Chinese evergreens are slow-growing and make excellent indoor foliage plants that can be potted and cared for year-round. Take care if you have pets because the plant is toxic to dogs and cats. Light Darker green varieties of Chinese evergreens can grow in near-shade, while the variegated varieties require a bit more bright light. Take care not to expose any of the plants (no matter the variety) to direct sunlight, as the harsh rays can easily burn the delicate leaves....

The best time to plant a Japanese lilac tree is in the late winter or early spring. Late fall is also an acceptable planting time. The lilac is small enough to grow near a deck or patio and lacks an aggressive root system, which means it’s safe to plant near patios, walkways, driveways, and septic lines. Light You will be most happy with a Japanese lilac tree if you grow it in full sun....

If your Alocasia frydek is healthy and happy, you may notice a green spadix emerging from the center of the plant. Flowering is somewhat uncommon when grown indoors but can occur on mature plants. Since the flowers are relatively inconspicuous compared to the frydek’s stunning foliage, many growers will cut the flower off to redirect the plant’s energy to growing more leaves rather than blooming—but this isn’t necessary. Light This Alocasia does best in bright, indirect light when grown indoors and partial shade when grown outdoors....

If you’re lucky enough to get your hands on one of these rare and exotic-looking babies, be prepared to put the work in. These aren’t low-maintenance houseplants, and if you’re just starting out with your indoor jungle, you might want to opt for a less pricey, more readily-available variety—it’s not uncommon to find the alocasia Polly in IKEA. After spending a pretty penny, you don’t want your alocasia silver dragon to whither within a week....

Consuming the leaves is toxic for people. The leaves are also toxic to dogs and cats. Light Aloe Vera needs bright, natural light in order to thrive. Outdoors, aim for up to six hours of full sun, with a small shade reprieve in the afternoon. When grown inside, aloe should be placed in a window with bright, indirect sunlight. Direct sun can burn its tender skin, yet lack of light will cause the plant to grow leggy and weaken its leaves, causing them to crease....

Candy corn plant (Cuphea micropetala) is member of the Cuphea genus containing more than 250 perennials and semi-woody shrubs native to tropical and temperate regions. This species is perennial in warm climate zones (8 to 12), but it is often grown as an annual in cooler climates. It is frequently planted in border beds and cottage gardens, or as an edging plant along walkways, and can also be used as a container plant on decks and patios....

While infestations and disease aren’t common, the plant can be affected by various insects and fungal diseases, both of which are treatable when addressed early. You should overwinter Canterbury bells indoors during their first winter to prepare them for later frosts. Light Canterbury bells flower best when exposed to four to six hours of full sun daily. They can grow in partial sun, but full sun is ideal. Soil Canterbury bells require well-drained but moist soil....

Chicago Hardy is a cultivar of the common fig with large, up to 10-inch long, broad leaves. As the bark matures, it becomes a handsome silvery-grey. While the greenish flowers in the spring are not showy, they turn into medium-size sweet dark figs in the late summer and early fall. Chicago Hardy fig is a moderately fast grower that is planted in the spring or fall. If you would like to grow your own figs, Chicago Hardy fig is a good choice for several reasons....

Creeping mazus is usually planted from potted nursery starts or from root divisions in the spring. It is a fast-growing plant that will quickly fill in to create a uniform ground cover. Light Creeping mazus sees rapid growth in full sun or partial shade positions. In very hot regions, a location that is shaded during the peak of the afternoon is best. Soil Creeping mazus prefers fertile, moist, loamy soil, but it is a robust species that tolerates a variety of soil types....

This rose species is a good climber that will readily grow up a support structure. It also does well as a free-growing hedge to create a living privacy screen. And it can add plenty of visual interest as a solitary specimen. It has a fast growth rate and a long lifespan. In fact, because it grows so readily it is considered invasive in some areas, so check your local regulations before planting....

This orange avens is an unusual plant that offers you bragging rights when showing it off to other gardeners. In addition to the brightly-colored blooms, Geum ‘Fire Storm’ also offers leaves of a delicate texture that contrast well with coarser-leaved plants. As with many small, compact plants, this orange avens flower looks best massed together along a border or displayed in a rock garden. Avens is also a traditional cottage garden plant....

The white or pale pink blooms resemble those of lily-of-the-valley, without the strong, notable fragrance. Best planted from potted nursery plants in the spring or fall, Japanese pieris grows slowly and will take its time establishing itself in your landscape. Because of its slow growth habit, the plant makes a good choice for foundations and shrub borders—you don’t run the risk of damaging nearby structures or losing control of the plant’s growth or spread....

Lenten rose is valued for its early-season blooms of traditional colors white to pink to light rose-purple and its leathery evergreen foliage. Many cultivars come in a wide variety of other colors such as dark purple, maroon, cream, and yellow. The blooms on some of the older heirloom varieties are downward facing, but the newer hybrids have upward- and outward-facing blooms. The blooms—which are actually sepals similar to petals but longer-lasting—are usually two to three inches in diameter appearing on thick stems that rise above the foliage....

Common mugwort is just one of more than 500 Artemisia species, all of which are part of the Asteraceae (daisy) family. Traditionally grown for culinary and medicinal purposes, this aromatic plant has ornamental value in a wild or meadow garden setting. It’s known for being attractive to pollinators like bees and butterflies. A robust species with strong, woody roots that help support its impressive height—mugwort can grow up to six feet tall....

Light Netleaf hackberry grows best in full sun but tolerates partial shade. Soil The main soil requirement is good drainage. For optimal performance, provide deep, loamy soil. Water Netleaf hackberry is drought-tolerant once established. For best performance, during periods of extreme drought, water deeply every other week. Temperature and Humidity Native to arid regions with hot summers, netleaf hackberry performs well in the heat. High humidity is somewhat less conducive to optimal performance....

You can plant daylilies in the spring as soon as the soil thaws, as well as in the early fall at least six weeks prior to your area’s projected first fall frost date. They have a rapid growth rate and are even considered invasive in some areas. Also, be mindful about where you plant them, as they are toxic to cats. Adding some compost to the soil at the time of planting is recommended, but these hardy flowers are tolerant of many soil conditions....

Papyrus is a tall, stately plant. The triangular stem grows out of a clump; under the stem lies a thick mass of rhizomes—the means by which the plant spreads. Atop the stem rests the real beauty of this sedge: a showy umbel. The greenish-brown flowers bloom in summer, then give way to the fruits that look somewhat like a nut. But papyrus is primarily a foliage plant: the accompanying bracts (modified leaves) that make the umbels pop and give them strong visual appeal....

Its striking dark, bushy foliage works in beds or borders. It’s a winning and easy-to-establish herb garden addition (the leaves and flowers are edible), and hummingbirds love the late-blooming, drooping scarlet flowers. Pineapple sage grows well in large containers on patios. Grown in pots it can be moved indoors to overwinter and enjoyed for a second season the following year. Light Pineapple sage is a plant that needs plenty of sun to thrive....

Light In its native environment, this climbing tropical plant grows up tree trunks in the forest understory and is accustomed to dappled sunlight. When grown indoors, it does best in a location that receives several hours of bright, indirect light. Avoid prolonged periods of direct sunlight which can burn the plant’s leaves, but also avoid low-light conditions if possible. Ideally, this plant should be grown directly next to, or in front of, a bright window....

Native to Asia, there are about 15 different species of tea olive, all of which are grown in warm areas within USDA hardiness zones 8b to 11a. The different species vary in size and appearance, with some differences in leaf shape and color, though most boast some variation of glossy dark green leaves and clusters of tiny white flowers. Tea olives grow at a slow to moderate pace, adding between four and 12 inches a year....