Members of the bromeliad, air plants rely on the moisture and the nutrients in the atmosphere to grow. They cling to their surroundings, such as trees or telephone poles. The fuzzier the leaves, the drier air the plant can tolerate. Spanish moss is a type of air plant!

Water: immerse in a ‘bath’ about every two weeks.

Light: bright, indirect.

Soil: none needed! However, make sure the container doesn’t retain moisture and has good circulation.

Natural biome: mesic: humid regions such as South American rainforests; xeric: desert-like climates and often grow on rocks.

Toxic: no

Alocasias grow from bulbs (technically called tubers or rhizomes) and go dormant during the winter.

Water: when top quarter of soil is dry.

Light: bright, indirect. Not tolerant to low-light.

Soil: well-draining and retains some moisture. Can supplement basic potting mix with things like coco coir or orchid bark.

Natural biome: tropical areas in the South Pacific Islands, particularly the Philippines.

Toxic: yes.

One of the largest plant genus with over 2,000 species! These are super easy to propagate.

Water: only water when top of soil is dry; don’t let it fully dry out.

Light: part sun.

Soil: well-draining, rich with organic matter.

Natural biome: tropic and subtropic areas across the globe.

Toxic: yes, the root is toxic beneath the soil.

The classic houseplant! These grow tall and large. Don’t worry if the leaves are splitting — that is how they maintain aerodynamics in nature, preventing breakage during high rain and wind.

Water: when top half is dry.

Light: prefers bright, direct light, but can handle medium.

Soil: well draining. Moisture retaining medium can be added such as coco coir or sphagnum moss.

Natural biome: South Africa.

Toxic: yes.

Cactaceae family, there are over 2,000 cactus species! They are differentiated from succulents by their spines.

Water: only when completely dry.

Light: bright, full sun.

Soil: loose, well-draining soil. Same as succulents, we recommend about a 50/50 ratio of basic potting soil to perlite or pumice.

Natural biome: desert regions along North and South America, though some come from the subtropics!

Toxic: generally, no.

Both members of the Marantaceae family, these two genus of plants move in the sunlight and have earned their nickname, ‘prayer plants’! Grown in the underbrush of the rainforest, these plants aren’t used to a lot of direct light—which is why most of their leaves have dark undersides! It absorbs light and sends it back to the upper side.

Water: when top two inches or three-fourths of soil is dry.

Light: partial, indirect. Leaves may burn in direct sun—aim for filtered.

Soil: well-draining, able to retain some moisture.

Natural biome: tropical rainforests in South America, Africa, and Asia.

Toxic: no.

Codiadeum variegatum, in the wild, these colorful plants grow as shrubs and can reach ten feet tall! They’re in the same family as the poinsettia.

Water: moist but not wet; water when top is dry. Also, benefits greatly from higher humidity.

Light: sunny window such as south or west; less light=less color.

Soil: well-draining.

Natural biome: tropical forests of Southeast Asia.

Toxic: yes; and sap is an irritant.

A genus with around 170 species, these are actually a part of the asparagus family!

Water: when top two inches of soil are dry; they enjoy humidity.

Light: bright, indirect.

Soil: well-draining but able to retain some moisture.

Natural biome: tropical areas of Africa, southern Asia, and Australia; one species from South America

Toxic: no

Fun fact: Sansevierias are now in the dracaena family! (Brittanica, 2019). For convenience, we’ve kept them in their own category. This was decided from DNA research. Here, dracaena means the woody plant, rather than the succulent snake plants.

Ficus lyrata, these babies know what they want and they’re not afraid to say it. You can hear it by the sound of their leaves falling to the ground. They do not produce figs, unfortunately.

Water: when top two inches of soil are dry; they enjoy humidity.

Light: bright, indirect; generally not right in the window.

Soil: well-draining; can add perlite.

Natural biome: central and southern parts of Africa, where they can grow up to 30 feet tall!

Toxic: yes; sap is an irritant.

Hoya carnosa, there are between 200 and 300 species of Hoya! A vining plant that loves to explore, you may find yourself untangling it from its surroundings. Plant not flowering? Try introducing more light!

Water: dry completely between waterings; feel moisture? Wait.

Light: bright, indirect.

Soil: well-draining; we suggest adding perlite, using a cactus/ succulent mix, or our local soil mix.

Natural biome: tropics in Asia and Australia.

Toxic: no.

Typically easy to care for and adaptable, they’re often suggested for beginners. Since there are so many, a rule of thumb for watering: the more succulent the leaf, the longer it can go between watering.

Water: when the top half (or more) of soil is dry.

Light: bright, indirect.

Soil: well-draining.

Natural biome: Central and South American rainforests and a few come from Africa!

Toxic: no.

There are 450 species of the genus philodendron! Great climbers that wrap around trees in nature.

Water: when top inch of soil is dry; do not let plants sit in soggy soil or saucers of water.

Light: bright, indirect.

Soil: well-draining soil; does well when slightly root-bound.

Natural biome: tropical Central and South America; spotty light, high humidity, and warm temperatures of the bottom of the rainforest.

Toxic: yes

Epipremnum aureum, technically an evergreen plant, pothos are often displayed as hanging plants in the home but climb in nature. In the wilds they can reach leaf size of up to a foot!

Water: only when soil is dry.

Light: bright, indirect; can handle lower light, but won’t grow as fast.

Soil: well-draining.

Natural biome: originally from the tropical islands in the South Pacific.

Toxic: yes.

Dracaena trifasciata, formerly Sansevieria trifasciata. These are the perfect low maintenance plants!

Water: when soil is completely dry. If you feel moisture, wait.

Light: bright, indirect; can handle lower light, but won’t grow as fast.

Soil: well-draining; succulent and cacti mix work great, otherwise add perlite or pumice (unless using our mix, which already has some!)

Natural biome: Southern Africa

Toxic: yes.

Chlorophytum comosum, these look great in hanging baskets! They produce little ‘pups’ that look like spiders and can easily be propagated!

Water: when top two inches or top half of pot is dry.

Light: moderate, indirect.

Soil: well-draining.

Natural biome: South Africa.

Toxic: no.

With over 20,000 to choose from, there is bound to be a succulent you’ll love! Plants classified as succulents hold lots of moisture in their leaves. Though they can range in care type, here’s the basics:

Water: only when soil is completely dry!

Light: bright, full sun. Remember to gradually introduce it to new light!

Soil: well-draining with material such as perlite and/ or pumice. We recommend a 50/50 ratio if you’re starting with a basic potting mix.

Natural biome: all over the world! Most come from dry, desert and semi-desert areas throughout Africa and North and South America.

Toxic: varies - the ASPCA says succulents like Echeveria are non toxic, but some plants, such as aloe, might tingle a pet’s mouth.

Zamioculcas zamiifolia, these low maintenance plants are slow growers that grow from rhizomes, meaning they’re equipped to survive droughts.

Water: dry out between waterings

Light: bright indirect/ partial (spruce)

Soil: well draining

Natural biome: East Africa

Toxic: yes, sap is an irritant.

First, double check that it doesn’t fall under one of these classifications. If it still isn’t here, you can either shoot us a message, or check out our blog, aka the GROW Archives for more detailed plant information! Check back frequently as we grow our Archive!