Asian Rice is one of the world's most important staple crops. This annual grass, which was first domesticated in China centuries ago, accounts for a significant portion of the diet of half of the world's population. Aside from food, this plant is grown for use in wines, medicines, and cosmetics. It is also used in crafts and religious ceremonies worldwide.

Arrowhead plant (Syngonium podophyllum) is a beautiful foliage plant, one of the most popular species of the Araceae family. Due to its air purifying qualities and good looks, arrowhead plant is often cultivated as a houseplant. Every part of this plant is toxic, so it's best to keep it away from kids and pets.

The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.

African marigold is a common garden plant with bright orange or red flowers. Its use in decorative and ceremonial gardens dates back to ancient Aztec civilizations. Not only does african marigold add bright colors, but it is also known to repel insects, rabbits, and deer thanks to its toxic latex.

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 common coleus is a plant that comes in a wide range of colors and leaf forms. This plant, also known as Coleus scutellarioides, is native to Southeast Asia and is used as an herbal remedy in various cultures. Common coleus is a narcotic used by the Mazatec people of Mexico. In Cuba, this plant is considered invasive.

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.

Maize (Zea mays) is a well known domesticated cereal grain first domesticated in Mexico. In much of the world it is also called corn. Worldwide cultivation of maize surpasses other prominent grains like wheat and rice. Maize must be planted in the spring due to its intolerance for cold weather.

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.

The madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) is an evergreen subshrub or herbaceous plant. It has a long history of cultivation. Over the years, many cultivars have been developed, most commonly with the aim of incorporating new colors or making the plant more tolerant to cold.

Hordeum vulgare or barley is an important cereal grain that's grown globally. It's commonly used in soups, stews, breads, and as a source of malt for alcoholic beverages like beer. The economic value of its trade globally is over $33 billion.

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.

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.

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.

The spider plant is a green perennial plant with long, thin leaves that earn it another name, "ribbon plant." It has spread far from its native Africa because it is easy to care for. Since spider plants grow well in partial or full shade, they have become popular houseplants.

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.

The ti plant is a palm-like shrub that symbolizes the connection between the living and the dead for some Austronesian cultures, having many ceremonial purposes. In practical terms, ti plant is used to make dyes and is grown for ornamentation.

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.

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.

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*.