A schefflera elegantissima, native to New Caledonia, has many different names depending who you ask: false aralia, dizygothica elegantissima, spider aralia. Whatever you call it, this is a beautiful plant with long, narrow, serrated leaves in a palmate (finger-like) arrangement. The color of the leaves starts out as a reddish, coppery green and gradually turns into a lovely dark green. The plant can be used as a table plant or as a 4-7ft floor plant as it matures.

A terrarium is a clear water- tight container that can hold soil, small plants, and decorative additions. It allows both heat and light to enter. Terraria (plural) can be open to the environment or sealed.

Use an open terrarium for succulentLearn the definition of a succulent plant and why they are called a "fat plant." or semi- Succulent PlantLearn the definition of a succulent plant and why they are called a "fat plant."s (“dry plants”) that prefer dry air rather than high humidity. Some of the best plants for an open terrarium are air plants, echeveria, jade, kalanchoe, sedum, hawarthia, or small cacti.  Plants that require bright direct light also do better in an open terrarium. Avoid using plants with a large root system.

Closed terrariums are mini ecosystems that create a humid environment by retaining much of their moisture. In fact you may have to open a sealed terrarium and wipe down the sides if too much humidity builds up inside. Excellent plants for a closed terrarium are: pilea, nerve plants, baby’s tears, spider wort, aluminum plants, mini begonias, mini orchids, button ferns, and creeping fig. Avoid using tall climbing plants and plants with a large root system.

When creating a terrarium, be sure to use plants that have the same lighting, watering, humidity, and feeding requirements. It’s a recipe for failure to put a Succulent PlantLearn the definition of a succulent plant and why they are called a "fat plant." that needs very 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., dry soil, and low humidity in with a fern that thrives on moist soil, high humidity, and medium light. Find care requirements for specific plants in the Popular Houseplants section of the website.

Photo: Regenwaldterrarium by Rolf Kolasch

An Aralia is an evergreen plant native to Africa, Asia, Australia, parts of North and Central America, and South America. The distinct leaves of a Balfour Aralia resemble leathery, round, dinner plates about 1″- 2″ in diameter, which is how the plant got its nickname, the Dinner Plate Aralia.  The leaves can range in color from light green to dark green and some varieties have green and cream colored variegated leaves. Aralias are not  good houseplants for beginners since they are easy to over- water which results in root rot and leaves falling off.  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

Aralia Plant

This Alocasia plant, native to Asia, is also called a Jewel Alocasia or an Alocasia Nebula. Alocasia plants have large, glossy, heart-shaped leaves with prominent veins.  If you are searching for a dramatic, very different looking plant that can be as small as 6″ or as tall as a tree, an alocasia plant is a great choice. These plants do require extra care and attention. 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

Alocasia macrorrhiza

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.

A Chinese Evergreen plant is one of the easiest and best-looking houseplants to have in your home or office. Aglaonemas, the scientific name for Chinese Evergreen plants, are a hardy hybrid from the Aroid family and originally came from the subtropics of Southeast Asia. Chinese Evergreen plants can be used as upright table plants or, as they get larger, bushy floor plants. All of the many Chinese Evergreen plant varieties have long, shiny, leathery leaves with unique patterns of green, gray, pink, red, and cream. NASA lists the Chinese Evergreen as one of its top ten plants to clean the air of harmful toxins.

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

Chinese Evergreen Plant

A bromeliad fasciata (Aechmea fasciata), sometimes called a silver vase plant or urn plant, is an easy care flowering plant native to Brazil. In nature, it is an epiphytic plant, which means it grows on other plants or trees. This bromeliad variety has thick, arching, gray-green leaves.These unique leaves are arranged in a circular fashion so that they form an upturned waxy cup in the center. This central cup, or reservoir collects the water and nutrients that the plant needs. After three or four years, as a bromeliad fasciata matures, the plant produces a tall flower stalk with numerous pink bracts. The real flowers are small blue blooms that grow between the pink bracts. Although the blue flowers quickly die, the bright pink bracts often last 5 or 6 months. When buying a bromeliad fasciata, avoid purchasing one that already has small blue flowers since this indicates the pink bracts have been visible for a while and may soon fade. 

Read about other easy care houseplants, like this bromeliad, in Don’t Talk to Me, I’ll Grow Better – A Guide to Easy-Care Houseplants

BROMELIAD

Calathea  plants are native to Africa, the West Indies, and Central and South America. All are treasured for their large, oval, distinctly patterned, and vibrantly colored leaves. The beautiful striped leaves grow at the end of long stems and require quite a bit of care to stay looking good. Indoors, a calathea plant rarely grows larger than about 2ft. wide and 2ft. tall. This plant requires high humidity to keep its leaves from getting brown edges. A calathea is not an easy-care plant, but like many unusual houseplants, well worth the effort.

An Arboricola, or Hawaiian Schefflera plant, originally came from Taiwan and can be grown as an indoor houseplant or an outdoor plant in moderate climates. Hawaiian Scheffleras can be as large as 8ft specimen trees with beautiful braided trunks or as small as 5″ and be used in dish gardens. These plants are perfect table or floor plants for home or office. Scheffleras are also an excellent choice if you want to try your hand at the art of bonsaiLearn how to grow bonsai plants, and which plants make the best bonsai plants at Houseplant411.com. Hawaiian Scheffleras are bushy upright houseplants with masses of small, shiny, leathery leaves. The regular variety has solid green leaves, the Capella variety has gold and green leaves, and the Hawaiian Schefflera Trinette has white and green leaves.

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

Hawaiian Schefflera