Goeppertia orbifolia is a tender plant that produces very handsome, striped leaves with alternate markings in shades of silver and green. These striking plants thrive in a warm and humid environment and make wonderful houseplants in areas that enjoy bright but soft, filtered light. Avoid growing Goeppertia orbifolia in areas with harsh lighting and afternoon sunshine, which tends to be more intense.
Peperomia argyraea can be found growing in the wild in the wet tropical biome of South East and North East Brazil. This handsome plant is a popular houseplant that’s much admired for its attractive silvery-green coloured, ovate leaves with their distinctive dark-green veining. The plant’s characteristic leaf shape with their rounded, striped markings causes each leaf to bear an obvious resemblance to a watermelon, giving Peperomia argyraea its common name of Watermelon Peperomia.
Goeppertia rufibarba is a perennial that can be found in the wild growing in the wet tropical biome of North East Brazil. Plants have handsome rippled leaves that emerge as pale lime green in colour and become a darker shade of green with a hint of blue tone, fairly quickly as they age and mature. This is a tender plant that makes a superb houseplant for warm rooms that are blessed with bright but indirect sunlight.
This is Peperomia caperata ‘Red Luna’. A peperomia with warm orange-red tinted leaves with raised veining and wrinkles that give the leaves another dimension and added interest. There are a wide range of Peperomias plants available. Peperomia caperata ‘Red Luna’ is an adaptable plant that can be grown inside a terrarium or bottle garden or cultivated in the traditional way, as a houseplant grown in a container.
Let me introduce you to Peperomia caperata ‘Schumi Red’. This peperomia’s leaves are an attractive rich maroon colour with deep grooves and wrinkles that give the leaves added depth and texture.
There are so many types of Peperomia available. Peperomia caperata ‘Schumi Red’ is an adaptable plant that can be grown inside a terrarium or bottle garden, but this Peperomia can also be grown in the traditional way, as a potted houseplant.
There are various forms of Peperomia caperata plants available to purchase in garden centres and online. Plants have handsome, fleshy leaves with deep set veins and their characteristic wrinkled foliage which adds welcome interest and texture to the home. Leaf colours vary from silver, grey, glaucous blue and green tones, as well as green, red, orange, and variegated forms.
I’ve grown many forms of Peperomia caperata inside my terrariums and bottle gardens, where they usually adapt well and form much loved, long-term residents inside my enclosures.
Peperomia caperata ‘Frost’ is an interesting plant with handsome silver and grey coloured foliage; as you can see from the photograph above, my plant has occasional soft blush coloured tints on it’s leaves and stems. This plant has unusual colouring, making it a superb choice of plant to use as a contrast against other plants and to add a new style or colour to your home.
If you’re a fan of autumnal colours or you’re looking to introduce warmer colour tones to your home, why not invest in a Peperomia caperata ‘Quito’ plant? Peperomia caperata ‘Quito’ leaves display an orangery-red glow and with their deeply grooved leaves they also add a really interesting texture to a terrarium or bottle garden. With its unusual colouring and intriguing wrinkled leaves, these plants create a lovely contrast when they’re grown next to other terrarium plants and houseplants.
Schlumbergera, are a group of epiphytic cacti that are more commonly known as Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter cactuses, so called, as these Schlumbergera plants usually flower at these celebratory times of year: in November, December, March, and April, though plants can flower anytime from October onwards. Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter cactuses make super houseplants, which thrive inside our homes, flourishing in rooms that offer a range of conditions, from soft, bright but indirect light, to semi shaded, or shaded conditions.
I bought this endearing little plant about ten years ago. For me this is a truly charming terrarium plant. I adore Goeppertia micans leaves; their foliage may appear to be lovely, but fairly ordinary plain green, narrow leaves, but when you touch this foliage it’s a delightful surprise to discover that these leaves are sumptuously soft! The undersides of every leaf are smooth and silky, they feel like the softest velvet.
Begonia maculata is a tender plant from South East Brazil. These interesting plants are grown for their stunning foliage, which is dark green in colour and liberally decorated with marvellous silvery-white coloured polka dot markings over the top sides of the leaves; this area of the leaf contrasts with the rich burgundy colouring found on the undersides of Begonia maculata foliage.
Physalis peruviana is a tender, herbaceous perennial plant that produces absolutely delicious tasting orange berries, which are quite exquisitely wrapped in these gorgeous papery lanterns. Also known as Cape Gooseberries, Ground Cherries, or Inca Berries, Physalis peruviana is a lovely plant, with a slightly shrubby habit.
I find that Physalis peruviana plants don’t grow very tall. Physalis peruviana plants eventual height depends on the seed the plant was grown from, as well as the plant’s age, and the overall growing conditions the plant has enjoyed.
Pilea microphylla is a low-growing tender perennial; it’s a native plant of Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and nearby countries. This is a very small-leaved plant with teeny, tiny leaves that measure just 1-2mm (0.04-0.08″) in size. At first glance, Pilea microphylla looks rather similar to mosses or ferns. I am afraid that I am hopelessly in love with Pilea microphylla. This diminutive plant would be an ideal choice for an indoor fairy garden!
Ilex is the latin name for the genus of plants we often refer to as hollies. This is an interesting and diverse group of plants, that includes evergreen and deciduous plants, that form small shrubs, tall trees, and everything in between – depending on the Ilex species or cultivar grown.
Ilex are native plants of the United Kingdom, Europe, the Mediterranean, the Americas, China, North America, South East Asia, and other areas around the globe.
Fittonia albivenis (Verschaffeltii Group) ‘Big Leaf’ is a Fittonia that produces larger sized leaves than most Fittonia cultivars. This particular cultivar features leaves that are around four times the size of a Fittonia albivenis (Verschaffeltii Group) ‘Bambino’ leaf. The two plants are very similar in their appearance in all other respects; the obvious difference being the size of each Fittonia cultivar’s leaves.
Fittonia albivenis (Verschaffeltii Group) ‘Bambino’ is a cute little Fittonia. This particular cultivar is smaller in size than many other Fittonias, producing leaves that are around a quarter of the size of one of a Fittonia albivenis (Verschaffeltii Group) ‘Big Leaf’ leaf. The two plants are very similar in their appearance in all other respects; the obvious difference being the size of each Fittonia cultivar’s leaves.
Barbosella dusenii is a super cute, mini miniature orchid species. These plants really are tiny. Barbosella dusenii plants have a naturally low growing, creeping stature. If you gave this plant just a cursory glance, you might think that this orchid has something of a resemblance to moss, as the two have a similarly prostrate nature in their growth and form .
Iresine herbstii makes a striking houseplant. Its distinctive red stems are complemented by nicely contrasting green leaves, with their attractive cream veining.
These plants thrive in warm, humid bathrooms. Mist your plant with water at regular intervals, to maintain a humid atmosphere. Iresine herbstii is a tender plant that requires protection from cold weather, draughts, dry air, and harsh, direct sunlight.
Macroclinium chasei is a mini-miniature sized orchid species from Peru, Brazil, and Bolivia. Another epiphyte – a plant that grows upon another plant, Macroclinium chasei plants produce small, fan shaped leaves and tiny white flowers. Macroclinium chasei originates from a wet and very humid environment. This diminutive Macroclinium species grows upon the twiggy branches and trunks of trees, growing in hot, evergreen, tropical forests.
Schlumbergera, are a group of epiphytic cacti that are more commonly known as Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter cactuses, so called, as these Schlumbergera plants usually flower at these celebratory times of year: in November, December, March, and April, though plants can flower anytime from October onwards. Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter cactuses make super houseplants, which thrive inside our homes, flourishing in rooms that offer a range of conditions, from soft, bright but indirect light, to semi shaded, or shaded conditions.
