If you have many plants, then likely most of them will be considered foliage plants. Unlike flowering plants, they are not as showy. Instead they make up for it by growing easily and quickly, and acclimating themselves well to any environment in which they are placed.



Foliage plants are an important part of any home or garden. With very few exceptions, they grow and flourish all year long, unlike most flowering varieties. There are many hundreds of different types of foliage plants, including many hybrids and varieties, which can add interest to your garden.

Home gardeners can choose from a nearly endless range of size, shape, leaf form, and color when choosing plants. Many of these can be found in any nursery, and can be grown in any part of the country.

For example, Kangaroo Vine is recognizable through its long, narrow shiny leaves, which are heart-shaped with jagged edges. This plant grows to be three feet tall, and does best in East- or West-facing windows.

Another example, Maranta, is sometimes called the Prayer Plant. This is because of the shape of its leaves, which close up at night. It is a low plant, usually staying under a foot tall. The leaves are a beautiful green, covered with diamond-shapes spots. These spots start off purple when the leaves are young, turning brownish as they mature. These plants require a humid atmosphere, so you should spray them with water regularly, and they do best in an East or West window. They should be fertilized frequently and always kept well watered if you expect them to thrive. If you wish to grow more, they can be propagated with leaf cuttings.

Pandanus are another type of foliage plant which grows well in many climates. However, be sure to select an appropriate species, as some can grow to be fifty feet tall or more. Others have been cultivated for home growth. The popular name of Screw Pine includes both the types grown at home and those living in a natural state. These plants have sword-like leaves which grow in spirals from a common base. They are narrow and can grow up to three feet long in the houseplant variety. The leaves are dark green, with silvery or red stripes at the base. The leaves' edges are spiny, and they have sharp points, making it a perfect outdoor plant just like the plant and the Agave plant. Pandanus grow best when kept as moist as possible, so you should take care to water them often, as well as spray their leaves. Care for Pandanus state that they should be kept in partial shade although they can tolerate a warm atmosphere, and they enjoy East or West windows. Panadus can be grown by cutting off the suckers at the base and rooting them in new dirt.

As you can see, there are many choices when it comes to foliage plants. Most are easy to grow, and can provide interesting variety.