Houseplant Encyclopedia
Encyclopedia of popular houseplants with care guides, traits, and placement tips.
Showing 26 of 75 species(1–24)
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 Frydek
Alocasia micholitziana
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.
© Forest and Kim Starr / CC BY 3.0 usAnthurium Clarinervium
Anthurium clarinervium
A beautiful Anthurium with white veins standing out on large heart-shaped leaves. Popular among houseplant enthusiasts.
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
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.
© 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.
© Adolf Engler (d. 1930) / Public domainCtenanthe
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.
Evergreen Ash
Cojoba arborea var. angustifolia
Delicate pinnate leaves with charming nyctinastic movement (closing at night). Bright green foliage creates natural atmosphere.
© Cillas / CC BY-SA 4.0Fiddle Leaf Fig
Ficus lyrata
A houseplant characterized by large violin-shaped leaves. Very popular as an interior statement tree.
Monstera Thai Constellation
Monstera deliciosa
A popular monstera with cream variegation like constellations. High value for stable variegation.
Nerve Plant
Fittonia verschaffeltii
Beautiful compact plant with white or pink net-like veins. Perfect for terrariums and bottle gardens. Wilts quickly when dry but recovers with watering.
Philodendron Gloriosum
Philodendron gloriosum
A beautiful Philodendron with large heart-shaped leaves and prominent white veins.
Philodendron Pink Princess
Philodendron erubescens
A hugely popular philodendron with pink variegation on dark green leaves. Price surged due to Instagram.
© Mike Dickison / CC BY 4.0Polka Dot Begonia
Begonia maculata
A stylish begonia with white polka dots on dark green leaves. Beautiful contrast with red leaf undersides.
Prayer Plant
Maranta leuconeura
A houseplant with enjoyable 'prayer' movements, folding leaves upward at night. Leaf patterns are also beautiful.
Rattlesnake Plant
Calathea crotalifera
A calathea with snake-like pattern on wavy elongated leaves. Prayer plant relative that closes leaves at night.
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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.