Plant Category: Hainan

In the wild, Heptapleurum arboricola can be found growing in Hainan, Taiwan.  In the UK, Heptapleurum arboricola is grown indoors as a popular houseplant; here Heptapleurum arboricola is commonly known as the Umbrella Plant or by the synonym, Schefflera arboricola.

This is a hardier and more resilient houseplant than most.  When my heating didn’t work for a week during a period of very cold weather in January 2023, my Heptapleurum arboricola was entirely unaffected and lived to tell the tale, unlike many of my other houseplants! 

Alocasia ‘Ninja’ plants thrive in a very humid environment making these plants ideally suited to growing inside a terrarium, vivarium, or bottle garden.  However, terrariums and bottle gardens are not universally the same, different enclosures will provide contrasting growing conditions.  When choosing a terrarium and deciding on a location to cultivate Alocasia ‘Ninja’, remember that these plants won’t be happy in a shaded environment – Alocasia ‘Ninja’ require bright but indirect light to be able to thrive. 

Phalaenopsis pulcherrima alba is the white flowered form of Phalaenopsis pulcherrima.  This is a small sized orchid species.  Plants usually grow as a terrestrial or lithophytic plants; although Phalaenopsis pulcherrima alba can also be grown as an epiphyte.

Heptapleurum arboricola ‘Janine’ is one of the miniature, cultivated forms of Heptapleurum arboricola, which is also known as Schefflera arboricola ‘Janine’.  Heptapleurum arboricola is a mid to dark green leaved, evergreen shrub that originates from Taiwan and Hainan.  This cultivated form of Heptapleurum arboricola differs from the wild form, as this dwarf form features mid green coloured leaves that are decorated with a soft cream coloured variegation. 

Heptapleurum arboricola ‘Variegata’ is an evergreen plant that’s often grown as a houseplant.  Also known as Schefflera arboricola ‘Variegata’ and commonly known as the umbrella plant; these plants produce palmately compounded dark green leaves, with soft creamy yellow coloured variegation.  Heptapleurum arboricola ‘Variegata’ plants’ leaves display a distinctive shape and form that resembles that of an umbrella.

Plants are often long lived and resilient. 

Phalaenopsis pulcherrima is a terrestrial, lithophytic, and at times epiphytic orchid species, which can be found growing in a wide range of locations including: Vietnam, Singapore, Sumatra, Borneo, Thailand, Laos, Malaysia, and Cambodia.

In its native environment, Phalaenopsos pulcherrima grows as a terrestrial orchid, in free draining, sandy soils.  This orchid can be found growing in areas that enjoy both the shelter of trees, shrubs, and taller plants, yet receive bright sunlight and good air circulation. 

Phalaenopsis hainanensis is a miniature, lithophytic orchid species, which originates from Hainan in China, where this orchid can be found growing on rocks.  Phalaenopsis hainanensis is critically endangered in the wild, if you’d like to grow this orchid species yourself, look out for plants grown in flasks, or grown as part of a plant conservation project, so you avoid purchasing any plants that are collected in the wild.

Bulbophyllum ambrosia is a miniature to small sized orchid species that grows as a lithophyte – on rocks and stones, and as an epiphyte – on trees found growing in areas of evergreen and deciduous forest.  This miniature orchid species originates from China, Hong Kong, and Vietnam.

Bulbophyllum ambrosia grows happily both as a potted specimen in a free draining, speciality orchid compost comprised of large pieces of bark with perlite and pumice.