Houseplants Quick ID
Not sure what that mystery houseplant is? Our Houseplant Quick ID page makes it easy to match names to faces and get a feel for care at a glance. From low-light classics to bold standouts, you’ll find an entire world of indoor greenery to explore here.
Explore More Houseplants
Agave Patoni
Agave Patoni
Anthurium & Ficus Elastica
Anthurium & Ficus Elastica
Aglaonema: Chinese Evergreen
Aglaonema: Chinese Evergreen
An excellent foliage plant suitable for both low light and bright indirect light situations. It requires very little watering and likes to be root-bound. Considered a Clean Air Plant, which means it reduces common pollutants from the air. Leaves are typically wide and long, slightly oval and coming to a point. But the many varieties can be quite variable in shape, size, color, and pattern. They are slow-growing, easy care (let dry in between waterings), and great air purifiers.
*Low Light Houseplant.
Aechmea Fasciata
Aechmea Fasciata
Aechmeas are epiphytes belonging to the bromeliad family.
Epiphytes attach themselves to nooks in trees in order to be best exposed to light and water but they are not parasitic. In fact, in their native environment, insects and some frogs sustain life in the funnels of Aechmea leaves.
Anthurium
Anthurium
They come in an array of colors and sizes.
Grow in high organic soil mixes with good drainage. Thoroughly water then allow it to slightly dry between waterings.
Plant in a shallow pot. Fertilize every other month. Avoid major temperature fluctuations.
Bromeliad
Bromeliad
Bromeliads are fun plants that can be terrestrial (grown in soil) or epiphytic (grown on trees etc.) They hold water in the vases of their leaves. The center rosette will grow and bloom then will eventually die out being replaced by “pups” around the base.
Calathea
Calathea
Commonly called Peacock Plant, Zebra Plant or Rattlesnake plant because of its leaf markings. Calathea like to be evenly moist at all time, indirect light and good humidity. Fertilize Spring, Summer and Fall; not winter. Avoid using leaf shines on this plants; especially ones containing fertilizer. Preferred temperature range is 60-70 degrees and never dropping below 50 degrees.
*Low Light Houseplant.
Chamaedorea Elegans
Chamaedorea Elegans
Low light palms include Chamaedorea elegans or Parlor (Neanthe Bella), Rhapis excelsa or Lady, Caryota minis or Fishtail, Chamaedorea metallica or Matallica. These must be kept indoors, they will freeze outside. They like to be evenly moist all the way down the pot. Repot when the container is full of stocks; going up 2″ in pot diameter. Fertilize regularly during its growing season.
*Low Light Houseplant.
Dracaena
Dracaena
Commonly called Dragon Tree or Corn Plant, Dracaena like 65-75 degree temperatures. Water thoroughly when the top 2″ of soil becomes dry to the touch. Use a foliage fertilizer as directed on the product label. Dracaena take well to haircuts if they get too big. You can most likely root what you cut off by letting the cutting dry for a couple days to heal over; then use rooting hormone and rooting media.
*Low Light Houseplant.
Golden Pothos
Epipremnum Aureum: Golden Pothos
This plant has heart shaped leaves which can sit on a table top, hang from a basket or stand upright with a support. The more light it receives the more variegation you’ll see on the leaves. Keep the soil moderately dry and cut back if it becomes too long.
*Low Light Houseplant.
Ficus Elastica
Ficus Elastica
Rubber plant, Ficus elastic, lends an architectural presence to any room with its wide elliptical, rubbery leaves which are also effective in purifying the air. The rubber plant holds on to its leaves more easily than other Ficus species, and although the rubber plant grows best in bright light situations, it is more easily able to adapt to moderate light conditions than its weeping fig or fiddle leaf fig counterparts. The foliage of the most common variety ‘Burgundy’ is bold and dark, and the variegated leaves of other varieties offer lighter contrasting colors.
Fiddle Leaf Fig
Ficus Lyrata: Fiddle Leaf Fig
Our most popular floor plant. It does have some challenges for success. First and foremost is needs high light from an unobstructed south/west facing window or supplemental lighting. If you have had one of these in the past and it dropped most of its leaves and put out long weak wimpy growth it was most likely due to not enough light. Fertilize regularly and keep evenly most, not too wet. Keep on the tighter side in its pot.
Creeping Fig
Ficus Pumila: Creeping Fig
Ficus pumila comes in solid tones and variegated colors. Creeping fig can be grown as a houseplant, up a pole or on a wall. Please note if let to grow on a wall the anchoring roots will destroy the surface of the wall. Give it a haircut when it gets gangly and watch out for mealy bug.
'Audrey'
Ficus Benghalensis ‘Audrey’
This ficus likes moderately high light and even watering. This is a newer variety to us at Portland Nursery.
Fittonia 'Mini Pink'
Fittonia ‘Mini Pink’
Weeping Fig
Ficus Benjamina: Weeping Fig
Ficus benjamina likes very bright light and evenly moist soil conditions. Do not over water. They do not like cold drafts. Plan on a major leaf drop about 3-4 weeks after you bring this plant home. It is balancing itself to the light you are providing. It is possible for the plant to cast all of its leaves in this process. Give it time and light and it should put the leaves back on . Fertilize year round with a general houseplant food.
Hoya Kentiana
Hoya Kentiana
Hoyas come in many shapes, sizes and colors. Most bloom in very fragrant clusters hanging like shooting stars in an upside down umbrella formation.
Hoyas like bright light and allow them to go dry between waterings. Most are spur bloomers meaning they re-bloom from the same spur… so don’t cut them off. Given easy proper care they can become an heirloom plant being passed down from generation to generation.
'Variegata'
Kalanchoe Thyrsiflora ‘Variegata’
Boston Fern
Nephrolepis Exaltata: Boston Fern
This plant is often used as a interior design element. Keep it away from cold drafts and heat ducts. It likes to be kept evenly moist with high humidity. There are quite a number of ferns that do well in low light.
*Low Light Houseplant.
Heart Leafed
Philodendron: Heart Leafed
Heart Leafed Philodendron can be grown in lower light. They will adjust their leave size and quantity to match the light you provide. Thoroughly water just as the plant starts to wilt. This will aid against over watering.
Fertilize with a foliage plant food per the directions on the label. Heart Leafed Philodendrons can be grown in a hanging pot, table pot or a pot with a pole. It is very versatile and easy.
*Low Light Houseplant.
Rex Begonia
Rex Begonia
This plant with its multi-color leaves, adds color to a shady spot. Water when soil is slightly dry. Rex Begonia like high humidity, otherwise the leaves will shrivel up quickly.
*Low Light Houseplant.
'White Ginny'
Peperomia Obtusafolia ‘White Ginny’
