Houseplants

Learn about mistletoe and how to have it for the holidays. Listen to podcast: Merry Christmas. This parasitic plant has European and American roots. The Druids, Celts, Norse, and Greeks all used this plant to ward off evil spirits and witches. It's a plant with magical and sacred powers that is said to enhance fertility, peace and extend your life. Modern scientists are even researching this plant to help cure diseases and cancer. Historically stems, leaves and berries of this plant have been gathered round the solstice decorated with...

Sun Requirements Norfolk Island pines (Araucalia heterophylla) grow best in bright light indoors, but out of direct sunlight. Rotate plants every week so they don't start leaning towards the light in your room. Bloom Period and Plant Shape Norfolk Island pines are grown for their evergreen branches and their classic, pyramidal, pine tree shape. Even though they aren't technically pines, they lend a nice evergreen appearance to the home. Mature Height x Spread In their origins, on a small island close to New Zealand, they can be large...

Sun Requirements Bright sun is best for parlor palms when grown indoors as houseplants. An East facing window is good, but keep this palm away from South-facing windows where it will get direct light. Too much sun can cause yellowing leaves. Bloom Period and Plant Shape Parlor palms (Chamaedorea elegans) are grown for their light green fronds with a delicate texture and arching shape. Mature Height x Spread The plant grows slowly to 3 to 6 feet, but it may take a number of years to get that large. You often find these palms sold as clumps...

Sun Requirements Bright, indirect light from a nearby window Bloom Period and Plant Shape Blooms spring and fall and flowers last for a few months Mature Height x Spread Outdoors peace lilies can grow up to 6 feet tall. As houseplants in containers they mostly are 1- to 2-feet tall. Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum) are tropical evergreen plants most often grown as houseplants. They are known for their white blooms that look like peace flags. The blooms are actually modified leaves. In subtropical areas they also can be used as landscape...

Sun Requirements Medium to bright sun is best for peperomia. An East facing window is good or artificial lighting turned on 14 hours a day will help keep the leaves brightly colored. Bloom Period and Plant Shape The flowers on peperomia are tall, narrow green or brown stalks. The plant leaves can be tiny or large depending on the selection. They often are thick and succulent and compared to rubber tree leaves. In fact, a common name is baby rubber tree. However, the two plants aren't related. Mature Height x Spread Peperomia can grow up to...