yacht house planta

• Illustrations

The Yacht House

• Author : Richard Horden
• Location : United Kingdom (Hampshire)
• Year : 1992
• Function : Individual Housing
• Elements : Structure
• Status : Built

The building structure is arranged in a taught discipline of columns on a 3.7m grid. The house is a perfect square on plan made up of 5 x 5 bays giving a footprint of 342 sqm. The entrance is located on the axis and central bay. Roof and cladding modules can be moved to rearrange the plan and to add to as required by the owner. After the concrete slab was laid by a local builder the light aluminium and stainless steel frame was assembled on site by the owner and family in 5hrs 6minutes and 11 seconds.

La estructura del edificio se organiza en columnas sobre una malla de 3,7 m. La casa es un cuadrado perfecte en planta compuesta por 5 x 5 tramos que dan una superficie total de 342 metros cuadrados. La entrada se ubica en el eje y bahía central. El techo y la fachada pueden moverse para reorganizar el espacaio y ser agregado según las necesidades del propietario. Después de que el constructor colocara una losa de hormigón, el propietario y su familia montaron el marco de aluminio ligero y acero inoxidable en el lugar en 5 horas, 6 minutos y 11 segundos.

The building design is influenced by The Case Study Programme and in particular houses by California architects Craig Ellwood and Raphael Soriano.

El diseño del edificio está influenciado por The Case Study Program y, en particular, por las casas de los arquitectos californianos Craig Ellwood y Raphael Soriano.

Richard Horden designed the roller reefing canopies to fit the yacht inspired architecture. This was later developed into production by various Austrian, German and USA canopy manufacturers. The horizontal architecture nestles into the New Forest woodland location with views westward over the Avon river valley. The painter Augustus John’s studio can be seen on the distant hillside.

Richard Horden diseñó las marquesinas plegables, influenciado en la arquitectura inspirada de yates. Posteriormente, varios fabricantes de marquesinas de Austria, Alemania y EE. UU desarrollaron esta idea. La vivienda se encuentra en el bosque de New Forest con vistas hacia el oeste sobre el valle del río Avon. El estudio del pintor Augustus John se puede ver en la lejana ladera.

Text via HCL architects

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• Yachthouse by Pininfarina

UNIQUE CONCEPT, AMAZING DESIGN, IN ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S MOST DESIRED DESTINATIONS. Inspired by the luxurious nautical universe, Pasqualotto presents the Yachthouse by Pininfarina, in Balneário Camboriú, Santa Catarina. Development planned to contemplate the passion for the sea combined with the sophistication and quality already applied by the construction company. A unique concept to be built next to Marina Tedesco, in Barra Sul, with magnificent views of the sea, the green of the Atlantic Forest and the Camboriú River.

FULL INFRASTRUCTURE AND BREATHING LANDSCAPES. A place of unmatched potential. This privileged region is a paradise for those who want to live the best of life. The ease of getting around, whether by land, sea or air, makes the north coast of Santa Catarina a unique place for leisure and business.

Highlights:

• 81 floors, the largest residential in Latin America;
• Height: 275 meters;
• 264 apartments;
• Plot size is 7.536m²;
• 142,000.00 m² of built area;
• Design signed by Pininfarina and inspired by nautical life;
• 100 meters away from the sea;
• 7 basement floors;
• The front of the basement runs 140m.

Foundation and work

Started in 2012, the foundation had 925 piles with a thickness of 1m, 60cm and 50cm with an average depth of 28m, approximately 1125 tons of steel. In November 2014 began the concreting phase, took approximately 9,000 cubic meters of concrete and placed the Yachthouse on the map as the largest concreting in Brazil, were approx. 1100 concrete trucks. Blocks have a height of 3.5m.Catarina, a unique place suitable for leisure and business.

Two apartments per floor of 265sqm private area, with a tested seafront 20m with the same depth, which will offer panoramic views, from one side to the sea and the other to woods and marina, private entrance hall, With 2 exclusive lifts for each apt, giving the feeling of 1 apt per floor, have smart plants, being square plants, which brings better distribution of rooms, with a circulation area of less than 6sqm. Right foot is 3.30 from slab to slab and 2.85m free;

Each apartment has:

• Living, with sea view (52,58m²);
• Gourmet space overlooking woods and marina (13,00sqm);
• Semi integrated kitchen (17,00sqm);
• Washroom (2.51m²);
• Service area (7,68m²);
• Technical area (3.17sqm);
• Maid's dependence with bathroom (7.55sqm);
• 4 suites, 1 master (26.15sqm) delivered with whirlpool, a semi master (25.04sqm) and two conventional (14.50sqm and 13.63sqm).

Finishing and infrastructure

• Indian porcelain tile floor with measures of 120x80 in the common area of the apt;
• Vinyl in the intimate part of the apartment;
• Flooring and sharing in lead color bathrooms (decorated id);
• Trada doors (voted the best soundproof doors in the country, solid wood lacquered);
• Infrastructure for central vacuum, automation and air conditioning and heating on the bathroom floors.

Leisure 1, located on the 7th floor and focused on entertainment:

• 5 open heated pools divided by family, young, kids and baby pools plus an infinity edge adult pool, the adult pools feature a spa;
• Original size multi-purpose sports court, 502m²;
• Panoramic bar, overlooking the woods, marina and city;
• Square of fire;
• Family space support bar;
• Playground;
• Children's sports court.

Under the projection of the towers (covered):

• Classic Bistro Restaurant with annual operation;
• Adult games room;
• Nightclub Bar with sound insulation, lighting and sound;
• Ballroom 1 and 2, which can be integrated; (total of approx. 400m² and can accommodate from 150 to 160 people);
• Teenage playroom;
• VIP cinema;
• Children's ballroom;
• Toy library.

Leisure 2, located on the 8th floor and focused on health:

• Gym (319m²) fully furnished with Life Fitness line A;
• Pilates space;
• Stretching space;
• Women's and Men's Locker Room;
• Adult pool, will be located between the towers, with approx. 11m away from each other, and will have a glass cover bringing solar lighting and the privileged view of the towers;
• Indoor children's pool;
• Women's spa with hot tubs, wet and dry sauna, and massage rooms;
• Beauty salon;
• Male spa with hammam, wet and dry sauna, and massage rooms.

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Take a Look at This Huge Yacht-Inspired Home Going Up Near Lido Beach

By Cooper Levey-Baker September 11, 2020

1 John Ringling Blvd., Sarasota

The home was designed to resemble a luxury yacht, with a rounded "bow" pointing toward the Gulf of Mexico.

Photography by Courtesy Photo

The company building the home, Trinity Construction & Design, recently celebrated the completion of the home's concrete shell.

The home will be three stories tall, with a roof deck on top.

From the roof, you can see all the way to Big Pass.

The structure of the building was made with more than 100 tons of steel and more than 1,500 yards of concrete.

Construction began on July 1, 2019, and is expected to take two and a half years in total.

An architectural rendering showing what the finished home will look like.

With no other structures on the home's northern, western or southern sides, the property offers unrestricted views in nearly every direction.

If you've been out to Lido Beach in recent months, there's no way you missed it: the massive new home currently under construction at 1 John Ringling Blvd., right near the island's northern stretch of public beach.

Construction on the project began on July 1, 2019. The company building the 10,000-square-foot home, Trinity Construction & Design , recently celebrated a milestone—the topping out of the project—and invited Sarasota Magazine to tour the property.

Doug Libertore, who owns a residence adjacent to the home, purchased the property for $2.3 million in 2011. The house was designed by Mark Sultana of DSDG Architects  after an original design and concept was completed by Jan Stanbury of J. Stanbury Design Inc. in 2017 . The look  is intended to echo the style and shape of a luxurious yacht, with a curved "bow" protruding out toward the beach and the Gulf of Mexico. There are no other structures on the home's northern, western or southern sides, which gives the property unrestricted views of the sand and the water. And the home is tall enough that, when you're standing on the roof deck, you can see all the way to downtown Sarasota.

The home's pool will be located on the third floor, at the point where the concrete juts out the farthest. Behind it will be a patio space below roof openings covered by retractable awnings, and then the master suite and kitchen area. Sliding glass doors will provide exceptional views no matter where you stand. The second floor will contain more bedrooms, and the roof will boast a glass-enclosed room from which you can see all the way to Big Pass.

With the main structure of the building now complete, Trinity will turn to framing the interior. Utilities and finishes will then follow. Thomson estimates that the total construction process should take roughly two and a half years. Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the project has remained on schedule. Trinity declined to provide a total budget for the project; permits filed with the City of Sarasota estimate construction costs at just over $4 million.

Building the home has taken an incredible amount of planning and resources, says Nehamiah Thomson, Trinty's vice president of field operations. The company is required to protect nearby dunes and trees, and must be careful not to disturb sea turtle nests.  To steady the home, the company has driven 149 piles 35 feet deep into the ground, and has used more than 100 tons of steel and more than 1,500 yards of concrete. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime project," Thomson says.

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Green machines: How to create an on board garden

Fancy sitting by a tree in your yacht’s tropical garden? Or brightening up the saloon with exotic creatures and live coral? Claire Wrathall learns how to fit the flora and fauna on board...

Launched last year, Dilbar is the world’s largest yacht by internal volume. Designed by Espen Øino , the 156 metre Lürssen-built vessel has 3,800 square metres of living space, sufficient to accommodate not only two helipads and a 25 metre swimming pool, but an expansive garden complete with a specially developed variety of grass that tolerates salt air, according to its creator Axel Massmann.

Massmann is the founder of Yacht Green, a Hamburg-based company that specialises in what he calls “exterior greening” on superyachts. Trained as an engineer, he was working as a project manager on the construction of the Viceroy hotel (now Four Seasons) on Anguilla , where his areas of specialisation included landscaping, drainage and irrigation. During his year in the Caribbean he had the chance to observe a lot of superyachts moored in the bay, and it occurred to him that they too might benefit from green space, especially those belonging to owners who want to bring their pets on board . “Some yacht owners seem to love their dogs more than their kids,” he says. “Some want big dogs on their boats for security. Or small ones for their wives to wear on their arms when they go ashore.”

But all mutts, large and small, need lawns on which to exercise and heed the call of nature. Massmann’s solution on one 100 metre-plus project was to have 100 square metres of turf recessed into the aft deck, irrigated in such a way that the grass can be washed clean after the dogs have relieved themselves.

The scope for exotic planting on a yacht has, he suggests, far greater potential than has yet been realised. “Why aren’t there huge palms around the beach club or the swimming pool to offer shade?” he asks. “Why can’t the owner walk across real grass to his wellness area or relax in a Zen garden planted between real bonsai trees?”

The short answer is because in order for trees to thrive at sea, your designer needs to have incorporated into the plans “the necessary recesses in the decks, irrigation and draining systems – you can’t just water a tree by hand or with a hose – as well as automatic humidity-measuring devices and additional lighting” specific to the plant type. Not to mention a specially cultivated substrate for the planting. A three metre tall tree, for instance, will “have to be built in before all the decks are closed,” says Massmann, explaining that owners want them to look as though they’re growing out of the deck, so a basin large enough to accommodate a substantial root ball and room for it to grow needs to be accommodated at the start of the build. Waterfalls are also possible – Yacht Green has put a six metre high cascade on a yacht – but they too need tanks and engine rooms.

In contrast, the planting of gardens should be quite straightforward, but it will depend to some extent on whether it is sited on deck or inside. If outside, the vegetation must be able to tolerate salt; if inside, you’ll need to install special lights that mimic sunlight.

A boat’s sphere of operation may also be a factor. “ Dilbar tends to be between the South of France, northern Spain and sometimes Cyprus, so we chose plants from Mediterranean areas,” Massmann says. (By not leaving EU waters, it is spared the customs regulations that tend to forbid the import of plants.) Generally, however, he finds, his clients prefer tropical species from Asia and Latin America. Certainly the small starboard-side glass-enclosed conservatory garden on the aft main deck of Stella Maris , another Øino-designed boat, bears that out, incorporating as it does a jungle-like cluster of tropical planting to provide a focal point and fill vibration-laden space directly above the engine room.

There are, however, simpler ways to incorporate nature. On Galactica Star , troughs of wild grasses were sited on the aft deck. On Ocean Paradise the main deck foyer doubles as a Japanese garden, a meditative space with artfully raked gravel and potted bonsai trees, specified by its owner, in order “to inspire thought and question life”. Laurel has a four-layer, semi-enclosed, temperature-controlled vertical herb garden next to the spa pool on the sundeck to ensure the galley never runs out of the wherewithal for salsa verde.

It is possible to farm on a more ambitious scale, too. VistaJet founder Thomas Flohr has a small hydroponic garden, an irrigated vertical wall of herbs and vegetables, on his 43 metre Baglietto yacht Nina J . And, says Simon Rowell, creative director of Bannenberg & Rowell Design , there is scope for market gardening on an even greater scale. “We have a specific project for a 120 metre-plus yacht on which we’ve been asked to explore potential for food production. This has involved research from NASA into bio-regenerative life-support systems.” In other words, hydroponics and aquaponics.

These are a means of growing plants in nutrient-rich water, without soil. Hydroponics are often “a drum format, where you have a consistent ultraviolet light source in the centre, around which you rotate the plants in an irrigated system that enables the cultivation not just of leaves – salads, spinach, chard – but aubergines, courgettes, cucumbers, tomatoes and chillis”. More remarkable yet are aquaponics. “This sounds like alchemy,” Rowell says. “Basically it’s a fish tank in which you grow edible plants that feed off the by-product of the fish, a bit like using manure on land. The plants then filter the water, so it’s a very efficient cycle, although you need a power source to regulate the light and water temperature.

“You can produce a lot of vegetables this way,” he continues, “and some people say you can breed the fish to eat too. Tilapia, perch, trout, catfish and hybrid-striped bass are very good species for this. However, we haven’t yet fully resolved the top-up system because there is evaporation in aquaponics. And we want to make it quite a visual experience, but don’t yet know to what extent we can control the environment: what it will smell like, what sort of humidity it will need to be kept at. But it’s very clean. There’s no toxic run-off, which you get from conventional fish farms.”

For long-range expedition yachts, a supply of fresh food grown using hydro or aquaponics is a compelling alternative to banks of freezers packed with frozen provisions and circumvents the need to dump soil on entering the waters of countries that forbid the import of plants and soil, which is most of them. Plants, too, are among the items confiscated by US Customs and Border Protection, and indeed the border agencies of most nations. (For permits to bring in live animals or birds – and if the pirates of yore were indicative, then parrots and their like can thrive on boats, though I’ve yet to find a yacht with an aviary – you need to apply in advance to the US Fish & Wildlife Service or its equivalent elsewhere.) The EU is no less strict.

For those who want more permanent displays of foliage, one option is to fake it with what is known as stabilised planting, a process in which the sap is removed from a tree or plant and replaced with glycerine. This preserves it in a way that looks convincingly lifelike, enabling designers to incorporate vertical walls of exotic plants and indeed trees into their interior schemes without the need for soil, water or special lights. Indeed, the only maintenance they require is occasional dusting by means of a hairdryer.

When the Dubai-based Bahraini designer Fatima Ahmed Al Maidan of SFL Design created the interiors of Mondomarine superyacht Serenity , the panels of flowering plants and lichens she used in the guest cabins were made by the Italian company LinfaDecor. But Nice-based Déco Végétale also has an impressive line in vertical gardens and indeed trees (thuya, a kind of miniature cypress; dwarf eucalyptus, and several varieties of palm) as well as bonsai fukuoka and juniper, which can last 10 to 12 years before they begin to shed their leaves. (Flowers have a shorter lifespan of more like four.)

Corals are another biological organism that can thrive on a yacht. Prince Khaled bin Sultan’s Golden Odyssey incorporates a glass-bottomed swimming pool to observe the natural world in a double-height aquarium between the dining saloon and the pool. This aquarium is large enough to accommodate a living coral reef seeded in collaboration with the Monaco’s Institut Océanographique, which has been cultivating coral since 1989. (As founder of the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation, the prince’s concern for the plight of the world’s deteriorating reefs is well known.)

Maintaining a live reef requires specialist skills, and for owners disinclined to employ an aquarist among their crew there is always the option of an easier-to-maintain artificial reef, such as the one that fills the vast 2,650 litre aquarium of Oceanco Alfa Nero . This was created by Living Color, a US specialist in on board and indeed public aquariums, whose clients include Disney Parks, Universal Studios Theme Parks and South Florida Science Center.

As Daniela Iurascu of London-based Aquarium Architecture puts it: “Artificial corals are indeed an easier option than living ones, which require weekly professional maintenance. But the beauty of natural corals cannot truly be replicated. And artificial corals need expert cleaning periodically, so we recommend having a second set.”

Then, of course, there’s the aquarium itself. Iurascu recommends acrylic over glass for its construction, which is less likely to fracture under stress. She also emphasises the importance of having back-up filtration equipment – the lives of your fish may depend on it – and a battery in case of a power failure.

Care, too, should be taken over the aquarium’s location. Too much heat can affect the health of the fish. And too much light can create algae in a freshwater aquarium. (Beach clubs, therefore, aren’t ideal.) “And it’s not a good idea to put an aquarium next to the sound system,” she warns, “as fish really don’t like noise.” (They can also suffer from seasickness. In 2009, Dr Reinhard Hilbig, a zoologist at the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart, analysed the behaviour of 49 fish in an aquarium on a plane after the aircraft went into a sharp dive. Eight of them “completely lost their sense of balance,” he observed, losing “their orientation [and becoming] completely confused”. His conclusion was that a loss of eye contact with the movement of the water and the vibration caused them to become disoriented.)

Deployed carefully, aquariums can make intriguing room dividers. On 76 metre Anastasia , Sam Sorgiovanni placed a 2,700 litre tank between the lounging and dining areas of the 30 metre main saloon, so that its corals and colourful inhabitants can be admired from both sides.

Other Oceanco yachts also incorporate an aquarium. Jubilee has one by its beach club; and, also the work of Sorgiovanni, Nirvana features not just an aquarium but two vivariums. “It was the owner who suggested we have lizards and water dragons,” Sorgiovanni has said. (Though there are also frogs, turtles and a chameleon.) “The jungle theme of the yacht developed from there. The design intent was to create the kind of relaxing and refreshing feeling you get when visiting a tropical island.”

Of course water dragons look a lot less scary than they sound. But Aquarium Architecture has created an Amazonian environment in a 2,500 litre tank stocked with 17 “ravenous, fearsome, typical James Bond meat-eating” red-bellied piranhas, which were flown in from Brazil and have to be fed by hand each day. “Some clients just want something out of the ordinary,” says Iurascu. “We’re currently working on two tall jellyfish tanks for a yacht. And we’ve had clients ask for octopuses, rays and sharks.” Nothing quite as audacious as the three pairs apiece of great whites, sand tigers and blacktips, all of them deadly, that Hannibal Gaddafi, son of the late Libyan dictator Muammar, reportedly requested for the gigantic boat he ordered in 2012 from the South Korean shipbuilder STX. But it’s probably just a matter of time until someone does.

Images: Massimo Listri; Luxury Vision Production/SRD; Thierry Ameller; Alberto Cocchi; David Churchill; Jeff Brown/Breed Media

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What It's Really Like to Design a Luxury Yacht

The floating oases are often more involved than (on land) homes.

There are plenty of factors to think about when designing a high-end home on land—let alone one on water. Just ask luxury houseboat designer J. David Weiss, chief design officer at Bravada Yachts and founder of Designova Creative , a yacht design consulting company based in Raleigh, North Carolina. From major considerations such as scale and materials to custom elements, including playful add-ons (helipad, pool, or submarine, anyone?)—there’s a mile-long laundry list of points to take into account. So, where to start? “I try to begin by allowing whatever is bubbling up—their excitement for what the project could be,” Weiss says, “allowing my experience to check boxes and parameters as the clients gush out their dreams.” He then follows up with a tidal wave of clarifying questions. “Their answers are always helpful to hear, unearthing the heart of the project bit by bit.” Once Weiss has a good sense of what the client is looking for, he digs deeper, taking care not to get too wrapped up in all the particulars during the first stages of planning. “Trying to boil the ocean that early is a losing battle,” he explains. “All the details will emerge and evolve over time anyway.”

First and foremost, it's crucial to understand a vessel's intended use. If you ask Palm Beach-based designer Danielle Rollins , structure is key: "On a boat there is a place for everything, and everything goes in its place," she says. "Installs have to be very precise because everything is interdependent and fits together like a puzzle."

Rollins likes to start with a clear palette in mind. "Keeping things in an edited color scheme gives it an instant ship-shape look—pun intended," she enthuses.

“The key is to ensure that it is truly “human friendly,” says Weiss. First off, it must be comfortable, allowing for ease of movement between the different decks and areas. Second, it should be flexible, “with adaptable arrangements of traffic flow and furniture use.” And lastly, it has to have “intelligent proportions” between communal spaces, private spaces, and crew spaces, if it is a crewed vessel,” he notes.

Comfort is also paramount: "Whatever is in the floor needs to feel good because you don’t wear shoes on a boat," Rollins explains. "Performance materials are key—spills are a given."

Below, we picked Rollins and Weiss's brains about what goes into designing a luxury abode on water.

How long does it take to build a custom yacht?

The average custom boat (30 to 50 meters) can take anywhere from two to five months to design, plus another 18 to 24 months to build—but a vessel longer than 75 meters can take more than 48 months to engineer, craft, and deliver. “Semi-custom and production vessels can cut this time down considerably, by almost half,” Weiss reveals. “But it is rare to find any production vessels above 30 meters, which is why nearly all vessels larger than that are fully custom.”

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How does it most differ from designing a home on land?

“There are many more elements and stages with a yacht that must be decided before starting any of the interior layout or interior design,” Weiss says. For instance, the type and location of the bodies of water a client intends to visit will dictate the kinds of materials used, as well as the shape of the vessel. And any performance requirements (i.e. speed and power) will determine the amount and shape of space needed for the boat’s inner workings—from its engines and battery banks to exhaust routing, vibration countermeasures, and sound isolation. "Everything has to be very well made," Rollins insists, since "things take a real beating in the salt air."

In addition, "We have to consider significant accommodation for storage of sensitive materials, fuel storage—not just for the yacht, but also for any additional smaller boats or water toys kept in the tender garage, or helicopter kept on board—and other supplies for longer voyages,” Weiss notes.

And unlike building a regular house, floating homes need to meet all of the client’s needs and wants at once—“you can’t just add a wing if you suddenly decide to expand your guest rooms,” he says. Upon completion, the floating home “must be a unified symphony of features, engineering, beauty, structure, experiences, utilities, and textures.”

Another important point: "While it sounds comically simple, you have to envision whatever goes in has to withstand a 12-foot roll in all directions," says Rollins. "Things have to be weighted, secured, and attached. The last thing you want is a call saying the sofa flew overboard!"

What are three things every luxury houseboat should have?

Plush upholstery, luxurious flooring, and mixed lighting—so it’s not all coming from overhead—plus focal pieces of art and luxurious bedding and linens should all be standard in a luxury houseboat, Rollins says. "Visibility for clear navigation and awareness of surroundings is a must,” Weiss asserts. “That feature also usually means a lot of vista windows,” so it’s a plus for both safety and the guest experience. “Live and PTZ cameras that are easily accessible from the helm and watch any potential blind spots are crucial for proper navigation,” he adds. “At larger scales, bow thrusters and other stabilizing features—such as Seakeepers or zero-speed stabilizers—are life savers for the challenge of maneuvering these sizable creatures.”

Describe a boat you’ve designed that you’re especially proud of.

“The vessels Invictus and Upgrade are two of the new Atlas Series of 80-foot vessels I have designed with Bravada, and are examples of a truly 21st Century approach to the age old world of houseboating," Weiss exclaims.

“I also worked with Omega Architects’s NL and Frank Laupman to carve a new DNA for Heesen Yachts in the Netherlands, when we won the design quest for the 213-foot Galactica Star —the largest and most efficient yacht ever built by the storied yacht builder.” The winning vessel, he notes, was “the very first example of the legendary FDHF (fast displacement hull form) by the hull magicians Piet & Perry Van Oossanen in Holland, and was also the first collaboration between our team and Bannenberg & Rowell in the UK, direct descendant of the convention-breaking studio established by Jon Bannenberg, the “godfather” of modern yacht design.”

As for Rollins, "I’ve done several boats in my design history, including an impressive 300-footer," she says—but her favorite nautical undertaking to date is Grace , an 86-foot-long motor yacht she recently purchased with her fiancé, Tom D'Agostino. "We did a whirlwind renovation interior redo while the boat was dry docked in the yard in a crazy three-week timeframe that was executed with military precision," she reveals. "I had everything lined up so that as soon as the old furniture and carpet came out, new carpet went down the following day, and the furniture was installed right after that."

How much does a luxury houseboat cost to build and deliver?

“It depends largely on how the decisions are made for details and scale,” Weiss says. “However, the 80- to 100-foot-long luxury houseboats we are building right now with Bravada Yachts in the U.S. are priced between $1.8 million to $3.5 million.”

What are your top sources for inspiration?

Rollins loves to scour boats from the 1930s through 1970s—"particularly the Feadships, which are my favorite," she reveals, adding: "The work of Michele Bonan is always a good start, and Ralph Lauren never seems to disappoint."

When it came to imagining the interiors of Grace , the well-traveled designer drew a lot of creative elements from the Cipriani restaurant in Mexico City. "Its decor references the glory days of glamorous travel aboard steamships with highly varnished teak, brightly polished stainless steel, and a streamlined palette of crisp blue and white," Rollins explains. "I was drawn to the brightwork—a boating term used to describe exposed metal and varnished woodwork—and wanted to emphasize the modern clean lines of the interior while creating a barefoot-casual, comfortable, and classic decorating scheme."

“It may sound cliche, but I truly find inspiration everywhere,” Weiss gushes. “I have over 70,000 images saved in my library, and each brings its own flavor into my world. Some of these things include biomimicry, parametric architecture, the way the light changes in different parts of the world, fantastical new environments and elements shaped for film and TV, and my fellow creatives in the world of finely shaped and crafted watercraft.”

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YACHTHOUSE by Pininfarina – Paradise in the sky Balneário Camboriú, Brazil

Overlooking a beach in southern Brazil, there’s a new paradise high in the sky. The tallest twin towers in Brazil, serviced by Schindler 7000 elevators, deliver stunning views, and a new level of luxury.

Project Stakeholders

• Client: Pasqualotto&GT
• Investor: Pasqualotto&GT
• Developer/Architect: Pininfarina

Challenges and client brief

• Planning and building Brazil’s tallest twin-towers
• Frequent changes in project and schedule
• Luxury residences demanded the finest in tech

Schindler solutions

• Advised client from A-Z, leveraging Schindler TREX project management system
• State-of-the-art elevators, delivering speed and comfort
• Installed innovations including Schindler PORT, Schindler Lobby Vision

Project highlights

New heights together.

Standing on the beach in Brazil’s coastal city of Balneário Camboriú, it’s hard to miss the YACHTHOUSE by Pininfarina. Tall buildings are nothing new here – there are so many along the beachfront that the city has earnt the nickname "the Brazilian Dubai." But the YACHTHOUSE by Pininfarina towers head and shoulders above its neighbors. At 281 meters tall, the twin skyscrapers, with 81 floors each and 264 apartments in total, are the tallest twin towers in Brazil.

Building a pair of skyscrapers this tall was a first for both our local team in Brazil and the project’s developer, Pasqualotto. Not only were we breaking new ground together, but we were also breaking records together.

This is where our global expertise came into play. To help guide the project, we used Schindler Top Range Excellence (TREX), our large project management system. Schindler TREX is specifically designed to guide large projects​ through their entire life cycle from tender to handover. It provides a systematic approach to navigate the various stages of a large project and support its final delivery, ensuring the project is completed on time and to the highest quality – exceeding customer expectations by doing things right the first time.

TREX was essential for YACHTHOUSE by Pininfarina, because it is a first for us in Brazil, and a first for our client," says Marcello de Christan, our General Manager for Southern Brazil.

0 to 81 in less than a minute 

YACHTHOUSE by Pininfarina features our top-of-the-line Schindler 7000 elevators – perfect to meet our customer’s needs for the best in vertical transportation. The result is the fastest residential elevators in Brazil, traveling at up to six meters per second, whisking residents from the ground level up to the 81st floor in just 45 seconds. 

All the elevators at the YACHTHOUSE by Pininfarina are equipped with Schindler PORT Technology, our destination control system, which enables early calling and access control within the building. The outcome: waiting times reduced to a minimum, combined with maximum efficiency and security.

The elevator system is not only fast – it also runs with minimal downtime. This is thanks to Schindler Lobby Vision, our supervisory monitoring system that provides real-time updates on operating performance, meaning small issues don’t become big problems. 

Sustainability is a key part of all our projects. By utilising both Schindler PORT technology and Schindler Lobby Vision, we can ensure that the elevators at the YACHTHOUSE by Pininfarina run as efficiently as possible. This helps us to keep energy consumption and maintenance costs down, while helping the environment.

Life at the top

Of the 22 Schindler elevators that serve the luxury residences, four of them are devoted to the ultra-luxury “quadriplex” penthouses. With only four penthouses, two in each building, that means each one has its own dedicated elevator. 

But the idea to provide the penthouses with their own elevator systems was not part of the original plan. In fact, it was proposed relatively late in the project. Such a challenge might sound daunting, but our team took it in their stride. The key task was how to fit the elevator pit into a building that was already nearly complete. We managed it by economizing the pit size and using a steel plate for its base instead of the usual, much-thicker concrete.

Flexibility is a key part to any project. Over the course of construction, all projects get tweaked, and challenges arise, but being willing to adapt to new circumstances and being able to adapt to them are two different things. 

Phased construction and multi-team collaboration

"We were able to absorb these changes through phased construction and teamwork," says Anderson Rugero, our Project Manager for YACHTHOUSE by Pininfarina.

Phased construction meant we had four teams working simultaneously on-site. Two teams on each building – one starting from the ground level, and another starting at the 30th floor. To ensure optimal safety for everyone on-site, crash decks were installed between the teams.

Our phased approach allowed other teams to start working on their parts of the building earlier and to continue working around our installations. This helped to keep the project ticking over. But with so many teams working in unison, we needed a large storage area on-site for all the materials.

Pasqualotto, the project’s developer, not only provided a large enough storage area, complete with special loading doors and security cameras, but also helped us design a system to organize delivered materials so that they could be easily identified and delivered to the correct floor. 

Teamwork makes the dream work

"You have to put yourself in the other person’s shoes, to understand and anticipate their needs, with your common goal in mind – project completion," says Anderson.

It was this understanding and the commitment to cross collaborations on-site that allowed us to keep the project on schedule and complete it on time.

As the Brazilian great Pele once said: "Success depends on your whole team working as a single unit."

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Yachthouse by Pininfarina Tower 1

Balneário Camboriú

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Yachthouse Residence Club by Pininfarina Tower 1

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Yachthouse by Pininfarina

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The Making of a Legend: The Mike Plant Story

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Sailor Mike Plant was lost at sea 25 years ago, but his legacy lives on in a new film about his life by those that knew him best.

Photo: Billy Black

Younger generation sailors may not know the story of Mike Plant, but 25 years after his death, a new documentary details how he rocked the bluewater sailing world. His story is in good hands. Plant's nephew, Thomas Simmons, has directed a film about his uncle's life. The two-hour film, Coyote: The Mike Plant Story , incorporates archival footage, much of shot by Plant during his sailing adventures. Thomas is new to documentary filmmaking; this is his first film, having previously worked in the financial sector. But it's a slickly produced chronicle of a larger-than-life figure.

"Although I was very young when Mike died, I have very clear memories of my mother coming into my bedroom in the middle of the night and telling me he was missing," Simmons explained over the phone from his home in San Francisco. "As I grew older I felt a burning passion to bring the Mike Plant story to life for those who never knew him. The story of his life is as much about doing things differently and walking a different path than it is about sailing. It's a story that anyone can enjoy, even if you've never heard of Mike Plant."

Plant began sailing X Boats on Lake Minnetonka in Minnesota when he was 9 years old. This early love affair with sailing shaped the remainder of his life and ultimately led to his death at age 42. Although a gifted sailor, Plant's wanderlust was not limited to sailing. He once trekked the entire length of South America, a 12,000-mile journey. But it's as a singlehanded sailor that Plant is best known.

In 1992, Plant left New York City aboard Coyote , his Open 60 race boat en route to Les Sables d'Olonne, France, for the start of the Vendée Globe, a grueling singlehanded, nonstop yacht race around the world without assistance. Plant had already completed three singlehanded around-the-world races but was hoping for a faster time aboard the new lightweight, high-tech Coyote — and a chance to beat the French skippers, who dominated the world of long-distance singlehanded sailing.

Soon after leaving New York, Plant radioed a passing ship to report that his electronics had failed. That was the last time anyone heard from him. Overdue for his arrival in France, a search-and-rescue mission was started. His boat was eventually found 700 miles off the Irish coast, upside down, it's lead keel bulb missing.

The story is available to buy or rent on Amazon , Google Play , and Vimeo .

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PLANET NINE Motor yacht for charter

• Length: 73.2m (240.1ft)
• 12 guests in 9 cabins
• Built: 2018, Admiral, Italy

The ultimate expression of yachting capability and status, PLANET NINE was designed by the renowned Tim Heywood and is destined to be regarded as one of the world's foremost explorer yachts.

Modern exploration, enveloped in luxurious comfort. Unforgettable, life-affirming experience.

• Beach club including steam room at sea level
• Private owner's deck
• Exercise equipment
• Main deck cinema
• Helipad & Helicopter MD600 Explorer (daily rate & details available upon request)
• Three VIP cabins, including one convertible to two double guest cabins (one with double sofa bed)
• Masseuse, personal trainer, fantastic head chef and helicopter pilot part of the crew
• Elevator serving lower to sun decks
• Jacuzzi on the sun deck
• Zero speed stabilisers to reduce any rolling motion

About PLANET NINE

The ultimate expression of yachting capability and status, PLANET NINE was designed by the renowned Tim Heywood and is destined to be regarded as one of the world's foremost explorer yachts.

View all yachts for charter

With massive 2,100GT of volume, PLANET NINE can accommodate up to 12 guests in nine elegant cabins, including a separate owner’s deck and a main deck VIP suite. Her hull is ice classed and comes with a superb specification including her MD 600 Explorer helicopter, hangar and helipad.

Although designed for exploration, PLANET NINE’s interior includes every facet of modern superyacht luxury. A lift serves all five decks, with the owner enjoying an entire deck that creates a private 3,000 sqft apartment with a full suite, dressing rooms, lounge, study and terrace. A VIP suite occupies much of the bridge deck, creating another private area, and the suite has its own lounge, which can be converted into a cabin.

A forward observation lounge offers panoramic 180-degree views and floor to ceiling glass is a feature across the yacht. In the unlikely event that you require a distraction from the outside world, a cinema lives below the observation room.

The guest deck includes its own entrance and lobby at the stern of the yacht. As you walk to one of five double suites, you will pass the steam room and beach club with its spectacular sea terrace.

Tenders & toys

• 1 × Limousine tender
• 2 × Tenders
• 1 × Deck jacuzzi
• Anti-jellyfish pool
• Climbing wall
• Inflatable platform
• 3 × Waverunners
• 2 × SeaBobs
• 2 × eFoils
• 2 × Kayaks
• 4 × Stand up paddleboards
• Kite surfing equipment
• Inflatable tows
• Fishing gear
• Snorkelling gear

Please note that tenders and toys are subject to regular upgrades and changes. Contact a Burgess broker for the latest information.

Fitness equipment

• Basketball court
• Free weights
• Personal trainer
• Rowing machine
• Training bench
• Upright stationary bike
• On board masseuse

Please note that fitness equipment and wellness facilities are subject to regular upgrades and changes. Contact a Burgess broker for the latest information.

Check availability

Planet nine is available for those dates, planet nine is available for those dates subject to confirmation., sorry, planet nine isn't available for those dates, contact a broker to discuss your requirements, please change your dates or contact us for a personalised yacht selection..

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• Mediterranean

From EUR 650,000 per week

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STARBURST IV

Rate from EUR 785,000*† per week

• Length: 74m (242.7ft)
• 12 guests in 8 cabins
• Built: 2017, CRN Ancona, Italy

Rate from EUR 555,000*† per week

• Length: 73m (239.4ft)
• 12 guests in 7 cabins
• Built: 2006 (refitted 2018), Lurssen-Werft, Germany

Rate from EUR 586,000* per week

• Length: 70m (229.7ft)
• Built: 2016, Feadship, Royal Van Lent, The Netherlands

Rate from EUR 586,000*† per week

• Length: 66m (216.5ft)
• Built: 2013 (refitted 2020), Delta Marine, United States Of America

Rate from EUR 575,000*† per week

• Length: 65.7m (215.5ft)
• 12 guests in 6 cabins
• Built: 2023, Rossinavi, Italy

Please enquire

From USD 650,000 per week

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The Boat Galley

making boat life better

How to Have a Garden on a Boat

Published on September 27, 2013 ; last updated on April 29, 2023 by Carolyn Shearlock

Ever wish you had a garden on your boat?  I’ve always thought it would be great, but never really sat down and thought about making it a reality.

Carol Watson did.  She and her husband spend summers on their boat — a converted workboat — in Northern Europe.  And she came up with a system for a garden on a boat that works.

If you’ve ever longed for fresh greens — or flowers — on the boat, know that it is possible.  Since greens have always been hard for me to store more than a day or two, as they quickly bruise with the motion of the boat even with a refrigerator, I love the idea of just cutting them fresh whenever I want a salad.

The Basic Idea for Gardening on a Boat

Here’s how Carol described the garden on her boat:

I absolutely cannot function without fresh salad.  The first year on our boat we had no refrigeration the entire summer, and now we only have refrigeration when we have shore power.  So, I quite early on arranged to grow my own, and it seems to work really well for us.

My husband does get a bit obsessive about moving the garden containers around the back deck, so I try to keep the growing boxes smaller and of minimum weight if I can.  I have a couple of plastic storage boxes that I’ve drilled holes in the bottom of for drainage.  I cover the holes with a disposable fiber (not paper) towel and fill with potting soil.

Some of this may work so well for us because we’re a motorboat and generally in at least somewhat protected waters, and we have a back deck that’s more than large enough to accommodate plantings – and we NEVER travel in rough weather anyway – so it’s a very stable and roomy platform, not at all tippy like a sailboat.

Getting Plants

To get a jump on the season when we first arrive, I buy a couple of cheap seedlings at the market, and supplement with herbs (whatever I’m in the mood for that year, but I HAVE to have a rosemary bush!), and a few flowers, and just leave them on the back deck.

I’ll also start seeds, often in the plastic trays grocery store meats come in, and transplant them as needed.  The seeds I use are generally referred to as leaf lettuce, but in the States are often called “cut-and-come-again.”  I also use mixes of seeds intended for mesclun or microgreens. It’s been so successful that I start a few trays of seedlings when we get back to the States to finish out the year.

You can use the lids as intended to incubate the seeds and encourage them to sprout a bit sooner, and then under the containers to hold draining water if you want.

I use the leaf lettuces because I can harvest just a few of the larger outer leaves from each plant and have enough for a salad, but still leave the smaller leaves in the center of the plant to keep growing.  That way I can get a couple of months of growth from each plant instead of waiting for a whole new plant to grow.

And, instead of a bulky salad spinner, I follow the French tradition:  I’ve sewn a small drawstring bag of cheesecloth and after I’ve washed the lettuce I put it in the bag and give it a good swing. (Very) short term, the lettuce stores in the bag in a cool area, and is ready for dinner.

An added benefit is that other boaters are surprisingly intrigued by a floating garden and we’ve had a lot of folks stop by to talk because of all the greenery.

Other Options for Having a Garden on a Boat

Several months ago, Behan Gifford on Totem wrote on her blog about how one of their friends has a salad garden aboard their catamaran.  It’s actually fairly simple — an over the door shoe rack and a bunch of plastic growing containers.  I think that something like this might work on most sailboats where it can be hung from the bimini, following Carol’s info on starting seeds in meat trays.

Related Posts

• A Garden on a Boat
• DIY Boat Garden

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Reader Interactions

Maryanne Grady says

September 27, 2013 at 3:15 pm

A great idea!!! Our boat is just not big enough, but maybe someday we will uprade and I WILL have a salad garden on board!!!

The Boat Galley says

September 27, 2013 at 3:39 pm

Maryanne — maybe just a pot of basil? Or another favorite herb?

Nichola Wright says

September 27, 2013 at 11:15 am

Glad to see it’s not just me who has a boat garden. We have a sailboat and I have 4 pots with various salads and herbs growing in them. Rocket grows really well, I also have spinach, basil, chives and different lettuces. When we’re sailing the pots go below on the floor in our v-berth with a webbing strap around them to stop them moving around. When we’re at anchor or in a marina they sit out on deck. We mostly day sail so they aren’t out of the daylight for too long. The pots measure approx 35cm x 18cm x 15cm deep so easy enough to move around, with a plastic tray on which they sit and which I can pour water into. My first try at spring onions is just about ready so we’ll see if the pots are deep enough to give a decent onion. All are grown from seed, I’ll set off a new planting every few weeks so that there is a steady crop. Clingfilm stretched over the top of a fresh planting of seeds helps them come up faster. They’ve been around the Baltic and right round Britain, although the lack of sunny weather in Scotland meant the crop wasn’t so good that year. I’ve had mostly positive comments but also a few negative but I’m the one with fresh salad to eat 🙂 So far we haven’t had a problem with insufficient water to keep them growing, however we’re heading into the Med now and warmer weather than we’ve had so far so we’ll see how they fare then.

Chris Wick says

September 27, 2013 at 11:38 am

Great to see some good info on gardening on a boat. This is a subject i haven’t been able to find much on. The problems with keeping veggies available and fresh seems to be a big one, especially if you are a liveaboard cruiser. The hanging shoe rack idea seems like a great movable garden. And Carolyn if you do hear about any more cool ideas on Gardening aboard please shout them out to us.! Thanks

Dave Skolnick (S/V Auspicious) says

October 5, 2013 at 9:43 am

Great ideas. I really like the shoe rack.

We grow basil and chives on deck, stowing them in the sink on short sails and a dish-pan on longer ones. Below we grow sprouts and and orchid (not for eating, just because it’s pretty and the light level is nearly perfect).

Jody Fortuna says

August 31, 2014 at 2:29 am

Karen Belinda says

August 31, 2014 at 3:52 am

EXACTLY! Experiment in progress!

Melinda Taylor says

August 31, 2014 at 7:05 am

I’ll try it, but I always thought the salt spray would kill them.

Nancy Nazar says

August 31, 2014 at 7:28 am

I always thought the same about salt spray….But the seaside garden by the takeaway here at the Coffs Harbour Marina is testament that it can be done!

Nicholas F. Preller says

August 31, 2014 at 9:29 am

Were there only animals on Noah’s Ark?

Shelley Benger says

August 31, 2014 at 12:57 pm

I just started trying to grow herbs in a strawberry planter. They are coming along well

LaDonna Thomas says

August 31, 2014 at 8:56 pm

love that idea!

The Sea and Sailors says

September 3, 2014 at 3:18 am

August 31, 2014 at 8:21 am

I remember hearing that live plants will be confiscated by Customs when you try to enter another country. Is there a way to avoid this?

Carolyn Shearlock says

August 31, 2014 at 8:49 am

It really depends on the country and, to a certain extent, which customs inspector you get. I’ve heard a few stories about people losing all their plants, but far more about it being no problem.

Lynn Brownlow says

August 31, 2014 at 4:56 pm

I’m planning to next year when we move aboard, not sure if I’ll do it when we start getting underway though!

Marion Thompson says

March 31, 2015 at 2:34 pm

If you intend sailing to Australia, be aware that you can’t bring in anything with soil attached (PLEASE don’t try to sneak your plants in – you could endanger our whole agricultural economy). Use your herbs before you get here, and buy new ones while here (and keep the receipts so you can prove where they were bought).

April 2, 2015 at 4:51 am

What if you use a hydroponic system with no soil? You can grow a LOT of different plants that way, and if the soil is the issue rather than the plants themselves this would seem to be a win/win situation.

David Schoenknecht says

July 21, 2015 at 2:12 pm

At the Racine, WI, Farmer’s last weekend a local homeless ministry was producing, selling a great herb garden container crafted from a 5 gallon bucket. Very clever! I think it would make for a great boater’s container garden. See the plans here: http://thesiper.com/pdfs/Bucket%20Instructions.pdf . Let them know on Facebook @Halo, Inc. what herbs would be best for boaters!

Debbie Bowen Crawford says

December 13, 2016 at 1:03 pm

I so need to do this!

Mundane Charlie says

December 14, 2016 at 1:58 am

Derek Przychodzki

July 2, 2019 at 2:59 pm

I want to grow herbs and salad greens. Has anyone had any problems when clearing into a country with your own produce being grown on board?

July 3, 2019 at 2:11 pm

Most countries are not a problem. I’ve heard of a few people having problems in the South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand. But even there, people liked having the fresh produce on the way across the Pacific. They did not have to pay any fines, just get rid of the plants when they cleared in. You can check Noonsite for more details on specific countries.

Jerry Gotts says

September 21, 2020 at 11:47 pm

Years ago I ran into someone who planted lots of things onboard. They had ordered mini-veggies and mini-fruits but I can’t seem to find a source. I am getting back into sailing /liveaboard and really want to have lots of fruits and vegies .

They had little strawberries and very small cherry tomatoes tucked into spice racks and put some plants on the deck for a few hours and the salt spray didn’t seem to bother.

Has anyone run across these hybrid mini plants ?

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Exclusive-US probes uranium imports from China amid concerns over Russian ban

By Timothy Gardner

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. government is probing whether China is supporting Russia's nuclear industry by importing enriched uranium from its neighbor and exporting its own production to the U.S., which recently banned Russian uranium imports, Reuters has learned.

U.S. House lawmakers passed the ban on Russian enriched uranium in December 2023 as part of a U.S. effort to disrupt President Vladimir Putin's ability to fund Russia's war on Ukraine.

That month, shipments of enriched uranium from China to the U.S. shot to 242,990 kilograms (535,700 lb), according to data from the U.S. International Trade Commission. The imports are significant because from 2020 to 2022 China did not send any enriched uranium to the U.S.

In May this year, the month that Biden signed the ban, China again sent the U.S. a large amount of uranium - this time totaling 123,894 kilograms (273,139 lb).

The U.S. Department of Energy "along with other relevant agencies is closely tracking imports from China to ensure the proper implementation of the recently enacted Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act," a department spokesperson said, a development that has not been previously reported.

U.S. officials are watching the imports from China and other countries to "ensure they are not importing Russian uranium as part of a scheme to export material produced domestically that they would otherwise have used in their own reactors," the spokesperson said.

There was no immediate response from the Chinese foreign ministry in Beijing to a request for comment.

Russia is the world's largest exporter of enriched uranium. Imports to the U.S. from Russia through July this year stood at 313,050 kilograms (690,160 lb), down 30% from last year. The ban allows some Russian imports to continue until 2028 if there are supply concerns.

Any circumvention of the ban could undermine the U.S. effort to eventually eliminate dependence on Russian fuel for its nuclear power industry, the biggest in the world. It could also weaken the Biden administration's attempts to jumpstart a domestic uranium supply chain, as the ban unlocked $2.72 billion in public funds to do so.

China's imports of Russian enriched uranium soared in 2022 and 2023, according to data published by the World Bank. While China is building more reactors that will need a steady supply of uranium, the supplies from Russia could also help it export the fuel, analysts say.

"As China may be seeking to carve out a greater role for itself in world enriched uranium markets, increased imports of Russian enriched uranium may facilitate the pursuit of Beijing’s ambitions," said a report in March by the London-based Royal United Services Institute think tank.

'GAMING THE BAN'

The imports from China are cause for concern for a U.S. uranium industry. In June Centrus, a company developing enriched uranium capacity, urged the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) in public comments to raise the tariff rate on enriched uranium from China from 7.5% to 20%, saying that the company's own efforts "could be threatened by imports of enriched uranium from China."

The Uranium Producers of America industry group urged USTR in public comments to increase the rate up to 50%.

Asked for comment, the USTR, which finalized increases on tariffs on some other goods last week but not on uranium from China, referred to a document that said China's share of U.S. imports of uranium and other materials were small and declining.

Jon Indall, counsel for UPA, said his group met in July with the U.S. Commerce Department on concerns that the imports from China represent a circumvention of the ban on Russian uranium.

"Gaming the ban is what we are concerned about," Indall said. "We would not like to see that we turn off the Russian tap and all of a sudden we see all this material coming from China."

"We're worried about circumvention of the ban," by China, said Indall. "We asked Commerce to take a look at this."

The Commerce Department did not respond to a request for comment.

Russian state nuclear company Rosatom did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In May Rosatom said that the ban would undermine the global market for enriched uranium but that it would continue to develop its global business.

Moscow had been publicly quiet about the ban until Sept. 11 when Putin said Moscow should consider limiting exports of uranium, and other metals in retaliation for Western sanctions.

(Reporting by Timothy Gardner in Washington, additional reporting by Ryan Woo in Beijing, David Gauthier-Villars in Istanbul and Jonathan Landay in Washington, editing by Deepa Babington)

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With Republicans Like These, Who Needs Russian Propaganda?

Some far-right members of congress seem to be parroting vladimir putin’s talking points. that doesn’t mean anti-ukraine conspiracy theories can’t be homegrown..

Earlier this month, Republican Texas Rep. Michael McCaul, the head of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told Puck News that Russian propaganda had “infected a good chunk of my party’s base.” Several days later, another Republican, Rep. Michael Turner of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said he agreed. “Anti-Ukraine and pro-Russia messages, some of which we even hear being uttered on the House floor,” Turner told CNN, are “directly coming from Russia.”

It was a notable moment—and a telling one, as the House gets ready for a contentious vote on aid to Ukraine. The vote is being loudly protested by far-right politicians including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who is pushing to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson from his role over the issue.

It’s not the first time Republican lawmakers have accused their colleagues of essentially being Russian pawns. But as far-right rabble-rousers in the Republican Party have increasingly advocated against continued support of Ukraine—and even some mainstream Republicans no longer interpret Russian aggression as a ruthless threat to democracy and the international order—the most extreme lawmakers appear to be mirroring the Kremlin’s own propaganda.

Last Monday, Greene told Steve Bannon’s War Room podcast that Ukraine was waging a “war against Christianity” and Russians “seem to be protecting” the religion. The idea of Russia as a great (white) Christian nation has been percolating in right-wing thinking for more than a decade , despite Russia’s history of suppressing non-Orthodox Christianity and exerting power over the Russian Orthodox Church.

But Greene didn’t limit herself to praising Russia’s religious nationalism on Bannon’s show: She cited , as fact, anti-Ukraine disinformation that “the Ukrainian government is attacking Christians” and “executing priests.” This prompted former Rep. Ken Buck, another Republican, to call Greene “Moscow Marjorie” on CNN.

And indeed, this assertion does mirror Russia’s own talking points about Ukraine. (In actuality, the crimes Greene accused Ukraine of committing are crimes Russian forces have perpetrated .) But whether the Kremlin’s own talking points are being piped into the brains of right-wing American politicians—or just bear a striking similarity to the new isolationist rhetoric of the far right—is a matter of interesting debate.

Russian propaganda operations have evolved somewhat from the infamous social media campaigns that influenced the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

Take the case of a false narrative about Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky using U.S. aid money to buy himself two yachts. This rumor—which is demonstrably false, given that the ownership of ships can be easily tracked—has been swirling in right-wing social media circles for months and popping up in American politicians’ talking points. It’s such an effective fabrication that North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis told CNN in December that the debate over aid to Ukraine had been halted on the Hill in part because some lawmakers were concerned that “people will buy yachts with this money.”

But where did that idea come from? According to the BBC , the assertion that Zelensky had purchased two luxury yachts with U.S. aid money originated in November on a YouTube channel with just a handful of followers. The day after the video was posted, a site called DC Weekly published the claim as news, and that report was then picked up by other websites.

DC Weekly is not some kind of alternative newspaper or community blog; Clemson University researchers Darren Linvill and Patrick Warren argued in a report in December that the website was likely created to share fake news created by Russian state actors. The site is populated with A.I. content, has clearly fake authors, and has been partially hosted on a server in Moscow.

Russian disinformation that is packaged as news, Linvill said in a phone interview, often follows a similar pattern of dissemination. “I would bet my retirement on the fact that the Russians create the videos, plant the videos, write the stories, plant the stories, and distribute the stories,” Linvill wrote in an email.

“It’s the logic of the thing,” he said, “but also the fact that it happens repeatedly.” He pointed to a dozen other instances of disinformation narratives that started as assertions in obscure YouTube videos and were then picked up by publications with similarly legitimate-sounding names.

From 2016 through 2020, Linvill said, Russian propagandists focused on creating social media accounts to promote divisive ideas within the existing American discourse. That is still happening. But today, Linvill said, resources are more likely to be directed toward creating entire fake platforms, including websites that look like news sites. The stories tend to be sensationalized in a way that encourages organic sharing.

According to the Washington Post , Kremlin materials “obtained by a European intelligence service” show Moscow-linked strategists also stoke division in the U.S. by amplifying stories based in reality—including about migrants overwhelming the border, poverty and inflation, and reasons not to trust mainstream media.

But the story of the yacht shows how a fabricated rumor, likely originating in Russia, can start circulating in American politics. On Bannon’s War Room in December, Sen. J.D. Vance said , of his fellow politicians, “there are people who would cut Social Security, throw our grandparents into poverty, why? So that one of Zelensky’s ministers can buy a bigger yacht?”

The yacht story had a specific origin, but the growing anti-Ukraine sentiment among right-wing circles is harder to trace. After years of warfare and many millions of dollars in American aid, it makes sense that American enthusiasm for the Ukrainian cause might organically ebb.

And there is one man whose personal grudge against Ukraine could also cause Republicans to sour on a U.S. ally: Donald Trump.

“When American journalists and congresspeople use Russian talking points, they’re quoting Trump,” said Sarah Oates , a professor who studies disinformation and propaganda at the University of Maryland. “They are broadcasting Russian propaganda, but the conduit is Trump.”

Trump has several reasons to dismiss Russia’s threat to the international order. For starters, he openly admires authoritarian leaders like Vladimir Putin and has shown an interest in modeling himself after them. More importantly, the association of his 2016 election with Russian election-meddling caused some on the left to question the legitimacy of his victory.

For legitimacy reasons, then, Republicans have an incentive to downplay the potency of Russian propaganda. Not to mention: The basis of much of the Republican Party’s attacks on President Biden relies on a misleading assertion that his son Hunter Biden colluded with corrupt Ukrainian officials. Portraying Ukraine as a corruption-riddled country bolsters right-wing conspiracy theories about Biden’s family.

In other words, shared talking points between Republicans and the Russian propaganda machine don’t necessarily mean Russia is effective in seeding its influence; it’s a mutually beneficial swirl of conspiracy theories. “I think this is just a highly useful convergence of goals for Putin and Trump,” Oates said.

“Trump does not care; he literally is not thinking about it,” Oates said, referring to the possibility that many of Trump’s talking points could come from Russia. “His calculus is, ‘How can I win?’ ”

Because it’s quite possible that Americans who want the U.S. to abandon Ukraine may have arrived at that opinion on their own, Thomas Rid , a professor of strategic studies at Johns Hopkins, has warned against giving the Russians too much credit for swaying American public opinion.

Rid’s argument is: We shouldn’t help Russian strategists by assuming they’ve succeeded. Russia wants to undermine Americans’ trust in our systems and in our democracy. Believing that another country has the capability to, say, sway an election, serves that goal. “If we exaggerate the impact, we make the operations more successful than they would be otherwise,” he said, “and undermine trust in our own democracy, which is the goal of this game.”

It’s important, he argued, not to blame misinformation, isolationism, and other factors that led to changing views of the war on external actors alone. Americans, Rid said, are “perfectly capable of coming up with crazy ideas.”

Take Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s claim about why Putin needed to invade Ukraine. Speaking to a right-wing Alabama website, Tuberville said: “It’s a communist country, so he can’t feed his people, so they need more farmland.”

The claim—coming from a man who couldn’t name the three branches of American government and who thought World War II was fought over socialism —seems to be pure, homegrown nonsense.

“It’s blaming our own problems on others,” Rid said. “That’s the problem I find worrying.”

To be clear, Russian propaganda should be taken seriously: The country’s plans for deepening existing societal conflicts in the U.S. are not a secret . Given the various motivations at play and the inherent vagaries of how information and belief travel, though, it’s hard to know just how much the Republican Party has been “infected” by Russian propaganda, as Rep. McCaul put it.

What we can say with certainty is that there’s an alliance of interests. In his bizarre interview with Tucker Carlson in February, Putin laid out his several invented justifications for the invasion and said that he was interested in “peace.” The next day, Tuberville said he opposed sending aid to Ukraine because the Carlson interview “shows that Russia is open to a peace agreement.”

In her work, Oates found that researchers often couldn’t tell the difference between media pulled from Fox News and Russia Today, a Russian news network and propaganda arm; “identical” talking points don’t mean Russia is pulling the strings.

But there is still something to be gleaned from the coherence between Republicans and Russian strategists—and it’s probably a warning about our own news-media ecosystems. Rep. McCaul seemed to note this, telling Puck News that he saw “nighttime entertainment shows” in the U.S airing content that was “almost identical” to what was playing on Russian state TV.

Plant Index: A-Z List of Common Houseplants

Need to find a little bit of information on your new houseplant? Look no further! Here is a list of the most common houseplants, including their scientific names, basic care requirements and more.

Super simple to care for, air plants look lovely when hung in hanging arrangements or anchored to driftwood. Just be sure to keep these little plants in bright, indirect sunlight and mist them occasionally, if you keep them in humidity-poor environments.

Blooming only once in their lifetimes, air plants make up for it by producing incredibly vibrant flowers. After flowering, air plants will usually die back but will produce a few baby air plants, which are sometimes referred to as “pups.”

Toxicity: Non-Toxic

Light Level: Bright, indirect light

Care Difficulty: Easy

African Violet

African violets are known for their cheerful blooms in white, pink and purple, as well as their thick, fuzzy leaves. Preferring bright, indirect light, keep your violets out of direct sunlight, which can cause leaf burn, and avoid drafty windows too.

To prevent leaf spotting, water your African violets from the bottom, being careful to avoid getting moisture on their sensitive leaves. For happier plants, pot up your violets in a soil specially formulated for their needs and fertilize them every four to six weeks with a liquid African violet fertilizer. To prevent root rot, only water your plants when the soil feels dry to the touch; however, drier soil can encourage your plants to flower.

Care Difficulty : Easy

Alocasia are popular plants, and with good reason.  With large, glossy leaves (which can grow up to 3’ long, depending on the variety) and highly structural forms, alocasia look like the tropics.

Naturally growing on the forest floor in the humid, tropical forests of Asia and eastern Australia, alocasia grow via tuberous rhizomes, rather than roots.  Preferring slightly drier soil, alocasia enjoy a little extra humidity, which can help ward off their most common pests: spider mites.

If you like alocasia, try out some of the most coveted varieties, such as ‘African Mask,’ ‘Amazonica,’ ‘ Polly ,’ ‘ Zebrina ,’ ‘Pink Dragon’, ‘ Black Velvet ’, and ‘Jewel.’

Toxicity: Toxic

While there are over 500 different species of aloe, Aloe vera is the most commonly variety, which is prized for its ability to moisturize and soothe skin burns.

With large, fleshy leaves covered in tiny spines, aloe adds a nice, architectural element to window displays and houseplant collections.  As a succulent, however, less tends to be more with aloes, as overwatering is the single easiest way to kill this plant. 

Be sure to plant your aloe in a well-draining soil suitable for succulents and cacti and allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.  Aloe can go several weeks to several months without watering; however, if your aloe’s leaves start to feel a bit flat, your plant could use a drink.

Frequently sold around Christmastime, when grown as a houseplant, amaryllis typically blooms in November or December when their bold, pink, red or white flowers make showstopping displays.

Amaryllis grow from bulbs, rather than roots, and can temporarily be grown in water — just be sure the bulb itself is not submerged.  For happier plants, pot up your amaryllis in a rich, well-draining soil and fertilize it ever few weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer. 

When properly maintained, amaryllis can live for 25 or more years and generally improves with age, producing more blooms as it grows older.

Light Level: Medium to bright, indirect light

Another stunning tropical flower with big bold blooms, anthurium, also known as flamingo flower, is just the sort of houseplant that works great as a centerpiece on a coffee table or on a bright kitchen counter.

With flowers that come in a range of colors, including red, purple, black, orange, pink and blue, anthurium’s glossy leaves also add to their appeal.  Despite their exotic look, these low maintenance plants adapt easily to all sorts of lighting, including low lighting; however, plants may produce fewer flowers in inadequate lighting.

Requiring only minimal fertilizer, feed your anthurium every three to four months with a quarter-strength liquid fertilizer and avoid overwatering your plants to prevent root rot.

Light Level: Low to bright, indirect light

Arrowhead Vine

If you don’t think you have much of a “green thumb,” give arrowhead vines a try.  They may just change your mind.

These easy-care plants adapt nicely to many different situations, including rooms with low humidity and low lighting.  Growing up to 6’ long as houseplants, arrowhead vines come in a range of colors from white to green to dusty pink.

Allow your arrowhead to trail over its planter edge for a wilder look or try propping it up and pruning it well for a more upright growth habit. If you love arrowheads, there’s more good news: they easily propagate in water. That means you can grow lots of new plants from just a few cuttings!

Asparagus Fern

Despite its name, asparagus fern is not actually a fern at all, but is more closely related to asparagus or lilies, depending on who’s doing the classifying.

With bushy, feathery-looking foliage, asparagus fern begs to be touched, but be careful of the small thorns that line its stems.  Looking lovely in hanging baskets, asparagus ferns love humidity and can grow up to 6’ tall when properly cared for. 

A great choice for humid bathrooms, if you choose to keep your asparagus fern in less humid environments, try to give it an occasional misting to prevent leaf drop.

Care Difficulty : Moderate

Avocado Tree

If you want to grow an unusual houseplant, try keeping an avocado tree.  When grown outdoors, avocado trees can exceed 60’ tall; however, as houseplants, they are much more diminutive, rarely growing above 10’.

Preferring infrequent deep watering and bright light, avocado trees do best when fertilized on occasion with a balanced fertilizer suitable for citrus trees. 

While you can often buy avocado trees at local nurseries, you can start your own from an avocado pit.  For quicker germination rates, place your pit in a nutrient-rich compost or, if you have one, a worm bin, which can encourage your pit to sprout very quickly.

Light Level:

Care Difficulty :

Baby Jade Plant

Hailing from South Africa, the baby jade plant, also commonly known by its nickname “elephant bush,” makes up a significant portion of the diet of certain species of rhinoceros and elephants.

Growing up to 15’ tall in the wild, as a houseplant the baby jade is often much smaller, though its dark stems and tiny leaves make it quite irresistible.  As a succulent, baby jades do best when given a thorough, drenching watering before allowing the soil to dry out completely.  Available in both solid green and variegated varieties, this easy care plant is a must have for fans of succulents.

Banana Leaf Fig

Closely related to the weeping fig and fiddle leaf fig, the banana leaf fig is a less temperamental species that is less inclined to drop its leaves when environmental conditions aren’t quite right.

Named for its slender, banana-shaped leaves, banana leaf figs can grow up to 10’ tall as houseplants.  Originally from southeast Asia, India and China, these plants do best when exposed to bright, indirect light and provided with consistently moist, but not soggy, soil.

Bird’s Nest Fern

Also known as the “crispy wave” fern, bird’s nest ferns are known for their vibrant green, smooth leaves with wavy edges.

While bird’s nest ferns love moisture and humidity like all ferns do, avoid watering the center of this species as it can cause rot.

More tolerant of lower light situations than many other ferns, bird’s nest ferns are a highly adaptable species that can thrive in any space, from a low light room to a windowsill brimming with bright, indirect light.  Just place your fern on a pebble tray or mist it occasionally and you should have a charming houseplant for years to come.

Boston Fern

If you love ferns, Boston ferns’ luxurious, dense foliage is hard to beat.  Growing up to 3’ tall by 3’ wide, Boston ferns are some of the larger ferns you can grow as houseplants and they add vibrant color and a classic feel to any décor.

Growing best in bright, indirect light, too much lighting can cause leaf burn, while too little lighting may cause your fern to produce spindly leaves, so try to find a happy balance.  Requiring high humidity of 80% or higher, achieving the proper indoor humidity levels can be difficult when keeping this species.  However, adding a humidifier to your setup or keeping your Boston fern in a steamy bathroom can do wonders.

These brightly colored beauties are prized for their vibrant blooms that come in yellow, pink and red.  Growing naturally as epiphytes, bromeliads get much of the moisture they need from the air, so they do have a tendency to enjoy a bit more moisture than average household humidity levels.

Blooming once in their lives, bromeliads will typically die back after blooming; however, they may produce a “pup,” or baby bromeliad, before doing so.  Feed your bromeliad occasionally with a liquid, orchid fertilizer and ensure your bromeliad has adequate airflow to prevent fungus.

Coming in both solid and variegated varieties, for a bigger impact and more color, try adding several bromeliads to your houseplant display.

Burro’s Tail

An unusual looking succulent with long trailing stems, the fleshy leaves of burro’s tail have an interesting texture that almost looks as if they were woven together.  Coming in gray-green to blueish-green coloration, burro’s tale is easy care and looks particularly charming when placed in a hanging basket.

Drought and heat-tolerant, burro’s tail is often kept indoors, but can be moved outside under a sheltered patio in the warmer months to give it a bit more sunshine.  Even better?  Burro’s tail propagates easily so you’ll soon have plenty of plants to share.

Cast Iron Plant

Cast iron plants, as the name implies, are known for being incredibly hardy, adaptable plants that can grow well in almost any situation, including rooms with low light.

Native to Japan and Taiwan, cast iron plant’s rich foliage can add a nice pop of color to your room; however, if you’re expecting flowers, be advised that these forgiving plants are unlikely to bloom when kept as houseplants.

Non-toxic to pets, cast iron plants will grow 2 to 3’ tall and can live over 25 years when properly maintained.

China Doll Plant

China doll plants may not be one of the best-known houseplants, but that’s not their fault!  Gorgeous China dolls offer vibrant green, lacy foliage that is guaranteed to lend an exotic feel to any room.

While often sold as small, tabletop plants, China dolls can grow quite tall, reaching up to 8’ tall in a relatively short period of time.  Although China dolls rarely bloom indoors, when kept as outdoor specimens, they will grow large, white trumpet-shaped flowers.

Although these plants have simple care requirements, they do tend to attract pests, like spider mites and scale, so be sure to inspect your plant on occasion. 

Chinese Croton

A foliage plant that grows up to 18” tall, Chinese croton can add lots of color to your houseplant collection with its variegated white and green leaves that are accentuated by their bright pink undersides.

An easy-care plant, Chinese croton prefers moderate, regular waterings and higher than normal humidity.  While suitable for medium light rooms, if your Chinese croton leaves begin to turn green, it’s a clear indication that your plant could use a bit more light.

Chinese Evergreen

Coming in both solid green and variegated varieties, Chinese evergreen plants are super low maintenance, but they pack a punch.

Growing up to 4’ tall as houseplants, keep your Chinese evergreens away from drafts as they can cause leaf damage.  Drought and heat-tolerant, this adaptable species can adjust to low light situations making it a great choice for rooms you might not necessarily think to keep houseplants in.  

Christmas Cactus

Christmas cactus is actually a succulent that blooms large, tropical-looking flowers from November to January in colors that range from white and yellow to pink and red.

With fleshy, segmented leaves, Christmas cactus is an easy-care plant that propagates well in soil and water.  Plant your Christmas cactus in soil suitable for cacti and succulents and provide infrequent waterings, allowing your plant’s soil to dry out thoroughly in between.

Because this succulent grows long, trailing stems, try planting it in a hanging basket for a beautiful display.

Coffee Plant

If you love a morning cup of Joe, why not try growing your own coffee plant?  Native to Ethiopia, this plant blooms tiny white flowers in spring that eventually ripen into black pods with two coffee beans per pod.  Growing 1 to 2’ tall as a houseplant, coffee plants prefer slightly acidic soil and regular waterings, approximately once a week.

Like crotons, coleus are commonly grown as outdoor ornamental annuals, but they make great houseplants too.  Featuring a range of bright colors in their patterned foliage, never allow your coleus’ soil to dry out completely but keep it consistently moist, not soggy, throughout the year.  Preferring high humidity, place your coleus on a pebble tray or in a bright, steamy bathroom to keep it looking its best.

Growing up to 6’ tall as a houseplant, the easy-care corn plant comes in both solid and variegated varieties. While often sold as a small, tabletop plant, mature corn plants can look quite tree-like with woody stems.

Able to thrive even under poor conditions, this resilient plant will bloom on occasion with clusters of strongly fragrant blooms.

Creeping Fig

A member of the mulberry family, this flowering plant is also known as the “climbing fig” for its ability to crawl up vertical surfaces.  Coming in both solid and variegated options, keep your creeping fig in a humid room or mist it frequently as this plant is prone to drying out quite rapidly in arid conditions.

Frequently planted in outdoor arrangements during autumn, crotons are known for their vibrant foliage that comes in a range of bold yellows and splashes of orange and red.

With basic care requirements, crotons prefer regular watering so that soil remains consistently moist, but not soggy.  When well-maintained, certain varieties can grow up to 6’ tall, but be mindful of their sap, which can cause slight skin irritation.

While there are different varieties, ‘Gold Dust’ and ‘Petra’ are crowd favorites.

Crown of Thorns

A flowering member of the spurge family, crown-of-thorns is a particularly beautiful succulent plant, naturally found in Madagascar.  With small bright blooms coming in white, salmon, pink or yellow, this plant is known for its thorny stems which are used in nature as a natural defense mechanism.

Growing up to 6’ tall as a houseplant, crown-of-thorns prefers more water than most succulents, so try to water you plant when the top 1 to 2” of soil feels dry to the touch.

Prone to leaf drop in less than ideal growing situations, such as under- or overwatering, provide your plant with the right conditions and you’ll have a thrilling houseplant for many years to come.

Pretty little cyclamen, with their bold blooms in white, pink or red, come from rocky hillsides in areas ranging from Turkey to Palestine.

Growing from tubers, cyclamen will at times go dormant, which many houseplant novices may mistake for plant death.  If your cyclamen appears to be dying back, but its tubers are still firm, there’s still hope.  Simply stop watering your plant, place it in a cool, dry place for eight to ten weeks and your cyclamen should begin to regrow.

Dragon Tree

Growing up to 20’ tall in nature, dragon trees will stay more petite as houseplants, but that doesn’t detract from their charm.  With woody stems and spiky green foliage accentuated by red leaf margins, this houseplant all-star adds a nice structural contrast to vining and softer foliage plants.

A native of Madagascar, dragon trees are drought-tolerant and extremely hardy.  Occasionally, under the right conditions, these plants will bloom small flowers in springtime, but this is rare.

Named after the unpleasant sensations it creates in your mouth if it’s accidentally ingested, this gorgeous foliage plant features highly contrasting green and white leaves.  Easy to care for, dumb canes can adapt to a wide range of situations, just provide them with lots of bright, indirect light, a regular watering schedule and a good, balanced fertilizer every four to six weeks.

Elephant Ear

As foliage plants, known for their colorful leaves that range from a nearly translucent white to bold reds and greens, elephant ears are often grown as outdoor plants but they double as perfect houseplants too!

Native to central and South America, as houseplants, elephant ears grow to about 3’ tall.  Although uncommon when kept indoors, elephant ears will sometimes bloom a single flower, which ranges in color from white to pinkish-green.  Like many tropical plants, elephant ears need a little boost of humidity, so try placing yours on a pebble tray or near a humidifier.

Elephant Ear Kalanchoe

Native to Madagascar, elephant ear kalanchoe has soft, silvery leaves with serrated edges that are, at times, slightly folded, like an elephant’s ear.

Also known as the “felt bush,” this drought-tolerant plant requires minimal watering.  Allow your plant’s soil to thoroughly dry out between waterings and, when you water, give your kalanchoe a good, deep drink. 

Emerald Gem

Native to southeast Asia, this low maintenance houseplant is valued for its dark green, waxy, spade-shaped leaves.

A relative of philodendrons, emerald gems need a little more care, as watering issues are the major reason why houseplant enthusiasts may struggle with this plant.  Both over- or underwatering can cause leaf loss, so aim for a happy medium and allow about half of the soil to dry out in between watering.

When kept under the right conditions, your emerald gem may flower a delicate, white bloom.

Emerald Ripple Peperomia

Emerald ripples come in several different colorings, from a deep green to a dark purple-reddish hue.  Quite easy to maintain, emerald ripples bloom on occasion with flowers that grow in long, slender spikes that are said to resemble a rat’s tail.

With simple needs, try to ensure your emerald ripple is watered regularly, approximately once a week, and reduce waterings a bit during winter.  Simple to propagate, new plant starts can be grown from both stem and leaf cuttings.

English Ivy

English ivy is known for being an outdoor plant which, if left unchecked, can become quite invasive.  As an indoor plant, however, English ivy is much more benign; however, watch its roots as they can destroy drywall or masonry if they begin to climb your walls!

Coming in solid and variegated varieties, as a houseplant, English ivy looks thrilling in a hanging basket or when displayed on a high shelf.  Just be sure to provide your plant with a little bit extra humidity to prevent leaf drying.

The vapors of eucalyptus are commonly used to relieve cold symptoms, such as nasal congestion, but did you know this helpful species can be grown as a houseplant too?

A native of Australia, there are over 700 different species of eucalyptus, some of which can grow over 150’ tall.  As a houseplant, eucalyptus remains much more compact, rarely reaching sizes above 3’ tall.

Popular indoor varieties include ‘Cider Gum,’ ‘Silver Dollar’ and ‘Alpine Cider Gum.’

False Aralia

Native to New Caledonia, false aralia are very forgiving plants that can adapt to a range of indoor conditions.  Commonly sold as tabletop plants, this fast-growing species can easily reach 5 to 6’ in a few years.

Prized for their dark green, slender, serrated leaves, if you notice your false aralia is beginning to drop leaves near the bottom of the plant, it’s a sure sign your plant could use a bit more water.  Aim to create a consistent watering schedule, watering your aralia when the top 1 to 2” of soil is dry to the touch, or approximately once a week during the growing season.

Fiddle Leaf Fig

Closely related to the weeping fig, fiddle leaf figs are wildly popular houseplants that, when grown as dwarf trees, generally reach around 9’ tall.

Like weeping figs, fiddle leaf figs can be sensitive to environmental changes, so try to maintain consistent watering, humidity and light levels to prevent leaf drop.  Despite their delicate nature, fiddle leaf figs are very lovely plants with large, glossy leaves that are sure to add color and interest to your home.

Fishbone Cactus

Also known as the zigzag cactus, fishbone cacti are naturally found in Mexico where they grow as epiphytes in evergreen forests.

As houseplants, fishbone cacti are frequently planted in hanging baskets which allow their long stems to trail nicely.  Easily propagated from stem cuttings, fishbone cacti occasionally bloom large, white or pale yellow, night-blooming flowers that exude a strong fragrance and eventually mature into an edible green fruit.

Fishtail Palm

If you’re looking for a unique looking houseplant that your friends likely don’t have in their collection, why not try the fishtail palm?  Named for its fan-shaped leaves that resemble fishtails or gingko leaves, fishtail palms are an interesting species that comes from the tropical regions of southeast Asia.

One of the easiest palms to grow inside, fishtail palms generally grow to about 6’ in height when mature.  Like other palms, if you notice your fishtail’s leaves beginning to turn brown, assess your plant’s moisture levels and consider adding a humidifier or pebble tray to your setup.

Fizzle Sizzle

Fizzle sizzles are odd little plants sporting curly leaves that sprout from a bulb root.  These eye-catching succulents are easy to care for and guaranteed to spice up your houseplant collection with their unusual form.

Native to South Africa, fizzle sizzle grow up to 8” tall and bloom in early spring with yellow-green flowers that are said to have a strong vanilla fragrance.

Flame Violet

Named for its bright red blooms, flame violets’ colorful flowers are only accentuated by their showy, highly contrasting leaves.

Native to South America, flame violets are related to African violets and similarly prefer being watered from their base.  As houseplants, their trailing growth habit works well in hanging displays that allow the plants stems to drape in a natural way.

Friendship Plant

Friendship plant’s highly textured leaves come in a range of colors, from almost neon green to a more muted silvery-tone.  Super easy to propagate, friendship plant is named for the ease with which it can be shared with friends.

A native of central and South America, friendship plants have a trailing growth habit, so consider placing yours in a hanging planter and provide it with a little extra humidity.  Because they do best with higher than normal household humidity levels and remain quite small (under 12” when mature), friendship plants work well in terrariums too.

Goldfish Plant

With glossy leaves and a long, trailing growth habit, goldfish plants look stunning in hanging displays where their bright orange flowers, which are said to resemble goldfish, can take center stage.

Goldfish plants can be a bit tricky to care for, but it helps to know that they are epiphytes, like orchids, and should be treated as such.  To that end, pot your goldfish plant in a well-draining potting mix suitable for orchids and mist your plant frequently to maintain humidity levels of 50% or above.

Heart Leaf Fern

As the name implies, heart leaf ferns are famed for their adorable glossy, heart-shaped leaves.  The first recorded sighting of heart-leaf fern dates back to 1859 when it was first identified in southeast Asia.

A small variety of fern, heart-leaf ferns rarely grow larger than 8” tall, making them well-suited for living in terrariums.  Terrariums work particularly well for this species as it enjoys high humidity levels of above 60%.

Also known as spiderworts, inchplants come in many different varieties, some of which make both great houseplants and outdoor landscape plants, depending on your growing zone.  Popular varieties include ‘Oyster Plant,’ ‘Purple Heart’ and the ‘Silver Inchplant,’ also known as Tradescantia zebrina.

Most varieties of inchplants have succulent-like foliage, often with a purplish hue which can be increased by exposing your plants to brighter light.  Just try to keep your inchplants out of direct light which can cause sunburn.

With leaves in a wide variety of colors and variegation patterns, some inchplants even have a silver coloration which looks particularly appealing.  Boasting long, trailing growth habits, inchplants look nice in hanging baskets and root easily in water as well.

The ever-popular jade plant comes in many different forms — some with large, flat, ovoid leaves, with or without red margins, and some with more tubular shapes.  A long-living species, jade plants have been recorded to live well over 70 years.

While frequently sold as tabletop plants, older specimens can get quite large and begin to develop woody stems and treelike forms.  Propagating easily in soil or water, jades are one of the best succulents to start out with if you’re unfamiliar with succulents or houseplants in general.

Kaffir Lily

Kaffir lily, also known as the bush lily, comes from the woodlands of South Africa and is famous for its attractive bright yellow and orange blooms and long, sweeping, glossy leaves.

Preferring a rich, well-draining potting mix, kaffir lilies generally bloom in mid-winter, approximately around February.  Encourage flowering by reducing watering and allowing your plant to become a bit pot bound.  During winter, when indoor heat is on, increase humidity around your lily with a pebble tray.

Not to be overlooked, as a lily, this beautiful species is highly toxic to cats so avoid keeping this plant if you have a kitty.

Often the easiest kalanchoe variety to find in stores, ‘Flaming Katy,’ as it is often known, has flowers that range from red and orange to yellow and pink, as well as some bi-color options too.

Native to Madagascar, this easy-care succulent prefers to be watered regularly, when the top 2” of soil is dry to the touch, or approximately every ten days.

Lipstick Plant

With long, trailing, waxy leaves and bright red flowers, lipstick plant is a stunner!  Named for its colorful blooms that are said to resemble tubes of lipstick, if you’re looking for a different sort of plant, the lipstick plant may be your solution.

Native to the humid tropics of southeast Asia, lipstick plants do best in rooms with 50% or higher humidity levels and benefit from a monthly application of organic liquid fertilizer during the growing season.

Lollipop Plant

Also known as the golden shrimp plant, cheery lollipop plants boast bright, golden-orange upright flowers that are hard to miss.

Native to Peru, this tropical evergreen shrub grows up to 6’ tall in nature, but stays smaller as a houseplant, rarely growing above 4’ tall.  Requiring high humidity levels of over 65%, be sure to provide this moisture-lover with daily misting to keep it looking fresh.

Lucky Bamboo

Able to grow well in both water and soil, lucky bamboo isn’t actually related to bamboo at all, but is actually more closely related to snake plants.

Believed to bring good luck to your home, lucky bamboo is frequently given as a housewarming gift or graduation present and its easygoing nature makes it well-suited for beginning gardeners.  To keep your bamboo happy, just provide it with bright, indirect light and refrain from overfertilizing your plant, which can cause leaf yellowing and scorching.

For a more impressive arrangement, try potting up several lucky bamboo plants together and place them in a tall planter for added appeal.

Maidenhair Fern

Maidenhair fern is named for its delicate, lacy foliage that can add a bright, airy feel to any display shelf or hanging basket.

Just as with other ferns, maidenhair ferns prefer consistently moist, but not soggy, soil and higher than normal humidity levels.  Try misting your maidenhair fern regularly or, for a lower maintenance option, pot it up and place it on a pebble tray for that extra boost of humidity.  Requiring regular feeding, only fertilize your fern with diluted, liquid fertilizer to avoid overwhelming your plant.

Ming Aralia

With feathery foliage and woody, occasionally bulbous stems, this dwarf tree originally comes from India and is known for its charming shape and glossy leaves.  Preferring consistently moist, not soggy, soil, Ming aralia’s treelike form makes it especially well-suited for bonsai.  Just keep in mind that this humidity-loving species needs at least 50% humidity to keep it growing nicely.

A tropical tree from the wetlands of Central and South America, money trees are believed to be lucky and are often given as housewarming gifts.

Growing up to 60’ in nature, as houseplants money trees are often sold with braided stems for a more formal look.  Although this plant loves moisture, don’t let its roots sit in soggy soil to prevent root rot.

Moth Orchid

When most people think of orchids, they think of finicky plants that are difficult to keep.  But that’s not the case with moth orchids.

The most common orchid variety that you’ll find in groceries and garden centers, moth orchids have large, fleshy leaves and colorful blooms in white, pink, red and purple.  Growing as epiphytes in nature, plant up your orchid in a bark-based soil suitable for orchids and mist your plant on occasion as these plants are prone to leaf splitting if humidity levels drop.

Nerve Plant

Most commonly found in a silvery-white tone, nerve plants also come in pink and red varieties.  These charming plants are great for terrariums; however, their high humidity needs can make them difficult to keep outside of glass enclosures.

Prone to wilting dramatically in low moisture and low humidity environments, provide your nerve plants with consistently moist, not soggy, soil and humidity levels of above 60%.

Paddle Plant

Paddle plants, also known as flapjack plants, are collected for their fleshy, rounded leaves that are often a blue-green coloration, although some can be edged in a vibrant red.

An easy-care succulent, paddle plants do best with infrequent but deep watering and should only be watered every few weeks or less.  Prone to legginess, be sure your paddle plant gets lots of bright light.  That said, if your plant gets spindly, try propagating it.  These succulents propagate very easily in soil!

Parlor Palm

Elegant parlor palms first gained popularity in the Victorian era when they were used to bring a bit of color and a tropical feel to sitting rooms.  Today, parlor palms are known to be low maintenance plants that are great for indoor air purification.

Growing up to 12’ tall, parlor palms can adapt to lower light rooms; however, if you notice your palm leaves beginning to brown at the edges, your plant is begging for a bit more water.

Peace lilies are easy care plants featuring lance-shaped, glossy leaves and elegant white flowers.  As lilies, however, these plants should be avoided in any homes with cats as these plants are known to be very toxic to felines.

Prone to wilting if their soil is allowed to dry out, provide your peace lilies with consistently moist, but not soggy, soil and fertilize on occasion with a diluted liquid organic fertilizer.

Peacock Plant

With attractive, highly-patterned leaves in shades of green with purplish undersides, this showy foliage plant is closely related to the prayer plant.

A native of the tropical forests of Brazil, peacock plants can grow up to 2’ tall and occasionally bloom tiny, purple or white flowers under the right conditions.

Pencil Cactus

A native of Africa, the pencil cactus is a small shrub or tree that naturally produces a poisonous latex as a line of defense.  A slender houseplant, in nature pencil cacti can live quite long and grow rather woody with age.

As a cactus, this species doesn’t need lots of water and shouldn’t be watered more than once every 10 days during the growing season.  In winter, waterings should be reduced significantly. 

Persian Shield

Persian shields are vibrant plants with a purple coloration that is hard to miss.  Occasionally grown as outdoor specimens, Persian shields really come to life as houseplants, as their attractive coloring can be highlighted best in windows with bright, indirect light.

If you notice your Persian shield beginning to turn brown, lack of humidity or underwatering is likely the cause.  Persian shields do best with consistently moist, not soggy, soil and higher than normal household humidity levels.

Philodendron

There are over 400 different species of philodendrons, including vining plants that can grow up to 20’ long and more upright specimens. Easy to care for, philodendrons have simple needs including bright, indirect light and regular watering.  Just be careful not to allow your philodendron to sit in moisture, which can cause root rot. Vining species of philodendron look quite similar to pothos, look great in hanging baskets and are also easy to propagate in water.

If you want to add a philodendron or two to your collection, consider popular varieties like the ‘Heart Leaf’ or the ‘Velvet Leaf’ philodendron.

Pitcher Plant

Pitcher plants, like other carnivorous plant species , grow in nutrient-poor, boggy environments.  In the absence of nutrient-rich soil, these intriguing plants have evolved the ability to trap and digest insects to supplement the nutrients they need.

When kept as houseplants, pitcher plants can naturally help combat annoying pests like fruit flies and houseflies.  Requiring consistently moist, but not soggy, soil, be sure to only water your pitcher plants with distilled or rainwater and don’t fertilize them as they are quite sensitive to chemicals.

To keep your pitcher plants happy, try potting them in a hanging basket and provide them with a little extra humidity to encourage them to produce more pitchers.

Polka Dot Begonia

Often sold as a tabletop plant, gorgeous polka dot begonias can grow quite fast, becoming 4’ tall floor plants in just a few years.  Known for their polka dot leaves, when you flip those leaves over you may be surprised to see the underside features a gorgeous dark red hue.

Propagating easily in water, polka dot begonias , like other begonias, require regular watering schedules and a monthly feeding with a good liquid fertilizer.

Polka Dot Plant

Polka dot plants can be finicky plants to keep unless you do a bit of research.  Requiring higher than normal humidity levels, polka dot plants are prone frequent wilting if their soil is allowed to dry out or if they receive insufficient humidity.

To keep these plants happy, provide consistently moist, but not soggy, soil and consider keeping them near a humidifier or planting them in a terrarium.  With a little know-how, these colorful plants shouldn’t give you any trouble and their patterned foliage, in white, pink, red and green, will bring a unique twist to your collection.

Ponytail Palm

With their long, curly leaves atop a quirky, bulbous trunk, ponytail palms look a bit like something straight out of a children’s book.

A native of Mexico, ponytail palms store water in their trunks helping them to resist drought-like conditions.  Highly adaptable as houseplants, ponytail palms are actually succulents related to agaves and so prefer dry soil.  Allow the top 2 to 3” of soil to dry out between waterings and fertilize once a month during the growing season with a balanced organic liquid fertilizer.

Also known as “devil’s ivy,” for their nearly indestructible nature, pothos are a great plant for beginners, due to their ease of care and simple requirements.  Capable of growing in a wide range of lighting conditions, from low light to bright, indirect light, pothos are vining plants that grow rapidly, reaching 6 to 10’, and look quite striking when allowed to trail from high shelves or hanging baskets.

Requiring minimal fertilizing and moderate watering, be careful not to let your pothos’ soil get waterlogged as these plants, though hardy, are quite prone to root rot.

Able to be easily propagated in water, pothos come in a wide range of colors and variegation patterns which can add interest to your collection.  If you’re looking to add a pothos to your home, try popular varieties like ‘Marble Queen,’ ‘Jade,’ or ‘Neon’ pothos.

Prayer Plant

Prayer plants are named for their ability to move with sunlight.  During the day, their brightly colored, pink and green leaves lay flat; however, as light fades, their leaves move upwards as if in prayer.

Provide your prayer plants with regular watering and bright, indirect light, as bright light can cause leaf scorching and fading.  Under the right conditions, your prayer plant will bloom tiny purple flowers that add to its allure.

Purple Shamrock

If you choose to add purple shamrocks to your collection, be prepared for lots of color!  Known for their deep purple leaves, purple shamrocks also bloom tiny, lavender flowers that are sure to please.

Native to Brazil, purple shamrocks prefer humidity levels around 50% and consistently moist, but not soggy, soil.  If allowed to dry out, your shamrock will wilt dramatically and quickly.  To prevent this, stick to a regular watering schedule and this happy little plant is sure to thrive.

Rabbit’s Foot Fern

The rhizomes of this unique fern are said to resemble the furry feet of a rabbit, and with good reason.  While rabbit’s foot fern looks lovely in a standard pot, displaying it in a hanging basket can help accentuate its unique look and furry rhizomes.

Growing up to 3’ tall, like other ferns, the rabbit’s foot fern does best with consistently moist soil and high humidity levels of between 60 and 90%.  A great candidate for keeping in humid bathrooms, be sure to provide your fern with extra humidity if you decide to place it in a drier bedroom or living room.

Red Aglaonema

A variety of Chinese evergreen, this species is valued for its contrasting, bright red and green foliage.  An easy-care plant, red aglaonema is drought tolerant and can adapt to lower light situations; however, due to its leaf coloration, bright indirect light is preferred as insufficient light can cause its characteristic red color to fade.

Rex Begonia

While there are over 1000 species of begonia, one of the most popular types to keep is the rex begonia .  Smaller than many begonia types, rex begonia maxes out at 18” tall and maintains a tidy, mounding growth habit.  Prized for their patterned foliage, rex begonias come in a range of colors, including silver, purple and red.

Rubber Plant

Rubber plants are actually trees that can grow over 100’ tall in their native environment of southeast Asia.  As a houseplant, this hardy species remains much smaller and rarely grows over 10’ tall.

Its Latin name, “elastica” refers to the plant’s white sap, which contains a natural latex, which has been historically used to create rubber. Rubber plants come in both solid green and variegated varieties and their glossy, fleshy leaves benefit from the occasional dusting to maintain their characteristic sheen.

Shield Aralia

With slightly woody stems and rounded leaves that come in either solid green or variegated coloring, shield aralias are small, tropical shrubs from the Pacific Islands.

As houseplants, these plants rarely grow above 4’ tall and are often kept as bonsais due to their treelike forms.  Preferring moderate to high humidity levels, place your plant near a humidifier or on a pebble tray to prevent crispy leaves and leaf drop.

Shingle Plant

A rare, climbing epiphyte, shingle plants can often fetch high prices at plant nurseries and you may have to do a bit of digging to find one, unless you opt to order online.

Frequently sold attached to a board, shingle plants are vines; however, they have a different growth habit from other vining species.  With flat growing leaves, in nature shingle plants grow flat and pressed against tree bark for support and may need an extra bit of care as houseplants.

A native of the warm, humid rainforests of Queensland and New Guinea, shingle plants should be kept away from cold drafts and provided with at least 70% humidity levels.

Silver Dollar Vine

An unusual, climbing succulent, the silver dollar vine is known for its trailing stems that sport round, silver-toned, fleshy leaves.

A slow-growing plant, silver dollar vines require more water than most succulents and do best when watered approximately once a week or when the top 1” of soil is dry to the touch.

To make your plant really shine, try potting it up in a hanging basket or trellising its vines upward for a more vertical look.

Snake Plant

Snake plants come in several different shapes and sizes, some with solid green leaves, some with striping and some with cylindrical leaves.

As a succulent, snake plants tend to thrive on neglect and require infrequent, but thorough, watering.  Snake plants should be watered once a month or even less and soil should be allowed to dry out completely between waterings.

Spider Plant

Spider plants are one of the easiest houseplants to keep so, if you’re just starting out on your houseplant journey, why not pick up a spider plant or two?

Coming in solid green and variegated varieties, spider plants do best with a regular watering schedule, which for most areas amounts to a weekly watering.

Known for their ability to rapidly reproduce, when spider plants are happy, they will begin to bloom tiny, white flowers which will grow into baby spider plants, known as “spiderettes.”  Simply snip off and pot up any spiderettes you see, and you’ll have plenty more plants to add to your collection or share with friends.

Staghorn Fern

With their oddly shaped, fleshy leaves, staghorn ferns are said to resemble the horns of a stag.  This comparison is only strengthened when staghorn ferns are hung from walls on wooden wall mounts, which make for easy DIY projects for home gardeners who like to craft.

Requiring humidity levels of 70% or higher, staghorn ferns will require a little extra care to ensure they receive adequate moisture, but they are well worth the investment.  To keep your plants growing strong, allow your fern’s substrate to dry out between waterings.

String of Bananas

A popular trailing succulent with oblong leaves that are said to resemble bananas, string of bananas looks great in a hanging basket, which will highlight its long, delicate growth habit.

Native to the arid regions of South Africa, string of bananas tolerate normal household humidity levels and do best when their soil is allowed to dry out between waterings.  Prone to growing rather spindly in low light situations, provide your plant with lots of bright, indirect sunlight to keep it looking its best.

String of Dolphins

Another trailing succulent with a unique look, string of dolphins’ leaves are said to resemble tiny dolphins in mid-jump. Growing vines that can measure 3’ in length, keep your string of dolphins in a hanging basket or allow it to drape delicately from a high shelf for maximum effect.

String of Pearls

While there are several popular trailing succulent varieties, string-of-pearls is often the most sought after.  Featuring fleshy, globular leaves, string-of-pearls stores water quite well and does best with a thorough watering once every two weeks.

Unlike other trailing succulents, string-of-pearls prefers slightly higher humidity levels, so consider hanging this species near a humidifier or in a steamy, brightly lit bathroom for optimal growth.

String of Turtles

Despite its similar appearance to other trailing succulents, string of turtles is actually more closely related to the watermelon peperomia and UFO plant.

With leaves veined in highly contrasting white and green, string of turtles is a delicate looking plant that looks particularly nice in a hanging basket.  Preferring 50% or higher humidity, be sure to spritz your plant down from time to time with a bit of water to prevent browning leaves and leaf drop.

Stromanthe Triostar

The attractive pink, green and white foliage of stromanthe triostar may have you believing this beauty is a high-maintenance plant, but that’s not the case.  Well-adapted to average household conditions, this plant prefers a bit of humidity and regular and consistent waterings.

A relative of the prayer plant, stromanthe’s colorful leaves fold upwards at night, making this a particularly interesting plant to keep.  Found in the rainforests of Brazil, this fast-growing species may just become one of your favorite plants if you can find one!

Swedish Ivy

Swedish ivy is known for its bright green leaves with serrated margins and its quirky, trailing growth habit.  An easy-care plant, Swedish ivy is quite forgiving of most situations, tolerates normal household humidity levels, grows fast and propagates easily in water.  What’s not to love?

Sweetheart Plant

A close relative of the wax plant, hoya kerrii is an adorable vining plant that is known for its heart-shaped leaves.  As with other hoyas, sweetheart plants store water in their waxy leaves, making them somewhat drought resistant.

Sweetheart plants really come alive when they begin to bloom their fragrant flowers.  Just be advised, if you find one of these plants in your local nursery, look for plants with more than one leaf.  Sweetheart plants with single leaves are rooted leaves, not full plants, and will never vine or grow larger.

Swiss Cheese Plant

Wildly popular monsteras look like the tropics with big, bold, glossy leaves and a sprawling growth habit.  At times quite massive, monsteras can grow up to 15’ tall and spread over 8’ in diameter as houseplants, so make sure you have room!

Despite their impressive look, monsteras are easy to care for plants that root well in water and can adapt to a wide range of household conditions, including normal household humidity levels.  That said, humidity levels above 60% will make your plant much happier.

Native to western North America, this common fern can grow quite large, often reaching up to 6’ tall!  With dark green, leafy fronds, sword ferns can be a stunning addition to any room, adding vibrant color and a traditional and elegant feel.

Simply provide your plant with lots of humidity and fertilize on occasion with half-strength, diluted liquid fertilizer, and you’ll have a lush plant that is great at air purification too.

A member of the asparagus family, ti plant is an evergreen flowering plant that is naturally found in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.

Known for its bright, lance-shaped leaves in pinks and a range of greens, ti plants can grow over 15’ tall and occasionally bloom in summer with white, pink or lavender flowers that mature into berries.  Keep in mind, however, that those berries aren’t edible!

Also known as the “pancake plant” or “Chinese money plant,” UFO plants are popular, easy-care specimens that feature glossy, fleshy leaves in a characteristic circular shape.  Closely related to watermelon peperomias, UFO plants do best with consistent watering schedules and can benefit from the addition of a calcium-rich fertilizer on occasion to prevent leaf deformation.

Prone to self-propagation, when left unchecked, UFO plants will make lots of baby plants for you to share with friends and family.

Umbrella Tree

Umbrella trees have pretty, fan-shaped leaves that can either be solid green or variegated green and white.  Growing up to 8 to 10’ tall when kept as houseplants, these plants are naturally found in the rainforests of Australia where they can grow up to 40’ in height!

Prone to leaf drop when underwatered, try to provide your umbrella tree with regular, consistent watering and you’ll have a gorgeous plant that will be the star of your collection for many years to come.

A native of Brazil, urn plants are a type of bromeliad known for their patterned, variegated leaves and big, bold and beautiful pink blooms.  Like other bromeliads, urn plants only bloom once in their lifetime and die back afterwards; however, they will often produce “pups” for the next generation.

Urn plants prefer approximately 50% humidity levels and tend to lose their variegation in low light, so make sure you place your plant in a window that receives a good six to eight hours of bright, indirect light.

Velvet Plant

If you love vibrant plants, you can’t go wrong with velvet plants, which are also known as “purple passion” plants for their purple foliage.  With fuzzy leaves and tiny, golden-orange flowers, velvet plants are in the daisy family.  Tending towards a vining growth habit, velvet plants can benefit from frequent pruning to keep them growing in a more upright shape.

Velvet plants root easily in water, so try propagating some cuttings after pruning your plant.  As velvet plants are relatively short-lived, living only two to three years, you can keep your plants going indefinitely by continuously rooting cuttings.

Venus Fly Trap

If you like funky plants, try a Venus fly trap for a change.  These oddball, little carnivorous plants are naturally found in the nutrient-poor bogs of the coastal Carolinas, where they supplement the nutrients they need by eating flies and other small insects.

If you want to keep Venus fly traps at home, be sure to provide them with bright, indirect light and relatively high humidity levels of above 50%.  Well-suited for terrariums, Venus fly traps are sensitive to chemicals so only pot them in a carnivorous plant potting mix, never fertilize them and only water them with distilled or rain water.

Warneckii Dracaena

With nicely contrasting foliage in shades of green, this pretty dracaena is closely related to the corn plant dracaena.  Preferring consistent moisture levels, if your plant’s leaves begin to brown a little at the margins, it’s likely a sign that your plant could benefit from a little extra humidity.  To keep your plant growing strong, fertilize it monthly with a good, organic liquid fertilizer.

Watermelon Peperomia

Watermelon peperomia’s fleshy, highly contrasting foliage is said to resemble the skin of watermelons and they do add a bit of fun flair to any collection.

Preferring consistently moist, but not soggy, soil, this species can benefit from a little supplemental calcium from time to time, especially if their leaves begin to look a little deformed.  Simply crush some eggshells and brew them overnight to make an easy, calcium-rich tea.  Your peperomia will thank you for it!

Wax Begonia

A frequent sight at local nurseries, wax begonias may be a common houseplant, but that doesn’t detract from their charm.  With pretty, little blooms in white, pinks and reds, these begonias are known for their fleshy leaves that shine slightly in the light.

Frequently grown as outdoor annuals, wax begonias do well as houseplants too, just provide them with a regular watering schedule and consider misting them on occasion as they enjoy a little extra humidity.

Hoyas come in many shapes and sizes, with popular varieties including ‘Hoya tricolor’ (with pink, white and green variegated leaves) and the ‘Hindu rope plant’ (which is known for its foliage’s twisted form).

With thick, waxy leaves that are useful for moisture retention, hoyas can withstand some periods of drought; however, they prefer regular watering schedules.  When properly maintained, hoyas will produce large, fragrant blooms.

Hoyas can grow quite large so consider trellising your plant to optimize growth. 

Weeping Fig

Weeping figs are grown as dwarf trees when kept indoors, although they can reach 60’ in height in nature.  These evergreen perennials are known for their glossy, ovoid leaves and occasionally are sold with braided trunks for added visual interest.

Known to be a bit finicky, weeping figs will drop their leaves if unhappy or if their environment changes rapidly so, try to stick to a uniform watering schedule and avoid exposing these plants to fluctuating temperatures and humidity levels.

Zebra Plant

If you like the look of aloes, but you have pets and want to avoid any toxic houseplants in your home, haworthia are great options.

Named for their striped, highly contrasting foliage, zebra plants are easy care succulents that prefer infrequent watering.  Highly structural in shape, zebra plants will reach 5 to 8” in height when fully mature.

It’s hard to go wrong with ZZ plants.  These super easy-care succulents originally hail from eastern Africa but have evolved to handle a wide range of conditions, including low light.  ZZ plants also prefer infrequent waterings, ideally every month or less, so they are a great choice for gardeners with a more “hands-of” approach.