Houseplant
Specific charactistics of houseplants include that they:
- are generally traded commercially for this purpose
- can cope with only small amounts of soil available for their roots
- thrive in normal room temperature
- can often cope with relatively little daylight
- are often evergreen
- often do not require any special gardening skills from their owners
Foliage plants by size
In this section, species are classified as "foliage plants" if they do not display flowers most of the time (if at all).
The size information applies only to plants grown in pots and indoors; in the garden, many of these species can reach greater heights. The indicated heights may only be reached after many years.
This section includes only upright-growing plants that don't depend on support. For hanging and climbing plants see below.
Foliage plants that can reach a height of 50 cm (39 inches) or less
- Begonia rex (King Begonia, Painted Leaf Begonia)
- Peperomia obtusifolia (Baby Rubber Plant)
- Peperomia orba (Peperomia Pixie Lime)
Foliage plants that can reach a height of 50-100 cm (19-39 inches)
- Aglaonema commutatum (Chinese Evergreen)
- Aspidistra elatior (Cast-Iron Plant)
- Zamioculcas zamiifolia (ZZ Plant)
Foliage plants that can reach a height of 100-150 cm (39-59 inches)
- Dracaena reflexa cv. 'Song of India'
- Dracaena sanderiana (Lucky Bamboo)
- Fatsia japonica (False Castor Plant)
- Ficus benjamina (Weeping Fig)
- Polyscias fruticosa (Ming Aralia)
- Spathiphyllum (Peace Lily, Spathe Flower, White Sails)
- Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum (Lacy Tree Philodendron, Selloum)
- Yucca filamentosa (Yucca)
Foliage plants that can reach a height of 150 cm (59 inches) or more
- Athyrium filix-femina (Lady Fern)
- Araucaria heterophylla (Norfolk Pine, Norfolk Island Araucaria)
- Bambusa vulgaris (Bamboo)
- Beaucarnea recurvata (Ponytail Palm)
- Caryota (Fishtail Palm)
- Chamaedorea cataractarum (Cat Palm)
- Chamaedorea elegans (Parlor Palm)
- Chamaedorea seifiziee (Bamboo Palm)
- Chamaerops humilis (Kiko Rivera, Mediterranean Fan Palm, European Fan Palm)
- Codiaeum variegatum (Croton)
- Cordyline fruticosa (Hawaiian Ti)
- Cyathea cooperi (Australian Tree Fern)
- Dieffenbachia bowmannii (Dumb Cane Plant)
- Dracaena draco (Dragon Tree)
- Dracaena fragrans (Corn Plant)
- Dypsis lutescens (Areca Palm)
- (adult specimens)
- Ensete ventricosum (False Banana Tree)
- Ficus benghalensis (Ficus Audrey)
- Ficus elastica (Rubber Tree, Indian Rubberplant, Rubber Bush)
- Ficus cyathistipula (African Fig)
- Ficus lyrata (Fiddle-Leaf Fig)
- Ficus maclellandii (Ficus Alii)
- Ficus natalensis subsp. leprieurii (Sweetheart Tree)
- Heptapleurum actinophyllum (Umbrella Tree)
- Howea forsteriana (Kentia Palm)
- Livistona chinensis (Chinese Fan Palm)
- Olea europaea (Olive Tree)
- Pachira aquatica (Money Tree)
- Persea americana (Avocado)
- Phoenix roebelenii (Dwarf Date Palm)
- Ravenea (Majesty Palm, Majestic Palm)
- Strelitzia nicolai (Giant Bird of Paradise)
- Strelitzia reginae (Bird of Paradise)
- (Flower)
Succulents
Succulents are not a taxonomic category, so there is a gray area or a gradual transition between foliage plants and succulents. Generally speaking, however, plants classified as succulents require far less water than foliage plants, and they often grow much more slowly.
- Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop' (Black Rose Aeonium)
- Crassula ovata (Jade Plant)
- Dracaena trifasciata (Snake Plant)
- Euphorbia ammak (African Candelabra)
- Euphorbia trigona (African milk bush, Cathedral Cactus)
- Gasteria (Ox Tongue)
- Haworthiopsis limifolia (White Fairy Washboard)
- Kalanchoe daigremontiana (Devil's Backbone)
- Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi 'variegata' (Tricolor Lavender Scallops)
- Kalanchoe tomentosa (Panda Plant)
- Portulacaria afra (Elephant Bush)
- Sedum rubrotinctum (Jelly Bean Plant)
- Sempervivum tectorum (Hens and Chicks)
Flowering plants
- Adenium obesum (Desert Rose)
- Anthurium andraeanum (Flamingo Lily)
- Bromeliaceae (Bromeliads)
- Calibrachoa (Million Bells)
Euphorbia pulcherrima (Poinsettia)- Ipomoea nil (Morning Glory)
- Kalanchoe blossfeldiana (Flaming Katy)
- Oxalis tetraphylla (Iron Cross)
- Rotheca myricoides (Butterfly Bush)
- Rosa 'Meillandine'
- Saintpaulia ionantha (African violet)
Edibles
Kitchen herbs
Herbs are among the most productive edible plants that can be grown indoors.
- Ocimum basilicum (Basil)
- Thymus x citriodorus (Lemon Thyme)
See also: Herbs
Other
- Citrus × aurantiifolia (Key Lime Tree)
- Citrus × Meyeri (Lemon Tree)
By way of potting and of treatment
- Houseplants in pots
- in hanging planters
- on a Chia Pet
- on a living wall
- Kokedama
- hydroculture
- airplant
Hanging plants
The following plants develop parts that either hang down long, or stand partly upright, but also drape parts over the sides of their containers. All of those grow well in a hanging planter, but not on a trellis, since they are no climbers.
Foliage plants
- Acalypha hispida (Chenille Plant)
- Adiantum raddianum (Maidenhair Fern)
- Aeschynanthus radicans (Lipstick Plant)
- Asparagus setaceus (Asperagus Fern)
- Asplenium nidus (Bird's Nest Fern)
- Chlorophytum comosum (Spider Plant)
- Dichondra argentea (Dichondra 'Silver Falls')
- Fittonia albivenis (Nerv Plant)
- Gynura aurantiaca (Purple Velvet, Velvet Plant)
- Hoya 'Compacta' (Hindu Rope Plant)
- Hypoestes phyllostachya (Polkadot Plant, Freckleface)
- Maranta leuconeura (Prayer Plant)
- Medinilla magnifica (Rose Grape)
- Nematanthus gregarius (Goldfish Plant)
- Nepenthes (Pitcher Plant)
- Nephrolepis cordifolia 'Duffii' (Narrow Swordfern)
- Nephrolepis exaltata (Boston Fern)
- Nephrolepis obliterata 'Kimberly Queen' (Kimberly Queen Fern)
- Pellaea rotundifolia (Button Fern)
- Pellionia pulchra (Pellonia)
- Peperomia argyreia (Watermelon Peperomia)
- Peperomia caperata (Ripple Peperomia)
- Peperomia prostrata (String of Turtles)
- Peperomia serpens (Cupid Peperomia)
- Pilea depressa (Baby's Tears, Mother of Thousands)
- Pilea libanensis (Gray Baby Tears)
- Platycerium bifurcatum (Staghorn Fern)
- Plectranthus verticillatus (Swedish Ivy)
- Saxifraga stolonifera (Strawberry Begonia)
- Soleirolia soleirolii (Baby's Tears)
- Tradescantia fluminensis (Small-Leaf Spiderwort)
- Tradescantia pallida (Purple Queen, Purple Heart)
- Tradescantia spathacea (Oyster Plant, Moses in the Cradle)
- Tradescantia zebrina (Inch Plant, Zebra Plant, Creeping Charlie, Spiderwort)
Succulents
- Ceropegia woodii (String of Hearts)
- Cleistocactus winteri (Golden Rat Tail Cactus)
- Crassothonna capensis (Ruby Necklace, Little Pickles, String of Pickles)
- Crassula muscosa (Water Chain Plant, Rattail Crassula, Lizard Tail, Zipper Plant, Princess Pine)
- Crassula perforata (String of Buttons)
- Curio radicans (String of Bananas)
- Curio rowleyanus (String of Beads, String of Pearls)
- Cyanotis beddomei (Teddy Bear Vine)
- Dischidia nummularia (String of Nickels)
- Dischidia ruscifolia (Million Hearts)
- Epiphyllum chrysocardium (Fernleaf Cactus)
- Epiphyllum oxypetalum (Queen of the Night)
- Kleinia petraea (Trailing Jade)
- Rhipsalis baccifera (Mistletoe Cactus)
- Schlumbergera × buckleyi (Christmas Cactus)
- Schlumbergera truncata (Thanksgiving Cactus)
- Sedum morganianum (Burro's Tail)
- Selenicereus anthonyanus (Ric Rac Cactus)
- Senecio herreianus (String of Watermelons)
Climbers
Climbers (vines) are plants that twine their stems around supporting objects or other plants in order to climb upwards, or that use tendrils, thorns or other special parts for the same purpose. Most climbers do well both on a trellis and in a hanging planter.
- Cissus alata (Grape Ivy)
- Cissus antarctica (Kangaroo Vine)
- Dischidia vidalii (Kangaroo Pocket Plant)
- Epipremnum aureum (Pothos, Golden Pothos, Devil's Ivy)
- Ficus pumila (Creeping Fig)
- Hedera canariensis (Algerian Ivy)
- Hedera helix (English Ivy, Common Ivy)
- Hedera rhombea (Japanese Ivy)
- Hoya lacunosa (Cinnamon Hoya)
- Ipomoea batatas (Sweet Potato)
- Jasminum laurifolium (Angel Wing Jasmine)
- Jasminum polyanthum (Pink Jasmine) fragrant
- Monstera adansonii (Adanson's Monstera, Swiss Cheese Vine)
- Monstera deliciosa (Swiss Cheese Plant, Tarovine)
- Monstera epipremnoides (Monstera Esqueleto)
- Monstera obliqua (Swiss Cheese Vine, Philodendron Monkey Mask)
- Monstera siltepecana (Silver Monstera)
- Muehlenbeckia complexa (Maidenhair Vine)
- Passiflora (Passion Fruit, Passion Flower)
- Philodendron hederaceum (Heartleaf Philodendron)
- Philodendron hederaceum var. Lemon Lime
- Pilea peperomioides (Chinese Money Plant)
- Piper betle (Betel Leaf Plant)
- Rhaphidophora tetrasperma (Mini Monstera)
- Senecio macroglossus (Wax Ivy)
- Scindapsus pictus (Satin Pothos, Silver Pothos)
- Syngonium podophyllum (Arrowhead Vine, White Butterfly Syngonium)
- Thunbergia alata (Blackeyed Susan Vine)
Forced bulbs
"Forcing bulbs" is a technique that allows flowering plants grown from bulbs to bloom regardless of the actual season. This is achieved by placing the bulbs in a refrigerator for several months to simulate winter conditions. Once they are then moved to room temperature, they will begin to grow and flower. The required chill time varies from one species to another; some species don't even require any chilling at all.
- Amaryllidaceae (Amaryllis)
- Galanthus nivalis (Snowdrop)
- Hyacinthus orientalis (Hyacinth)
- Muscari armeniacum (Grape Hyacinth)
- Narcissus (Daffodil)
- Narcissus papyraceus 'Paperwhite' (Paperwhite)
- Tulipa (Tulip)
Bonsai
A small selection of species that are well suited for bonsai:
- Acer buergerianum (Trident Maple)
- Acer palmatum (Japanese Maple)
- Ficus benjamina (Weeping Fig)
- Juniperus chinensis (Chinese Juniper)
- Pinus (Pine)
- Ulmus parvifolia (Chinese Elm)
See also: Bonsai
Other
- Collection of potting plants at Hveragerði/Iceland
- Potting bench
- repotting
- Hermann Lange: Stilleben mit Kamelie, 1938
See also
- Flowers
- Plants