PlantGrail lexicon

A reference list of the houseplants, problems and supply types that PlantGrail covers, with each plant's botanical name and the other names it goes by.

What is the botanical name of my houseplant?

Find the plant's common name in the A to Z list below. Its botanical (scientific) name is shown under it in italics, followed by other common names. For example, pothos is Epipremnum aureum. Plants with a care guide link to it.

100 plants, 95 problem types and 32 tool and supply types, as of October 21, 2026.

Plants A to Z

Common name, botanical name and other names.

A

african violet: Streptocarpus sect. Saintpaulia; Also called: saintpaulia, av
air plant: Tillandsia spp.; Also called: tillandsia, sky plant, tillys
alocasia: Alocasia spp.; Also called: elephant ear, african mask plant, kris plant
alocasia dragon scale: Alocasia baginda 'Dragon Scale'; Also called: dragon scale, alocasia baginda
alocasia frydek: Alocasia micholitziana 'Frydek'; Also called: green velvet alocasia, alocasia green velvet
alocasia silver dragon: Alocasia baginda 'Silver Dragon'; Also called: silver dragon, silver dragon alocasia
aloe vera: Aloe vera; Also called: aloe, medicinal aloe, burn plant, first aid plant, curaçao aloe, indian aloe, jaffarabad aloe, mediterranean aloe, west indian aloe, coastal aloe, common aloe, star cactus, true aloe, unguentine cactus, barbados aloes, common aloes
aluminum plant: Pilea cadierei; Also called: watermelon pilea, aluminum pilea
anthurium: Anthurium spp.; Also called: flamingo flower, laceleaf, tailflower, painter's palette
anthurium clarinervium: Anthurium clarinervium; Also called: velvet cardboard anthurium, clarinervium

B

bamboo: Bambusoideae (subfamily); Also called: lucky bamboo, bamboo palm
begonia: Begonia spp.; Also called: angel wing begonia, rex begonia, cane begonia, oblique-leaved begonia
begonia maculata: Begonia maculata; Also called: polka dot begonia, spotted begonia, trout begonia
bird of paradise: Strelitzia reginae; Also called: crane flower, strelitzia, bop, queen plant, bird-of-paradise, bird of paradise plant, craneflower
boston fern: Nephrolepis exaltata; Also called: sword fern, fishbone fern, nephrolepis, boston sword fern, boston swordfern
bromeliad: Bromeliaceae (family); Also called: guzmania, vriesea, neoregelia, aechmea

C

cactus: Cactaceae (family); Also called: cacti, opuntia, mammillaria, gymnocalycium, barrel cactus
caladium: Caladium bicolor; Also called: angel wings, elephant ear, heart of jesus, heart-of-jesus, fancy-leaf caladium, angel-wings, elephant's-ear, bleeding-heart, artist's pallet, fancy-leafed caladium, fancy-leaved caladium
calathea: Goeppertia spp.; Also called: prayer plant, peacock plant, zebra plant, rattlesnake plant
calathea orbifolia: Goeppertia orbifolia; Also called: round leaf calathea, prayer plant orbifolia
calathea white fusion: Goeppertia 'White Fusion'; Also called: white fusion, calathea white fusion, peacock plant white fusion
carnivorous plants: Various genera; Also called: venus flytrap, dionaea, sundew, drosera, pitcher plant, nepenthes, sarracenia
chinese evergreen: Aglaonema spp.; Also called: aglaonema, philippine evergreen, poison dart plant, japanese-leaf
coffee arabica: Coffea arabica; Also called: coffee plant, arabian coffee
coffee plant: Coffea arabica; Also called: coffee arabica, arabian coffee, coffee tree, coffee, coffeetree, arabica coffee, սուրճ արապիքա, coffee-tree
croton: Codiaeum variegatum; Also called: garden croton, variegated croton, joseph's coat, wunderstrauch
cyclamen: Cyclamen persicum; Also called: florist's cyclamen, persian violet, sowbread, persian cyclamen

D

dieffenbachia: Dieffenbachia spp.; Also called: dumb cane, leopard lily, mother-in-law's tongue
dracaena: Dracaena spp.; Also called: dragon tree, corn plant, mass cane, lucky bamboo

E

echeveria: Echeveria spp.; Also called: hens and chicks, mexican snowball, ghost echeveria
english ivy: Hedera helix; Also called: common ivy, hedera, european ivy, efeu, bind wood

F

fern: Polypodiophyta (division); Also called: maidenhair fern, staghorn fern, bird's nest fern, asparagus fern
ficus: Ficus spp.; Also called: fig, weeping fig, ficus tree
ficus elastica ruby: Ficus elastica 'Ruby'; Also called: ruby rubber plant, ruby ficus, pink rubber plant
ficus elastica shivereana: Ficus elastica 'Shivereana'; Also called: shivereana, moonshine rubber plant, camouflage ficus
ficus elastica tineke: Ficus elastica 'Tineke'; Also called: tineke rubber plant, variegated rubber plant, tineke
fiddle leaf fig: Ficus lyrata; Also called: flf, fiddle fig, banjo fig
fittonia: Fittonia albivenis; Also called: nerve plant, mosaic plant, silver net plant, painted net leaf, mosaic-plant, silver-nerve, silver-threads, nerveplant, snakeskinplant, silver fittonia, silver netleaf, silver netplant
fruiting indoor: Various species; Also called: indoor fruit trees, dwarf fruit trees

H

haworthia: Haworthiopsis spp.; Also called: zebra plant, haworthia fasciata, zebra cactus
hoya: Hoya spp.; Also called: wax plant, wax flower, porcelain flower, hindu rope
hoya compacta: Hoya carnosa 'Compacta'; Also called: hindu rope plant, krinkle kurl, rope hoya
hoya kerrii variegata: Hoya kerrii 'Variegata'; Also called: variegated sweetheart plant, variegated heart hoya, lucky heart variegated
hoya publicalyx: Hoya pubicalyx; Also called: pink silver hoya, publicalyx splash

I

inch plant: Tradescantia zebrina; Also called: wandering dude, spiderwort, silver inch plant
indoor citrus: Citrus spp.; Also called: citrus tree, dwarf citrus
indoor lemon: Citrus limon; Also called: meyer lemon, dwarf lemon tree, lemon tree
indoor lime: Citrus aurantiifolia; Also called: key lime, persian lime, dwarf lime tree

J

jade plant: Crassula ovata; Also called: money plant, lucky plant, friendship tree, crassula, baby jade, cauliflower-ears, jadeplant, jadetree, japanese-laurel, dollarplant, karkay, pink joy, kerky-bush, beestebul, silver dollar plant
jewel orchid: Ludisia discolor; Also called: ludisia, macodes petola, velvet orchid

M

majesty palm: Ravenea rivularis; Also called: majestic palm, ravenea
maranta: Maranta leuconeura; Also called: prayer plant, herringbone plant, rabbit tracks
money tree: Pachira aquatica; Also called: guiana chestnut, malabar chestnut, saba nut, braided money tree, provision-tree, water-chestnut, wild cocoa, malabar-chestnut, guiana-chestnut, sabanut, water chestnut, american chestnut
monstera adansonii: Monstera adansonii; Also called: swiss cheese vine, five holes plant, adanson's monstera, monkey mask, swiss-cheese-plant, mountain ears
monstera deliciosa: Monstera deliciosa; Also called: swiss cheese plant, split leaf philodendron, fruit salad plant, monstera, fruit-salad-plant, swiss-cheese-plant, cut-leaf-philodendron, mexican-breadfruit, tarovine, windowleaf, taro vine, ceriman, delicious monster, split-leaf philodendron, swiss-cheese plant, window plant, locust and wild honey, harpon, mexican breadfruit, pine fruit tree
monstera obliqua: Monstera obliqua; Also called: swiss cheese plant, true obliqua
monstera thai constellation: Monstera deliciosa 'Thai Constellation'; Also called: thai con, thai monstera, constellation monstera

N

nerve plant: Fittonia albivenis; Also called: fittonia, mosaic plant, silver net plant

O

orchid: Orchidaceae (family); Also called: phalaenopsis, moth orchid, dendrobium, oncidium, cattleya

P

parlor palm: Chamaedorea elegans; Also called: neanthe bella palm, good luck palm, table palm, good-luck palm, parlour palm
peace lily: Spathiphyllum wallisii; Also called: spathiphyllum, spath, white sails, spathe flower
peperomia: Peperomia spp.; Also called: radiator plant, baby rubber plant, watermelon peperomia, ripple peperomia
philodendron: Philodendron spp.; Also called: philo, heartleaf philodendron
philodendron birkin: Philodendron 'Birkin'; Also called: birkin, white wave philodendron
philodendron brasil: Philodendron hederaceum 'Brasil'; Also called: brasil philodendron, brazil philodendron, variegated heartleaf
philodendron gloriosum: Philodendron gloriosum; Also called: velvet philodendron, glori, gloriosum
philodendron micans: Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum; Also called: velvet leaf philodendron, heart leaf philodendron micans
pilea peperomioides: Pilea peperomioides; Also called: chinese money plant, pancake plant, ufo plant, missionary plant, friendship plant
pink princess: Philodendron erubescens 'Pink Princess'; Also called: ppp, pink princess philodendron, blushing philodendron
pink princess philodendron: Philodendron erubescens 'Pink Princess'; Also called: PPP, pink princess, philodendron pink princess
polka dot plant: Hypoestes phyllostachya; Also called: freckle face, measles plant, flamingo plant, flamingo-plant, measlesplant, polka-dot-plant, freckle-face, pink-dot, polkadot-plant, polka-dot plant, polkadot plant
ponytail palm: Beaucarnea recurvata; Also called: elephant foot plant, bottle palm, beaucarnea
pothos: Epipremnum aureum; Also called: devil's ivy, golden pothos, money plant, hunter's robe, devil's-ivy, golden hunter's-robe, tonga vine, pothos vine, variegated philodendron
pothos cebu blue: Epipremnum pinnatum 'Cebu Blue'; Also called: cebu blue, blue pothos, epipremnum cebu blue
pothos manjula: Epipremnum aureum 'Manjula'; Also called: manjula pothos, happy leaf pothos
pothos njoy: Epipremnum aureum 'N'Joy'; Also called: n'joy pothos, njoy, n joy
prayer plant: Maranta leuconeura; Also called: maranta, herringbone plant, rabbit tracks, ten-commandments

R

rattlesnake plant: Goeppertia insignis; Also called: calathea lancifolia, rattlesnake calathea
rex begonia: Begonia rex-cultorum; Also called: painted leaf begonia, king begonia, fancy leaf begonia
rubber plant: Ficus elastica; Also called: rubber tree, rubber fig, indian rubber bush

S

schefflera: Schefflera spp.; Also called: umbrella tree, umbrella plant, octopus tree, dwarf umbrella tree, dogwood, shiny leaf, shiny-leaf
scindapsus pictus: Scindapsus pictus; Also called: satin pothos, silver pothos, silk pothos, silver philodendron
scindapsus treubii: Scindapsus treubii; Also called: moonlight scindapsus, sterling silver, dark form, treubii
sedum: Sedum spp.; Also called: stonecrop, jelly bean plant, burro's tail, donkey tail
snake plant: Dracaena trifasciata; Also called: sansevieria, mother in law's tongue, viper's bowstring hemp, saint george's sword
snake plant moonshine: Dracaena trifasciata 'Moonshine'; Also called: moonshine sansevieria, silver snake plant
spider plant: Chlorophytum comosum; Also called: airplane plant, ribbon plant, spider ivy, hen and chickens, spider-ivy, spiderplant, hen-and-chickens, spider-plant
strawberry begonia: Saxifraga stolonifera; Also called: creeping saxifrage, mother of thousands, roving sailor, mother-of-thousands, strawberry saxifrage, strawberry-geranium, trailing saxifrage, hu er cao
string of hearts: Ceropegia woodii; Also called: chain of hearts, rosary vine, hearts entangled, sweetheart vine, soh
string of pearls: Curio rowleyanus; Also called: senecio rowleyanus, string of beads, sop
succulent: Various families; Also called: echeveria, sedum, crassula, kalanchoe, sempervivum
syngonium: Syngonium podophyllum; Also called: arrowhead plant, arrowhead vine, goosefoot plant, nephthytis, american evergreen, arrowhead-vine, goosefoot
syngonium pink: Syngonium podophyllum 'Pink'; Also called: pink syngonium, neon robusta, pink allusion, strawberry cream

T

thaumatophyllum: Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum; Also called: philodendron selloum, tree philodendron, lacy tree philodendron, hope philodendron
tradescantia: Tradescantia spp.; Also called: spiderwort, inch plant, wandering dude, purple heart

V

variegated monstera: Monstera deliciosa 'Albo Variegata'; Also called: albo monstera, monstera albo, white monstera, albo borsigiana

W

wandering dude: Tradescantia zebrina; Also called: tradescantia, inch plant, spiderwort, purple heart
wandering jew: Tradescantia zebrina; Also called: wandering dude, inch plant, spiderwort, silver inch plant, wandering-jew, inch-plant, wandering-sailor, small-leaf spiderwort, small-leaf wandering-jew, smallleaf spiderwort, white-flowered wandering jew, wandering willie, wandering creeper, white flowered wandering jew

Z

zz plant: Zamioculcas zamiifolia; Also called: zanzibar gem, zuzu plant, aroid palm, eternity plant, fern arum, arum fern
zz plant raven: Zamioculcas zamiifolia 'Raven'; Also called: raven zz, black zz plant, dark zz

Problems and symptoms

95 problem types in 9 groups. See the problem index for causes and first checks.

Symptoms

Yellow leaves
Brown tips
Brown spots
Drooping
Wilting
Crispy leaves
Dropping leaves
Leggy growth
No new growth
Curling leaves
Mushy stems
Black stems
Pale leaves
Loss of variegation
Stretching
Etiolation
Leaf scarring
Edema
Guttation concerns

Watering problems

Root rot
Overwatering
Underwatering
Water quality
Hard water

Pests

Thrips
Spider mites
Fungus gnats
Mealybugs
Scale
Aphids
Whiteflies
Root mealybugs
Springtails
Soil mites

Diseases

Root rot
Fungal infection
Bacterial infection
Powdery mildew
Leaf spot
Mosaic virus

Rescue steps

Hydrogen peroxide drench
Root surgery
Systemic granules
Isopropyl alcohol wipe
Neem oil treatment
Hydroponic recovery
Sphagnum moss propagation

Environment

Low light
Too much light
Sunburn
Cold damage
Humidity
Drafts
Repotting stress
Transplant shock
Fertilizer burn
Acclimation stress
Shipping damage
Seasonal dormancy
Heating vent damage
AC damage
Ventilation
Stale air
Stagnant air
Lack of airflow

Soil problems

Compact soil
Hydrophobic soil
Moldy soil
Sour soil
Mineral buildup
Salt buildup
PH issues
Soil too dense
Water not absorbing

Pot problems

Wrong pot size
No drainage
Root rot from pot
Terracotta vs plastic
Nursery pot vs decorative
Pot too big
Pot too small
Overpotting

General topics

Houseplant
House plant
Plant
Dying plant
Sick plant
Plant rescue
Indoor plant
Indoor gardening
Houseplant care
Rehome plants
Garden rescue
Gardening tips
Plant identification

Tools and supplies

Types of tools and supplies that come up in plant care steps.

Tools

Moisture meter, Hygrometer, Grow light, Humidifier, Pebble tray, Heat mat, Pruning shears, Shears, Spray bottle, Watering can, Soil pH meter, Thermometer, Reverse osmosis system, Ro_system, Water filter, Distiller

Books

Houseplant book, Plant care guide, Indoor gardening book, Plant identification book, Propagation book

Accessories

Plant stakes, Plant ties, Plant clips, Root hormone, Rooting powder, Seedling heat mat, Humidity dome, Drip irrigation kit, Self watering spike, Plant caddy, Pot feet