Staghorn ferns are different from most other common houseplants – even other ferns.

The plants have not just one, but two types of leaves, one of which resembles antlers when it matures (in fact, other common names for this plant are elk horn or antelope ear ferns). These are the fertile leaves that produce the spores that allow the plant to reproduce.

The other leaves, which are flat and broad, are sterile. Sometimes they will look brown, but don’t remove them thinking they are dead leaves; they are essential for getting the plant nutrients and making it stable. 

Although you might buy your young staghorn fern in a pot, they are epiphytes, meaning that they do not grow in soil but instead use their roots to anchor themselves to host trees. Most staghorn ferns are grown on a plank of wood (and even hung from walls as a bit of plant art), or you can grow them in a basket with moss, peat or other organic material as the growing medium.

They enjoy bright, indirect light and absorb water through their fronds as well as their roots, so they love humid places or a good misting. A good rule of thumb is to water your plant once a week in dry and hot weather and then reduce to every two or three weeks as temperatures cool.

The Neanthe Bella or Parlor Palm is one of the most popular houseplant palms in the world – and its easy to see why. With its elegant lush leaves, this palm is a lovely addition to any home.

The plant can reach three to four feet in height, but it will take several years to get there. This plant thrives in a variety of indoor lighting conditions, but a room with medium to bright light and a north or west facing window is best. Do not keep your plant in direct sunlight.

Keep your plant evenly moist, meaning the soil should never be completely dry or overly wet. Do not keep the plant in standing water for more than 15 minutes as this can lead to root rot and pests.

The Parlor Palm needs more fertilizer than most indoor palms. Feed monthly in spring and summer with a slow-release fertilizer. If the leaf tips are brown, you could be over fertilizing.

We often select houseplants due to how they look – the color or shape of the leaves, the beauty of their blooms if they flower, whether they stand tall in a pot or cascade from a hanging planter.

While Geogenanthus poeppigii is beautiful to look at, what makes this easy-to-care-for indoor plant is its texture – which is similar to the material that makes a seersucker suit.

The bottom of the leaf of this plant is purple and the top of its leaves are green with darker green stripes. The surface as a whole, however, has a “puckered” appearance leading to the seersucker name.

Here’s how to care for this lovely plant:

• Light: This plant actually thrives in low to moderate light conditions, making it ideal for offices or homes without a lot of sunny windows. In fact, too much direct sunlight can scorch the leaves and cause them to lose their vibrant color.

• Watering: Like many tropical plants, Geogenanthus poeppigii prefers consistently moist soil, but it is crucial not to overwater, as this can lead to root rot. It’s best to let the top inch of soil dry out slightly between waterings, but the plant should never be left in dry soil for extended periods.

• Humidity: High humidity is essential for Geogenanthus poeppigii to thrive. Mimicking its natural rainforest environment, this plant benefits from regular misting or placement in a humid room, such as a bathroom or near a humidifier.

• Temperature: Keep this plant in a warm environment, ideally between 65-80°F  as it is sensitive to cold drafts.

The rare and highly sought-after Monstera Thai Constellation has captivated the hearts of plant lovers due to its stunning variegated leaves.

It’s a variety of the popular Monstera deliciosa, often called the “Swiss cheese plant” due to the characteristic holes that develop in its leaves. The Thai Constellation, however, has a striking contrast between deep green leaves and creamy white splashes, resembling constellations in the night sky.

This variety was cultivated in Thailand, and while it is more accessible than other unique varieties of Monstera plants, it’s still considered relatively rare and is still a prized possession for many collectors.

Although the Monstera Thai Constellation is easy to care for in general, it does require a little extra attention compared to its non-variegated relatives. Here are some key tips to help your plant thrive:

Light – The Thai Constellation loves bright, indirect light. The variegation in its leaves reduces the plant’s ability to photosynthesize, so it needs more light than a standard Monstera deliciosa. However, avoid direct sunlight, as this can cause leaf burn. 

Watering – Like most tropical plants, the Monstera Thai Constellation prefers consistently moist soil but doesn’t appreciate sitting in water. Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil feel dry, and ensure proper drainage to avoid root rot. Be mindful not to overwater during the colder months when the plant’s growth slows.

Humidity – Native to tropical environments, the Thai Constellation thrives in high humidity, so consider using a humidifier, placing your plant in a naturally humid area like a bathroom, or misting the leaves occasionally.

Fertilization – During the growing season (spring and summer), fertilize your Thai Constellation every 4-6 weeks with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer. This will help support its growth and ensure the variegation remains vibrant.

Lithops, split succulents, known as “living rocks,” make a rare, colorful and easy-to-care-for addition to your houseplant garden.

Tiny and total heat lovers, Lithops are native to South Africa and grow very, very slowly. They also tend to flower prior to producing new leaves, which emerge from the split in the plant.

Caring for Your Lithops Plant

Soil: Your Lithops needs good draining soil, and we recommend a cactus mix, maybe with some pebbles to increase drainage.

Water: Lithops store water in their leaves, which can keep them hydrated for months. That makes overwatering a concern. However, the little guys get stunted if they don’t have enough H20. The solution is making sure to water only when the soil is thoroughly dry. Here’s a cool trick – put a wooden skewer into the soil and see if it’s moist when you take it out. If it is, the plant doesn’t need to be watered just yet. Also, if your plant is in the process of producing new leaves, hold off on the watering until the old pair of leaves are dried up and withered.

Light: Sun and plenty of it. East or south facing sunny windows will give them the light and heat they need.

The desert rose (Adenium obesum), a native of Africa and the Middle East, is a slow-growing succulent with a thick trunk and thin, delicate leaves. It sports beautiful trumpeting flowers that are similar to miniature roses and can come in pink, red, and white.

Other common names for the desert rose include impala lily, mock azalea, and Sabi star. Although not strictly bonsai plants, these plants are often used in bonsai gardens because of their small stature.

These are plants that like light – and lots of it. Desert Rose plants need bright, direct sunlight for at least 6 hours a day, so putting them in a South or West-facing window is ideal, or use a grow light if your space doesn’t provide enough natural lighting.

These plants are drought tolerant and prefer to fully dry out between waterings.

Use a sandy soil (similar to what you would use for cacti) when planting.

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 varieties. There are more than 1,000 sub-species of this plant!

Today we are taking a look at Peperomia obtusifolia variegata, also known as the “baby rubber plant” which has large oval-shaped leaves with deep green centers and white or yellow markings that give it a marbled appearance.

Peperomia generally prefer medium to bright, indirect light, but they can tolerate low light relatively well. They can even flourish under florescent lights, which makes them popular office plants. Keep in mind, however, that if you have your Peperomia in a low-light situation, it will grow more slowly and will require less water. Low light can also mute the color contrast of the leaves.

You’ll want to let your Peperomia dry out between waterings, and you’ll want to err on the side of underwatering your plant. It’s a succulent and those beautiful 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. 

It’s easy to see where the heart leaf fern or heart fern (Hemionitis arifolia) gets its name. This charming plant’s most distinctive feature is its glossy, dark green, heart-shaped leaves, which can add a touch of elegance to any indoor garden.

Interestingly, many heart ferns feature two shapes of leaves. They are dimorphic, meaning some of the leaves are sterile and some are fertile. Sterile fronds tend to be heart shaped, while fertile fronds look more like an arrowhead and are on a thicker stalk.

Because of its compact size (it typically only grows between 6 and 8 inches tall), this plant packs a lot of style and in small space. As a plant native to Southeast Asia, the Heart Leaf Fern likes high humidity and warmth and recreating those conditions will keep your plant happy.

Growing Heart Leaf Ferns

Light: Heart ferns prefer bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight can scorch the delicate leaves, so it’s best to place the fern in a spot where it will receive filtered light. North or east-facing windows are ideal.

Temperature: Heart ferns like it warmish (75 degrees is ideal). It’s important to keep the temperature consistent, as this plant is sensitive to sudden changes. Avoid placing it near drafts, air conditioning vents, or heaters.

Humidity: High humidity is needed for this plant’s health, either through misting or setting the pot on a pebble tray with water.

Soil: A mix of peat moss and potting soil is excellent for this plant.

Watering: Regular watering is recommended, but the soil should not be soggy.

Alocasias are considered some of the most striking houseplants available because of their eye-catching foliage. Native to the subtropics, they have close to 80 varieties with a wide range of looks. 

This week we are focusing on Alocasia Polly, which is also known as Alocasia Kris or the African Mask plant, because of the leaves resemblance to traditional ceremonial masks. The leaves of this plant are such a dark green as to almost look black and are contrasted dramatically with highly visible white striping along the veins and edges.

Alocasias can be a little tricky with their light, humidity and temperature needs.

They require bright, but diffuse lighting. In nature, these plants thrive beneath tree canopies and direct sun will lead to the leaves getting burned. They are also used to high humidity, so don’t place them in a place where they will dry out easily, such as an air conditioner vent or a heater. Employ a pebble tray to keep the air around them humid or mist them with distilled water.

The preferred temperature range for this plant is 70 to 80 degrees, year round. With enough water they can survive extra heat, but your plant might get damaged if the thermostat goes below 60 degrees in your home. 

Allow the top 2 to 3 inches of the plant to dry between watering to ensure that the plant isn’t sitting in soil that is too wet. Make sure your soil has good drainage!

One of the most popular houseplants are cultivars of the Dracaena plant. Dracaenas are not only gorgeous, they also tend to be easy to maintain.

The “Lemon Lime” version of this plant has dramatic sword-shaped leaves that feature edges of neon yellow contrasting with bright green centers.

These plants like bright, indirectly light. While it will tolerate lower light, the plant might become leggy and the colors will not be as vibrant. Never place a Dracaena in direct sunlight. It’s ironic since the plant’s name is derived from the Greek for “female dragon,” but this plant’s leaves will actually burn in direct sunlight.

Dracaenas also require less water than most indoor plants. Mist their leaves, keep the soil slightly moist but also make sure it has good drainage (Dracaenas hate soggy soil as it can create root rot). A good rule of thumb? Let the top couple of inches of soil dry out before watering.

Dracaenas are sensitive to temperature, preferring it to be about 65-78 degrees during the day and no colder than 55 degrees at night.