INEXPENSIVE PLANTS

Fast growing but rather compact shrub with velvety leaves and stems. Bright yellow flowers. Ethnomedical plant. Easy to grow and not picky about conditions. Full sun and regular water is all it needs.

Dwarf Cat Tails, Kitten's Tail, Trailing Acalypha. A spectacular plant for a hanging basket, container or ground cover. Foxtail-shaped bright red flowers year around!

Acanthus montanus, also known as African mountain acanthus, False Thistle, Bear's breech, Mountain Thistle, and Alligator Plant, is a thinly branched unusual perennial with interesting foliage, basal clusters of oblong to lance-shaped glossy, dark green leaves reaching up to 12 inches long. The leaves have silver marks and wavy margins. It produces showy pink flowers in the summer to fall. It is said it is cold hardy to zone 9. The plant looks better in filtered light.
See picture of alligator skin.

Agave plant that is an important economic product of Jalisco, Mexico, due to its role as the base ingredient of tequila, a popular distilled beverage. The high production of sugars, mostly fructose, in the core of the plant is the main characteristic that makes it suitable for the preparation of alcoholic beverages. Great addition to cactus - rock gardens - ethno-botanical collections. Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping. Grows fairly fast in summer if provided with extra water.

A breathtaking beauty, this Alocasia hybrid is excellent for creating a lush tropical look to gardens. Resembling large Elephant ears, these plants are mainly valued for their gorgeous leaves, which are very large, heart-shaped, but they also produce small, calla-like fragrant flower spathes. Suitable for bogs and water gardens.

Voodoo lily, Devils tongue, Snake Palm, Corpse flower. Amorphophallus bulbifer is one of the prettiest of the Voodoo Lilies and the inflorescence doesn't smell that bad compared to others of the genus. Amorphophallus only blooms when mature and even so it doesn't bloom every year. The unpleasant smell that the flower omits is only present for a few hours after the flower opens. If the flower is pollinated (normally by flies if the plant is outside) it will take 1 year for the plant to mature its seeds. The seed stalk is very pretty with the seeds changing colors from green to red. During this time the tuber will not produce a leaf.

Purple Prince is a medium grower with glossy green leaves with deep purple tubular flowers. It's an excellent ground cover that can be pruned into a low hedge. Very suitable as a container plant, or on top of a low wall, where its foliage and flowers can spill down. Prune and fertilize at regular intervals and keep well watered. The plant does best in filtered sun or light shade. Hardy to 28F in a protected location. Height 1 to 2 feet. Native to South Africa.

Bignay, Bugnay, Tassel berry. Clusters of 20 to 30 red to black fruits are produced from July through September. The acidic fruits, greatly enjoyed by birds, may be used to make jams, jellies, and vine.

Cashmere bouquet, Glory Bower - ideal for the container grown patio plant, very fragrant and will attract butterflies to the large flower trusses. Hardy to zone 8. Enjoy clusters of sweetly scented, pink flowers that attract butterflies and other pollinators. They open in terminal panicles up to six inches across. Dark green leaves often tinged purple are up to 8 inches long. This plant can be grown as a compact shrub or allowed to spread. Can tolerate light freezes, rejuvenating each spring. It thrives in full sun to part shade and is drought-tolerant once established. Keep the soil moist during the growing season. Regular pruning helps maintain its shape and encourages more blooms.

Very popular collectible hybrid, this is one plant that truly lives up to its cool name! Purple and green camouflaged leaves with a lime green stem. Each leaf of this Elephant Ear is like an artists canvas, no two are exactly alike. Splashed, splattered, sprayed, marbled, splotched - take your pick of adjectives to describe the unique pattern of lime green, chartreuse, purple, and near-black colors on each huge, arrow shaped leaf. Even its stout stems are colorful: light pink with dark rattlesnake-like stripes. The colors tend to be most vivid when sited in partial shade.
This plant will grow well in large containers or in the ground as long as consistent moisture is available. In the ground, the leaves can grow a whopping 2ft long by 18in wide and the plant can reach 6ft tall. This plant will also grow in shallow water.

Introduced at the 2000 International Aroid Society meeting in Florida, this dazzling elephant ear became the most wanted plant at the meeting. Emerging solid green, the 25" wide light green leaves begin turning butter cream-yellow along the center. The color then pours down into the main vein creating a huge bold Y-pattern in the center of the leaf. Color then bursts into the lateral (side) veins and begins its march to the margins. Coloring starts in spring, shortly after the first leaves mature. It sends out lots of side stolons which will root into the soil where moisture is adequate. The more moisture the larger the plant will grow.
Colocasia White Lava is similar to Colocasia Nancys Revenge but White Lava produces glossy red petioles whereas Nancys Revenge has green petioles.

Anthonys Rick-Rack. This curious epiphyte is grown for the strange leaves which lend it the common name Ric-Rac Cactus, Zig-Zag or Fishbone Cactus. In the wild it attaches itself to trees, clinging by little aerial root filaments along the zigzagging succulent leaves, but is adaptable to terrestrial habits. It loves strong yet indirect lighting. It does not need a lot of water and should be permitted to dry out entirely between waterings. It is nightblooming and its flowers last only a single night in spring.

Spice Turmeric, Longevity Spice, Indian Saffron, Tumeric. Turmeric powder might well be the healthiest spice on Earth. Made by grinding the dried root of the Curcuma longa plant, this ancient superfood and key ingredient in curry powder has been used by Indian Ayurvedic healers for centuries. In recent years, also the scientific community has begun to show interest in the potential health benefits of the turmeric root. Turmeric can be consumed in its original powdered form through culinary additions to other foods.
This plant is deciduous through winter-spring.

This is a very cute and unique plant from the Philippines and SE Asia that belongs to Hoya and Dischidia family. It's a vigorous growing vine with boat shaped leaves. Very easy to grow and it is a really good bloomer! A lot of Dischidias don't have the most showy flowers, but this plant has very cute fuchsia colored flowers, and the buds never fully open up! They look like little bulbs or dildos. Great as a house plant that doesn't need much maintenance. Grows well in hanging baskets in shade/filtered light and doesn't need a lot of water. The potting soil should be very well drained and porous.

Dorstenia bahiensis is an interesting plant with strange looking receptacles. At maturity, seeds shoot ballistically from the mature flower/fruit heads, and they germinate readily whenever the land on soil or other moist substrate.
A quirky, shade-loving plant with glossy leaves and button-like flower discs. When ripe, those button heads pop their seeds like tiny popcorn, launching them across the yard. Compact at just 6-12 inches, it makes a playful groundcover or a fun conversation piece in a pot.

Vietnamese Jaina White Dragon Fruit is the classic pink-skinned, white-fleshed pitaya loved around the world for its refreshing flavor and vigorous growth. The fruit are mildly sweet with hints of strawberry, melon, and kiwi, making them excellent eaten fresh or chilled. This fast-growing climbing cactus produces spectacular night-blooming white flowers up to 14 inches long, followed by brightly colored fruit. Easy to grow and highly ornamental, Vietnamese Jaina White is a must-have for dragon fruit enthusiasts and collectors of unusual tropical plants. Vigorous fleshy stems can reach 30 feet or more, attaching themselves to supports with aerial roots as they climb.
Lean more:
Pitaya page
What to do with a Dragon fruit?

This crazy little cactus makes a wonderful hanging basket specimen and quite the conversation piece with its twisted, arching limbs. A night bloom epiphytic cactus with curly twisting leaves, Epiphyllum curly locks is an example of a cactus that uses its stems to capture more moisture and light. The plant has curly, curved stems which are the result of a mutation of a plant called Epiphyllum guatemalense. The name for this mutated cactus is Epiphyllum monstrosa - a jungle cactus native to Guatemala and will attach itself to a tree and live off of the composting debris that collects in the crook of the tree. Commonly called Orchid Cactus due to the blooms resembling orchid blossoms. The flowers are fragrant and usually open at night. Oval, bright pink seedy fruits form once blooms are pollinated. These fruits are juicy and edible. The plant is also self-pollinating and fruits can form even without the intervention of insects and mammals.
Epiphyllum are sensitive to being moved so choosing spot in bright, indirect light would work best. Epiphyllum will also only bloom when root bound, so take this into consideration when repotting.

If you are looking for something truly different, this is it: Eucrosia bicolor is a rare Peruvian bulb that turns heads instantly when in bloom. And it blooms in shade! What starts as a simple, quiet bulb suddenly transforms into a striking display of bright red flowers with long, fine, golden stamens that burst outward like a perfectly frozen firework.
This is the kind of plant people stop and ask about.
Even between blooms, it stays attractive with soft, broad, lush leaves similar to lily of the valley, giving it a refined, tropical look in your collection.
Unlike typical bulbs, it follows a natural rhythm - active growth followed by a dry rest period. Once you understand this cycle, it becomes easy to grow and reliably rewarding.
Perfect for containers, collector gardens, and anyone who wants something rare, unusual, and memorable.
Give it warmth, bright light, and a proper dry rest - and it will put on a show that few plants can match.

This is a shade loving Euphorbia. Grows to about 28" tall. It is shaped like a miniature palm tree. The leaves are covered with a milky white bloom that adds to the interest. It is very easy to grow the plant.
Grown often as a houseplant that is very ornamental and easy to grow even for beginners. Unlike many succulents, E. leuconeura is less susceptible to overwatering issues; it doesn't mind dry air and is very shade tolerant.
Euphorbia leuconeura is endemic to Madagascar. It is threatened by habitat loss. The natural habitat is rocky areas in the dark forests.

With its attractive long green leaves with a slight fuzziness, this ginger has open long spikes of pastel yellow flowers with a beautiful heady aroma. Similar in appearance to the White Butterfly ginger (H. coronarium). Exquisitely fragrant!

If you're looking for a hibiscus that makes a statement, President Red delivers. This classic tropical hibiscus produces enormous, brilliant red flowers measuring 5 to 7 inches across, creating a spectacular display from spring through fall. The bold blooms stand out against glossy dark-green foliage, bringing instant tropical color to the garden.
Unlike many tropical hibiscus varieties, President Red has demonstrated impressive cold tolerance. During the historic Florida freeze of February 2026, established plants in our garden survived two nights at 25F and nearly two weeks of unusually cold weather (when all tropical hibiscus was killed by that cold), recovering and resuming growth when warmer temperatures returned. While protection is still recommended during severe freezes, this variety has proven tougher than many tropical hibiscus selections.
President Red is a fast-growing evergreen shrub with a dense, upright habit that can reach 6 to 10 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide when planted in the ground. Its large, trumpet-shaped flowers often feature a deeper red eye and prominent red pistil, adding even more drama to each bloom.
Butterflies and hummingbirds are naturally attracted to the nectar-rich flowers, making this variety an excellent choice for pollinator-friendly gardens. Whether planted as a specimen, hedge, flowering screen, or patio container plant, it quickly becomes a focal point wherever it grows.
President Red performs best in full sun, where it produces the heaviest bloom display. It prefers rich, well-drained soil and regular watering, especially during dry weather. Routine fertilization during the growing season encourages continuous flowering and lush growth.
With its giant scarlet blooms, vigorous growth, and surprising cold hardiness, Hibiscus President Red remains one of the most rewarding tropical flowering shrubs for warm-climate gardens.

Wax Hearts, Sweetheart Hoya, Valentine Hoya, Heart leaf. Hoya kerrii - Sweetheart Plant - makes an ideal houseplant. It has become increasingly popular in recent years. Unusual and quirky "heart" shape leaves appeal to anyone looking for that special novelty gift for their plant enthusiast friend.

Tricolor variegated Bloodleaf hybrid, a great plant for both sun or shade. The variegated pink/crimson, green and white colored leaves compliment other plants. It needs to be pinched back often to keep from getting leggy. Tough, hardy and colorful, these showy plants with their brilliant leaves and soft stems can be a great addition to a planting. Brightest colors are generally obtained in stronger light. It makes a wonderful houseplant and a cute present.

Bryophyllum proliferum, Kalanchoe prolifera - Blooming Boxes. A very interesting giant specie, inch thick jointed stems are waxy, as are the opposite pairs of fleshy, succulent leaves. Terminal inflorescence of yellow flowers from dangling four-sided box-like bracts yields a multitude of plantlets.