Exotic Plants And Flowers

Yes, you really can use frost to your advantage in the garden. While often times gardeners don't worry about frost until fall rolls around, it is an issue in early spring as well. Once you learn the basics of using frost to your advantage, you can get a head start on your spring garden and …

Did you ever wonder where the pastime of cultivating tropical plants came from? The tropical craze actually came from the Victorian Era. To the Victorians, it was a great pastime. Today, we are seeing this long forgotten pastime revived. With many North American gardeners pushing the horticulture envelopes of temperate enviroments, you see more and …

The Amorphophallus titanium, which has bloomed at both Fairchild Tropical Gardens and the University of Wisconsin-Madison in addition to other places, has made headlines year after year because of its enormous size and foul-smelling flowers as well as the rarity of seeing it in bloom! Due to the publicity and the rarity of the Amorphophallus …

Many flowers fade after the heat of the day has passed; moon flowers, or flowers that begin to bloom as the sun goes down, are at their peak during this time. The evening garden is ideal for people who work during the day and for those who like to relax or entertain in their garden …

There are many tropical looking plants that will thrive in U.S. Department of Agricultural hardiness zones 6 through 8. Plants will adapt to the climate they are grown in. By using minimal winter protection, such as a cold frame, it is possible to raise the temperature around the plant and get it to survive the …

Growing a lush garden in the drought is a combination of knowing what plants can withstand the hot, dry weather and how to care for those that just can't. I don't know about your garden, but if it's anything like mine, even the cactus are dying! Everytime I turn on the radio, I hear about …

  Escape the dull days of winter and brighten up your corner of the world during the long dark winter months with indoor flowering tropical plants! Who needs silk arrangements when you can have the real thing? There is nothing more cheerful than a plant springing into bloom when it is cold and snowy outside. …

This week we are going to delve into various tropical plants for medium to high light. Remember that these lighting conditions can be achieved either by natural light or by grow lights. So, just because you don't have a sunny window or greenhouse doesn't necessarly limit your choices if you are willing to make a …

The banana comes from the genus Musa and is one of the most popular foods in the world which is why learning about bananas is not only important, but fascinating. Banana plants are available in both large and dwarf varieties, so there is one that is ideal for everyone regardless of where they live. Dwarf …

With spring upon us again, many of you are looking to perk up your flower beds with a mass of color, try using colorful foliage plants. Annuals are great way to add masses of color either alone or mixed in with trees, shrubs or perennials. Another great way to acheive this goal is to add …

Disclaimer: I received this item for free or at a reduced price in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. All opinions are my own. Brugmansia seed typically germinate somewhere between 2 to 10 weeks - however sometimes seed can germinate faster or slower spending on germination conditions (temperature, light, moisture, etc.). Normally I let the …

It has been quite some time since I took inventory of the rare tropical plants in my greenhouses. I did some potting up in Greenhouse #2 tonight but did not take inventory just yet. In Greenhouse #1, which is the one directly off my office, I decided to go ahead and see what was alive …

Ophrys are a group of terrestrial Orchids with unbranched stems and showy flowers that often resemble insects. There are approximately 150 species, according to the American Orchid Society, that naturally hybridize. While collecting plants or even seeds from the wild is discouraged, there are numerous places to purchase plants that were grown in cultivation.

So, you’ve been looking for a reason to get your hands on some exotic houseplants, but what if I tell you that they don't just clean the air? What's more is these plants are not only easy-to-grow but they do extremely well indoors. Here are two suggestions of exotic tropical plants that are perfect in …

The Persian Shield Plant is quickly catching everyone's eye this spring with its beautiful, exotic looking narrow, lance-shaped quilted leaves. The marbled rich purple leaves have iridescent blue markings with a deep wine red underside. The Persian Shield plant was a favorite in Victorian times and appears to be well on its way to becoming …

When you grow tropical plants in cold climates you have to decide if you want to overwinter them or let them die and start over again come spring. Many tropical plants bloom the first year when grown from seed while others have bulbs or tubers that are easy to overwinter or buy each spring. Tropical …

Learning how to care for plants is the best way to learn how to grow healthy plants. These six easy tips for house plant care are a great starting point. Each plant has its own individual needs so read the care tags carefully, follow a plant maintenance schedule and your houseplants are sure to flourish.   

Some plants need more care than others and are best left to an expert gardener as opposed to a novice one. If you fall into the latter category of gardeners it is best to choose indoor gardening house plants that are easy to care for, are hardy, and have a low maintenance schedule.

Fall is here which means winter isn't far off and it's time - once again - to bring your  tropical plants indoors and come up with a decorating idea with tropical plants. We all know the drill - move the plants out in spring, redecorate, then panic once the nights begin to cool down. If …

The herb garden tips below are sure to help you grow the best indoor herb garden you've ever grown! It's not always easy to grow a flourishing garden indoors, but it is possible. There are some tips and tricks I have picked up over the years that may help you on your quest to growing …

The largest flower in the world comes from a leafless plant from Mayla known as Rafflesia arnoldii. It’s a parasitic plant that has grapevine like roots and a fleshy flower which is the only part of the plant that appears above the ground. The flower is approximately three foot across and can weigh up to …

If growing tropical bulbs in containers outdoors in the summer is a bit of a challenge to you, you are not alone. While the growing conditions for tropical bulbs or even forcing bulbs indoors require one set of rules, the growing conditions outdoors require yet another set of rules. Everything from water to soil to …

Learn how to grow Oleanders indoors or out, depending on your climate. Oleanders, a member of the Apocynaceae family, are one of the prettier tropical evergreen shrubs that can easily be grown indoors in containers. In its natural habitat it can reach up to twenty feet in height, but most Oleanders are kept trimmed to …

A member of the Malvaceae family, mallows, have been grown since ancient times which means you too can easily grow mallows in your home or yard. Beginning with the ancient Greeks and Chinese, and carried on into the Victorian age up to today, mallows symbolize ambition, abundance, and fruitfulness. One of the more common members of the …

Allamandas are tropical beauties that are native to South America, and come in different shades of yellow, although you will find some in shades of purple, chocolate and white. Allamanda Neriifolia, produces clusters of flowers, while Allamanda Cathartica produces single blooms that may reach up to five inches across.

This weeks article about growing Tibouchina was inspired by a plant that had both myself and a good friend of mine stumped as to what it was. On a plant buying expedition at Lowe’s we spotted a gorgeous plant among all the others. There was only one of these plants and the leaves had a …

Pineapples are a tropical fruit native to South America but you can grow and harvest pineapple no matter where you live. Pineapples have been cultivated and grown for a number of years in the region of Brazil, however these exotic fruits make great houseplants. Even in cold climates it is possible to get these plants to …

Well, here I sit at the computer on another hot, sweltering day looking outside wondering if the plants and animals are hotter than me! I never dreamed I'd be gardening during a heatwave where the only people, plants and animals that are happy are in air conditioning. Although tropical flowers are beautiful, I certainly don't …

Hello fellow gardeners. My interest in growing tropical plants came from the fact that I was tired of growing the same plants that everyone else was. I wanted my garden to be unique, something that people would stare at in amazement. With the addition of my greenhouse, my dream has started becoming a reality. However, even …

There are many fragrant flowering trees, some bloom during the day and some bloom when night falls. Those that bloom at night have a more intense, wafting fragrance, possibly because the darkness and cooler temperatures keep the scent from dissipating quickly. Night blooming fragrant trees are nice because many people who work during the day …

Commonly called the “Empress Of Brazil,” Worselya rayneri boasts a flower color that is a deep blue-mauve or violet blue fading to almost white in the center and the flowers may also be soft pale lavender with lots of blue spots. Worselya rayneri grows on the side mountains in South America, especially Brazil and is …

There are so many reasons to start growing ginger in your garden or for those in a cold climate, in a flower pot. Ginger is a great plant to grow, as well as one that has been used in homeopathic and natural healing. There are varieties with highly fragrant flowers and of course ones you …

My Theobroma cacao story began the moment I learned that this was the plant chocolate actually came from. My quest to learn more about this particular plant has taken me many places - Chicago, New York, Key West, all over Indiana and I even ended up making a good friend in Puerto Rico who grows …

Have you ever thought about how to grow cinnamon? Or maybe if you have, you have wondered if it would grow in a pot as a houseplant. Few of us ever think about where cinnamon comes from, but can you imagine walking down a street lined with Cinnamon Trees? That's everyday life for those who …

Make a citrus theme garden using a combination of citrus trees and citrus scented herbs such as lemon balm, lime balm and lemon mint. Herbs are easy enough to grow. For those who do not live in a warm climate, certain varieties of citrus trees grow in containers and will in fact fruit. Here are a …

My love of exotic pitcher plants is something I blame on HGTV and here is why.  I was watching Home & Garden Television one day when a beautiful red pitcher shaped plant was shown. This made me curious. I went on an all out search for this beauty, nicknamed the pitcher plant, botanically known as …

Learning to grow tropical plants in container culture can be very rewarding, and you will find once you have a routine down, very effortless. Getting in the routine is the hardest part, however you will be glad you did once you get the learning curve figured out. If growing tropical bulbs outdoors in the summer …

Successful Orchid care is not hard if you understand the basic needs of this plant and provide them with what they need to thrive. It’s no wonder that people fall in love with the beautiful, exotic looking flowers of the orchid family as the flowers are quite showy.  Orchid flowers come in a variety of colors, the …

Plumeria, or Frangipani, is an easy to grow fragrant plant that can be grown indoors in cold climates. Learn about dormancy requirements, pruning, fertilizing and more. Plumeria originates from the Caribbean Islands and Central America and is grown worldwide. Plumeria flowers in many different colors, has a wonderful fragrance and is an easy plant to …

Many people want to learn how to grow Heliconia simply because they are blown away by the colorful bracts the plant produces. This is a fascinating plant that can grow indoors but many people are not aware of that because these plants are not readily available. As with all tropical plants there are small varieties …