Keep soil moist - Plant Encyclopedia Results

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.

For those that love jungly plants. Their enormous wrinkly leaves have an almost cardboard like texture and grow to about 2ft. Used in places that have good natural light and lots of space and could benefit from a little bit of drama... In the wild it is epiphytic or epilithic (meaning that it grows without soil either on trees, or in the rocks. Do not plant too deeply, keep moist but not soaked. Beware of slugs and snails, eliminate them with bait or pick them up at night. Wash the foliage regularly to control mites. Mulch abundantly, and fertilize monthly.

The true species produces white berries while the hybrid plant produces red berries.

Anthurium vittariifolium is a rare epiphytic species from the rainforests of Colombia and Ecuador, admired for its long, ribbon-like foliage and elegant pendant inflorescences. In its natural habitat, it grows high in the canopy, with leaves cascading gracefully downward. Mature plants can produce strap-shaped leaves reaching 3 6 ft in length, deep green and leathery, creating a striking curtain-like effect. Almost inconspicuous blooms, appearing as a long slender spadix with a woven pattern in pale green and cream, are followed by striking clusters of bright scarlet and magenta berries, reminiscent of glossy beads.

This tropical plant thrives in warm, humid conditions with bright, filtered light. It prefers a very well-drained, airy substrate rich in organic matter, similar to that used for orchids. Water regularly to maintain consistent moisture, but avoid waterlogging. High humidity is essential to prevent leaf edge browning. Best suited for greenhouse culture or as a hanging specimen in frost-free climates (USDA Zones 10 11), it can also adapt to indoor growing if given sufficient humidity and light.

The Empress of Brazil, also known as Worsleya procera, is easy to cultivate and is an ideal choice for growing in containers and indoors.

This small plant prefers full sun, and its soil should be kept moist at all times. Water regularly, and make sure to keep the soil evenly moist. In cold regions, the Empress of Brazil can be grown in a pot, although it should be brought inside for the winter months.

The Empress of Brazil has vibrant, beautiful blooms that come in colors ranging from deep blue to lavender, to purple. It is a low-maintenance plant, and it is also very easy to propagate. Its flowers are often quite large and can measure up to six inches in diameter.

The Empress of Brazil is a drought-tolerant plant, but it does not do well with dry air. You should mist the leaves of the Empress of Brazil regularly to keep them hydrated. Aside from misting, you should also feed your Worsleya procera a fertilizer that is high in phosphorus, as this will help it to produce healthy and beautiful blooms.

The Empress of Brazil can be grown in USDA hardiness zones 9-11. It is an evergreen plant and is easy to grow as long as given the right conditions. The Empress of Brazil requires plenty of sun and moderate water. It also needs to be in well-drained soil, so be sure to plant in an area that doesn't stay wet for long periods of time.

With proper care and attention, the Empress of Brazil will reward you with long lasting and gorgeous blooms. It is an ideal choice for adding color and beauty to your garden or home. So, go ahead and give it a go, and let the Empress of Brazil show you its beauty!

Evergreen shrub, up to 3 feet tall. Abundant water when actively growing, moderate the rest of the time. "Blood Leaf" bright purplish-red "Beet" or "Beefsteak" oval puckered leaves, with notched tips, on red-maroon stems forming dense bushes. Traditional window-sill plant, Iresine Herbstii Acuminata or "Painted Bloodleaf". Sharply pointed blood red leaves with carmine and liver-lilac veins and stems; an old favorite still much in demand. I.H. Aureo-Reticulata - "Chicken Gizzard Plant". Bright yellow-veined apple-green rounded leaves, with odd notched tips, accented by red-magenta petioles and stems. Old fashioned puckered foliage again popular among indoor gardeners.

Waffle plant, Red Flame Ivy. Colorful, fun plant for container culture and indoor plant collection. Silvery leaves with bright purple underneath. Takes both shade or light sun. Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings. Very high moisture needs; suitable for bogs and water gardens, for terrariums.

Salacca magnifica (Salacca, Snake Fruit) is a fruit-bearing palm that is native to Borneo. The plant thrives in full sun to semi-shade. It is very tropical and can tolerate temperatures as low as 50°F, making it ideal plant for USDA Zone 10-11.. It requires consistent watering to keep the soil moist. In colder regions, it can be grown in a pot, but this requires careful monitoring of the temperature and frequent watering and shading.

The fruit produced by Salacca magnifica is unique and interesting, with each fruit containing up to five seeds. When ripe, the fruit has a yellow, smooth outer skin and a subtle, sweet, and slightly acidic flavor in both the skin and flesh. The kernel has a mild flavor with a slight taste of coconut and can be eaten raw or cooked. Salacca fruits are rich in Vitamin C and other nutrients, and are believed to have detoxifying properties, aid digestion, and help regulate cholesterol levels. These fruits are used in various culinary preparations, especially in Southeast Asian countries.

In Indonesia, the fruit is also candied ("manisan salak"), pickled ("asinan salak"), and used in "rujak," a spicy salad of unripe fruit. Mature fruits can be canned, and the seed kernels of the young fruits of the Javanese "pondoh" form are also edible. A closely-planted row of Salak palms can form an impregnable hedge, and the spiny leaves can be cut to construct fences while the leaflets are used for thatching. The bark of the petioles can be used for matting as well.

Colocasia esculenta Pharaohs Mask . It has bright green leaves that are accentuated by bulging purple veins, creating an unusual 3D effect that is impossible to ignore. At maturity, the leaf edges curve under, showing off the purple veins even more. Strong, dark stems, the same color of the veins, support individual leaves like masquerade masks. A nice cluster of them make for a big impact with the stripped foliage and dark stems that is unlike any elephant ear on the market.

Vaccinium macrocarpon, commonly known as Large Cranberry, is a native plant to North America. It is a low-growing shrub growing to a mature height of 2 to 5 ft, and spreads to 3-4 ft wide. It has attractive, small, glossy dark green leaves and fuchsia-pink flowers in spring. It bears bright red cranberries that mature in fall. This small, evergreen shrub can be used both as an edible food crop and as a beautiful ornamental ground cover in semi-shade or full sun. It thrives in acidic soils with good drainage and a pH of 4.0 to 5.2. The soil should be kept moist, yet well drained. It is cold hardy in USDA Zone 2-7.

Cranberries are very healthy and nutrient-rich fruits that are very versatile in cooking. They are rich in vitamin C, fiber and antioxidants, as well as other essential vitamins and minerals such as manganese and vitamin E. They can be eaten fresh or cooked, and made into juices, jams, and other products. The dried fruit can last up to a year and can be used in many recipes, such as sauces, smoothies, or even salads. In addition, cranberries have many health benefits and are linked to reducing urinary tract infections, and aiding digestion, as well as being anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.

Close relative of Piper methysticum (Kava-Kava), and Piper nigrum (Black Pepper), this herb originated from Tropical America and grows also in the South Pacific. Large-leaved perennial, known for its leaves, which are used for their spicy aromatic scent and flavor, some liken to root beer, others to anise-clove. This species is easily identified by its huge leaves which can grow over a foot long in older specimens. Plants will grow out from roots so it can spread in ideal conditions. Flowers are long, skinny, white, and fuzzy looking. They may be borne in season. The plant doesn't usually form many fruits outside of its native range. The leaves are chopped and used for flavoring, as well as used whole, as wrappings for meats, tamales, etc.

P. auritum is very often confused with Piper methysticum (Kava-Kava), and probably has some similar effects. According to other sources, it can be poisonous. Explorer Captain James Cook, who gave this plant the botanical name of "intoxicating pepper", first discovered the true kava kava. Kava has been used for over 3,000 years for its medicinal effects as a sedative, muscle relaxant, diuretic, and as a remedy for nervousness and insomnia. It has been used in parts of the Pacific at traditional social gatherings as a relaxant and in cultural and religious ceremonies to achieve a higher level of consciousness. The roots can be made into a mildly narcotic beverage that is comparable to popular cocktails in our culture. Kava is now recognized by many doctors as an alternative to drugs like Xanax and Valium.

See Article about Piper.