Complete Plant Guide

Medium 💧 5 days ☀️ Partial shade

Alocasia nycteris, commonly called the Batwing Alocasia, is a rare aroid endemic to lowland forests of Panay Island in the Philippines. It is prized by collectors for its dark, glossy, arrow-shaped leaves whose rear lobes flare outward at nearly a right angle, evoking the outstretched wings of a bat. First displayed publicly in 2003 by Filipino hobbyist Antonio Advincula, it was formally described as a new species in 2007. In its native habitat it grows on rocky, shaded slopes and forest edges at very low elevation, and indoors it forms a wide, horizontal clump up to about 1.5 m tall.

187

Night-Scented Lily

Alocasia odora

Alocasia odora, commonly known as the Night-Scented Lily or Asian Taro, is a striking tropical plant from the Araceae family, native to East and Southeast Asia. Its large arrow-shaped leaves can reach up to 60 cm in length, and the plant can grow to 2.4 meters tall. It produces fragrant cream-to-pale-peach flowers on a spadix during spring and summer, notably scented at night. WARNING: Toxic to humans, cats, and dogs when ingested raw due to calcium oxalate crystals.

188

Black Metallic Taro

Alocasia plumbea

Medium 💧 9 days ☀️ Partial shade

Alocasia plumbea, commonly known as the Black Metallic Taro, is a robust rhizomatous aroid native to tropical Southeast Asia. It is prized for its large, heart-shaped leaves with a striking metallic sheen ranging from olive-green to near-black purple, accented by contrasting veins and dark petioles. In cultivation it can reach up to 1.5 m (5 ft) tall. Its inflorescence -- a typical aroid spathe and spadix -- is inconspicuous and rarely appears indoors.

189

Black Velvet Alocasia

Alocasia reginula

Alocasia reginula, commonly known as Black Velvet Alocasia, is a striking compact tropical plant native to the rainforests of Borneo. It is prized for its deep, near-black velvety leaves adorned with contrasting silvery-white veins. Unlike larger Alocasia species, this jewel alocasia stays small and manageable, making it an ideal statement houseplant. Its thick, succulent-like rhizomes store water, giving it some drought tolerance but also making it highly susceptible to root rot if overwatered.

190

Kris Plant

Alocasia sanderiana

Hard 💧 7 days ☀️ Partial shade

Alocasia sanderiana, commonly known as the Kris Plant or Sander's Alocasia, is a stunning tropical foliage plant native to the Philippines. It features dramatic arrow-shaped dark green leaves with silvery-white veins and wavy, serrated edges that resemble the blade of a Kris dagger — hence its popular name. Critically endangered in its natural rainforest habitat, it is prized as a collector's houseplant worldwide.

191

Yucatan Princess

Alocasia sarawakensis

Medium 💧 4 days ☀️ Partial shade

Alocasia sarawakensis, popularly sold as 'Yucatan Princess', is a large tropical aroid from the swamp forests of Borneo. It forms a dramatic clump of glossy, arrow-shaped, dark green leaves with wavy edges and reddish-purple undersides, rising from sturdy reddish-brown stems. In the wild it can reach up to 2.4 m (8 ft) tall, though potted specimens usually stay more compact.

192

Alocasia Jacklyn

Alocasia tandurusa

Alocasia Jacklyn (Alocasia tandurusa) is a rare and spectacular tropical plant native to the humid rainforests of Sulawesi, Indonesia. Its enormous arrow-shaped leaves with prominent venation and deep green coloration make it one of the most sought-after alocasias among plant collectors worldwide. When grown indoors, it can reach up to 4 feet in height, becoming a stunning focal point in any space.

193

New Guinea Shield

Alocasia wentii

Hard 💧 5 days ☀️ Partial shade

Alocasia wentii, commonly called the New Guinea Shield or Hardy Elephant Ear, is a robust aroid prized for its large, glossy, arrow-shaped leaves with a bronze-green sheen and dark purple undersides. Native to the highlands of New Guinea, most plants sold under this name in the houseplant trade are believed to be vigorous hybrids rather than the true wild species. It forms a dense clump of upright leaves on sturdy petioles and tolerates a wider range of indoor conditions than many other Alocasia varieties.

194

Zebra Plant

Alocasia zebrina

Alocasia zebrina is a striking tropical plant native to the Philippines, famous for its distinctive zebra-striped petioles (stems) that give it its common name. The plant features large, arrow-shaped green leaves held aloft on tall, dramatically patterned stems with dark green and cream-colored stripes. Unlike many Alocasias grown for their leaf patterns, A. zebrina is prized primarily for its unique stem markings. In its native habitat, it grows as an understory plant in tropical rainforests.

195

Aloe

Easy 💧 14 days ☀️ Bright indirect

Aloe is a genus of over 500 species of succulent flowering plants native primarily to Africa, Madagascar, and the Indian Ocean islands. These robust plants form rosettes of thick, fleshy, water-storing leaves often with serrated margins. They are widely cultivated worldwide as ornamental and medicinal plants.

196

Krantz Aloe

Aloe arborescens

Easy 💧 18 days ☀️ Bright indirect

Aloe arborescens, commonly known as Krantz Aloe or Candelabra Aloe, is a large succulent shrub native to South Africa. It forms dense clumps of blue-green leaves arranged in rosettes, with edges serrated by small teeth. In winter, it produces spectacular flower spikes with tubular orange or red flowers that are extremely rich in nectar, attracting various pollinators such as hummingbirds.

197

Short-Leaved Aloe

Aloe brevifolia

Aloe brevifolia is a compact, clump-forming succulent native to the Western Cape of South Africa. It forms dense rosettes of short, broadly triangular, blue-green fleshy leaves edged with soft white teeth. In late spring, mature clumps send up tall spikes topped with tubular orange-red flowers that attract pollinators. Slow-growing and drought tolerant, it is a popular choice for rock gardens, succulent borders, and container displays.

198

Jewelled Aloe

Aloe distans

Easy 💧 14 days ☀️ Bright indirect

Aloe distans is a creeping, evergreen succulent from the West Coast of South Africa. Its sprawling stems carry tight rosettes of blue-green, toothed leaves that blush reddish in sun and drought. In summer and autumn it bears dense clusters of dull scarlet flowers on tall stalks. It makes a tough ground cover or container plant.

199

Bitter Aloe

Aloe ferox

Easy 💧 18 days ☀️ Bright indirect

Aloe ferox, commonly known as bitter aloe or Cape aloe, is a tree-like succulent native to South Africa, forming a single rosette of spiny, grey-green leaves atop an unbranched stem that can reach up to 3 meters tall. It is renowned for its tall flower spikes bearing tubular orange-red blooms in winter, which attract sunbirds and bees.

200

Haworthia-leaved Aloe

Aloe haworthioides

Aloe haworthioides is a miniature succulent endemic to the central highlands of Madagascar, where it grows nestled in quartz rock crevices. It forms compact and prolific rosettes 3 to 5 cm in diameter that cluster into dense mats, featuring dark green lanceolate leaves covered in soft white spines and pustules that give it an appearance similar to the Haworthia genus (hence its name). In late summer and fall, it produces striking, fragrant, tubular flowers ranging from orange to pale pink on tall, slender stalks up to 30 cm. It is a slow-growing species, reaching barely 10 cm in height in cultivation, and is listed in CITES Appendix I due to its conservation status.

201

Spider Aloe

Aloe humilis

Aloe humilis, the spider aloe, is a small clumping succulent from South Africa forming tight rosettes of blue-green, upcurved leaves edged with soft white teeth. In late winter and spring it sends up tall stalks of tubular orange to coral-red flowers loved by pollinators.

202

Tiger Tooth Aloe

Aloe juvenna

Aloe juvenna, popularly known as Tiger Tooth Aloe, is a charming succulent native to Kenya. It grows in compact, stacked rosettes with short, triangular, vibrant green leaves speckled with white spots. Its margins are adorned with small, harmless white teeth that resemble a tiger's jaw. When exposed to intense sunlight, the plant can develop a very attractive bronze or reddish hue.

203

Soap Aloe

Aloe maculata

Aloe maculata, commonly known as Soap Aloe or Zebra Aloe, is a drought-tolerant succulent native to South Africa. It forms rosettes of fleshy, green leaves marked with distinctive white spots in irregular transverse rows. In late winter and spring, it produces striking coral-orange tubular flowers on branched stalks, attracting birds and pollinators. It is virtually disease-free and thrives in hot, dry conditions.

204

Massawa Aloe

Aloe massawana

Aloe massawana, commonly known as the Massawa Aloe, is a stemless to short-stemmed succulent native to coastal East Africa — southern Kenya, northern Tanzania, Mozambique, and Eritrea. It suckers freely to form dense clumps that can spread up to 3 meters (10 ft) across in the wild. Its thick, gray-green rosette leaves, edged with small teeth, store water to endure long dry seasons, and it sends up flower spikes with tubular red-orange blooms, typically in fall.

205

Mitre Aloe

Aloe mitriformis

Mitre Aloe is a succulent plant from the Asphodelaceae family, native to the mountainous regions of the Western and Northern Cape in South Africa, where it grows among sandstone rocks at altitudes of 1200 – 1500 m. It forms creeping stems up to 2 m long, at the ends of which are dense rosettes of fleshy, grayish-green leaves with sharp teeth along the edges. In summer, branched flower stalks with dense clusters of dark red to bright red flowers emerge from the plant. It is a low-maintenance, fast-growing, and resilient plant that can survive long periods without watering and even mild frosts.

206

Mitre Aloe

Aloe perfoliata

Easy 💧 14 days ☀️ Bright indirect

Aloe perfoliata, commonly known as Mitre Aloe, is a low-growing, mat-forming succulent native to the arid rocky slopes of South Africa. Its thick, blue-green leaves are edged with sharp white teeth and often flushed with red or pink under stress from sun or drought. In summer, tall flower spikes emerge bearing clusters of tubular red or orange blooms that attract sunbirds and bees. This tough, drought-tolerant aloe is prized by succulent collectors for its architectural form and minimal care requirements.

207

Snowflake Aloe

Aloe rauhii

Aloe rauhii is a miniature succulent endemic to Madagascar, forming compact rosettes up to 15 cm tall. Its grey-green leaves feature white oval spots and tiny white marginal teeth resembling snowflakes. Under strong sun, foliage flushes purplish or bronze. It produces bloom stalks with tubular pink-scarlet flowers, mainly in winter and spring.

208

Zanzibar Aloe

Aloe squarrosa

Easy 💧 18 days ☀️ Bright indirect

Aloe squarrosa is a small, slow-growing succulent endemic to the island of Socotra, Yemen. It forms dense rosettes of narrow, recurved leaves covered in soft white teeth along the margins, giving it a distinctive tiger-tooth appearance. Rare in cultivation, it is prized by succulent collectors for its compact size and striking silhouette.

209

Fynbos Aloe

Aloe succotrina

Easy 💧 12 days ☀️ Bright indirect

Aloe succotrina is a clump-forming succulent shrub native to the rocky, quartzitic sandstone slopes of South Africa's Cape Fold Mountains, from the Cape Peninsula to Hermanus. Stiff grey-green leaves form dense rosettes, with older outer leaves turning a distinctive purplish hue — a key identification trait. In winter it produces striking spikes of dark orange-red, green-tipped tubular flowers that attract sunbirds. Reaching up to 1.5 m tall, it thrives in full sun to semi-shade and well-drained sandy soil, tolerating drought but not frost or waterlogged roots.

210

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera

Easy 💧 15 days ☀️ Direct sun

Aloe vera is a succulent plant species native to the Arabian Peninsula. Known for its thick, fleshy leaves filled with a soothing gel, it has been used for centuries in traditional medicine and skincare. This hardy plant is perfect for beginners and makes an excellent houseplant.

211

Spider Aloe

Aloe x spinosissima

The Spider Aloe (Aloe x spinosissima) is a succulent hybrid resulting from the cross between Aloe humilis (Hedgehog Aloe) and Aloe arborescens (Krantz Aloe). It forms compact, dense clumps of light green to bluish-green rosettes, with fleshy leaves covered in soft, yellowish spines on both surfaces. It multiplies rapidly through lateral offsets, forming clusters that can reach 24 to 36 inches in height and width. In well-established plants, flower stalks up to 18 inches tall emerge in late winter and early spring, displaying highly ornamental coral-red tubular flowers.

212

Climbing Aloe

Aloiampelos ciliaris

Easy 💧 12 days ☀️ Bright indirect

Aloiampelos ciliaris, known as the common climbing aloe, is a fast-growing succulent native to the dense thickets of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Unlike most rosette-shaped aloe species, it develops long, thin, and flexible stems that scramble through surrounding bushes, reaching heights of up to 10 meters in its natural habitat. The succulent, deep green leaves have margins lined with fine, eyelash-like hairs (cilia), from which the species name is derived. It blooms almost continuously from fall to spring, producing long racemes of tubular orange-red flowers, which are highly favored by sunbirds in its native habitat.

213

Tree Aloe

Aloidendron

Easy 💧 2 days ☀️ Bright indirect

Aloidendron is a genus of spectacular arborescent (tree-forming) succulents native to southern and eastern Africa, belonging to the family Asphodelaceae. The genus comprises six accepted species, including the iconic Quiver Tree (A. dichotomum) and the Giant Tree Aloe (A. barberae), Africa's largest succulent tree reaching up to 20 metres tall. These majestic plants develop thick, fibrous trunks topped with dense rosettes of blue-green or bright-green succulent leaves, producing dramatic tubular flower spikes in shades of yellow, pink, orange, or red during late autumn and winter. Long-lived and drought-adapted, tree aloes are celebrated as focal specimens in xeriscape, Mediterranean, and South African-style gardens.

214

Water Foxtail

Alopecurus geniculatus

Alopecurus geniculatus, commonly known as water foxtail or marsh foxtail, is a perennial grass native to Eurasia. It forms compact tufts with erect or geniculate stems reaching up to 60 cm tall, thriving in waterlogged soils, pond margins, ditches, and seasonally flooded meadows. Its dense, cylindrical flower spikes adorned with pale yellow-orange anthers make it a subtle ornamental accent in water gardens.

215

Lemon verbena

Aloysia citrodora

Medium 💧 7 days ☀️ Direct sun

An aromatic perennial shrub native to South America (Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Bolivia), belonging to the Verbenaceae family. The lanceolate leaves, 5-8 cm long, release an intense lemon scent when rubbed. It blooms between summer and early autumn with small white or purplish flowers gathered in spikes. Introduced to Europe in the 17th century by Spanish and Portuguese sailors, it is now cultivated primarily for culinary use, herbal medicine, and as an aromatic ornamental balcony plant.

216

Sweet almond verbena

Aloysia gratissima