One of my favorite houseplants right now is donkey’s tail. Unlike succulents that grow along the ground, Donkey Tail likes to cascade over the sides of its pot, adding drama to my plant rack. What is Burro’s Tail? Burro’s Tail (Sedum morganianum) is a succulent plant native to southern Mexico and Honduras. In its natural…
What is String of Pearls? String of pearls (Curio rowlyanus) is a succulent vine native to the arid regions of southwest Africa. In its native habitat, it grows as a ground cover, creeping along the ground to reduce an area’s exposure to extreme heat. Outside of its native area, it is usually grown in a…
What is Lipstick Plant? The lipstick plant (Aeschynanthus spp.) is a genus of tropical plants related to the African violet. They belong to Indonesia and Malaysia. The most common type grown as a houseplant is A. radican which grows like a vine and is the type I know of. In their native lands, they grow…
What is Chinese Money Plant? The chinese money plant (Pilea Peperomioides) is a flowering plant that belongs to the nettle family. It is native to southern China, especially Sichuan and Yunnan provinces. It has been “discovered” several times by Europeans. However, it was a Norwegian missionary who brought it to Norway in 1946, who started…
No-Dig Container Gardening After leaving the hustle and bustle of the city behind to enjoy the country lifestyle, I soon found myself thinking about owning a garden. I started exploring my gardening options and decided that the no-dig method of gardening was definitely the one for me. I learned that raised beds, lasagna gardening, and…
What is a ZZ Plant? ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is native to tropical regions of Africa. It was “discovered” by Europeans in 1829, but did not become popular as a houseplant until the late 1990s when Dutch nurseries began offering it for sale. The ZZ plant is also known as the Arwood Palm because it…
How Do You Start a Bonsai Tree? Bonsai is an interesting hobby to start with. It is a unique art form because your canvases are alive and ever-changing. Mastering the art of bonsai is a never-ending journey, and knowing how to get started is the key to success! When starting out with your first bonsai,…
What is Cast Iron Plant? Cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) is native to Taiwan and southern Japan. It is related to asparagus. Like asparagus, it grows from an underground rhizome. Leaves grow directly from the roots rather than from vertical stems. The plant got its name “cast iron plant” because it thrives with neglect. It…
What is a Corn Plant? The corn plant (Dracaena fragrans) is native to tropical Africa. Its resemblance to maize (maize) leads to its nickname “corn plant.” It is also called “moss cane”, “false palm”, “sugar money tree” and “luck plant”. It is related to the Lucky Bamboo and is also a Dracaena (D. Sandrina). Both…
What is Friendship Plant? The friendship plant (Pilea involucrata) is a tropical plant native to Central and South America. They grow on the edges of tropical forests, so these plants need as much moisture as in their native habitat. They are often grown in terrariums that mimic their very humid home. These plants are hardy…