5 feet (1.5 m) in height. Its upright, almost stiff silhouette lends the plant a sense of formality, but its fishtail-shaped leaves soften the effect (and explain its other common name, the miniature fishtail palm). Among all the dark foliage, the palm’s flowers are a special, infrequent attraction; these bright orange inflorescence with small red, orange, or purple blooms eventually turn into small, inedible black fruit.
Like the more common (but a little less snazzy) cast iron plant, the metallic palm is tolerant of low light—stand it in dim nooks or corners for an unexpected bit of green. The plant’s slow-growing nature means it tends to be on the expensive side, but the benefit is that you can keep it undisturbed in the same vessel and position for years if you wish. If you buy a bushy specimen with several stems in one pot, feel free to divide it and spread the fishtail forms around your home, replant it in a linear planter as a screening hedge, or give extras away to friends (for more on dividing plants).
Planted in a coir-lined half-moon basket that’s hung from the top of an old wooden door, this monstera has ample room to stretch its aerial roots and show off its leaves.
Bring home a bit of the jungle
The Basics
Care Level
Easy
Light
Moderate to bright
Soil
Potting mix
Watering
Let dry slightly between waterings; water less in winter; provide humidity
Fertilizer
Use monthly; skip in winter
Temperature
Average to warm
SIZE
Floor
Naturally found in the understory of rain forests in Panama and Mexico, Monstera deliciosa has risen to the status of icon, its unmistakable perforated leaves stamping themselves all across the world of art and design. These large, beautiful leaves (which earned this monstera the nickname split-leaf philodendron) have adapted to life in the tropical undergrowth: their flat artist’s-palette shape laps up what light there is to be found, and the pattern of ribbons and holes makes the plant wind resistant in storms.
To replicate the conditions of the rain forest at home, you’ll want to offer your monstera bright light, high humidity, and warm temperatures (but in truth, it is fairly flexible in care requirements). One of the most unusual features of the monstera is that if left in an area of low light, it will start growing toward the darkness, a process called negative phototropism. This counterintuitive action is actually a clever ploy to find a light source: in nature, monstera has learned that by venturing toward the darkest parts of the forest floor, it will find the largest trees, which it then scrambles up to bathe in the light. (At home, save it the struggle and move the plant closer to a window!)
Indoors, a monstera can reach heights of up to 8 feet (2.5 m). Due to its natural growing habit, it will produce aerial roots and can turn into something of a sprawling mess. There are ways you can keep things neat and tidy, though. The easiest is by training angled stems to be more upright by gently tying them to stakes, boards, or poles (see Adding Support). If your style is more unkempt, go wild—let this sculptural plant spill from corners, hang jauntily from baskets, and captivate you and your guests alike. Note that the monstera is toxic to pets and mildly poisonous to humans.
Exotic-looking ladies with laid-back attitudes
The Basics
Care Level
Varies (see individual species)
Light
Moderate to bright (see individual species)
Soil
Orchid bark
Watering
Varies (see individual species); provide humidity
Fertilizer
Use at quarter strength every few weeks; skip in winter
Temperature
Varies (see individual species)
SIZE
Tabletop
Don’t let the glamorous looks of this plant group fool you: orchids aren’t as demanding as you might think. They do require a care regimen that’s quite different from that of your run-of-the-mill houseplant, but the vast range of species available means there’s one to suit every level of expertise, from timid first-time buyers to seasoned orchid rangers. Here are four of my favorites.
A few branches were also used to support the stalks of the oncidium orchid.
1. Oncidium
For fragrance plus a dazzling display, look no further than the orchids in the Oncidium genus. Many of the hybrids available in this group are faster growing than other orchids and flower many times. Commonly called dancing ladies, oncidiums feature graceful, arching stalks that bear swarms of fragrant flowers in shades of yellow, pink, purple, red, and white. Some hybrid varieties, such as ‘Sharry Baby’, not only stretch these dramatic displays up to 4 feet (1.2 m) but also perfume the air with a sweet chocolate aroma. Oncidiums do best in medium to bright light and average temperatures. Keep the bark medium to lightly moist in summer; from fall through spring, allow the bark to become almost dry between waterings.
2. Phalaenopsis
Orchids in the Phalaenopsis genus, called moth orchids, are widely available, affordable, and one of the easiest orchid types to care for, sharing many of the requirements of normal houseplants (including average temperatures). They produce long-lasting blooms in every shade of the rainbow and create stunning arrangements when clustered together in groups. A moth orchid can flower a few times a year from the same flower spike, with the main blooming season going from late winter through spring and with flowers lasting six weeks or longer. To encourage reflowering, you can also cut the flower spike just above a node, before the first flower on the stalk. Place in moderate light in summer and move to bright light in winter. Keep the orchid bark evenly moist, slightly less so in cooler months, without allowing it to dry out completely. A daily morning misting or setting the plant on a gravel tray (see humidity) can help provide desired humidity.
3. Zygopetalum
Specimens in the perfume-rich Zygopetalum genus can be a little trickier to find than other orchids (though I’ve picked up one at a grocery outlet on occasion). They are worth the effort to hunt down, however, as their intoxicating displays of purple, brown, and maroon petals produce sweet fragrances that easily fill any room. Look for their blooms in winter and early spring. Keep them under humid conditions in moderate shade and average temperatures, ensure moist but not soggy orchid bark medium, and provide good air circulation.
A slim branch is used as a stylish support structure for this top-heavy paphiopedilum orchid.
4. Paphiopedilum
Paphiopedilum orchids, otherwise known as lady’s slippers or slipper orchids, are characterized by their big, bellowing blooms. Two side petals and a “top hat” frame the central slipper-like pouch; the flowers come in striking shades of white, green, deep purple, and yellow. Even when it’s not in bloom, this orchid possesses eye-catching leaves that are sometimes mottled and can grow 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) long. Found naturally on the forest floor, these plants can tolerate moderate light. Place one in front of a mirror to view its eccentric outfit from all angles. When the orchid bark medium is almost dry, run room-temperature water through the pot until it comes out the drainage holes. Temperature preferences are cool to average. Try placing your slipper orchid in a terrarium, as it really benefits from ambient humidity.
A dancing shamrock
The Basics
Care Level
Easy
Light
Moderate to bright
Soil
Potting mix
Watering
Keep evenly moist
Fertilizer
Use monthly, only in spring and summer
Temperature
Average
SIZE
Tabletop
The “nuisance” oxalis family is often scorned by gardeners for its tendency to invade spaces in the landscape. In the home, however, these specimens’ ability to grow quickly is a pleasure, and their tenacity means they are long lasting and can be passed down through generations.
The signature lucky three leaves of the oxalis sit proudly atop long, sprightly stems that can reach up to 1 foot (30 cm) tall, with colorful displays of foliage like those of the Charmed Wine varietal pictured here. Delicate trumpet-shaped flowers appear in spring and summer, creating a canopy of contrast as they hang above the darker foliage below. And this dainty specimen has a secret: as the light dips and night falls, the leaves fold neatly together like a butterfly at rest, opening again as the sun rises. This slow, rhythmic cycle is called a nastic response, and it’s mesmerizing and enchanting to all who observe it. (See another sleepy specimen.)
The oxalis possesses a second superpower, too: its seeming ability to revive itself from the dead! Oxalis is grown from tiny bulbs, and each bulb acts as a safe house, allowing the plant to retreat and take refuge from extremes in temperature, lack of watering, or other environmental dangers, meaning that short periods of dryness are not devastating. Their tubers (bulbs) also make this plant easy to propagate—just divvy up the bulbs and plant. In addition to being triggered by external “dangers,” this dormant period is a completely natural phenomenon and indoors can occur every few years. Should this happen to your oxalis, stop watering and resume again when new growth appears. Either way, a little care and patience will soon have it peering happily above the soil surface again. This hardy specimen has another protective mechanism—it’s toxic to small pets and humans, though its strong taste deters most curious creatures before they’d ingest enough to cause harm.
A symbolic specimen for every space
The Basics
Care Level
Easy to moderate, depending on specimen
Light
Moderate to bright, depending on specimen
Soil
Potting mix
Watering
Keep evenly moist; can let dry slightly between waterings; provide humidity
Fertilizer
Use monthly, only in spring and summer
Temperature
Warm
SIZE
Tabletop to floor
Long before it became a ubiquitous symbol of tropical vistas, this ancient plant is thought to have sprouted up alongside the dinosaurs. In the millions of years since, the palm has picked up more than a few evolutionary advantages, and its 2,500 species have spread across deserts, rain forests, and myriad environments in between.
Posing as a tree, the palm is actually a flowering plant and part of the monocotyledon family. Large architectural specimens such as the kentia palm (Howea forsteriana) pictured here (left) require only moderate light and work best in airy rooms where they can splay out in all their tropical splendor. Mount their large pots on wheels so you can easily move them around as they grow, and rotate the pots to ensure even lighting on all sides. (If you are relocating your palm, avoid placing it in an area subject to sudden changes in temperature and lighting, which can stress it.)
Place younger and smaller versions like the areca palm (Dypsis lutescens) pictured here (right) on pedestals as living sculptures. When they grow taller, their foliage can be used as screens and room dividers—or try placing them next to mirrors for layers of opulence and patterns that sway around the room.
If you don’t need the height but you’re craving the look of a palm, go for a sago palm (Cycas revoluta), pictured here (center). Though not a true palm, this low, wide plant that has been around since prehistoric times offers a similar look; put one of these small-scale specimens on a desk or coffee table in bright light and watch it grow at an island-time pace (though beware that it’s toxic to both humans and animals if ingested).
The epitome of fragrant foliage
The Basics
Care Level
Easy
Light
Direct to bright
Soil
Potting mix
Watering
Keep slightly moist; can let dry between waterings
Fertilizer
Use monthly; skip in winter
Temperature
Average
SIZE
Tabletop
Pelargoniums and geraniums are members of the same Geraniaceae family, and their names are often used interchangeably. This isn’t strictly correct, though: true geraniums are hardy, herbaceous plants that can survive cold winters; pelargoniums, on the other hand, are tender plants and must be brought indoors in cold temperatures. To further confuse matters, pelargoniums are sometimes referred to as scented geraniums.
Pelargoniums peaked in popularity in the 1800s, when pots boasting these plants with fanciful scented leaves were mainstays in greenhouses and crowded cottage windows. With their distinct fragrances ranging from the apple-scented Pelargonium odoratissimum to the nutmeg scents of P. fragrans, they were soon plucked from flowerpots and put to work in potpourris, food recipes, and ointments. The ‘Attar of Roses’ variety pictured here became an inexpensive substitute for rose oil used by the French perfume industry.
Although it’s the crinkled, fragrant leaves of this plant that steal the show, edible pink flowers are produced to varying degrees in spring and summer and can be used as a lovely little garnish for sorbet.
A half-pint houseplant with a mighty impact
The Basics
Care Level
Easy
Light
Bright to moderate
Soil
Potting mix
Watering
Keep slightly moist; can let dry slightly between waterings; provide humidity
Fertilizer
Use monthly; skip in winter
Temperature
Average to warm
SIZE
Tabletop
Grown for their ornamental foliage and compact size, members of the peperomia family are undemanding and versatile houseplants. Naturally found on the forest floor, they thrive in shady, warm, moist conditions. Paradoxically, their thick, fleshy leaves can effectively retain moisture for long periods of time, making them borderline succulents—a match made in heaven for anyone a little hands-off in their gardening approach.
The diversity of this plant genus is most noticeable in the leaves. Both cultivars pictured here have the waffle texture of their parent Peperomia caperata or emerald ripple peperomia. On the right is the richly colored P. caperata ‘Red Ripple’, accessorized by tail-like spikes of flowers. At left is the two-toned P. caperata ‘Rosso’. For a marbled variety, see here. Hang or place these high on shelves to get the full impact of their flashy undersides.
Peperomia do best in bright or moderate light—they can tolerate low light, but they won’t grow as well, and their foliage may not be as interesting. Their love of humidity and slow-growing, mounding nature make these plants a great fixture in terrariums; create a panorama of peperomia by combining colors, textures, and heights, and watch them thrive even with a bit of benign neglect. (For more ways to increase humidity, see humidity.)
A leaf to steal your heart
The Basics
Care Level
Easy
Light
Moderate to bright
Soil
Potting mix
Watering
Keep slightly moist; can let dry slightly between waterings
Fertilizer
Use monthly; skip in winter
Temperature
Average
SIZE
Tabletop to floor
Think of this houseplant as an extension of your family, with an amicable personality and natural ability to grow in the same environment as humans. (Note: Though it coexists happily alongside humans, it is toxic—so don’t get too chummy!) Although the name philodendron roughly translates to “tree loving,” a reference to the plant’s tendency to grow up trees, not all species in this group have a vine-like disposition, and even those that do need to be supported on a surface for a long time before their aerial roots attach.
The varieties that don’t climb are collectively referred to as self-heading philodendrons. Characterized by dramatic and shapely leaves, self-headers form rotund clumps at their base and need a little more elbow room to grow. Soften a corner of your room with the splaying stems and undulating leaves of a Xanadu philodendron (Philodendron ‘Winterbourn’), pictured here (left), which can reach 18 inches (45 cm) in length. With a mature plant height of 2 to 4 feet (60 to 120 cm), this variety grows into its tropical flair and looks better with age. For a classical elongated shaped philodendron, pick up the green ‘Congo’ variety (P. ‘Congo’), pictured here (right). If you’re looking for a playful piece with a similar leaf shape, hunt down a ‘Painted Lady’ philodendron, as seen on here. With its long, mottled, neon yellow leaves and bright pink stems, this gal knows how to work a crowd.
In general, climbing varieties grow more quickly and can tolerate lower light levels. Heartleaf philodendron (P. scandens) is probably the most common of the climbing bunch. Its small, heart-shaped leaves can be trained around windows, grown down poles, and left to hang off of shelves. Hanging here is a snappy ‘Brasil’ philodendron (P. hederaceum ‘Brasil’), sometimes called the ‘Brasil’ heartleaf philodendron.
The designer’s darling
The Basics
Care Level
Easy
Light
Bright
Soil
Potting mix
Watering
Keep slightly moist; can let dry slightly between waterings
Fertilizer
Use every few weeks, only in spring and summer
Temperature
Average
SIZE
Tabletop
Few plants have puzzled botanists as much as Pilea peperomioides, whose origins were so mysterious that Kew Gardens (the Royal Botanical Gardens in the United Kingdom) once put out a call in the newspaper asking readers for information on the enigmatic plant. A long and convoluted path ultimately led to the discovery of its origins in an ancient Chinese mountain range. It turns out that the plant was acquired by a Norwegian missionary living in China who brought it back to Norway in 1946. In the years that followed, he traveled widely across Europe, often bringing offshoots of this easy-to-propagate plant (see box) as gifts for family and friends. Its common name, missionary plant, honors this man, who made it possible for us all to enjoy this quirky specimen in our homes. (Its other common names, Chinese money plant and pancake plant, have to do with its leaves’ unique shape.)
The versatile, easy-to-care-for specimen has recently become a collectors’ favorite. Its slender stems and vivid, flat green leaves create fun silhouettes as they wave and dance, following the light. Embrace its minimalist appeal by forgoing an ornate container in favor of a plain terra-cotta or pure white vessel for a bold, clean design statement. Leave the plant in one position to create a wall of smooth green circles (as shown here), or rotate the pot two or three times a week to create a curved, parasol-like shape. Plants can reach about a foot (30 cm) tall, or larger. In some conditions, the leaves may grow as large as the palm of one’s hand.
Despite their newfound popularity, pileas are harder to come by than some old standbys, and comparatively pricey as well. But their willingness to multiply with ease is a trait they share with their relative P. involucrata, also known as the friendship plant. If you can’t get your hands on P. peperomioides, the crinkled leaf of P. involucrata is, for some collectors, much more fascinating and easier to find.
How to Share Your Pilea
When a tiny new plant emerges from the soil and reaches about 2 inches (5 cm) tall, scoop it out with a spoon and pop it into a new pot of moist soil. If it hasn’t developed its own root system (tiny hairs off the stem), place it in enough water to cover the cut edge of your new shoot and wait until a few roots form.