Heartleaf Philodendron
Philodendron hederaceum
Family: Araceae
Care Level: Easy
Toxicity: Toxic to people and pets
A popular evergreen vine with glossy, heart-shaped leaves in various shades of green.
Medium to Bright Indirect Light – 150-200 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹
Place the plant 6 ft / 1.8m away from a south, west or east-facing window.
Ensure the plant does not have a direct view of the sky.
If direct sunlight on the leaves is unavoidable, a sheer curtain can be used to filter the light.
Consider a PAR Meter, or PAR Meter App to measure photosynthetically active radiation as PPFD (μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹).
Water when the topsoil feels dry to the touch.
Use room temperature rainwater, distilled water, or reverse osmosis water.
To ensure optimal plant health, a pot with drainage holes is essential.
Water the plant thoroughly until water runs out the drainage holes. Then, allow the excess water to drain completely before placing the pot on a saucer or in a decorative planter.
Water considerably less in the winter months when the plant isn’t actively growing.
Ready Potting Mix
- For optimal growth, use 2 parts organic all-purpose potting mix, amended with 1 part Bark and 1 part Biochar.
DIY Recipe
- 1 part Coir, 1 part Pumice, 1 part Bark, 1 part Biochar, top dress with Worm Castings.
- Apply an organic all-purpose fertilizer every 2-4 weeks, from March to October.
Ideal Temperature Range
- 65-75 °F / 18-24 °C
Ideal Humidity
- 40%
Time to Maturity
- 2-3 years
Eventual Height
- 6 ft / 2 m
Eventual Spread
- 2 ft / 0.6 m
P. hederaceum ‘Aureum’ (Golden Heartleaf Philodendron)
Features bright yellow, heart-shaped leaves with green variegation.
P. hederaceum ‘Brasil’ (Brasil Philodendron)
Known for its dark green, heart-shaped leaves with yellow or cream variegation.
P. hederaceum ‘Manaus’ (Manaus Philodendron)
Boasts large, glossy, deep green leaves with a velvety texture.
P. hederaceum ‘Micans’ (Velvet Heartleaf Philodendron)
Showcases velvety, dark green leaves with an almost iridescent sheen.
P. hederaceum ‘Neon’ (Neon Philodendron)
Displays vibrant lime green, heart-shaped leaves with a glossy finish.
Holly Fern
Cyrtomium falcatum
Family: Dryopteridaceae
Care Level: Easy to Intermediate
Toxicity: Non-toxic to people and pets
Fern with glossy, large, fronds that resemble holly leaves, emerging from a central crown.
Bright Indirect Light – 150-250 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹
Place the plant 5 ft / 1.5m away from a south, west or east-facing window.
Ensure the plant does not have a direct view of the sky.
If direct sunlight on the leaves is unavoidable, a sheer curtain can be used to filter the light.
Consider a PAR Meter, or PAR Meter App to measure photosynthetically active radiation as PPFD (μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹).
Water when the topsoil feels dry to the touch.
Use room temperature rainwater, distilled water, or reverse osmosis water.
To ensure optimal plant health, a pot with drainage holes is essential.
Water the plant thoroughly until water runs out the drainage holes. Then, allow the excess water to drain completely before placing the pot on a saucer or in a decorative planter.
Water considerably less in the winter months when the plant isn’t actively growing.
Ready Potting Mix
- For optimal growth, use an organic all-purpose potting mix.
DIY Recipe
- 2 parts Coir, 1 part Pumice, 1 part Bark, top dress with Worm Castings.
- Apply an organic all-purpose fertilizer every 2-4 weeks, from March to October.
Ideal Temperature Range
- 60-80 °F / 16-27 °C
Ideal Humidity Range
- 40-60%
Time to Maturity
- 2-5 years
Eventual Height
1-2 ft / 30-60 cm
Eventual Spread
2-3 ft / 60-90 cm
Cyrtomium falcatum ‘Rochford’
Features slightly broader, more upright leaflets compared to the typical Holly Fern.
Cyrtomium falcatum ‘Black Boy’
Boasts darker, almost black fronds for a striking appearance.
Cyrtomium falcatum ‘Fortunei’
Similar to the regular Holly Fern but with smaller, more divided fronds.
Houseleek
Sempervivum tectorum
Family: Crassulaceae
Care Level: Easy
Toxicity: Non-toxic to people and pets
A low-growing succulent with rosettes of fleshy, pointed leaves. Produces star-shaped pink or red flowers on a stalk in summer.
Bright Indirect Light – 150-250 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹
Place the plant 5 ft / 1.5m away from a south, west or east-facing window.
Ensure the plant does not have a direct view of the sky.
If direct sunlight on the leaves is unavoidable, a sheer curtain can be used to filter the light.
Consider a PAR Meter, or PAR Meter App to measure photosynthetically active radiation as PPFD (μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹).
Allow the soil to dry out completely before watering.
Use room temperature rainwater, distilled water, or reverse osmosis water.
To determine when to water, use a knitting needle or chopstick to test the moisture at various depths.
To ensure optimal plant health, a pot with drainage holes is essential.
Water the plant thoroughly until water runs out the drainage holes. Then, allow the excess water to drain completely before placing the pot on a saucer or in a decorative planter.
Water considerably less in the winter months when the plant isn’t actively growing.
Ready Potting Mix
- For optimal growth, use a specialty organic potting mix formulated for succulents.
DIY Recipe
- 2 parts Coir, 2 parts Coarse Sand, 1 part Pumice.
- Apply an organic fertilizer formulated for succulents every 2-4 weeks, from March to October.
Ideal Temperature Range
- 60-75°F / 15-24°C
Ideal Humidity
- 40%
Time to Maturity
- 2-3 years
Eventual Height
4-6 in / 10-15 cm
Eventual Spread
12-18 in / 30-45 cm
S. tectorum ‘Atroviolaceum’
This cultivar has dark purple leaves with green tips and pink flowers. It forms large rosettes up to 6 in / 15 cm in diameter.
S. tectorum ‘Metallicum Giganteum’
This cultivar has silvery-green leaves with red edges and yellow flowers. It forms very large rosettes up to 10 in / 25 cm in diameter.
S. tectorum ‘Othello’
This cultivar has red leaves with green bases and pink flowers. It forms medium-sized rosettes up to 4 in / 10 cm in diameter.
S. tectorum ‘Noir’
This cultivar has green leaves with dark red tips and yellow flowers. It forms small rosettes up to 2 in / 5 cm in diameter.
S. tectorum var. arvernense
This variety has green leaves covered with velvety hairs and pink flowers. It forms small rosettes up to 2 in / 5 cm in diameter.
S. tectorum var. tectorum
This variety has smooth leaves edged with hairs and purple flowers. It forms medium-sized rosettes up to 4 in / 10 cm in diameter.
Hoya Hearts
Hoya kerrii
Family: Apocynaceae
Care Level: Easy
Toxicity: Non-toxic to people and pets
A vining succulent with thick, heart-shaped leaves along its stems.
Bright Indirect Light – 150-250 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹
Place the plant 5 ft / 1.5m away from a south, west or east-facing window.
Ensure the plant does not have a direct view of the sky.
If direct sunlight on the leaves is unavoidable, a sheer curtain can be used to filter the light.
Consider a PAR Meter, or PAR Meter App to measure photosynthetically active radiation as PPFD (μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹).
Allow the soil to dry out completely before watering.
Use room temperature rainwater, distilled water, or reverse osmosis water.
To determine when to water, use a knitting needle or chopstick to test the moisture at various depths.
To ensure optimal plant health, a pot with drainage holes is essential.
Water the plant thoroughly until water runs out the drainage holes. Then, allow the excess water to drain completely before placing the pot on a saucer or in a decorative planter.
Water considerably less in the winter months when the plant isn’t actively growing.
Ready Potting Mix
- For optimal growth, use a specialty organic potting mix formulated for succulents.
DIY Recipe
- 2 parts Coir, 2 parts Coarse Sand, 1 part Pumice.
- Apply an organic fertilizer formulated for succulents every 2-4 weeks, from March to October.
Ideal Temperature Range
- 65-80 °F / 18-27 °C
Ideal Humidity Range
- 40-60%
Time to Maturity
- 3-5 years
Eventual Height
6-10 ft / 1.8-3 m
Eventual Spread
2-4 ft / 0.6-1.2 m
H. kerrii ‘Splash’
Variegated leaves with white or cream splashes.
H. kerrii ‘Variegata’
Leaves with green and cream variegation.
H. kerrii ‘Reverse Variegata’
Leaves with cream or white centers and green edges.
H. kerrii ‘Super Silver’
Leaves with mostly silvery-white variegation with some green speckles.