There are over 1000 varieties of Peperomia Plants that are mainly native to Central and South America. All Peperomia Plants, which belong to the Pepper Family, are semi- succulentLearn the definition of a succulent plant and why they are called a "fat plant."s with very similar care requirements.  The leaves of Peperomia Plants are thick and plump and can be rippled or smooth and shiny. The colors of the leaves of Peperomia Plants come in various shades of green, red, gray, & cream, displayed in solid, marbled and striped patterns. The flowers of a Peperomia Plants are tiny & inconsequential, growing in clusters on upright conical spikes. When small, Peperomia Plants can be used in dish gardens and terrariums. Compact Peperomias are ideal for tables and some varieties make excellent hanging plants. Most Peperomia Plants never grow taller than 12”-18.” The most popular Peperomia plants, used as houseplants, are the caperata and the obtusifolia.

                  Peperomia

Unique Hindu rope plants, Hoya carnosa compacta, are draping succulentLearn the definition of a succulent plant and why they are called a "fat plant." vines that produce clusters of star-shaped waxy flowers. The thick, twisted, curly, cupped leaves of a Hindu rope plant are why it’s often called Krinkle Kurl. Hindu rope plants can be found in solid green or with variegated leaves. This type of hoya plant is very easy to care for as long as you have plenty of light and are careful with your water.

The Hoya Shooting Stars Plant is native to Thailand and Malaysia. White blooms on the Hoya Shooting Stars plant appear in large clusters, with the waxy petals leaning back behind the center of the flower, like shooting stars. There are over 200 species of the easy to grow almost indestructible Hoya Plants. Hoya Plants are often referred to as Wax Plants because of the waxy nature of their leaves and flowers.  Hoya Plants grow best hanging in front of a bright sunny window. Even a houseplant novice will be successful growing a Hoya Plant.

Episcias are lovely trailing plants native to Central and South America, Brazil, and the West Indies. An Episcia Plant is grown for its colorful textured leaves and small but pretty flowers. The most popular variety of the Episcia Plant is the Flame Violet which has silver veined leaves and bears tubular orange-red flowers about 3/4″ in size. The Episcia has never become as popular as its close relative the African Violet because they require more care. Episcias grow in a very unique manner. Each plant sends out runners called stolons which trail over the edge of the container or across the soil in the pot. New plants are propagated from these runners.This is a beautiful unique houseplant, but not for beginners.

Episcia Plant

Swedish Ivy plants did not originate in Sweden nor are they an ivy plant. However, Swedish Ivy plants did originally become popular as a houseplant in Sweden and they do have long cascading stems like a regular ivy plant. “Creeping Charlie” is the nickname for a Swedish Ivy and it is closely related to the mint plant. This is a lush almost succulentLearn the definition of a succulent plant and why they are called a "fat plant."- like trailing vine with thick, bright green, shiny scalloped leaves. A Swedish Ivy  looks great in hanging baskets. When given enough bright lightVery few houseplants should be placed in direct sun. High light refers only to bright indirect light since direct sun often burns the leaves of indoor houseplants. An area that is too hot and dry encourages Spider Mites and causes blooms to quickly fade. A northern exposure really doesn't provide enough light for high light plants. These plants need to be placed directly in front of an east-facing window, within 1-3 feet of a west-facing window, and within 5 ft. of a south facing window. A high light area has over 300 ft. candles of light., a Swedish Ivy produces delicate, white or purple tubular-shaped flowers. Some varieties have a special aroma when touched. You can hang a Swedish Ivy outside in partial shade during the summer, but bring it indoors before the temperatures dip below 50°.  Swedish Ivy, is a fast- growing, easy- care plant, is great for beginners.

Kangaroo paw ferns, native to Australia and and some parts of New Zealand, are epiphytic evergreens with firm leathery fronds that are oddly shaped and vary in size. It’s an example of a rhizomatous fern. The kangaroo paw fern only grows to be about a foot tall but can spread out to 2-3 feet in width.  I really like how different this easy care plant is and think it looks very attractive in a hanging basket or set on a table in a pretty pot.

Kangaroo Paw Fern

Angel Wing begonia plants, first found in South America, make up a large portion of the cane begonia group. All cane begonia plants have long stems with “joints” on them. The leaves and flowers of begonia plants grow out of these joints. Angel wing begonias have large, “angel wing” shaped, dark green leaves, often with metallic silver specks. The underside of the plant leaf is usually a deep red. Angel wing begonias produce hanging clusters of delicate flowers in red, white, orange, or pink. The intensity of the color of the flowers and leaves depends upon how much light the plant gets. Angel wing begonias are beautiful, easy- care, flowering plants that brighten your home all year. They are considered poisonous and should be kept away from pets and children. Read more about common houseplants that are poisonous in my book Don’t Feed Me To Your Cat! A Guide to Poisonous Houseplants

Angel Wing Begonia

A Begonia Rex plant, also called a Painted-Leaf Begonia, a Fancy-Leaf Begonia, or King Begonia, is a colorful perennial flowering plant that originally came from India. It is grown for its large colorful leaves rather than its small pink flowers. Begonia leaves  come in a variety of shapes, sizes, color combinations, and patterns. These are not easy plants, especially for beginners; but don’t give up, eventually you’ll find the right combination of water, light, food, and humidity.

These plants are considered poisonous and should be kept away from pets and children. Read more about common houseplants that are poisonous in Don’t Feed Me To Your Cat! A Guide to Poisonous Houseplants

There are about 700 varieties of Selaginella plants which are often referred to as spike moss or arborvitae ferns. Selaginella plants are very diverse in their size and in the ways they grow.  Many can be found growing wild in tropical America, Asia, China, Japan, North America, Mexico, South Africa and Australia. Selaginella, depending upon the variety, may be a creeping, climbing, or trailing plant. Selaginella kraussiana, which is also called Spreading Club Moss or Trailing Moss, grows about ½ inch high and has a limitless spread. S. kraussiana has very small bright green leaves that overlap on trailing jointed stems. Selanginella martensii is a small bushy plant that grows about 7-9” tall and just as wide. S. martensii has thick, multi-branched stems filled with small green leaves. When S. lepidophylla, a native of desert and semi-desert regions,  doesn’t get enough water, the leaves roll into tight brown balls (a phenomenon known as cespitose) and the plant becomes totally dormant. Once this Selaginella  gets some moisture, the leaves open up, turn green, and the plant starts to grow again. This is why the  Selaginella lepidophyllagets is called the “Resurrection Plant.”

Moses in the Cradle plants (Tradescantia spathacea) have many alternative names such as Moses-in-a-Boat, Boat Lily, Cradle Lily, Moses-in-the-Bullrushes, and Oyster plant. Whatever you want to call them, these colorful plants, native to Mexico, the West Indies, and Central America, are easy to care for and have very attractive leaves. Moses In the Cradle plants produce rosettes of long, waxy, sword-shaped leaves that are glossy green or green, purple, and white striped on top and a rich purple on the underside. The very small white flowers, tucked away in a purple boat shaped bract, give Moses-in-the-Cradle Houseplants their many common names.

These plants are considered poisonous and should be kept away from pets and children. Read more about common houseplants that are poisonous in Don’t Feed Me To Your Cat! A Guide to Poisonous Houseplants