Strelitzia nicolai—also known as Giant Bird of Paradise, the banana leaf plant or banana leaf palm, is one of our favorite plants for Bay Area gardens, but few people know that this plant can also grow happily indoors!

When watering succulents or cacti in pots without drainage, the most important things to keep in mind are to apply the water in a controlled manner and allow the soil to dry out in between the waterings.

Pull up a window and search “What should be my first houseplant?” and the number one result is the snake plant, also known as “mother-in-law’s tongue.” So if you’re new to houseplants, this is a great place to start. But if you’re an expert collector, maybe we lost you at “snake plant” and you’re already moving on? Hold up! Even the most jaded houseplant collector can find new intrigue within the ever-so-common genus Sansevieria.

Ficus lyrata, commonly called the fiddle-leaf fig, is a perfect indoor specimen plant. The plant features very large, heavily veined, and violin-shaped leaves that grow upright on a tall plant. We almost always have Ficus lyrata in stock at our retail plant store in San Francisco.

A plant is a gift of life, growth, breath, and renewal. What better way to show your love and gratitude this holiday season?