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.
Tacca chantrierei (Black Bat Flower)
If you like to collect and grow bizarre plants then this family of plants
is for you. More common than the White Bat Flower this one produces
a sinister looking nearly black flower that looks like a black bat in
flight. The center of the flower will sometimes develop a small bat
face.
These plants are native to India, Malaysia and some of the islands
in the Indo-Pacific region.
The flower is smaller than the White Bat Flower, measuring 3 inches
across with whiskers up 12 inches long. The plant itself is also smaller
growing to about 24 inches tall.
Shipped in a 4 inch pot, the leaves will be about 8 inches long and the plant will stand about 7 inches tall. These plants are close to blooming age but are usually not shipped in bloom. The flower on a typical specimen is shown on the left.
Item # TPBBAT3 Status: In Stock Price: $15.00 ea.
Tacca integrifolia (White Bat Flower )
These have got to be one of the more bizarre yet beautiful flowers you
will ever grow. These plants are native to India, Malaysia and some
of the islands in the Indo-Pacific region.
They require warm, humid, shady conditions. The soil should be rich
in organic matter, moist but well drained and slightly acidic. The leaves
do not like to be exposed to wind and will burn in windy conditions.
Think of warm humid, still rainforests, deep under the jungle canopy
when you grow these.
The flowers are an incredible 6 to 10 inches in diameter with whiskers
up to 36 inches long. Interestingly, the primitive tribes of New Guinea
are very superstitious of these plants. Look carefully at the photo
of the flower just below the white petal and slightly left of center.
Can you see why the natives are bothered by this plant when they encounter
it deep in the jungle? Hint: look for the purple bat face.
The plant itself will grow to about 28 to 36 inches tall, but as you
can see in the photo on the left it will grow and flower nicely in a
6 inch or larger pot. Never let the soil dry out completely and feed
regularly with you favorite flowering plant fertilizer. In a few months
your bat flower will be looking back at you.
Shipped in a 4 inch pot as shown above. The leaves will be about 10
inches long and the plant will stand about 10 inches tall. The main
stalk of the plant is between 1/2 to 1 inch in diameter at the base.
These plants are not shipped in bloom. They will be ready to bloom within
6 months if cared for properly. The flower on a slightly older specimen
is shown on the left.
A great plant for the serious collector!
Item #TPWBAT3 Status: Sorry, 4 inch pots are temporarily sold out, Extra Large plants in 6 inch pots will be ready soon.
Tacca 'Isle' (Green Flowered Bat Plant, Unidentified species)
This is a somewhat rare, large unidentified Tacca species from India.
This one has us a bit puzzled since there isn't much information available
on it yet.
These were imported from a grower in India who labeled it Tacca 'Isle' and stated it produces large green flowers. The leaves are slightly thicker and more puckered than the other Tacca species we grow.
No information yet on mature size but as with all Tacca these prefer low light and a moist, well drained substrate. They also require warm temperatures and prefer high humidity. Grow them as you would a tropical fern.
Shipped in a 4 inch pot, the leaves will be about 8 inches long and the plant will stand about 7 inches tall. We haven't seen these offered anywhere else. Very limited quantities at this time.
Item # TPGBAT3 Status: In Stock Price: $25.00 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 imbricata
This is a species that 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 you should plant it where it can climb rather than grow it in a hanging basket. A vertical tree fern pole or a piece of cork bark placed near it is ideal. Sold as well a established plant in a 4 inch pot.
Item # DIMB3 Status: 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: In Stock Price: $12.00 ea.
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 4 inch pot.
Item # DGAU3 Status: In Stock Price: $10.00 ea.
Dischidia ovata
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 4 inch pots.
Item # DOV3P Status: In Stock Price: $9.00 ea.
Dischidia ovata, Mounted
Same as above but sold as well established plants mounted on a piece
of cork bark.
Item # DOV3M Status: In Stock Price: $15.00 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
Ledebouria socialis ( Leopard Leaf, Silver Squill )
An attractive easy to grow plant native to South Africa. This dwarf variety
grows in shade mostly in the closed evergreen woodlands of the Eastern Cape.
A few populations occur in evergreen scrub forest.
It has fleshy, strap-like leaves that have a unique pattern on them resembling the spots of a leopard in shades of green and slivery-gray. The undersides of the leaves are purple as are the swollen bulb-like stems. Produces flower spikes of up to 25 tiny purplish green flowers in spring. It will grow up to 8 inches tall with flower spikes slightly taller. Grows equally well as either houseplant or terrarium specimen. Sold as a well established plant, with at least two bulbs, in a 4 inch pot.
Item # SSQL3 Status: In Stock Price: $6.00 ea.
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, well established plant in a 4 inch pot.
Item # PCRO3 Status: Temporarily Sold Out Price: $15.00 ea.
Peperomia obtusifolia (Baby Rubber Plant)
This is an epiphyte which grows equally well as a terrestrial. Despite
its common name it is not a rubber plant ,which is a Ficus, but it does
look like a miniature one.
Its thick fleshy stems bear waxy round green leaves. Prefers medium to low light. Will respond well to pruning to control its size and shape, otherwise it can grow up to 24" tall. Sold as a well started plant in a 4" pot.
Item # TPPO3 Status: In Stock Price: $5.00 ea.
Peperomia fraseri
A native of Ecuador. Its white bottlebrush flowers set it apart from
others in the family. Individual plants will grow in a clump 6 - 8 inches
tall and are well suited to small pots and terrariums.
Prefers medium to low light, high humidity and a moist substrate. Sold in 4" pots.
Item # PEPFRAS Status: In Stock Price: $6.00 ea.
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: In Stock Price: $15.00 ea.
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.
Selaginella erythropus 'Sanguinea', Red Club Moss***Rare
This is a spectacular club moss which is rarely seen for sale. Native
to Central America. It makes a great addition to your plant collection
or to brighten up your terrarium.
It requires typical club moss conditions: low / medium light, moist substrate, high humidity and warm temperatures. It grows in a loose rosette with slightly upturned leaf tips which reveal the fantastic metallic maroon/ red coloration. The red coloration is rare within this family. The leaf tops are deep green.
Grows to about 3-4 inches tall and will spread outward as a groundcover. Sold as well started plants in a 4" pot.
Item # SELRED3 Status: In Stock Price: $9.00 ea.
Product Index
- Aroids
- Bromeliads
- Carnivorous Plants
- Live Mosses
- Orchids
- Orchids page 2
- Tropical Plants and Ferns
- Specials
- Supplies
About the Tacca species
This group is found throughout the Indo Pacific islands as well as India, China , Vietnam and Thailand. Grown for their beautiful and sometimes sinister looking flowers they make excellent houseplants or container grown patio plants.
Tacca can be grown outdoors as long as the minimum temperatures remain above 50 degrees F. They thrive in high humidity and low light conditions and can be grown the same as tropical ferns. The large leaves are sensitive to wind so if grown outdoors they should be placed in a sheltered and shady location.
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.