Bob & Joe's Tropical Plant Picks

February 21, 2021

Cast Iron Plant (aspidistra elatior)

Aptly named houseplant that is very easy to grow
Excellent for beginners and “brown thumbs”
Upright, deep green foliage; slow-growing, clumping habit
Tolerates low light, low humidity and low water
Grow on the dry side

Haworthia (Haworthia spp.)

One of the easiest succulents to grow
Highly collectible – many different forms including “window plants”
Compact and slow-growing
Prefer bright light with some direct sun; do not need as much light as many succulents
Grow in sharply-drained soil; allow to completely dry between watering

Hoya (Hoya spp.)

These tropical vines are all the rage right now!
Many different species and cultivars, with varying leaf forms and colours
Most produce clusters of intensely fragrant flowers
Need bright light, but avoid hot sun
Bloom best when rootbound and slightly underfed
Grow in sharply-drained soil and allow to dry between watering

'Lickety Split' Philodendron (Philodendron spp.)

A robust, easily grown, lush foliage plant
Large, deeply divided, glossy foliage
Bright, indirect light
Allow to approach dryness between watering
Benefits from misting during the winter

'Silver Sword' Philodendron
(philodendron hastatum)

A beautiful and sought-after collectors’ plant, as easy to grow as any Philodendron
Broadly sword-shaped, silvery-grey, glossy foliage
Bright, indirect light
Allow to approach dryness between watering
Benefits from misting during the winter

Pothos (Epipremnum and Scindapsus spp.)

Currently the most popular group of houseplants
Climbing or trailing foliage plants
Epipremnum varieties are most often green, gold or variegated (examples: Jade, Neon, Pearls n’ Jade, Marble Queen, Hawaiian)
Scindapsus varieties have silver-splashed foliage (examples: Exotica, Argyraeus, Silvery Ann)
Very easy to grow and forgiving
Prefer bright, indirect light; tolerant of lower light
Allow to approach dryness between watering; when in doubt, don’t water