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.

Arabian jasmine has much significance in many countries around the world. It is the national flower of both the Philippines and Indonesia. It is regularly used in ceremonial costumes and decorations in Sri Lanka, while in China it is the key ingredient in Jasmine tea. Hawaiians use arabian jasmine to make fragrant leis, and in Pakistan, Bangladesh and India it is used in garlands and hair adornments.

Nice spurge provides its own spectrum of color in drab environs through yellow flower stalks blooming from red stems atop blue-green, rosette-shaped leaves. The name "spurge" comes from old French and Latin words meaning "to purge".

The song of india has distinctive leaves that stay green year-round. The plant's unique appearance and low-maintenance nature make it popular as a houseplant. The song of india is native to Indian Ocean islands including Madagascar, though not, oddly, to India itself.

Rumex crispus, commonly known as curly dock, is a perennial plant that grows in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It is a very adaptable plant, flourishing in a variety of different habitats including roadsides, the edges of woodlands, meadows, and shorelines. Some moth species like to lay their eggs on curly dock leaves.

A showpiece of the southern United States is the southern magnolia. This tree is known by its dark green oval leaves that are leathery in feel and its beautiful waxy flowers. The southern magnolia blooms are thought to symbolize dignity and nobility. White versions of the flower are commonly used in bridal bouquets to denote purity.

Lambsquarters has many other names, including pigweed, goosefoot, and bacon weed. This plant seems to appear out of nowhere and is considered by many to be a pesky weed. However, the greens of this plant are edible, can be prepared similar to spinach, and are packed with nutrients.

Wild rue (Peganum harmala) is a perennial herbaceous shrub native to southeast Europe that can grow to 91 cm tall. It has fragile-looking succulent leaves and stalks. Small white flowers bloom from spring to fall, at varying times depending on location. It is considered a weed in some areas.

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 mother of thousands is a succulent plant native to Madagascar. Its unusually-shaped leaves have granted it other monikers like "alligator plant" and "devil's backbone." It reproduces via the "plantlets" that grow along the periphery of its leaves. Though enjoyed for its decorative value, mother of thousands can be invasive in arid environments.

Elmleaf blackberry (Rubus ulmifolius) is a brambly flowering shrub native to Europe and North Africa. This species grows in hedges and woodland edges on calcareous soils. It bears fruits called drupes that are dark purple.

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 bradford pear is native to China but is considered invasive in the U.S. and Australia. Although it does not self-pollinate, it can become invasive by hybridizing with other plants to create fertile fruits that may seed in natural areas. The bradford pear creates large populations of fruits that are spread by birds and animals, readily rooting in disturbed areas. It also forms thick colonies that may compete with other native species for natural resources. Alternative plants include the Trident Maple and the Serviceberry. The bradford pear can be controlled by manually pulling young plants, and a range of herbicides such as oil-based herbicides, foliar herbicides, and both basal bark and stump treatments. It is important to remove seed sources as the weed can reinvade areas where it has been previously removed.

Henbane is a poisonous annual or biennial plant that is native to the Mediterranean. The plant is entirely covered with greasy hairs. Its seeds spread from mid-spring to early fall.

Common mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) is an herbaceous plant often found in nitrogen-rich soils. The plant's scent is reportedly a mild insect repellant. Common mugwort is used as an offering in Nepalese temples. Tradition holds that it has cleansing properties, so believers also use it to sweep their floors to give them both a spiritual and physical cleaning.

As its name indicates, the african violet originated in the coastal region of Tanzania, Africa. It is a well-loved plant in many households, and its compact shape and beautiful blue, pink, purple or white flowers add cheer to any room. The african violet is known to bloom nearly year-round but can be sensitive to cold, so keep at 55 degrees or above.

Perennial wall-rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia) is a plant species that is a member of the Brassicaceae family. Perennial wall-rocket is named for the hardiness of this plant, as well as the plant's tendency to grow out of walls and cliff faces. Perennial wall-rocket foliage is aromatic when crushed.

Creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) is a juniper shrub native to North America, particularly Canada. Creeping juniper is mainly grown as an ornamental plant for ground cover in gardens. There are over 100 cultivars of creeping juniper.

Yellow star-thistle (Centaurea solstitialis) is a flowering plant species indigenous to the Mediterranean Basin. It blooms in spring. Yellow star-thistle is also known as St. Barnaby's thistle.

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.