Topic: Houseplants

The canna that thinks it’s a banana

Why this huge ‘foliage plant’ defies descriptions

Valentine's Day: cost of romance rising for flower delivery, 4 other things

When you arrange for flower delivery or take a special someone out for dinner this Valentine's Day, it'll cost more than it did a year ago. That's the cold hard fact about a warmhearted and festive day, according official US inflation data.

But the rising cost may actually be a relatively small one: Those chocolate or flower prices haven't been rising at gas-pump-fast rates. Here's the official inflation tally of five common Valentine's Day activities, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Reinvention: The rewards of trying again

First-time wonders deserve our awe and applause. But almost every good thing in life -- from careers to ideas, products to poetry -- is more reinvention than invention.

Five little-known vegetables that could help end hunger

Native vegetables such as guar, Dogon shallot, and celosia could play an important role in feeding Africa.

Cyclamen: A cheery indoor plant for winter-weary gardeners

A pot of cyclamen can provide a jolt of color for gardeners who are tired of winter.

Growing amaryllis outdoors

Save a couple of the amaryllis bulbs you bought this winter and plant them outdoors in the garden. Yes, even if you live in the Midwest!

Cyclamen is a great holiday plant

Red and white cyclamen plants provide great holiday color for this Vermont gardener.

No room for a Christmas tree? Try a Norfolk Island pine.

A Norfolk Island pine on a tabletop makes an excellent stand-in for a Christmas tree, and will live for many holidays to come.

How to overwinter annual geraniums

Want to avoid having to buy new annual geraniums next year? Here's how to keep them over the winter.

Blood lily: a ball of fire in a flower pot

Blood lily is a plant native to South Africa that produces fiery red flowers. It's also called the fire-ball lily.

Garden 'siteseeing' in India, the Philippines, and Australia

Let's go 'siteseeing' via the Web, to find out what gardeners are doing in Australia, India, and the Phillipines.

Darth Vader robbery: Phantom menace strikes Long Island bank

Darth Vader robbery? Darth Vader apparently robbed a Long Island bank Thursday. The Darth Vader robbery might have been a person in a Darth Vader mask, however.

Tiger fern: the purr-fect houseplant

Tiger fern is the perfect houseplant to create a jungle atmosphere.

Elegant, easy orchids to grow indoors

Moth orchids look spectacular indoors and are easy to grow.

Potted bulbs are a colorful solution to winter doldrums

Why wait for the spring thaw to enjoy flowers, when potted tulips, hyacinths, and other colorful bulbs can brighten your home now?

Their winter of discontent

Sulking after a hot summer outside, the tropical plants take a few months to adjust to their winter window seat.

Amaryllis flowers brighten winter

Amaryllis flowers are big, bright, and bold. They're also easy to grow.

Tips for success with indoor gardening

Bring spring indoors with houseplants. Here's how to be a success.

House plants for black thumbs and cave dwellers

Even if you have a black thumb or your house has so little light you may as well dwell in a cave, there are plants that will be successful for you.

When to water plants

Indicator plants shout out when they're thirsty and need water.

The key to healthy houseplants

Tips on picking a plant that can thrive with the light and lifestyle in your home.

Friend or fern?

One by one, orphaned plants took over my apartment.

How to care for plants when you're on vacation

With a little planning, they can thrive even while you travel.

In Italy, earthquake survivors struggle to make a tent city feel like home

Gardens and kids' bikes are small signs of an effort to create some normalcy in one of more than 170 encampments that house residents of L'Aquila, badly damaged by an April 6 quake.

Harvest avocados indoors

If your climate isn't avocado-friendly, grow the trees inside in winter.