Aechmea fasciata in flower; photo by Ivo Vermeulen
BOTANICAL NAME
COMMON NAME
COUNTRY of ORIGIN
LIGHT NEEDS*
Abutilon x hybridium
flowering maple
China
direct
Aechmea fasciata
urn plant
tropical America
direct
Anglaonema commutatum
Chinese evergreen
Malaysia
low to moderate
Aeschynanthus spp.
lipstick vine
tropical America
bright
Aloe spp.
aloe
South Africa
bright filtered
Araucaria heterophylla
Norfolk Island pine
Norfolk Island, Australia
bright
Asparagus spp.
asparagus fern
South Africa
bright
Aspidistra elatior
cast iron plant
China
low to moderate
Asplenium nidus
bird's nest fern
tropical Asia
moderate
Begonia sspp.
rex and wax begonias
tropical America
moderate to bright
Caladium bicolor
caladium
Brazil
bright filtered
Caryota mitis
fishtail palm
tropical Asia
bright filtered
Chamaedorea elegans
parlor palm
Mexico/ C. America
bright filtered
Chlorophytum comosum
spider plant
South Africa
moderate
Cissus rhombifolia
grape ivy
South America
bright
Dieffenbachia maculata
dumb cane
tropical America
bright filtered
Dracaena deremensis
draceana
Africa
bright filtered
Dracaena fragrans 'Massangeana'
corn plant
Africa
bright filtered
Epipremnum aureum (syn. Scindapsus aureus)
pothos
Solomon Islands
moderate
Ficus benjamina
weeping fig
India
bright filtered
Ficus elastica
rubber plant
India
bright filtered
Gardenia augusta
gardenia
China
bright filtered
Gynura aurantica
purple passion
tropical Asia
bright filtered
Haworthia spp.
haworthia
South Africa
moderate
Hedera canariensis
Canary Islands ivy
Canary Islands
bright filtered
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
hibiscus
tropical Asia
direct
Howea forsteriana
sentry palm
Australia
moderate to bright
Hoya carnosa
wax plant
tropical Asia
direct
Nephrolepsis exaltata 'Bostoniensis'
Boston fern
tropical America
bright
Pandanus veitchii
Veitch screw pine
Polynesia
direct
Pelargonium hybrids
geranium
South Africa
bright filtered
Phalaenopsis hybrids
moth orchid
tropical Asia
bright filtered
Philodendron scandens
heart leaf philodendron
tropical Asia
low to moderate
Streptocarpus ionanthus subsp. velutinus
African violets
South Africa
bright filtered
Sansevieria trifasciata
snake plant
tropical Africa/ Asia
bright filtered
Schefflera actinophylla
Australian umbrella tree
Australia
bright filtered
Sedum morganianum
burro's tail
Mexico
direct
Spathiphyllum wallisii 'Clevelandii'
peace lily
tropical America
low to moderate
*Light Needs Defintions:
Direct= an area receiving direct sunlight for an extended period of time (6+ hours), such as an unobstructed south-facing window
Bright filtered= direct light filtered through a blind/curtain or a leafy tree
Bright= brightest areas of a room that are not in direct light or constantly in direct light, i.e. unobstructed east and west-facing windows
Moderate= a constant level of light but never direct light, i.e a north-facing window, or an east or west-facing window obstructed by a blind/curtain or a leafy tree
Low= an area 8+ feet away from a window, such as the corner of a room
A hybrid moth orchid, Phaleanopsis Tariflor Leopard Princess x Taisuco Firebird
Conservatory and Indoor Plants by 
Houseplants and Indoor Gardening by 
The Houseplant Survival Guide by 
