Houseplant Encyclopedia
Encyclopedia of popular houseplants with care guides, traits, and placement tips.
Showing 11 of 134 species
Aglaonema
Aglaonema spp.
A tropical Asian houseplant with colorful varieties in red, pink and green. Highly shade-tolerant and easy to grow in low indoor light. Known for air-purifying properties.
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.
© “Jon Zander ( Digon3 )" / CC BY-SA 3.0Dieffenbachia
Dieffenbachia
A tropical plant with large leaves featuring cream variegation. High shade tolerance, grows in dark indoor spots.
Dracaena Janet Craig Compacta
Dracaena fragrans 'Compacta'
A cultivar of Dracaena fragrans with short, solid dark green leaves packed densely around the stems, giving slender trunks topped with compact leafy clusters. It is very shade-tolerant.
© Black Diamond Images / CC BY 2.0Kentia Palm
Howea forsteriana
The classic indoor palm, spreading arching feather-shaped leaves from a single trunk. Native only to Lord Howe Island, Australia, it copes well with low light, dry air and other indoor hardships.
© Mokkie / CC BY-SA 3.0Lady Palm
Rhapis excelsa
A clumping palm with slender, bamboo-like stems wrapped in dark brown fibre, bearing deeply divided, fan-shaped leaves. Shade tolerant, it is grown in many green and variegated forms.
© Daderot / CC0Parlor Palm
Chamaedorea elegans
A small palm with fine, feathery leaves on slender green stems. It copes well with dim light and dry indoor air, and is sold in sizes from mini pots to table plants.
© Benutzer:Callipides / CC BY-SA 2.0 dePeace Lily
Spathiphyllum
A shade-tolerant plant with beautiful white spathe flowers. Famous from NASA's air purification research.
Pothos
Epipremnum aureum
One of the hardiest houseplants. Perfect for hanging or trailing. Many varieties including Golden, Marble Queen, and Neon. Grows in water.
Schefflera
Schefflera
A hardy houseplant with palm-like spreading leaves. A classic species easy for beginners.
© Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz / CC BY-SA 4.0Tupidanthus (Mallet Flower)
Heptapleurum calyptratum
An evergreen in the ivy family whose long petioles carry 7-11 large leaflets in a palmate spread. Sold under its old genus name Tupidanthus, with lush, drooping foliage.
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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.