Plants We Love

Plants we love

From easy-care favorites to collector-worthy beauties, these are the types of plants we're most passionate about. Our inventory is always changing, so this collection is meant to showcase the kinds of plants you'll regularly find at Once Upon A Plant rather than our current availability.

By Genus

By Characteristic

Hoya

Trailing hoyas with variegated cream, pink, and green foliage — waxy leaves and eventual fragrant blooms.

Light: Light: Bright, indirect
Water: Water: When top 2 in. dry
Difficulty: Difficulty: Beginner

Hoya

The classic Hindu Rope form — twisted, curled leaves on slow, sculptural vines.

Light: Light: Bright, indirect
Water: Water: Allow to dry between waterings
Difficulty: Difficulty: Beginner

Hoya

Charming heart-shaped leaves, often with silver splash — easygoing and space-friendly.

Light: Light: Bright, indirect
Water: Water: Sparingly — succulent-like
Difficulty: Difficulty: Beginner

Anthurium

Velvety, heart-shaped leaves with luminous silver veining on a deep green canvas.

Light: Light: Bright, indirect (no direct sun)
Water: Water: Keep evenly moist, never soggy
Difficulty: Difficulty: Intermediate

Anthurium

Long, pendulous velvet leaves in the Queen Anthurium form — prized by collectors.

Light: Light: Bright, indirect + high humidity
Water: Water: Consistent moisture, chunky mix
Difficulty: Difficulty: Advanced

Anthurium

Broad velvet leaves with crystalline silver veining that shimmers in soft light.

Light: Light: Bright, indirect
Water: Water: Evenly moist, high humidity
Difficulty: Difficulty: Intermediate

Scindapsus

Silver satin foliage on graceful trailing vines — forgiving and fast to establish.

Light: Light: Medium to bright, indirect
Water: Water: When top inch is dry
Difficulty: Difficulty: Beginner

Alocasia

Bright pink stems supporting deep green, arrow-shaped leaves with pale veins.

Light: Light: Bright, indirect
Water: Water: Keep lightly moist; avoid soggy soil
Difficulty: Difficulty: Intermediate

Alocasia

Velvet green leaves splashed with cream variegation — a coveted collector form.

Light: Light: Bright, indirect
Water: Water: Consistent moisture, high humidity
Difficulty: Difficulty: Advanced

Alocasia

Also known as African Mask — scalloped, deeply veined leaves with bold contrast.

Light: Light: Bright, indirect
Water: Water: Keep lightly moist
Difficulty: Difficulty: Beginner

Philodendron

Deep green leaves often splashed with bright variegation — a coveted collector group.

Light: Light: Bright, indirect
Water: Water: When top inch is dry
Difficulty: Difficulty: Intermediate

Monstera

Monstera Peru

The iconic Swiss cheese plant — bold, fenestrated leaves that anchor any room.

Light: Light: Bright, indirect
Water: Water: When top 1–2 in. are dry
Difficulty: Difficulty: Beginner

Monstera

Monstera deliciosa

The iconic Swiss cheese plant — bold, fenestrated leaves that anchor any room.

Light: Light: Bright, indirect
Water: Water: When top 1–2 in. are dry
Difficulty: Difficulty: Beginner

Calathea

Broad, round leaves with silvery-green stripes — a pet-safe statement plant that loves humidity.

Light: Light: Medium, indirect
Water: Water: Keep evenly moist
Difficulty: Difficulty: Intermediate

Maranta

Maranta (Prayer Plant)

Painterly leaves with red veins that fold upward at night — pet-safe and endlessly charming.

Light: Light: Medium, indirect
Water: Water: Keep lightly moist
Difficulty: Difficulty: Beginner

Peperomia

Compact plants with striped, patterned leaves — easy, pet-safe, and space-friendly.

Light: Light: Medium to bright, indirect
Water: Water: When top inch is dry
Difficulty: Difficulty: Beginner

Chlorophytum

Spider Plant

Arching variegated foliage with tiny plantlets on trailing stems — famously pet-safe and forgiving.

Light: Light: Bright, indirect
Water: Water: When top inch is dry
Difficulty: Difficulty: Beginner

Chamaedorea

Parlor Palm

Graceful fronds that tolerate lower light — a pet-safe classic dating back to Victorian parlors.

Light: Light: Low to medium, indirect
Water: Water: Keep lightly moist
Difficulty: Difficulty: Beginner

Asplenium

Bird's Nest Fern

Bright green rippled fronds forming a lush rosette — pet-safe and elegant in a bathroom or shaded corner.

Light: Light: Medium, indirect
Water: Water: Keep evenly moist
Difficulty: Difficulty: Beginner

Sansevieria

Snake Plant

Upright architectural leaves — nearly indestructible and tolerant of low light and neglect.

Light: Light: Low to bright, indirect
Water: Water: When soil is fully dry
Difficulty: Difficulty: Beginner

Zamioculcas

ZZ Plant

Glossy pinnate leaves on graceful stems — thrives in low light and forgives missed waterings.

Light: Light: Low to bright, indirect
Water: Water: When soil is fully dry
Difficulty: Difficulty: Beginner

Epipremnum

Pothos

Trailing heart-shaped leaves with golden variegation — the ultimate easy, low-light trailing plant.

Light: Light: Low to bright, indirect
Water: Water: When top inch is dry
Difficulty: Difficulty: Beginner

Spathiphyllum

Peace Lily

Deep green foliage and elegant white spathes — one of the best bloomers for lower-light rooms.

Light: Light: Low to medium, indirect
Water: Water: Keep evenly moist
Difficulty: Difficulty: Beginner

Aglaonema

Chinese Evergreen

Silver-patterned leaves that tolerate low light beautifully — quietly striking and easy-going.

Light: Light: Low to medium, indirect
Water: Water: When top inch is dry
Difficulty: Difficulty: Beginner

Ficus

Fiddle Leaf Fig

Sculptural violin-shaped leaves — a bright, sunny-window statement tree.

Light: Light: Bright, indirect to some direct
Water: Water: When top 2 in. are dry
Difficulty: Difficulty: Intermediate

Strelitzia

Bird of Paradise

Enormous paddle-shaped leaves that transform any bright, sunny space.

Light: Light: Bright, indirect to direct
Water: Water: When top 1–2 in. are dry
Difficulty: Difficulty: Intermediate

Senecio

String of Pearls

Round pearl-like beads on cascading strands — a bright-light succulent trailer.

Light: Light: Bright, indirect to some direct
Water: Water: Sparingly — succulent
Difficulty: Difficulty: Intermediate

Tradescantia

Fast-growing trailing vines with iridescent purple and silver striped leaves.

Light: Light: Bright, indirect
Water: Water: When top inch is dry
Difficulty: Difficulty: Beginner