Low Light

Meet Prismacolor™ 'Birkin' ( Philodendron hybrid ), a philodendron that just keeps getting better: fine, cream-white pinstripes trace each glossy, deep-green leaf, growing bolder and more elaborate the longer it's in your care. It grows upright and self-heading, no moss pole required, building into a dense, full houseplant about 18 inches tall, with a width of about 24 inches. Give it bright, indirect light to keep those pinstripes at their crispest — it'll tolerate a dimmer spot too, just with plainer, greener leaves — and let the soil dry slightly between the weekly waterings it likes best.

Igneous™ 'Ruby Rock™' ( Aglaonema commutatum ) is a gem still catching the light — deep green leaves threaded with a rich violet midrib and dusted in flecks of gold, like ore before it's polished. This Aglaonema forms a dense, upright clump of glossy, pointed leaves, and the brighter, indirect light you give it, the better that violet-and-gold variegation holds its color — though 'Ruby Rock' tolerates a dimmer corner too. Let the soil stay just barely damp, never soggy, and this easy-care gem will only grow more radiant in your collection.

Network News ‘Media’ is a low-growing, creeping nerve plant with smooth, ovate leaves that are awash in red coloring. Unlike most nerve plants, the red veining on ‘Media’ is bleeding into the rest of the leaves, giving the appearance of a plant that is more red than green. Like other Fittonias, ‘Media’ loves bright light and humidity.

Network News ‘Dispatch’ is the pink counterpart to Network News ‘Media’ with low-growing, creeping leaves of lime green with pink veining. Unlike most nerve plants, the pink veining on ‘Dispatch’ bleeds into the margins of the leaves, giving the appearance of a plant that is almost more pink than green. Like other Fittonias, ‘Dispatch’ loves bright light and humidity.

Pop the cork for Falling Arrows® Champaign Reign™ ( Syngonium podophyllum ), a bubbly blend of ease and elegance. This arrowhead vine unfurls pale, shimmering green leaves splashed with effervescent champagne pink — no toast required, just a little care and it'll outlast any glass of bubbly. Give it medium to bright, indirect light and let the top inch of soil dry out between waterings, and 'Champaign Reign' will keep the celebration going, trimmed compact for a desk or left to trail freely and fizz over the pot's edge.

Meet Philodendron 'Zebra' ( Philodendron gloriosum ) — a gloriosum that wears its stripes without ever needing a moss pole. Each heart-shaped, velvety leaf is a deep forest green, traced end to end in bold, silvery-white veining that runs the length of the blade like a fresh coat of paint. Instead of climbing, 'Zebra' creeps low along the soil on a thick rhizome, unfurling new leaves as it spreads outward. Give it bright, indirect light, higher humidity, and let the top couple inches of soil dry out between waterings to keep this low-slung grower thriving.

Say hello to the enigmatic Prismacolor™ 'Electric Eel™' ( Philodendron joepii ), a philodendron that adds a jolt of excitement to any room. This eccentric tropical species is known for its shocking, eel-shaped leaves of solid green, each attached to an elongated petiole and tapered at the midsection like the sinuous silhouette of an eel. Grow it just as you would any philodendron — its solid green leaves will outshine plenty of variegated counterparts, even in medium to lower light.

Color Full® Veitchiana ( Calathea veitchiana ) earns its series name twice over. Each rounded, wavy-edged leaf carries a loose feathering of lime green and cream over deep green, with a rich burgundy underside. It's an upright, slow-growing clumper that rewards patience: give it medium, indirect light and keep it out of direct sun, which scorches the leaves; use distilled or rainwater to keep soil evenly damp, since ordinary tap water's fluoride can brown the leaf edges; and provide humidity above 60% to keep those brushstrokes sharp.

Meet 'Medallion V2' ( Calathea roseopicta ), an even more painterly encore to our classic Color Full® 'Medallion' — same round, medallion-shaped leaves, turned up a shade brighter. Each leaf carries a hand-brushed pattern of silvery green and cream, framed in a dark green border, with a wine-purple underside that folds skyward every night, prayer-plant style. Give 'Medallion V2' medium to low, indirect light and let the top inch of soil dry between waterings — never let it sit in water. High humidity keeps those brushstrokes crisp and its edges from browning.

Introducing Scented Roots™ 'Red Rubin' ( Alpinia luteocarpa ), a bamboo ginger built for a little drama: slender, lance-shaped leaves stay cool green on top and blaze a deep ruby-red underneath, the exact shade that gives 'Red Rubin' its name. True to its aromatic ginger roots, it grows in upright, cane-like clumps and may eventually send up creamy white flowers blushed with pink. Give it partial shade to bright, filtered light, an evenly damp and well-drained mix, and the warm, humid corner of your home it was born for, and it will reward you with color at every turn.

Say hello to 'Green Lady' ( Aglaonema hybrida ), a Chinese Evergreen with quiet, understated elegance. Its dark green leaves carry an intricate chevron pattern — pale, silvery-green bands radiate out from each midrib like fine embroidery, on glossy, leathery foliage with a dense, clumping habit. 'Green Lady' is easygoing too, thriving in low to medium light and needing only to dry out between waterings. A quiet classic, it's right at home wherever your collection could use a touch of refinement.

‘Tasmanian Tiger’ boasts large, dark green leaves with mottled yellow striping that mimics the majestic stripes of a tiger. Growing quite large over time, ‘Tasmanian Tiger’ has the potential to reign supreme over your collection–especially if it is given medium to bright light, consistent moisture, and warm temperatures above 60 degrees. This is an easy-to-grow variety, overall, but it does not like cold drafts. The common name for this plant is “dumb cane” because consumption of its sap may cause throat swelling & speechlessness, thus rendering one “dumb.”