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.

A gorgeous houseplant, the rattlesnake plant, is the easiest of the Goeppertia lancifolia to grow. Known for its stunning tropical foliage, this plant is marked by various shades of green with wavy stripes. This plant prefers warmth, bright indirect light, and consistently moist but not soggy soil.

As its common name suggests, meadowsweet is a sweet-smelling herb that often grows in meadows. It is a perennial in the rose family and is native to Europe, the British Isles, and western Asia, and has also been naturalized in parts of North America. Filipendula ulmaria has been used to create potpourris and to add flavor to beers, wines, and stews.

Claspleaf twistedstalk is an herbaceous perennial with greenish flowers and distinctive kinked stems. Native to North America and Canada, this plant is often found in wet areas such as stream banks. The name, Streptopus amplexifolius, translates to "twisted foot" and is in reference to the oddly attached flowers.

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*.

Yellow rocket is a biannual herb endemic to Europe. Saint Barbara, the patron saint of artillerymen and mining workers, inspired the name Barbarea. This plant's leaves are edible, whether raw or cooked. It also has a natural resistance to several bug species.

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.

Lungwort is based on the Latin word pulmo, which means lung. Common lungwort is an herbaceous evergreen that resembles a rhizome that grows perennially. Carl Linnaeus called the species officinalis after the medicinal characteristics of these plants, which have been used for treating coughs and chest illnesses since about the Middle Ages. It is non-invasive and spreads slowly by creeping roots.

The peacock plant sports large, thin leaves in varied shades of green. The plant thrives in warm, humid environments such as its native Brazil. It is a classic example of a "prayer plant," meaning its leaves appear to close up at night and open again in the morning.

Catmint (Nepeta faassenii) is a flowering hybrid plant often found in conservatories and gardens. Catmint originates in the Netherlands where it was first cultivated. Catmint is valued for its pleasing aroma and drought tolerance.

The clustered carline-thistle attracts numerous pollinators—bees, butterflies, and wasps. This wildflower can be found in sunny, rocky habitats and disturbed sites. This thistle is distinguishable by its golden outer bracts that are extremely spiny. These bracts open only during sunny days—when it’s cloudy and rainy, they remain closed.

Kris plant (Alocasia sanderiana) is a vigorous tropical perennial with prominently lobed leaves that have broad, silvery-white veins and red-green undersides. This indigenous Mindanao plant grows primarily on moist hillsides at low elevated deep forest areas. It's frequently grown for ornamental purposes.

Prayer plant (Goeppertia orbifolia) is indigenous to South America. Because of the unusual pattern on its leaves that might make you think of a picnic tablecloth, it’s a popular choice as a houseplant. It’ll bring a nice tropical vibe to your living or dining room. If you’re growing it indoors, keep in mind that it thrives best in soil that’s well-drained.

Parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans) is a palm tree native to Mexico and Guatemala which grows in rainforest environments. Parlor palm is widely cultivated as a houseplant and grows well in light soil out of direct sunlight.

Netleaf willow (Salix reticulata) is a low-lying deciduous shrub that specializes in cold and alpine environments. It is found in wet, rocky regions of Europe, Asia, and North America and is regularly seen north of the Arctic Circle. Netleaf willow is very slow-growing and most examples will not climb more than 5 cm above the ground.

Lily magnolia (Magnolia liliiflora) is a small tree native to China. Today, this ornamental shrub has spread around the world and can be found planted throughout East Asia, the United States, and Europe. The lily magnolia received extra attention in the 1950s during the development of new magnolia trees led by the American National Arboretum. Many hybrid magnolia strains were developed and received common girls' names such as Betty, Jane, Judy, etc.

Red Fescue (Festuca rubra) is a perennial grass that makes an excellent ground cover and is often planted for erosion control. It thrives in full sun to shade and is often planted for its shade tolerance. Can be manicured like turfgrass or left longer. Its thin, needle-like leaves dance in the wind to add movement to the garden.

Common lilac is a shrub native to the Balkan Peninsula that blooms with a fragrant blossom. It grows on rocky terrain and has a suckering habit. The blossoms are used to flavor honey, sugars, food, and other delights and farmed for its fragrant flowers in the spring.

Lovage (Levisticum officinale) is a perennial whose large flat-topped yellow flowers bloom in the summer. The nectar and pollen from the flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, while birds feast on the seeds. Some will use it to flavor soups, sauces, and pickles but note that it's said to be toxic. It could increase urination or cause kidney or urinary passage inflammation.