Arranged alphabetically according to plant families. For example, philodendrons are discussed with the Arum Family. To find a plant whose family name you do not know, refer to the index. If you have only a plant's common name, the index will guide you to its botanical name and family.

   Unless noted otherwise, fertilize plants according to the general directions given in Chapter 2.

   Acanthaceae

   Tender perennials with simple, opposite leaves. Spikes of irregular, one- or two-lipped flowers.

   Acanthus

   DESCRIPTION: A. mollis, 3 to 4 ft., from southern Europe. Handsome, large foliage; showy spikes of white, rose, or lilac flowers. Special uses: for accent in tub or planter. CULTURE: Light, semi-sunny. Temperature, 50-70°F. Humidity, 30-60%. Soil, equal parts sand, ioam, peat moss; keep evenly moist. Propagate by seeds in spring; division spring or fall.

   Aphelandra

   Aphelandra squarrosa louisae , 3 ft., from Brazil. Although classified as a flowering plant, its spectacular terminal spike of waxy flowers is fully matched in beauty by shiny emerald-green leaves, strikingly veined in white. Most of the Aphelandras have white or pale veins; most flower in terminal four-sided bracted spikes, and flower colors are predominantly orange-scarlet or yellow.

   Of them all, A. squarrosa louisae is undoubtedly the showiest, and has recently joined the ranks of flowering plants offered by florists.

   CULTURE: Light, semi-sunny. Temperature, average house. Humidity, 30% or more. Soil, 1 part loam, 1 part sand or Perlite, 2 parts peat moss or leaf mold; keep evenly moist. Propagate by tip cuttings in spring at 70-80 °F.

   Beloperone

   DESCRIPTION: B. guttata, 11/2 ft., from Mexico, the popular shrimp plant. A wiry-stemmed plant that needs frequent pruning to prevent its becoming scraggly. The brick-red, overlapping, and drooping bracts which surround the flowers resemble a shrimp. The true flowers, small and white, are barely visible except on close inspection. The cultivar 'Yellow Queen' has chartreuse bracts and is also called shrimp plant. B. comosa 'Red King' has bracts of solid, bright red.

   CULTURE: Light, sunny, or semi-sunny. Temperature, average house. Humidity, 30% or more. Soil, equal parts loam, sand, and peat moss; allow to be dry on surface, then moisten thoroughly. Propagate by cuttings any time.

   Chamaeranthemum

   DESCRIPTION: C. gaudichaudii, small creeper from Brazil. An attractive plant with silver-centered dark-green leaves that are small and oval. C. igneum from Peru has more pointed leaves colored brownish green with a soft suedelike appearance, and veined in shades of red and yellow. C. venosum from Brazil differs in having small, hard leaves netted with silver. All bear small but showy clusters of bracted flowers. Special uses: for terrarium gardens. CULTURE: Light, semi-shady. Temperature, average house. Humidity, 30% or more. Soil, equal parts loam, sand, and peat moss; keep evenly moist. Propagate by cuttings rooted in high humidity.

   Crossandra

   DESCRIPTION: C. infundibuliformis (formerly C. undulaefolia), 1 to 3 ft., from India. The tubular blossoms, expanded at the top, are borne on fairly long, thick, four-sided spikes