Houseplant Encyclopedia
Encyclopedia of popular houseplants with care guides, traits, and placement tips.
Showing 49 of 134 species(1–24)
Aglaonema pictum Tricolor
Aglaonema pictum 'Tricolor'
An Aglaonema whose leaves are patched with dark green, bright green and silvery white in a camouflage-like pattern. The pattern differs from leaf to leaf and plant to plant.
Alocasia Amazonica
Alocasia × amazonica
A bold houseplant with deep green arrow-shaped leaves and striking white veins. Called 'Elephant Ear', it thrives in warm humid indoor conditions.
Alocasia Black Velvet
Alocasia reginula 'Black Velvet'
Jewel-like compact Alocasia with velvety black leaves and silver-white veining. Small enough for tabletop display. Humidity management is crucial.
Alocasia Dragon Scale
Alocasia baginda 'Dragon Scale'
A small Alocasia whose thick, stiff, peltate leaves carry raised grey-green panels between the veins, like dragon scales. A cultivar of the Bornean A. baginda.
Alocasia Frydek
Alocasia micholitziana 'Frydek'
A beautiful alocasia with white veins on velvet-textured dark green leaves.
© Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz / CC BY-SA 4.0Alocasia Zebrina
Alocasia zebrina
An Alocasia with distinctive zebra-patterned stems. Beautiful contrast with arrowhead-shaped leaves.
Anthurium
Anthurium andraeanum
A tropical plant with long-lasting heart-shaped spathes (the colorful flower-like part). Available in red, pink, white and green. Loves warm, humid indoor conditions.
© Daderot / CC0Anthurium Clarinervium
Anthurium clarinervium
A beautiful Anthurium with white veins standing out on large heart-shaped leaves. Popular among houseplant enthusiasts.
Anthurium luxurians
Anthurium luxurians
A Colombian Anthurium whose thick, leathery leaves bulge strongly between the veins, giving a quilted surface. The upper side is glossy dark green and the underside much paler. It was described only in 2005.
© Rudolphous / CC BY-SA 4.0Anthurium regale
Anthurium regale
An Anthurium with large, slightly velvety heart-shaped leaves marked by white midribs and lateral veins, which link around the margin and meet at the tip.
© Daniel Case / CC BY-SA 3.0Arabian Coffee Plant
Coffea arabica
An evergreen in the coffee family with glossy, dark green leaves that have wavy margins and prominent veins. Mature plants bear fragrant white flowers and red berries whose seeds are coffee beans.
Bird of Paradise
Strelitzia reginae
Native to South Africa, named for its orange and blue-purple flowers resembling a bird of paradise. Beautiful leaves even when not in bloom. Relatively drought-tolerant.
Boston Fern
Nephrolepis exaltata
Classic fern with elegantly arching fronds. Excellent air purifier, thrives in high-humidity areas like bathrooms. A hanging basket staple.
Caladium
Caladium bicolor
Bulb plant with large heart-shaped leaves in vivid pink, red, and white patterns. Grows spring-fall, dormant in winter. One of few plants with colorful foliage in shade.
Calathea
Calathea
Interior plant with beautifully patterned leaves. Characteristic nyctinastic movement (leaves close at night). Prefers humidity.
Calathea makoyana
Calathea makoyana
A beautiful Calathea with peacock feather patterns on its leaves, also known as Peacock Plant. Performs nyctinasty, folding leaves at night.
Calathea Orbifolia
Calathea orbifolia
Beautiful Calathea with large round leaves featuring silver-green stripe patterns. Outstanding presence.
© Photo by David J. Stang / CC BY-SA 4.0China Doll
Radermachera sinica
An evergreen tree in the trumpet-vine family with glossy leaflets in twice-pinnate leaves and an airy look. Sold in Japan as 'Stereospermum', its current name is Radermachera sinica.
© JJ Harrison ( https://www.jjharrison.com.au/ ) / CC BY-SA 3.0Croton
Codiaeum variegatum
A tropical plant with vivid red, yellow, green, and orange leaf colors. Creates tropical atmosphere.
© Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz / CC BY-SA 4.0Crystal Anthurium
Anthurium crystallinum
The classic foliage Anthurium: velvety, dark green heart-shaped leaves with bold white veins. It grows to about 90 cm tall and wide.
© Mark Pellegrini / CC BY-SA 2.5Ctenanthe
Ctenanthe
A Calathea relative with beautiful leaf patterns. Enjoyable for its prayer movements, folding leaves at night.
Elephant Ear
Colocasia esculenta
Exotic tropical plant with giant heart-shaped leaves. Fast grower with striking presence as interior green. Thrives in warm, humid conditions.
© Ji-Elle / CC BY-SA 4.0Elephant Ear Staghorn Fern (Platycerium elephantotis)
Platycerium elephantotis
A staghorn fern whose fertile fronds are undivided, broad and pendulous, like elephant ears. Its large bright green shield fronds are renewed each season.
Evergreen Ash
Cojoba arborea var. angustifolia
Delicate pinnate leaves with charming nyctinastic movement (closing at night). Bright green foliage creates natural atmosphere.
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Houseplant FAQ
- How much do houseplants cost?
- Common Pothos and small Monstera cost 500-3,000 yen, variegated Monstera 10,000-100,000+ yen, and rare Philodendrons can reach tens to hundreds of thousands of yen.
- Can beginners grow houseplants?
- Pothos, Sansevieria, and Pachira are shade-tolerant and hardy, making them easy for beginners. Once you learn the watering schedule, they're hard to kill and great for indoor enjoyment.
- What should I check when buying houseplants?
- Check for well-established roots, leaves free of disease spots or pests, and no excessive stretching. After purchase, avoid sudden environment changes and acclimate gradually.
- Why do houseplants die?
- Root rot from overwatering is the most common cause. Water only when the soil surface is dry. Insufficient light is the next most common issue, so ensure proper brightness for your variety.
- How long do houseplants live?
- With proper care, houseplants can thrive for decades. Monstera and rubber plants commonly live for many decades, and you can propagate them through cuttings and division.