Plant Category: India

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. 

Swiss Chard (also known by the botanical name Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla var. flavescens) is a magnificent vegetable that brings a touch of its own exquisite beauty to the gardens and allotments where it’s grown.  This is another vegetable with an array of common names, it’s also called: Leaf Beet, Chard, Rhubarb Chard, and Rainbow Chard.  For ease of reference, I try my best to stick to calling this vegetable Swiss Chard; although I do also call it Chard from time to time – sorry about that.

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.

Arctium lappa can be found growing wild across Europe, Scandinavia, and the Mediterranean, as well as other locations around the world.  In the UK, Arctium lappa is more commonly known as Greater Burdock, but I’m sure that this plant has a range of common names, as it’s a native plant of so many countries.

This is an edible and medicinal plant that is grown or foraged for food and medicine. 

Origanum onites is one of my favourite plants; its a pretty little thing with a long flowering period; plants bloom over the summer months.  This is a superb plant for a wildlife garden.  Origanum onites plants produce an abundance of these sweet, dainty flowers that are adored by bees, butterflies, hoverflies, and moths.  Commonly known as marjoram, Origanum onites is a culinary and medicinal herb with aromatic leaves that will enhance a wide variety of culinary dishes.

Melons (also known by their botanical name Cucumis melo) are tender, sweet tasting fruits that can be successfully grown from seeds, in the UK.  Sow melon seeds in springtime – from March to the middle of May.  If you’re too late to sow seeds (or if you don’t have access to a glasshouse), you don’t have to miss out, as young melon plants can be purchased from many nurseries and garden centres.

Aubergines (also known as Eggplant or by the plant’s botanical name, Solanum melogena) are tender plants that need warmth and bright sunshine if they’re to thrive.  Sow aubergine seeds in pots of peat-free compost, inside a heated propagator or glasshouse, from January to April.  Ensure your seedlings are grown in an area that enjoys bright light.

From the end of May or beginning of June, (when there is no risk of cold temperatures or frost) if you garden in a warm area, aubergine plants can be hardened off (brought out from the glasshouse during the daytime and then taken back inside again at night for a couple of weeks), before being planted outside in a warm, bright and sunny area. 

Cucumbers (also known by their botanical name – Cucumis sativus) are popular vegetables that are easy to grow and can produce a bountiful harvested of cucumbers.  Cucumber plants form climbing or trailing plants that can be left to scramble horizontally over the ground or trained to grow vertically using wires, twines, or other supports.

Gardeners can choose from a range of cucumber varieties available at nurseries, garden centres, and online retailers. 

Actiniopteris australis is a tender fern that requires warm temperatures to flourish.  This pretty little fern can be found growing in the wild in a wide range of countries and locations, including: Madagascar, Australia, Africa, and Asia.

Producing very pretty, palm like fronds on a diminutive scale, Actiniopteris australis is a charming fern to add to your collection.

Actiniopteris australis is a miniature fern, that grows to just 15cm (6 inches) tall. 

Selaginella uncinata is also called by its common name of Peacock Moss, which references the blue-green, almost metallic colour of this stunning evergreen perennial’s foliage, which has an almost iridescent appearance, resembling the colouring of the peacock’s feathers.  The colour of Selaginella uncinata‘s foliage is most pronounced when this plant is grown in more deeply shaded conditions, but plants can also be grown successfully in partial shade. 

Paphiopedilum fairrieanum is a terrestrial, lithophytic, and epiphytic orchid species that is often found growing upon rocks.  Plants can also be found growing in gravel and leaf litter, alongside, and in amongst grasses, in India.

Paphiopedilum fairrieanum is a beautiful but now rare and critically endangered orchid species.  These special plants have become increasingly threatened in their native environment, due to over collection in the wild, by collectors who sell Paphiopedilum plants to the horticultural trade. 

Paphiopedilum hirsutissimum is a lithophytic and terrestrial orchid species that originates from a large number of locations, including: Assam, Myanmar, Vietnam, India, Thailand, China, and Laos, where this orchid grows upon cliff edges, on rocks, in rocky soil, or in leaf litter.

Given the range of altitudes that this orchid species will flourish in, the varied growing conditions that Paphiopedilum hirsutissimum will succeed in, and the number of countries I have listed as this orchid’s homelands, you could be forgiven for thinking that Paphiopedilum hirsutissimum is an orchid which is commonly found. 

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 cornu-cervi ‘Green’ is a species of epiphytic and lithophytic orchid that originates from Java, Borneo, Myanmar, Thailand, India, Laos, and other regions, where this small sized orchid can be found growing upon rocks, trees, or other plants, in various environments, from areas of forest near rivers and in lowland locations.  Phalaenopsis cornu-cervi ‘Green’ plants can be found growing in both exposed and sheltered locations, with quite different light levels and conditions in their native environments.

Phalaenopsis cornu-cervi ‘Red’ is a species of epiphytic and lithophytic orchid that originates from Java, Borneo, Myanmar, Thailand, India, Laos, and other regions, where this small sized orchid can be found growing upon rocks, trees, or other plants, in various environments, from areas of forest near rivers and in lowland locations.  Phalaenopsis cornu-cervi ‘Red’ plants can be found growing in both exposed and sheltered locations, with quite different light levels and conditions in their native environments.

Chiloschista lunifera is a epiphytic orchid species, which grows on trees, in areas of deciduous and semi deciduous forest in Myanmar, India, Assam, and the Himalayas.  Chiloschista lunifera is a small, naturally leafless orchid species, which produces striking, dark red-maroon flowers, which are outlined in a vibrant lime-yellow colour.

To grow at its best, Chiloschista lunifera requires filtered and diffused, indirect light, warm to hot temperatures, and a very humid environment. 

Phalaenopsis lobbii f. flavilabia is a form of miniature, epiphytic orchid, which produces rather cute, white and yellow coloured flowers.  This miniature orchid’s pastel yellow coloured blooms are very pretty indeed.  This particular orchid is the yellow flowered form of Phalaenopsis lobbii.

Phalaenopsis lobbii f. flavilabia blooms from late winter, through to mid to late spring.  Spring is this Phalaenopsis species’ main flowering time, but this miniature orchid may bloom twice a year or more, given favourable growing conditions. 

Plants from the genus Lavandula, are usually referred to as lavenders.  Lavandula features over forty species and hundreds of cultivars, each with their own special differences.  You’ll find white, pink, purple, and blue flowered lavenders, with plants bearing flowers of every shade of these tones, and each colour in between!

Lavender thrives when planted in well drained soil, where the plants will enjoy full sunshine and partial shade.  

Phalaenopsis taenialis is a miniature, epiphytic orchid species, which originates from a number of locations, including Bhutan, Myanmar, and the Himalayas.  In teh wild, these miniature orchids can be found growing at the tops of trees, on the edges of forests.

Please note that I previously listed my Phalaenopsis taenialis plants as Phalaenopsis braceana (which is the name I purchased this plant as). 

Biophytum sensitivum is an amazing plant!  Biophytum sensitivum originates from India and South Africa, where it can be found growing in wet, boggy soils near streams and waterfalls, where it is shaded by taller trees and shrubs.

Biophytum sensitivum is such an interesting, fascinating plant!  Resembling a miniature palm tree, the leaves of Biophytum sensitivum fold downwards, with their branches moving slightly upwards at night.