Here you will find an interesting assortment of both unusual and rare plants native to tropical rain forests across the globe. Many can be grown in containers or pots and enjoyed as houseplants or patio plants, while others are small enough to be grown in terrariums or vivariums. Some even grow as epiphytes or lithophytes and can be mounted to wood, bark or rock.
Browse through our tropical plant selections below and click on any image to see a close up.
Begonia bipinnatifida (Fern Leaf Begonia)
This is a somewhat rare and unusual begonia that is native to Indonesia
and New Guinea. The bronze green, lacey leaves closely resemble fern
fronds. The undersides of the leaves and fleshy stems are a nice red
to maroon color. It blooms with small pink flowers nearly year round.
Due to its high humidity requirements, Begonia bipinnatifida is one of those few begonias that is easier to maintain in a terrarium than as a houseplant. If grown as a houseplant the pot should placed on a humidity tray.
Growing to a maximum of 8 to12 inches tall it responds very well to pinching or pruning to keep shorter and bushier. In addition to high humidity it will require temperatures above 60º F
Sold in a 3 inch pot.
Item # TPBEGBIP Status: Temp. Sold Out Price: $8.50 ea.
Codiaeum variegatum (Croton, dwarf)
Crotons are a family of colorful plants which are found throughout the
eastern Pacific region. Although now well established in the Hawaiian
Islands, they were originally brought there by the early Polynesians
who first settled the Islands.
The normal wild croton is an evergreen that can grow up to 10 ft. tall with large, leathery leaves. This dwarf variety grows much smaller seldom exceeding 18 inches tall. Very similar in appearance to the cultivated variety Croton ‘Mamey’. Its curly, narrow leaves will develop into an amazing diversity of colors. The photo shows the variety that occurs, all from the same parent plant.
Makes an excellent houseplant or terrarium plant. This is a very forgiving plant great for beginners. It cannot tolerate temperatures under 50 degrees F. Under bright light, yellow and red will predominate while more subdued lighting will yield greens with flecks of yellow.
Sold as single plant in a 4 inch pot.
Item # TPCROTN3 Status: In Stock Price: $5.00 ea.
Dischidia bengalensis
This is an epiphytic species that has not developed a symbiotic relationship
with ants. It grows as a slender vine with well spaced pairs of long
succlent leaves. The long leaves are arranged in pairs on the vine opposite
each other and look like airplane propellers. It makes an excellent
beginner plant and will grow like a weed once established. Found throughout most of SE Asia.
Plants flower year round with small yellow lantern shaped flowers. Sold as well a established plant in a 3 inch pot.
Item # DIBENG3 Status: In Stock Price: $15.00 ea.
Dischidia bengalensis, Mounted
Same species as above but sold as well established plants mounted on a piece
of cork bark.
Plants flower year round with small yellow lantern shaped flowers.
Sold as well a established plant mounted on a piece of cork bark.
Item # DIBENGMNT3 Status: In Stock Price: $20.00 ea.
Dischidia imbricata
This is also an epiphytic species but this one has developed a symbiotic
relationship with ants. It has round 2 inch leaves that are somewhat
humped. In nature these are held tightly against a tree trunk, forming
a little hut for the ants. If you look under these older mature leaves
you will notice a maze of roots perfect for ants to take up residence.
Plants will flower year round with tiny yellow lantern shaped flowers.To best enjoy this plant it should be grown mounted on a piece of cork bark.
Sold as a well established plant mounted on cork bark.
Item # DIMB-MNT3 Status : Mounted, Out Of Stock Price:
Same plant but sold
in a 3 inch pot.
Item # DIMB3 Status: Potted, In Stock Price: $15.00 ea.
Dischidia pectinoides
This is another a species that has developed a symbiotic relationship
with ants. As the plant matures some of its leaves will develop into
larger hollow, pillow shaped appendages which provide a home for ants.
The normal leaves are lance shaped about 3/4 inch long while the bizarre
hollow leaves can grow up to 3.5 inches long with a tiny opening at
the base.
This twisting wiry vine can grow up to 8 feet long. The plant flowers year round with small red flowers. This plant looks best if it is allowed to climb up onto tree fern, cork bark or branching driftwood. Sold as well a established plant in a 4 inch pot.
Item # DPECT3 Status: Out of Stock Price:
Dischidia gaudichaudii
This species seems to be found only in Brunei Darussalam on the island
of Borneo. It is not one of the Dischidias that form a symbiotic relationship
with ants, however it is nearly always found growing near ant colonies.
Tiny 1/2 inch round, green leaves make a nice lush growth. Can be grown either as climbing vine or pendant in a hanging container. Sold as a well established plant in a 3 inch pot.
Item # DGAU3 Status: Out of Stock Price:
Dischidia ovata, potted
This is a vigorous tropical epiphyte from New Guinea. It is not one
of the Dischidias that form a symbiotic relationship with ants, however
it is nearly always found growing near ant colonies.
Nice striped 1/2" leaves, green and white, similar to watermelon stripes. It produces very unusual tiny flowers. Can be grown in orchid medium, coir or light potting mix with lots of bark added to the mix. Can also be grown on cork bark or tree fern panels. It will grow under a wide variety of conditions but must have warm temperatures and no direct sunlight.
Makes a great houseplant in a hanging basket or can be grown in a terrarium. Especially nice when used to cover cork or tree fern backgrounds in a terrarium. Sold as well established plants in 3 inch pots.
Item # DOV3P Status: In Stock Price: $9.00 ea.
Dischidia ovata, Mounted
Same species as above but sold as well established plants mounted on
a piece of cork bark.
Item # DOV3M Status: In Stock Price: $18.00 ea.
Dorstenia turnerifolia
An interesting species from the Amazon Rain Forest. It has shiny deep
green lance shaped leaves up to 7" long and will send up glossy maroon
stems which bear an unusual fleshy purple flower.
When the flower has matured it will shoot out small white seeds up to several feet away. Grows well in low light, high humidity conditions. Makes an excellent house plant or terrarium specimen. Grows up to 12" tall. Sold as well started plants in 4" pots.
Item # DOR3 Status: In Stock Price:$9.00
Piper crocatum
This is a rare, beautiful, tropical climbing vine with corrugated glossy
olive-green leaves with silver-pink marbling veins. Leaf undersides
are a deep purple. Native to Peru and Ecuador.
This vine grows to several feet long but the leaves seldom exceed 5 inches in length. Responds very well to pruning. Prefers medium to low light, high humidity and a moist but well drained substrate. Requires temps above 50F.
Makes a great houseplant as well as an excellent terrarium plant. Sold as a well rooted plant in a 4 inch pot. Very Limited quantity at this time. More will be available within the next few weeks.
Item # PCRO3 Status: Limited Quantity In Stock Price:$15.00
Pilea microphylla (Artillery Plant)
Tightly grouped, tiny light green leaves give this plant a fern like
appearance with an almost foamy texture. This native of tropical Central
and South America and the West Indies gets its name from the way it
shoots out pollen in a tiny cloud, as if fired from a cannon.
Grows to about 12" tall and spreads as a groundcover. Does best in medium to bright light. Sold in 4" pots
Item # PLAP3 Status: In Stock Price: $4.00 ea.
Microsorum thailandicum (Scarab Fern, Blue Strap Fern)
This is a somewhat rare fern which was classified as a new species in
2002. It has proven challenging to propagate in mass quantities and
the plants are rather slow growing so divisions are very limited when
available. In spite of this, established specimens are easy to grow.
M. thailandicum is a true tropical fern, requiring warm temps, high humidity and low light. It is a native of Thailand and Cambodia where it grows as a lithophyte on limestone outcroppings. It makes an excellent terrarium plant.
Photographs do not do justice to this fern. The mature fronds are an amazing iridescent metallic blue. New fronds start out green and quickly develop the characteristic sheen. The Thai name for this fern is "waew peek maeng thub", which translates "shiny as the wings of a scarab beetle".
A great addition for the collector of rare and unusual plants. Sold as a mature well established plant in a 4 inch pot.
Item # SCARAB3 Status: Out of Stock Price:
Resurrection Fern ( Polypodium polypodioides )
This slow growing fern is an epiphyte with small fronds up to 4 inches
long. Needs very high humidity to do well. Fronds curl up and close
with low humidity but quickly open up again with sufficient moisture.
It can be difficult to get started but once established does well. Not recommended for beginners. Sold as several fronds growing on a piece of substrate (usually bark or a branch ).
Item # FRN-RF2 Status: In Stock Price: $6.00 ea.
Product Index
- Aroids
- Bromeliads
- Carnivorous Plants
- Live Mosses
- Jewel Orchids
- Other Orchids
- Tropical Plants and Ferns
- Specials
- Supplies
About the Dischidia species
Dischidias are an interesting and sometimes bizarre group of epiphytic vines from the Indo Pacific region. They are well suited to terrarium and houseplant culture since they remain relatively small and are undemanding.
Several species in the genus have evolved to develop a symbiotic relationship with ants. As a result, some have developed specialized leaf structures and appendages to encourage ants to build nests within them. In return for the ready made shelters, the ants provide fertilizer for the plant as well as guarding against leaf eating insect invaders.
Some Dischidias have not evolved to attract ants but it is interesting to note that these are nearly always found growing around ant nests.
Since they are epiphytes, Dischidias should never be planted in regular potting soil. A mixture of fine bark and peat moss or coir works well. Sphagnum moss also works well but should not be kept too wet. Dischidias will grow up onto tree fern poles or flats as well as cork bark. They should never be exposed to temperatures below 55 F. Ants are not required to successfully grow Dischidias.