Outdoor Plants

Queen Anne’s Lace

Genus: Daucus carota ‘Queen Anne’s Lace,’ ‘Wild Carrot’ “This is one of the most useful and productive filler pants that you can grow from seed. I plant hundreds of them every year.”

Perennials: Peonies

Genus: Paeonia Expert Says: “In addition to being hugely popular, peonies are very easy to grow. Plants are easy to obtain, thrive in nearly every climate, and can live for over 100 years if cared for properly.”

Perennials: Lavender

Genus: Lavandula spp. Expert Says: “Lavender’s practically indestructible, genuinely deer-resistant, and comes in beautiful hues.”

Annuals: Snapdragon

Genus: Antirrhinum majus ‘Snap Daddy’ Expert says: “This long-blooming snapdragon has bright flowers and variegated foliage—and flourishes in cool and hot temperatures.”

Annuals: Cleome

Genus: C. hassleriana ‘White Queen’ Expert says: “To make a big splash in a sunny area, plant cleome. From late June to frost, you’ll have four- to five-inch spiderlike blooms.”

Annuals: Caladium

Genus: C. varieties Expert says: “Caladium brings color to a shady garden in the heat of summer. And some newer varieties can even take a little more sun.”

Perennials: Black-Eyed Susan

Genus: Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii Expert says: “The showiest of my self-seeding perennials, these golden daisies bloom from mid-July through mid-September and beyond.”

 

Indoor plants

Spider Plants

Resilient spider plants seem to thrive even when neglected. They prefer moist soil but will forgive you if you forget to water occasionally. Keep spider plants in bright to moderate light, but avoid direct sun. Fertilize spider plants twice a month during the spring and summer. Spider plants remove benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and xylene from the air. Spider plant are considered safe for pets.

Ficus

Ficus are popular houseplants and also often named the best plants for offices. Why are the great office plants? Because they have a striking appearance and are highly effective at purifying indoor air. A ficus prefers bright, indirect light, moist soil and occasional misting. Make sure you keep your ficus away from drafts. A ficus is a great plant to help you with air purity. Thanks to its decorative appeal, a ficus can serve as an attractive focal point for a room

Red-edged dracaena

Red-edged dracaena, also known as dragon tree, is beautiful and useful for purifying indoor air. It prefers a brightly lighted area, though it can tolerate lower light conditions, too. Allow it to dry out between watering to get the most from it. Dracaena helps remove formaldehyde, trichloroethylene and xylene from your home. (These airborne chemicals can emanate from a variety of household goods.)

Peace lily

The peace lily offers elegance and beauty with a unique look. It prefers bright, indirect light but also does well in medium, indirect light. When it needs water, it will tell you by getting droopy leaves. After watering, it perks back up in response. You can also mist it occasionally for added humidity. The peace lily helps remove benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, toluene and xylene from the air.

Pothos

Even if you think you have a “black thumb,” you can probably grow golden pothos. This plant does well in low light and is forgiving if you miss an occasional watering. In fact, the golden pothos prefers to dry out in between waterings. The golden pothos is easily one of the most common houseplants. It’s attractive and easy to grow. Golden pothos is considered an air-purifying houseplant. While root rot is a common problem with most houseplants, but the golden pothos rarely succumbs to this condition. You’ll know when you need to water a golden pothos by its drooping leaves. Droopy leaves that cannot be revived by watering are a sign the golden pothos needs to be repotted into something larger.

Bamboo palms

Bamboo palms are great plants if you want to add a tropical feel to your home or office. While this houseplant, also called parlor palm, prefers bright light, it can do very well in low light as long as it receives enough water. However, make sure you don’t overwater the bamboo palm. Wait until the top of the soil is dry. This plant likes high humidity, so consider placing it on a tray of pebbles with water added. As the water evaporates, add more so the pebbles are almost covered. Bamboo palm is excellent at reducing the airborne formaldehyde that is released by new furniture. Bamboo palm is nontoxic to pets.

Succulents

Aloe Vera

Other name: Medicinal AloeGenus: Aloe Family: AsphodelaceaeFun fact: This fleshy succulent is best known for its medicinal uses. You’ve probably smeared it on your own sunburned or irritated skin a time or two, but it’s also thought to relieve constipation and even treat cancer when ingested (though these last two claims have not been scientifically proven).

Common Glasswort

Other names: Salicornia Europaea, Marsh Samphire, Sea Asparagus, Poor Man’s AsparagusGenus: SalicorniaFamily: Amaranthaceae (Amaranth)Fun fact: The pretty green succulent looks good enough to eat—because it is! It can be consumed like any other veggie, but it’s especially tasty when pickled.

Sweetheart Hoya

Other names: Hoya Kerrii, Lucky-Heart, Valentine PlantGenus: HoyaFamily: Apocynaceae (Dogbane)Fun fact: Can you believe there’s a succulent with such perfectly heart-shaped leaves? This characteristic makes the Hoya a fitting Valentine’s Day or anniversary gift.

Agave Azul

Other names: Agave Tequilana Weber Var. Azul, Blue AgaveGenus: AgaveFamily: AsparagaceaeFun Fact: As you might have guessed from the name “tequilana,” this agave variety is the base ingredient of tequila. Cheers!

Ponytail Palm

Other name: Beaucarnea RecurvatGenus: BeaucarneaFamily: AsparagaceaeFun fact: It might look like a palm tree, but the ponytail palm is indeed a succulent. Its standout features include a bulbous trunk and hair-like leaves—hence the name.

Snake Plant

Other name: Sansevieria Trifasciata, Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, Viper’s Bowstring HempGenus: SansevieriaFamily: AsparagaceaeFun fact: This succulent is commonly known as a “snake plant” or “mother-in-law’s tongue” because of the shape and sharpness of the leaves, respectively (make sure you pass that along to your husband’s mom!). But don’t be too intimidated: The Sansevieria trifasciata is also known as a “bedroom plant” because of its ability to increase oxygen and filter air, leading to more restful sleep.

Woolly Senecio

Other names: Senecio Haworthii, Cocoon PlantGenus: SenecioFamily: Asteraceae (Daisy)Fun fact: Covered in fine white hairs, the Senecio haworthii appears “woolly”—but you might not guess that it also produces pretty yellow blooms.

Christmas Cactus

Other names: Schlumbergera x Buckleyi, Easter Cactus, Thanksgiving CactusGenus: Schlumbergera Family: Cactaceae (Cactus)Fun fact: This holiday cactus features crab claw-like leaves and asymmetrical flowers in saturated shades.

White Velvet

Other name: Tradescantia Sillamontana, Cobweb SpiderwortGenus: TradescantiaFamily: CommelinaceaeFun fact: A member of the spiderwort family, this interesting plant is covered in silvery white hairs that appear “cobwebby” or like white velvet.