Plectranthus ‘Lemon Twist’ is a plant that thrives when conditions are bright.

Also known as Swedish Ivy, this beauty sports serrated, heart-shaped leaves. They first appear as a soft pale green, before darkening and developing a distinctive, lemon-colored edge. Its fine texture will make it stand out in your indoor garden.

CARING FOR YOUR LEMON TWIST

Light: This plant loves bright light, so a south facing window will be perfect. 

Watering: While this plant will tolerate dry or moist soil, it doesn’t like extremes. Make sure it isn’t water logged, but don’t let it dry out completely before watering again. 

Soil: Use a well-draining general potting soil. 

There’s just no denying it – the Baby Toes plant (Fenestraria rhopalophylla) is just downright cute. The name from their plump, tubular leaves that resemble a tiny cluster of chubby toes peeking up from the soil. Native to the deserts of South Africa and Namibia, Baby Toes have evolved a fascinating adaptation: the translucent “windows” at the tips of their leaves allow sunlight to penetrate deep into the plant, helping it photosynthesize while keeping most of its body safely underground, away from the desert heat.

Their quirky look, combined with low-maintenance needs, makes Baby Toes a favorite among succulent enthusiasts. Whether you’re a new plant parent or a seasoned collector, this unique little plant adds a touch of whimsy and wonder to your windowsill or succulent display.

And here’s another lovely little touch – those baby toes sometimes bloom in the late summer with daisy-like flowers.

CARING FOR YOUR BABY TOES

Light: Provide bright, direct sunlight year-round. If you see these toes starting to stretch towards the window, it means they need more light.

Watering: As a succulent, this plant doesn’t need much watering and you should let it dry out completely before adding more water. A sure sign it needs some H2O? The little toes start to get wrinkly.

Temperature / Humidity: The Baby Toes likes it warm and dry. 

Soil: Use a well-draining cactus or succulent mix. 

If you’re looking for a showy yet low-maintenance cactus that adds visual drama, the Rat Tail Cactus might just be your new favorite. Native to Mexico and parts of Central America, this cactus is known for its slender, trailing stems and violet-red blooms that spring and early summer.

This plant is ideally grown in hanging pots or baskets, letting its long stems cascade beautifully. 

CARING FOR YOUR RAT TAIL CACTUS

Light: Provide bright, direct sunlight year-round. A south- or west-facing window is ideal. Insufficient sun is the most common reason for failure to bloom.

Watering: During the growing season, water regularly to keep the soil slightly moist (not soggy). In fall, begin tapering off watering. In winter dormancy, water only sparingly if the soil is bone dry.

Humidity: Keep humidity moderate, not excessively high.

Soil: Use a well-draining cactus or succulent mix. The plant prefers a slightly acidic pH.

Our Houseplant of the Week, the Madagascar Palm, is a little bit misnamed. It’s most definitely an African native, and with it’s spear-like leaves, it looks like a palm, but it’s actually a succulent.

It’s definitely a statement plant, with its think trunk – often covered with spikey thorns – and brings an exotic touch to any indoor garden.

It’s also easy to care for.

• Light – The Madagascar Palm loves its light, so place it in a south or west facing window.
• Soil – While it’s relatively happy in any well-draining soil, a mix specifically made for cacti would work best.
• Water – Make sure to let the soil dry out completely in between waterings, then soak.
• Temperature – Don’t leave your plant out in the cold. They are a bit sensitive to temperature and thrive when it’s anywhere from 60 to 80 degrees.
• Fertilizer – A general fertilizer works, but only once in spring and once in the summer.

Peperomias are tropical plants from the pepper family that are popular as indoor plants because they are easy to take care of and come in an almost endless array of colors and varieties.

If you’re looking for a low-maintenance addition to your indoor jungle, consider the Peperomia emarginella ‘Ecuador,’ also known as the Ecuador Peperomia, Andean Peperomia, or Sulcata Plant. This beauty hails from the tropical highlands of Ecuador and brings with it all the lush appeal of its native habitat.

The ‘Ecuador’ is beloved for its compact size – perfect for desktops, shelves, or small plant displays – and its striking deep green foliage, edged with a lighter green hue that creates a subtle contrast. It also trails beautifully, making it perfect for a plant hanger or placed on a ledge where its leaves can gracefully cascade down.

Like most Peperomia variants, Ecuador prefers bright, indirect light. You’ll want to let your plant dry out between waterings, and you can err on the side of underwatering your plant. As a semi-succulent, its leaves retain water, so it will survive a missed watering or two. But Peperomias are quite susceptible to root rot, so overwatering can be a problem.

Because of this tendency towards root rot, you’ll want to plant your Peperomia in a pot with good drainage and use a light, well-draining soil for your plant. 

If you’re looking for a unique and versatile houseplant, Muehlenbeckia, often called the Creeping Wire Vine, is a great choice. With its thin, wiry stems and small round leaves, this plant adds an airy, whimsical texture to any indoor garden.

This native of New Zealand is considered a divaricate, which means branching and very accurately describes how this plant grows. Its slender stems interlace and will “creep’ over other objects – including other plants! This makes it perfect for hanging planters or growing up a trellis. You can even train it to grow over a wire frame to create an indoor topiary.

How to Keep Your Wire Vine Happy

Light – Indoors, this plant prefers bright, indirect light.

Water – Keep your plant moist and water thoroughly when the first inch of soil become dry.

Soil – This plant need well-draining soil.

Peperomia comes in almost endless colors and varieties, and one of the most vibrant is Peperomia Caperata or the Red Luna Ripple Plant. It’s heart-shaped leaves are deeply corrugated and have a striking burgundy color.

Caring for this plant, which is native to Brazil, is relatively easy, but requires you to mimic its natural tropical environment.

Light: Red Luna prefers bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight to prevent scorching its leaves, but make sure it gets enough light to maintain its vibrant color.

Water: Water when the first inch of so of the soil feels dry.

Soil: A well-draining soil mix will prevent Peperomia’s roots from being waterlogged.

Temperature & Humidity: This plant likes warmth and moisture, so in our dry climate a pebble tray with water or a humidifier is advisable. Protect your plant from drafts and cold temperatures.

Fertilization: Feed with a diluted, balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during growing season in the spring and summer. In the fall and winter, there’s no need to fertilize.

The Tractor Seat Plant is the common nickname for Farfugium japonicum and one look at those glossy, large leaves will tell you why; they have more than a passing resemblance to the curved metal seats you’d find on a vintage tractor!

Native to Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, the Tractor Seat Plant is ideal for lower-light spaces and adds instant flair to your home with those dramatic leaves.

Here’s how to care for your tractor seat plant:

Light: This plant is native to shady habitats in East Asia, so it does well in low-light situations, but it also thrives in bright, indirect light. Direct late afternoon sun, however, will wilt those gorgeous leaves.

Water: Keep the soil moist but never soggy. Let the top inch of soil dry slightly between waterings. High humidity is appreciated, so try a pebble tray or room humidifier.

Potting & Soil: Use a rich, well-draining potting mix and a container with drainage holes. These plants love organic matter—mix in a little compost for an extra boost.

Feeding: Fertilize monthly in spring and summer with a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer. No feeding needed in winter.

Care: Remove yellowing leaves as needed and watch for slugs or spider mites. Repot every few years or divide the plant if it becomes root-bound.

If you’re looking for a houseplant that brings a little height and a little elegance, look no further than the Ming aralia (Polyscias fruticosa). Native to India and Polynesia, this tropical beauty is known for its fluffy, fern-like foliage and upright growth – sometimes reaching over 6 feet tall indoors with the right care.

And while it has a reputation for being a tad temperamental, a few simple tricks will keep your Ming aralia thriving and happy.

Light: Bright, indirect light is ideal. A few hours of gentle morning sun is fine, but avoid harsh afternoon rays, which can scorch its delicate leaves.

Soil: Choose a well-draining potting mix. Clay or terra-cotta pots help wick away extra moisture.

Water: Keep the soil lightly moist, allowing it to dry out slightly between waterings. Weekly watering usually works, though cut back in winter.

Humidity & Temperature: Warm and humid is the way to go as cold air and dry conditions can lead to leaf drop. (A pebble tray or humidifier can help).

Fertilizer: Feed monthly in spring through fall with a balanced liquid fertilizer. Yellowing or dropping leaves? Ming might be hungry.

Dracaena, the “dragon” plant, has many varieties, and the Song of India is one of the most beautiful.

With lance-like leaves of bright green edged in a creamy yellow, the Song of India has tropical glamour, but is very easy to maintain.  

This plant requires requires bright, indirect sunlight for several hours a day, which will keep the foliage vibrant. However, too much sun can cause leaf scorch, so avoid direct sunlight.

Song of India is not very particular about its soil, but a well-drained potting mix is best. Water your plant often enough to keep its soil moist, but not soaked. Avoid overwatering this plant as it is susceptible to root rot. (You might want to use purified or bottled water instead of tap, as dracaena plants are sensitive to fluoride).

Because this is a plant native to the warm climate of the Indian Ocean, it doesn’t tolerate cold well, so keep it away from drafty areas and vents.