The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.

Persea americana, widely known as the avocado plant, is an evergreen tree (semi-deciduous in cooler climates) that is native to Central America. It is cultivated all over the world for its nutritious fruits. Avocado has become an important plant in many cuisines due to its high nutrient and fat content, creamy texture, and distinct taste.

Though its name suggests otherwise, the lucky bamboo is not actually a bamboo plant. It’s a type of tropical water lily that is thought to bring good luck and prosperity to the home or office. This plant is commonly used in Feng Shui, and the correct placement impacts the flow of positive energy.

Chinese hibiscus is a small flowering tree. Its fragrant flowers are well known the world over, leading to many cultivated variants. Chinese hibiscus is the national flower of Malaysia and is featured on Malaysian coins. Although the Latin name, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, means “the rose of China,” it is not related to true roses.

Corn plant (Dracaena fragrans) is an evergreen, slow-growing perennial shrub native to tropical Africa. Also, it is a classic houseplant, grown in Europe since the 1800s. Its glossy green foliage that resembles corn leaves grow on top of a thick cane, which is why the plant is sometimes called “false palm tree.”

Looking like a miniature fairy tale tree, jade plant is one of the world's most popular succulents. Native to southern regions of Africa, Crassula ovata is well adapted to the dry warm air of modern homes. It grows slowly but lives for so long that plants get passed from generation to generation. It is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses, and even mildly toxic to humans.

Florist kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana) originates from Madagascar and has been a popular houseplant since the 1930s. Unlike most other succulents that are grown for their interesting leaves, Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is valued for the colorful flowerheads it produces in autumn and winter. This is the reason it is commonly gifted during holidays, earning it another name - Christmas kalanchoe. It is toxic to pets.

Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.

Snake plant can be considered a houseplant and an architectural display due to its sword-like leaves with bold striping patterns, which are distinctive and eye-catching. However, use caution with this plant because it is poisonous when ingested and can cause nausea, vomiting, and even swelling of the throat and tongue.

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.

Aloe vera is an evergreen succulent species native to the Arabian Peninsula. The thick leaves are filled with gooey flesh that stores water for survival in its native desert territories. Aloe vera has become a popular houseplant and is also incorporated into a wide range of cosmetics and skin-care products.

Flamingo flower (Anthurium andraeanum) is an ornamental perennial plant, famous for its pink or bright red heart-shaped flowers with very prominent pistils. Aside from its decorative attributes, flamingo flower is said to have excellent air-purifying properties.

The vibrant colors and graceful shape of hardy fuchsia makes it a perfect choice to grace your garden. The hardy fuchsia is less sensitive to cold than other types of fuchsias, which means that this plant can go from containers or window boxes to permanent plantings along borders or as shrubs.

Angel's-wings (*Opuntia microdasys*) is a flowering cactus species native to Mexico. Angel's-wings is closely related to Opuntia RFID, which can be differentiated from Opuntia microdasys by its reddish color. Some scientists consider the two cacti to be the same species. This species is also known as the bunny ears cactus, the bunny cactus, or the polka-dot cactus. It is sometimes planted as an ornamental on borders and in gardens.

The focal point of a dieffenbachia is the beautiful look and patterns of the foliage, which are often variegated. This plant has showy white blooms, but only flowers in perfect conditions. Use caution, because the dieffenbachia is poisonous; if the sap is ingested it can cause muteness for up to two weeks by numbing the throat and vocal cords.

Begonia cucullata is a native of South America. It is often used as a ground cover and also does well in containers. The blossoms of wax begonia can be red, white, or pink. In some states like Florida and Georgia, wax begonia is considered an invasive species due to its tendency to reseed prolifically in the right conditions.

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.

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.

Dwarf umbrella tree (*Schefflera arboricola*) is an evergreen, multi-stemmed shrub native to China. It is commonly grown as a houseplant or a garden plant in milder climates for its decorative palmate compound leaves. The leaves contain calcium oxalates, which can damage internal organs when ingested. It shouldn't be confused with the Australian umbrella tree, *Schefflera actinophylla*.

Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub with unique, glossy evergreen leaves and stunning flowers. The sophisticated, matte white flowers are often used in bouquets. The exceptional beauty of this ornamental plant has made it a popular and highly appreciated plant amongst gardeners and horticulturalists.