Croton plants (Codiaeum variegatum) are incredibly varied plants that are often grown as a houseplant. The croton indoor plant has a reputation for being fussy, but in reality, if you know about caring for a croton houseplant properly, it can make for a resilient and hard-to-kill plant. Croton Indoor Plant The croton plant is often grown outdoors in tropical climates, but also make excellent houseplants. Crotons come in a wide variety of leaf shapes and colors. Leaves can be short, long, twisted, thin, thick and several of these combined.

Coleus  GARDEN designers know that when it comes to annuals, it's not just about the flowers — foliage matters, too. And when it comes to foliage, coleus tops the list. Though it has fallen in and out of favor over the past couple of centuries, this member of the mint family is popular again, and the selection is better than ever.

Bamboo  is a fairly simple plant to grow, but even so there are basics to growing the healthiest plants (If you've read the bamboo planting page than some of this information may be familiar, but it's still worth the read)

Aglaonema is a genus of about 40 species of foliage plants in the family Araceae, native to the tropical swamps and rainforests of southeastern Asia, from northeastern India across southern China and Indonesia through New Guinea. All species are herbaceous. The generic name means “shining stamen” in Greek. No common name is widely used, though they are sometimes called "Chinese Evergreens".

Gardenia are generally found outdoors in southern regions and are admired for their glossy green foliage and fragrant blossoms. These beautiful plants are grown as ornamental shrubs in warm regions and as patio plants that are brought indoors in cooler areas.

Jasmine  plant care may require a bit of effort, but the results are well worth the work. Not all jasmine plants are fragrant, but the most common and hardy do produce a sweet, carrying fragrance. Common jasmine is a vine and has larger glossy green leaves

Vinca  also called Speedwell, is a carefree and easy-to-grow perennial with long spikes of small petals in purple, blue, pink, or white. This attractive plant grows in clusters from 1 to 3 feet tall, and blooms from spring to autumn.

There is also a bushy ground cover variety (Prostrate speedwell) which features dense clusters of flowers and grows to about 10 inches tall.

Rose Though roses are shrubs, we have categorized them with flowers since most people tend to look for them here!)

Rose shrubs come in a variety of forms, from miniature to climbing. They are grown for their attractive and often fragrant flowers, which bloom mainly in early summer and fall.

Portulaca growswell in poor, gravelly or sandy soil.

At heights of no more than 6 inches, portulaca, also known as moss rose or sun plant, is a low-growing stunner with cactus-like blooms that last all summer. The blooms, in bright jewel tones of orange, pink, purple, yellow, red and white, grow on thick, succulent foliage. Portulaca is cold-sensitive and thrives in hot, dry areas. It is grown as an annual in most climates. However, the plant is perennial in U.S. Department of Agriculture growing zones 

Dahlias are known as tuberous-rooted tenderperennials, grown from small brown biennial tubers planted in the spring. 

These colorful spiky flowers generally bloom from midsummer to first frost, when many other plants are past their best. They range in color and even size, from the giant 10-inch “dinnerplate” blooms to the 2-inch lollipop-style pompons. Most varieties grow 4 to 5 feet tall.

Though not well suited to extremely hot and humid climates, such as much of Texas and Florida, dahlias brighten up any sunny garden with a growing season that’s at least 120 days long. Dahlias thrive in the cool, moist climates of the Pacific Coast, where blooms may be an inch larger and dee

Passiflora Also known as maypop, passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is a climbing vine valued for its intricate purple and white blooms and sweet fruit. Passionflower vines come in several varieties, including "Lady Margaret" with big, red flowers; "Blue Bouquet," which is distinguished by blue and white blooms; and "Citrina," which displays small, bright yellowflowers. Passionflower is suitable for growing in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 through 10.

Brinjal Eggplants are short-lived perennial vegetables, but are usually cultivated as annuals. Also known as aubergines, eggplants differ mainly in size, shape and color of the fruits. Eggplants are tropical and subtropical, requiring relatively high temperatures. Related crop include tomatoes, potatoes and peppers.

Pansies are the colorful flowers with the “faces.” In fact, they have one of the widest ranges of colors and are good for containers, borders, and ground covers. The pansy is treated as an annual due to its leggy growth. They’re hearty in cool weather.

 Double Chandani Plant  is a genus of about 40 species of foliage plants in the family Araceae, native to the tropical swamps and rainforests of southeastern Asia, from northeastern India across southern China and Indonesia through New Guinea. All species are herbaceous. The generic name means “shining stamen” in Greek. No common name is widely used, though they are sometimes called "Chinese Evergreens".

 Aralias  (Aralia spp.), bushy green shrubs, generally grow outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 9, and also work well as houseplants. A low-maintenance houseplant, aralias require little specialized care and fare best in warm, humid rooms. Aralias are prone to infestation by various insects, so inspect them regularly for signs of bugs.

Rose Though roses are shrubs, we have categorized them with flowers since most people tend to look for them here!)

Rose shrubs come in a variety of forms, from miniature to climbing. They are grown for their attractive and often fragrant flowers, which bloom mainly in early summer and fall.

Marigold is a popular name among the flowers. There are two common types of marigold, African and French. It is widely grown in beds, pots rock gardens and as cut flower for making garlands, bouquets and also for worship.

Balsam is an old-fashioned type ofimpatiens (Impatiens balsamina) that has regained popularity as an heirloom flower. It gives a shot of color to beds of summer annuals like nothing else and is generally immune to pests and disease.

Hibiscus The word hibiscus derived from the ancient Greek hibiskos, the name for the plant known as marsh mallow or white mallow. Hibiscus is a genus of flowering plants in the mallow family, Malvaceae. It is quite large, containing more than 200 species that are native to warm-temperate, subtropical and tropical regions throughout the world. By recent count about 220 species of annuals, perennials, herbs, shrubs and trees belong to the genus Hibiscus.

Dianthus flowers are perfect for plant containers and will bring a splash of color to any urban balcony garden. Dianthus flowers come in many colors, either it be a solid white, red, purple, pink and sometimes yellow, or with two colors or marks in the petals. The height of this flower ranges from 6 inches to 3 feet, and there are so many Dianthus varieties that any gardener can find a beautiful Dianthus species to fit his or her balcony garden.

Pansies are the colorful flowers with the “faces.” In fact, they have one of the widest ranges of colors and are good for containers, borders, and ground covers. The pansy is treated as an annual due to its leggy growth. They’re hearty in cool weather.

Pentas Plant are warm region tropical blooming plants, so called because of the five-pointed petals on the flowers. The plants come in a profusion of colors, so learn how to care for Pentas and enjoy their rich jewel tones. When you know how to grow Pentas, you have a foolproof way of attracting hummingbirds and butterflies, too. Pentas Flowers Info Pentas (Pentas lanceolata) are also called Egyptian stars for the bloom’s five-pointed shape. The plant is a shrub that gets up to 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide. It is a scrubby plant with an unruly shape, sporting oval to spear-shaped foliage.

Thunbergia Grandiflora We're back with our morning walking exercise. While I focus on the walking and stretching part of this early morning ritual, DH is more content in looking for nice-looking flowers and plants. And I'm not just referring to beautifully landscaped front yards and gardens. No. But also to plants growing in sidewalks, empty lots, or even drainage canals that strikes her curiosity. 

In one of our morning walks in a nearby subdivision, DH and I chanced upon a vigorous healthy vine with beautiful flowers. The vine we saw covered much of the house owner's front fence as shown below.

Pentas are warm region tropical blooming plants, so called because of the five-pointed petals on the flowers. The plants come in a profusion of colors, so learn how to care for Pentas and enjoy their rich jewel tones. When you know how to grow Pentas, you have a foolproof way of attracting hummingbirds and butterflies, too. Pentas Flowers Info Pentas (Pentas lanceolata) are also called Egyptian stars for the bloom’s five-pointed shape

Loropetalum Plant Chinese Fringe Loropetalum is a small genus of only one or a few evergreen shrubs or small trees in the witch hazel family. The resemblance is obvious in the fragrant, spider-like flowers that bloom in late winter or early spring, when few other plants are in bloom. These plants are native to woodlands of the Himalayas, China, and Japan. Some cultivars have colorful foliage. Grow Loropetalum in a woodland garden or shrub border.

Petunias are one of the most popular flowers, often grown as annuals. They are tender perennials in Zones 9 to 11. 

They are divided into two different groups:

1.      Grandiflora petunias have very large flowers and are best grown in containers or hanging baskets (because they are more susceptible to rain damage).

2.     Multiflora petunias have smaller, but more abundant flowers and are ideal for summer bedding or in a mixed border (because they are more tolerant to wet weather).

Flaunt your color-contrast creativity with the unique coppery-orange-gold foliage of this exciting, EASY to grow succulent. Compact, trailing & ground-covering “Coppertone Stonecrop” grows to only 8” tall, but spreads densely to 2’-3’ across, making it a great choice for a filler or front of bed edger, especially when combined with other colorful trailers like ruby leaved Sedum ‘Voodoo’.

Echeveria peacockii is a fast growing succulent plant with rosettes up to 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter, of iridescent silver-blue leaves that can become tipped in red. The long-lasting flowers are pink-orange on slender stalks up to 10 inches (25 cm) long, in early summer. It will form new rosettes to become a nice-sized clump after time.

Fucaria Tiger's Jaw lives up to its common name. The sharp spines that edge the pairs of speckled leaves look like the teeth of a ferocious tiger. Their low-growing habit and unusual leaves make a spectacular addition to a succulent dish garden.

These South African succulents grow in clumps of stemless, star-shaped rosettes in its dry, rocky native habitat. Give them the same hot, dry, sunny environment and they'll feel right at home.

Pachyveria glauca 'Little Jewel' is an intergeneric cross between Pachyphytum and Echeveria, with rolled pointed foliage of the former and forming the tight rosettes of the latter, in a beautiful shade of dusky blue gray, with red and wine tints. Foliage stays under 6" tall.

A beautiful small succulent branching at the base with a cluster of stems that grow to about 8 inches tall with 2 1/2 inch wide rosettes bearing many tightly arranged 1 inch long green deltoid shaped leaves with fine hairs along the margins. The older rosettes sit atop slender bare stems while younger ones have leaves the length of the stems. The leaves turn red in the sun with colder temperatures in winter but are green in summer or when grown in shade.