Chamaedorea seifrizii Chamaedorea Seifrizii, known as the Bamboo Palm, is a tropical palm from the rainforests of Central and South America. To be clear, it is not a bamboo but a palm, belonging to the Arecaceae family. But it takes its name from the bamboo-like stems that support its beautiful feathery fronds. In my opinion, …
Fishtail Palm: the verdict Originating in the humid forests of Southeast Asia, the Fishtail Palm (Caryota mitis), is a distinctive and attractive houseplant. Its leaves, shaped like a fish’s tail, add an exotic flair to any indoor setting. In my opinion, it is a plant that is really worth growing. It brings a slice of …
Indoor palms bring a touch of the tropics and a sense of calm to any space. I always think that the best indoor palms are really valued as house plants because of the atmosphere they create. For those of us living in colder climates palms evoke thoughts of warm summers and exotic holidays in faraway …
Rhapis excelsa: the verdict There is something delicate and refined about Rhapis exclesa, which probably gives rise to its common name of the Lady Palm. Its leaves are palmate, but deeply divided, and the fronds are short, giving a compact appearance to its foliage. Rhapis excelsa is a clumping palm. This means it grows multiple …
Howea forsteriana: the verdict Howea Forsteriana, the Kentia Palm, is truly the classic palm tree. With its graceful, arching dark green leaves, it adds elegance and class to any room. That is why you’ll find it in expensive hotels (like the Ritz, pictured below), and why it it was even a feature plant on the …
Ficus elastica: the verdict Commonly known as the Rubber Plant, Ficus elsatica is a tough evergreen that brings a touch of the tropics into the home. It has thick, glossy leaves and that can reach up to 1 foot (30cm) long. The plant can grow to 8 feet (2.5m) or so indoors. It boasts air-purifying …
Chinese Evergreen varieties The Chinese Evergreen plant (Aglaonema spp) is one the best house plants for beginners, as it is easy to grow and can withstand a bit of variable care. It can tolerate low light and, although it prefers high humidity, can survive well enough in the average home. For more on Aglaonema generally, …
Best house plants for beginners to grow When I first began to fill my house with house plants, I had already started gardening. So I was building up some basic knowledge about what plants need to survive and thrive. But I had a couple of plants in an apartment I lived in before that. And, …