Common names: Chinese Evergreen

Common names: chrysanthemum, mum

Common names: cyclamen

Common names: orchid, cymbidium, dendrobium, oncidium, cattleya, phalaenopsis

Common names: dieffenbachia, dumb cane

Common names: orchid, cymbidium, dendrobium, oncidium, cattleya, phalaenopsis

Description: Originated in tropical Asia, height varies from 8-26 inches. Leaves are gray green and dark green.

Special care: Excellent for very low light areas

Description: Colors include pink, yellow, red, white, bronze, magenta and purple.

Special care: Water blooming plants every two days, even at risk of overwatering. Wilting shortens life. Give plants plenty of bright, indirect light, which encourages buds to open. Direct sunlight can burn flowers.

Description: Blooms have five petals and sweep up to resemble butterflies in this popular blooming plant. Heart-shaped, dark green foliage has silvery markings. Flowers are available in white, red, lavender and pink shades; they may be bicolored with a darker center circle. Individual flowers last 10 days to two weeks. Plants last about three weeks.

Special care: Keep soil fairly moist, but don't allow plants to stand in water. Remove old leaves and blossoms. Provide bright, indirect light.

Description: Throughout the world, more than 17,000 species are known, and varieties vary in size and shape. Oncidium blossoms are 1/2 to 1 inch and are usually yellow with orange-red markings. Cattleya blossoms are large, ruffled and usually 5 to 6 inches across in white or purple with contrasting throats. Phalaenopsis have moth- or butterfly-shaped flowers in colors such as white, pink, purple and bicolors. Cymbidium and dendrobium flowers have a butterfly-like shape and are 3 to 4 inches acress. The larger of the two, cymbidiums are white, yellow, green or lavender with pink or red lips, while dendrobiums are often white or lavender.

Description: Dieffenbachias are popular foliage plants because they withstand an indoor environment better than most plants. They are about 2 1/2 -feet tall but can grow to 4 or 5 feet. Leaves can be up to 18 inches long and 1 foot wide.

Special care: Provide bright, indirect light. Make sure the plant receives more light in winter. Water plants thoroughly. Allow the soil to dry slightly before watering again. Do not allow plants to stand in water. Exercise caution with children or pets because plant sap can cause irritation of the mouth tissues.

Description: Throughout the world, more than 17,000 species are known, and varieties vary in size and shape. Oncidium blossoms are 1/2 to 1 inch and are usually yellow with orange-red markings. Cattleya blossoms are large, ruffled and usually 5 to 6 inches across in white or purple with contrasting throats. Phalaenopsis have moth- or butterfly-shaped flowers in colors such as white, pink, purple and bicolors. Cymbidium and dendrobium flowers have a butterfly-like shape and are 3 to 4 inches acress. The larger of the two, cymbidiums are white, yellow, green or lavender with pink or red lips, while dendrobiums are often white or lavender.