Commelinaceae - Botanical Family

Cyanotis speciosa, or Doll's Powderpuff, is an evergreen groundcover or small shrub native to South Africa that packs a punch of bold color and long lasting beauty. With its slender stems, it can reach heights up to two to five feet in height, depending on its environment and maturity, and will boast a vibrantly colored mauve, pink and blue flowers that will flowering through winter, spring and the summer months.

This plant is extremely easy to grow and will thrive in full sun to semi-shade areas with moderate water, making it ideal for a variety of gardens, landscapes, and containers, as well as being a great choice as a low growing and low maintenance option. As such, it is a popular choice for gardeners of all levels and locations, as it can grow in USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11.

Cyanotis speciosa is relatively low maintenance and easy to care for, but there are some guidelines to keep in mind for the best results. It does well in loose, well-draining soil and should be watered regularly. However, keep an eye on the soil's water content level and water sparingly in hotter and dryer climates, and less during winter. For those living in colder regions, the Powderpuff can be grown in pots and should be kept on the drier side, inside during the colder months.

As a perennial, it will generally bloom again each year, however, deadheading the flowers is recommended to encourage this process. For optimum growth, fertilizing should also be included and done with a controlled release fertilizer prior to blooming.

With its lovely mauve, pink and blue flowers, low maintenance care requirements and ease of growing, it is no wonder why Cyanotis speciosa is a popular choice of flower to much life to any garden or accent any home or lot.

Unusual zinger-looking perennial with dark green foliage with arching stems. Heads of dark electric-blue flowers top tall, jointed stems with glossy heavy leaves faintly banded silver and toned purplish-blue beneath. It blooms continually with clusters of sky blue flowers that droop in a pendant fashion from each stem. Rare color for tropics! This plant is well suited for partially shaded landscapes to provide an exotic tropical look and as a patio pot plant.

Despite its name, Blue Ginger is not a true ginger but a member of the Commelinaceae family, closely related to the well-known houseplant Tradescantia. This clump-forming perennial enchants with its deep sapphire-blue blooms - a rare and striking color for the tropics. Growing 2-5 feet tall, it features dark green stems with leopard-like spots at the leaf axils and shiny, horizontally held foliage.

Native to Brazil and Peru, Blue Ginger thrives in semi-shade or partial shade with moist, well-draining soil, making it an ideal addition to shade gardens, patios, or indoor collections. Its vibrant blue, lavender, or purple flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators, creating a lively display.

In warm climates (USDA Zones 10-12), it remains evergreen and can tolerate brief dips into the low 30s. In cooler regions, it grows beautifully in pots and can be overwintered indoors in a cool, bright location. For best results, keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, maintain good air circulation, and fertilize moderately during the growing season.

Blue Ginger's exotic flowers, unique foliage, and fascinating background make it a must-have for any tropical-themed space.

Geogenanthus ciliatus is a perennial plant, forming a mat of growth about 15cm tall. A terrestrial herb in primary rain forest it is a medium to large sized terrarium plant.

The top surface of the leaves are glossy and dark green, whereas the bottom of the leaves are velvety, dark-purple.

The bottom of the leaf is purple and the top of its leaves are green with darker green stripes. The surface as a whole has a "puckered" appearance; hence the common name seersucker plant. This plant is particularly unique because its cymes rise from the lower nodes, which often looks like their growing out of the ground.

Murdannia graminea is a perennial grass-like herb to 50cm high with thick, tuberous roots. Flowers are carried in loose, branched inflorescences on stalks up to 60 centimetres tall. The individual flowers are three-petalled, two centimetres across and blue or lavender, rarely white.

Palisota barteri is a small shrub native to tropical Africa that can reach a height of 2 to 5 feet when mature. It prefers shade or semi-shade and requires regular water to thrive. The shrub produces beautiful white or off-white flowers that attract a variety of insects. This species can be grown in most USDA Zone 9-11 areas and can be a good choice for a small garden or as an ornamental plant in larger gardens.

When growing Palisota barteri in cooler climates, the plant should be grown in a pot and kept in the warmest part of the house. This ensures the shrub receives plenty of sunlight and warmth. Watering should occur when the soil is almost dry and the pot should always have drainage holes in the bottom. It is important to monitor the moisture content of the pot, as the soil should not be allowed to dry out completely. Nutrients can be added to the soil in the form of fertilizer for better growth.

Finally, Palisota barteri does not require much pruning and can be grown with minimal maintenance. The shrub should be checked regularly for pests and diseases. Removing any dead foliage keeps the plant healthy and encourages new growth. With the right care, Palisota barteri will thrive and bring beautiful blooms to a garden any time of year.

A genus of 18 species of rhizomatous, clump-forming, perennial herbs.