Where Knowledge Rules

Home & Garden:

Gardening

Get a Widget for this title

How to choose exotic plants for your home

I think this is probably paranoia (unless you have a lunatic, human or otherwise in your house) as most poisonous plants taste terrible so nothing is likely to eat much of one. Also there are probably far more dangers outside (or in your kitchen) than posed by even a large collection of Euphorbias. Most plant allergies are caused by touching plants or pollen from wind pollinated plants. Pretty flowers are animal pollinated and normally not a problem. I've also heard of birds being killed by landing on Agave spines but I suspect this is a myth as I've never seen a dead bird impaled on an outdoor (or indoor) Agave.

Let's look at some plant groups (I know I've missed some out and included some obscure ones but the point is more to give you ideas and demonstrate how to assess plants) and see how they measure up. All these are fairly large groups witch many kinds that can be collected.

Aloaceae (or Aloideae if you consider it a subfamily of the Asphodelaceae) are a group of leaf succulents with three main genera (Aloe, Gasteria and Haworthia). Tolerate a wide range of lighting conditions. Varied in size (many Aloes grow very large but the others are fairly small). Tolerate being warm all year but most are OK as long as they don't get frosted. Tolerate humidity but probably prefer dry conditions. Give a desert look. Larger specimens can be used as feature plants. Don't climb and few hang (but some sprawl). Smaller types will have clusters of small flowers in various colors. Mostly easy to grow. Some species are common but you can get rare ones.

Araceae (Philodendron family) mostly leafy jungle plants with strange inflorescences. Tolerate dim light. Tend to grow large. Like warmth. Like humidity. Give a jungle look, some have lots of inflorescences, many hang or climb and large specimens can be used for feature plants. Mostly easy to grow. Commonly used as house plants and often seen in shopping malls etc. but you can find rarer kinds.

Beaucarnea, Cordyline, Dracaena and Yucca these belong to three different families but they look similar, with grass-like leaves and have similar cultivation requirements (although some Yuccas are hardy in cold climates). Grow large. Not very fussy about heat. Not fussy about humidity. Give a jungle look. Don't hang or climb but make good feature plants. Seldom flower. Easy to grow and are good for people who want a jungle look but can't remember to water plants (but cats like nibbling the leaves). Widely used in shopping malls, offices


Below are the top articles rated and ranked by Helium members on:

How to choose exotic plants for your home

  • 1 of 11

    by Theresa Rose

    When thinking about exotic plants for the home, the first word that comes to my mind is tropical. I love tropical plants,

    read more

  • 2 of 11

    by Pat Merewether

    Perhaps the first thing to consider before choosing an exotic plant is whether you are a gardener at heart or more of a

    read more

  • 3 of 11

    by Eileen Hughes

    There are many types of exotic plants, small and larger; some enjoy full sun, whereas others prefer shaded areas. The type

    read more

  • 4 of 11

    by Stanley Roberts

    When planning on the purchase of an exotic plant a person normally has an idea of what they want. I will not talk of individual

    read more

  • 5 of 11

    by Andrea Brunais

    When choosing exotic plants for your home, please first do your homework. Some exotics are beneficial. But others can be

    read more

View All Articles on:
How to choose exotic plants for your home

Add your voice

Know something about How to choose exotic plants for your home?
We want to hear your view. Write_penWrite now!

Helium Debate

Cast your vote!

Are shade or ornamental trees better for front-yard landscaping?

Click for your side.

87020

Featured Partner

The Overbrook Foundation

The Overbrook Foundation has partnered with Helium, giving you the chance to write for a cause. Browse Overbrook...more

What is Helium? | Buy Web Content | Contact Us | Privacy | User agreement | DMCA | User Tools | Help | Community | Helium’s Official Blog | Link to Helium

Helium, Inc.
200 Brickstone Square Andover, MA 01810 USA