What’s Growin’ On?

*currently propping / available for your collection!

*growing but not yet available

Aroids

What is an Aroid?

An Aroid is part of the plant family Aracae. Just like all mammals have certain things in common, though the mammal family is incredibly diverse (greetings, platypi cousins!), Aroids are an incredibly diverse group of plants with some key shared features.

One of the most distinctive things that Aroids have in common is their “flower,” called an inflorescence. If you’ve ever seen a hooded white stalk on a peace lily or smelled the majestic corpse flower, you’ve met an Aroid, and what you saw (or maybe even smelled!) was its inflorescence!

Which Aroids are you growing, Jess?

There are hundreds of different genuses in the Aracae family. Though I have a couple of “one offs” within, the genuses that I am primarily growing are:

Philodendron - Monstera - Epipremnum

Learn a little bit more about these three genuses and the members I have in my collection below!

Philodendrons

Philodendrons are my very favorite type of plant. Their name comes from the Greek “philo” - meaning love - and “dendron” - meaning tree. Many philodendrons like to climb up something and are epiphytic in nature, making them literal “tree huggers” (just like me!).

I’m not sure why exactly, but I decided years ago that I wanted to collect as many of the over 400 varieties of this plant genus that I could! Check out my always growing collection (and maybe find your next obsession!) in the photos below:

* Gloriosum

* Paraiso Verde

* Hastatum “Silver Sword”

* Jose Buono

* Billietiae

* Birkin

* Domesticum

* Micans

* Painted Lady

* White Knight

* Xanadu

* Jungle Boogie

* Florida Green

* Brasil

* Lemon Lime

* Fuzzy Petiole

Monsteras

The name “Monstera” comes from the Latin “monstrum",” meaning “monster” or “abnormal.” One of my favorite things about monsteras is the tendency for some varieties, in the proper conditions, to fenestrate (from the French “fenetre” meaning window.) Fenestration is the name for the unique holes that may develop in certain species of this plant, and it’s a good sign that your plant is thriving!

Some evolutionary plant science pals think that this is an evolutionary adaptation to make these plants look less appetizing to would be herbivores, by giving the appearance of another herbivore having already eaten that snack. Some believe that fenestrations help protect these plants from blowing over as they grow taller - by reducing the surface area, the wind can “pass through” the plant’s windows, reducing the overall force of the wind. But the theory that I believe is about light:

Usually, it is newer leaves on a mature monstera that will develop these “windows” (if it’s a fenestrating friend). Many monsteras in nature are epiphytic, meaning they grow up something else, like a tree. As the plant reaches higher levels of the rain forest, it might “shade” the rest of the leaves below it, and those leaves did NOT sign up for that diet (since sun = photosynthesis = food, and sunlight is a precious commodity in the rain forest’s multiple layers). As a result, some believe that certain monsteras have developed these unique holes so that as the plant grows higher into the rainforest, the lower leaves can still receive precious sunlight.

Regardless of which theory you believe, these little “monsters” are a wonderful addition to any home jungle!

* Peru

* Esqueleto

* Deliciosa

* Adansonii (narrow)

Epipremnum (Pothos)

“Pothos” is one of the best starter plants if you’re looking to grow a jungle but aren’t too sure what you’re doing yet. They are a mostly vining/climbing group with lovely and diverse leaves that can create a jungle aesthetic, but they also tend to be very forgiving, and can tolerate a wide variety of household environments. But! Did you know that the correct scientific name for these plants (at least as of 2025) is actually “Epipremnum?”

According to some, calling this plant group “pothos,” (which started in the 1800s) comes from Pothos, the Greek God of longing, yearning, and desire. This name may have been chosen because of the heart shaped leaves and wandering nature of this vining beauty. Epipremnum, on the other hand, comes from the Greek “epi” - meaning “upon”- and “premnon” - meaning “tree stump.” Personally, I prefer the word pothos’ etymological origins, but live your life and say what you want!

Whatever you call this plant, it’s a great addition to any hanging basket, but you’ll be surprised by the size of those leaves if you give them something consistent to climb!

* Cebu Blue

* Manjula

* ‘n’ joy

Other Beloveds

Though philodendrons are my favorite, I love pretty much all plants!

One of my favorite things is when I find a plant I’ve never heard of, learn everything about it, and then propagate it until I have a small army of that plant. Check out the the “one off” family members in my collection below!