Plant questions

Real questions from home gardeners, the kind people post with a worried photo, answered by GrowPls: what's likely going on, what to do about it, and when to worry.

Showing questions tagged #tropical · show all

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  ti plant (Cordyline fruticosa, variegated cultivar)

  What is this colorful, striped foliage plant with yellow-edged leaves?

  This is a variegated ti plant, a Cordyline fruticosa cultivar grown for its colorful striped leaves. Treat it like a warm-climate ornamental: bright light, evenly moist soil, and protection from cold.

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  lobster claw heliconia

  What is this tropical plant with red hanging claw-like flowers?

  This is a Heliconia, commonly called lobster claw or false bird of paradise. It’s a tropical ornamental that loves warmth, bright light, and consistently moist soil.

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  soursop

  What plant has this green spiky hanging fruit?

  The plant is a soursop tree (Annona muricata), a tropical fruit tree with soft, spiky green fruits. Let the fruit grow until it becomes slightly soft and the spines flatten a bit before harvesting.

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  papaya

  What plant is this tall tree with lobed leaves and green elongated fruits?

  The plant in the photo is a papaya tree (Carica papaya). It produces the familiar papaya fruits, which start out green and turn yellow or orange as they ripen.

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  philodendron (red hybrid, e.g. ‘Rojo Congo’ / ‘Imperial Red’)

  What is this red-leaf philodendron plant called?

  This is a type of red-leaf Philodendron, most likely a hybrid such as ‘Rojo Congo’ or ‘Imperial Red’. It’s a climbing aroid that likes bright, indirect light and evenly moist soil.

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