African violets, also known as Saintpaulias, are associated with motherhood, and are a traditional gift to Mom for Mother’s Day. They’re also popular for Valentine’s Day and for Easter. But what are African violets? Are there different species or varieties, and what might those be? Are they all blue or purple? Is there a best … Read more
Crotons offer a splash of color to any environment. With thick, leathery leaves that have a shiny surface and that grow in a wide variety of colors, they’re admired as an ornamental. They even flower, with both male and female flowers on a given plant — but their inflorescence pales in comparison to the red, … Read more
Everyone knows what Spanish moss is. It’s that stuff that gently sways in the breeze as it drapes over the branches of an old oak tree in the South, right? But what really is Spanish moss? Is it actually Spanish? Is it actually a moss — or something else entirely? Today we’re going to take … Read more
Do you love tropical, humidity-loving plants with vibrant and stunning flowers? Perhaps you’re into odd spiky “air-plants” that seem to grow with no care at all? Do you enjoy the island flavor of roasted pineapple? Or do you prefer your trees all draped in thick, swaying coats of moss? How about drought-tolerant, heat-loving plants that … Read more
Blooming in the summertime, jasmine flowers are known for their sweet, exotic fragrance on warm evenings. This unique scent is often used in perfumes, and the flowers are widely popular, too — varieties of jasmine are the national flowers of the Philippines, Indonesia, and Pakistan. Not all jasmines are aromatic, though many popular varieties are. … Read more