Decorative plants

Architectural split leaves that turn a plain corner into the focal point of a room.

• medium light
• beginner care
• indoor

Nearly unkillable upright form with gold-edged blades; survives dim corners.

• low light
• beginner care
• indoor

White sail-like blooms above glossy foliage, and it tells you when it's thirsty.

• low light
• beginner care
• indoor

Blazing magenta bracts for walls, gates and terraces through the hot months.

• bright light
• moderate care
• outdoor

Waxy dark-green stems that hold form for weeks without water or sunlight.

• low light
• beginner care
• indoor

Soft feathered fronds that humidify a room and are safe around pets.

• bright light
• moderate care
• both

Dark, glossy leaves that give a room instant maturity.

• medium light
• beginner care
• indoor

Sculptural violin-shaped leaves — the designer's favourite.

• bright light
• expert care
• indoor

Pink-splashed foliage that tolerates low light.

• low light
• beginner care
• indoor

The classic trailing money plant for shelves and walls.

• low light
• beginner care
• indoor

Deeply lobed, compact philodendron for bright corners.

• medium light
• moderate care
• indoor

Silver-striped round leaves for humid rooms.

• medium light
• expert care
• indoor

Spiky, architectural dragon tree that shrugs off neglect.

• medium light
• beginner care
• indoor

Arching striped leaves; safe for cats and dogs.

• medium light
• beginner care
• indoor

Chunky 'lucky' succulent that lives for decades.

• bright light
• beginner care
• both

Five hand-picked succulents in clay pots for a sunny sill.

• bright light
• beginner care
• both

Medicinal aloe that thrives on sun and neglect.

• bright light
• beginner care
• both

Lush feathery fern for verandas and bathrooms.

• medium light
• moderate care
• both

Silver-green foliage for the darkest office corner.

• low light
• beginner care
• indoor

Big paddle leaves and crane-like orange blooms.

• bright light
• moderate care
• both

Fragrant desi gulab — the heart of every Pakistani garden.

• bright light
• moderate care
• outdoor

Long-stemmed, show-quality red roses from winter to spring.

• bright light
• moderate care
• outdoor

Pakistan's national flower — intensely fragrant evenings.

• bright light
• beginner care
• outdoor

Climbing jasmine for fences and arches.

• bright light
• beginner care
• outdoor

Night-blooming shrub that perfumes the whole street.

• bright light
• beginner care
• outdoor

Dinner-plate blooms in red, pink and yellow.

• bright light
• moderate care
• outdoor

Compact pink bougainvillea for pots and railings.

• bright light
• beginner care
• outdoor

Red flower clusters on a neat, glossy shrub.

• bright light
• moderate care
• outdoor

Bonsai-like swollen trunk with pink trumpet flowers.

• bright light
• moderate care
• outdoor

Pinwheel white flowers on a tidy evergreen hedge plant.

• bright light
• beginner care
• outdoor

Waxy white, heavily scented blooms for a shaded terrace.

• medium light
• expert care
• outdoor

Tough, heat-loving flowering screen for boundaries.

• bright light
• beginner care
• outdoor

Bushy, plume-like fronds on a clean grey trunk.

• bright light
• moderate care
• outdoor

Stately smooth-trunked palm for driveways and avenues.

• bright light
• moderate care
• outdoor

Swollen, bottle-shaped trunk — a real garden centrepiece.

• bright light
• moderate care
• outdoor

Fast, fan-leaved palm that handles heat and cold.

• bright light
• beginner care
• outdoor

Ancient, slow-growing rosette of stiff dark fronds.

• bright light
• beginner care
• both

Weeping fig for hedges, topiary or a bright hall.

• bright light
• moderate care
• both

Orange-jasmine hedge with sweet-scented white flowers.

• bright light
• beginner care
• outdoor

Cascading yellow blossoms every summer.

• bright light
• beginner care
• outdoor

Flame-red canopy of flowers for large lawns.

• bright light
• beginner care
• outdoor