False christmas cactus gets its name from its flowering season; producing red purple pink or white flowers from fall to winter. Native to a small coastal strip on the east of Brazil this cactus prefers the shade and humidity of jungle conditions. In the wild hummingbirds pollinate the flowers.

The green Rose Buds is special in that its dormancy period is when it looks its best. Over the summer months, the green Rose Buds goes into a long dormancy, and this is when the outer layers of its leaves wither, while its inner leaves turn pink and wrap inwards into a "rose". When the weather cools down, the plant starts growing again, with its leaves turning green and gradually spreading out. The green Rose Buds really dislikes sweltering heat, but watering during its dormancy needs to be avoided, as this could kill the plant.

Mexican fireplant is native to tropical America, but it has been naturalized in other tropical and subtropical regions in the world. *Euphorbia heterophylla* is a poisonous plant to humans and livestock. It contains a toxic milky sap which can cause strong skin irritation.

Mexican tea (Dysphania ambrosioides) is native to tropical parts of the Americas. Both the leaves and stems have tiny glands that give off a bad-smelling odor. It’s a weed that grows along the sides of roads and stream beds.

This tropical, evergreen shrub grows erect and blooms with bold dark blue or purple flowers through both summer and autumn, making it a lovely choice for hedges, borders, and walls. Though bush clockvine most commonly grows as a bush, it can be 'trained' to grow like a vine (as implied by the name).

The Delphinium elatum is a beautiful ornamental plant, which includes cultivars 'Magic Fountains', 'Dwarf Pacific', 'New Millennium', 'Pacific giant', and 6 varieties of 'Aurora'. It was first referred to as its scientific name by the Greek botanist and physician Pedanius Dioscorides.

Guava (*Psidium guajava*) is a fruit-producing evergreen shrub that grows natively in the Caribbean region and South America. Guava attracts the honey bee and other insects, and guava fruit is edible. Additionally, guava wood is used for smoking meat.

Pepper elder (Peperomia pellucida) is a perennial flowering plant that blooms all year. The entire pepper elder plant is edible and can be eaten raw or cooked.

African basil (Ocimum gratissimum) has an accurate name since it is a member of the basil family native to Africa, although you'll now find it in many tropical and subtropical climates as an introduced species. This aromatic herb is used in cooking to flavor foods. It is also grown commercially because it's widely used as an essential oil.

Chinese cymbidium (Cymbidium sinense) is a tropical orchid species native to southern China. Chinese cymbidium grows best in lowland humid forests in rich soils. This species is often grown as a houseplant in well-drained rich soil in pots.

The peace lily gets its scientific name Spathiphyllum wallisii from a combination of the two Greek words ‘spath’ and ‘phyl’, which means spoon and leaves, respectively. The large graceful white spathe of the peace lily resembles a white flag, which is an international symbol of truce or peace.

Gloxinia (Sinningia speciosa) is a perennial plant that will grow from 15 to 30 cm tall. Foliage has a soft, velvety texture. Blooms in summer and produces large, ruffled, bell-shaped flowers that come in shades of blue, purple, pink, red, and white. Requires filtered light, full sun, or partial shade. Most commonly grown as a houseplant but can be taken outside in summer. Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.

This South American plant is important in its native land, where it is a valued source of food and traditional medicine. It was also once the source of a toxin used for poison arrows. Pariparoba can produce stems up to 4 m high and will flower for most of the year in its ideal conditions.

The garden croton is a showy tropical display that does well indoors or in warm climates. Known for its attractive foliage, this plant can have both color and structural variations in its leaves. Leaf colors can include orange, yellow, scarlet, white, and green, and many times all are present on one plant.

Pygmy date palm (Phoenix roebelenii) is a palm species native to China, Laos, and Vietnam. Pygmy date palm is commonly cultivated as an indoor houseplant. This plant requires direct sunlight for optimal growth. In nature, it grows alongside rivers.

Painted-leaf begonia (Begonia rex) is a flowering perennial native to tropical climates in Central America and South America. Painted-leaf begonia is cultivated inside as a houseplant in temperate climates and grown outside in cooler climates.

Wild privet (Ligustrum vulgare) is an ornamental shrub but considered an invasive species in some area. Many English hedgerows have been made using these plants, though they're now often replaced with a more evergreen species. The wild privet's decorative flowers produce an unpleasant smell. The fruits are poisonous to humans but readily eaten by birds, making it possible for the seeds to spread far and wide.

A cultivar of agave, variegated American Aloe is unique for its yellow trim and is better-suited for containers than is its parent plant. This plant thrives in areas from gravel gardens to courtyards, but it is best suited to warm, dry climates. It will not tolerate low winter temperatures and may need to be brought inside on cold nights.

Giant taro is native to Southeast Asian rainforests. It was first cultivated in the Philippines. Its massive leaves resemble elephant ears. If cooked for a long time, these leaves are edible; however, the sap from the plant might hurt the skin. This plant is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.

The decorative houseplant, dendrobium Noble, produces pink and purple flowers in spring and winter. It is the state flower of Sikkim, a state in northeastern India. The specific epithet, Dendrobium nobile, means 'noble' and it is very popular as an ornamental plant. The delicate orchids have a sweet and pleasant scent, but it is not overpowering.