Scientific names of houseplants

Nicknames are a great way to remember certain plants, but it becomes confusing when the same nickname could be used for multiple different plants. That's why it never hurts to use their scientific names. Here is a comprehensive list of all plants I've written about!

	Scientific name	Common names
	Abutilon indicum Learn more	Common nicknames for Abutilon indicum include: Indian Mallow Indian Abutilon Indian lantern Plant Atibala
	Adiantum Learn more	Common nicknames for Adiantum include: Maidenhair Fern Northern Maidenhair Five-Fingered Fern Walking Fern
	Aechmea fasciata Learn more	Common nicknames for Aechmea fasciata include: Silver Vase Plant Urn Plant Bromeliad Silver Vase Silver Vase Bromeliad.
	Aeschynanthus Learn more	Common nicknames for Aeschynanthus include: Lipstick Plant Basket Vine Zebra Basket Vine Goldfish Plant Clustering Tubeflower Red Bugle Vine Indian Rope Plant Blushing Bromeliad
	Agave tequilana Learn more	Common nicknames for Agave tequilana include: Blue Agave Tequila Agave Mezcal Blue Weber's Blue Agave Century plant
	Aglaonema Learn more	Common nicknames for Aglaonema include: Chinese Evergreen Silver Bay Maria Golden Bay Silver Queen Red Alert Pink Dalmatian Sparkling Sarah White Calcite
	Alocasia Zebrina Learn more	Common nicknames for Alocasia Zebrina include: Zebra Plant Elephant Ear Plant Zebra Elephant Ear Zebra Alocasia Tiger Alocasia
	Alocasia amazonica Learn more	Common nicknames for Alocasia amazonica include: African Mask Plant Amazon Taro Elephant Ear Polly Plant Amazon Elephant's Ear Alocasia Amazonica 'Polly'
	Aloe barbadensis miller Learn more	Common nicknames for Aloe barbadensis miller include: Aloe Vera Burn Aloe Medicine Plant Miracle Plant True Aloe Lily of the Desert First Aid Plant Witch's Broom
	Anthurium Learn more	Common nicknames for Anthurium include: Flamingo Flower Tailflower Painter's Palette Laceleaf Heartleaf Flamingo Lily.
	Aphelandra squarrosa Learn more	Common nicknames for Aphelandra squarrosa include: Zebra Plant Saffron Spike Zebra Aphelandra.
	Asparagus densiflorus Learn more	Common nicknames for Asparagus densiflorus include: Sprenger's Asparagus Asparagus Fern Emerald Fern Basket Asparagus Plume Asparagus
	Aspidistra elatior Learn more	Common nicknames for Aspidistra elatior include: Cast Iron Plant Bar Room Plant Iron Plant Ballroom Plant
	Asplenium Learn more	Common nicknames for Asplenium include: Asplenium nidus - Bird's Nest Fern Asplenium scolopendrium - Hart's Tongue Fern Asplenium trichomanes - Maidenhair Spleenwort Asplenium bulbiferum - Hen and Chicken Fern, Mother Fern Asplenium ruta-muraria - Wall Rue Asplenium adiantum-nigrum - Black Spleenwort Asplenium platyneuron - Ebony Spleenwort.
	Beaucarnea recurvata Learn more	Common nicknames for Beaucarnea recurvata include: Ponytail Palm Elephant's Foot Bottle Palm Monja Palma Culona Nolina's Recurved Pony Tail Tree
	Begonia maculata Learn more	Common nicknames for Begonia maculata include: Polka Dot Begonia Trout Begonia Spotted Begonia Angel Wing Begonia Clown Flower
	Caladium Praetermissum Learn more	Common nicknames for Caladium Praetermissum include: Lance Leaf Caladium Strap Leaf Caladium Narrow Leaf Caladium
	Caladium bicolor Learn more	Common nicknames for Caladium bicolor include: Heart of Jesus Angel Wings Elephant Ear
	Calathea Ornata Learn more	Common nicknames for Calathea Ornata include: Pinstripe Calathea Pinstripe Prayer Plant Pinstripe Plant Striped Calathea Calathea Pinstripe
	Calathea Triostar Learn more	Common nicknames for Calathea Triostar include: Stromanthe Triostar Stromanthe sanguinea 'Triostar' Tricolor Prayer Plant Tricolor Stromanthe
	Cephalocereus senilis Learn more	Common nicknames for Cephalocereus senilis include: Old Man Cactus White Persian Cat Cactus Old Man of the Andes Hairy Cactus
	Ceropegia woodii Learn more	Common nicknames for Ceropegia woodii include: String of Hearts Rosary Vine Sweetheart Vine Chain of Hearts Hearts on a String Heart Vine String of Beads Collar of Hearts Necklace Vine Sweetheart Hoya
	Chamaedorea elegans Learn more	Common nicknames for Chamaedorea elegans include: Parlor Palm Neanthe Bella Palm Bella Palm Good Luck Palm Dwarf Mountain palm Miniature Fish Tail Dwarf Palm
	Chlorophytum comosum Learn more	Common nicknames for Chlorophytum comosum include: Spider Plant Ribbon Plant Airplane Plant Spider Ivy St. Bernard's Lily Hen and Chickens Spider's Ivy
	Citrus limon Learn more	Common nicknames for Citrus limon include: Lemon Lemon Tree True Lemon European Lemon
	Clusia Rosea Learn more	Common nicknames for Clusia Rosea include: Autograph Tree Pitch Apple Scotch Attorney Florida Clusia Balsam Apple Copey Cabbage Tree Garlic Pear
	Codiaeum variegatum Learn more	Common nicknames for Codiaeum variegatum include: Croton Garden croton Variegated croton Joseph's Coat Rushfoil.
	Cordyline fruticosa Learn more	Common nicknames for Cordyline fruticosa include: Good Luck Plant Ti Plant Tree of Kings Hawaiian Ti Plant Palm Lily
	Crassula ovata Learn more	Common nicknames for Crassula ovata include: Jade Plant Money Plant Money Tree Lucky Plant Friendship Tree Dollar Plant Tree of Happiness Pink Joy Jade Tree Rubber Plant
	Cycas revoluta Learn more	Common nicknames for Cycas revoluta include: Sago Palm King Sago Sago Cycad Japanese Sago Palm
	Cyperus alternifolius Learn more	Common nicknames for Cyperus alternifolius include: Umbrella Papyrus Umbrella Palm Umbrella Sedge Umbrella Plant Water Palm
	Dieffenbachia seguine Learn more	Common nicknames for Dieffenbachia seguine include: Dumb Cane Leopard Lily Tropic Snow Exotica Perfection Dieffenbachia Spotted Dumb Cane Exotica Charming Dieffenbachia
	Dionaea muscipula Learn more	Common nicknames for Dionaea muscipula include: Venus Flytrap Flytrap Tippity Twitchet Bug Eater Tipper Trap Plant
	Dracaena deremensis Learn more	Common nicknames for Dracaena deremensis include: Corn Plant Janet Craig Striped Dracaena Warneckii Happy Plant Green Cornplant
	Dracaena marginata Learn more	Common nicknames for Dracaena marginata include: Red-edged Dracaena Madagascar Dragon Tree Dragon Tree Rainbow Tree Tree Dracaena Marginata Plant
	Dracaena sanderiana Learn more	Common nicknames for Dracaena sanderiana include: Lucky Bamboo Ribbon Dracaena Belgian Evergreen Chinese Water Bamboo Goddess of Mercy Plant Sander's Dracaena Curly Bamboo Ribbon Plant
	Dypsis lutescens Learn more	Common nicknames for Dypsis lutescens include: Areca Palm Butterfly Palm Cane Palm Golden Feather Palm Yellow Palm Madagascar palm
	Echeveria Learn more	Common nicknames for Echeveria include: Mexican Snow Ball Mexican Hens and Chicks Pearl of Nurnberg Desert Rose Stone Rose Mexican Firecracker Painted Echeveria Ghost Echeveria Wax Rosette Copper Rose Plush Plant Hen and Chicks Desert Rose Echeveria Molded Wax Agave Mexican Gem Hens-and-chickens Molded Wax Agave.
	Epipremnum aureum Learn more	Common nicknames for Epipremnum aureum include: Golden Pothos Devil's Ivy Money Plant Silver Vine Taro Vine Ivy Arum
	Euphorbia Trigona Learn more	Common nicknames for Euphorbia Trigona include: African Milk Tree Cathedral Cactus High Chaparall Abyssinian Euphorbia
	Euphorbia pulcherrima Learn more	Common nicknames for Euphorbia pulcherrima include: Poinsettia Christmas Star Christmas Plant Mexican Flame Leaf Lobster Plant Flame Leaf Flower
	Ficus Benjamina Learn more	Common nicknames for Ficus Benjamina include: Weeping Fig Benjamin Fig Ficus Tree Small-Leaved Rubber Plant Java Fig Tropic Laurel Variegated Weeping Fig.
	Ficus Elastica Learn more	Common nicknames for Ficus Elastica include: Rubber Plant Rubber Tree Indian Rubber Tree Rubber Fig Decora Tree
	Ficus Ginseng Learn more	Common nicknames for Ficus Ginseng include: Ginseng Ficus Banyan Fig Taiwan Ficus Potbelly Fig Ficus Microcarpa 'Ginseng'
	Ficus Lyrata Learn more	Common nicknames for Ficus Lyrata include: Fiddle Leaf Fig Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree Ficus Pandurata Banjo Fig Fiddleleaf Fig Tree Fiddle-leaf Fig Tree
	Gardenia Learn more	Common nicknames for Gardenia include: Cape Jasmine Common Gardenia True Jasmine Gandhraj (in India)
	Gerbera jamesonii Learn more	Common nicknames for Gerbera jamesonii include: Transvaal Daisy Gerbera Daisy African Daisy Barberton Daisy Gerber Flower
	Haworthia fasciata Learn more	Common nicknames for Haworthia fasciata include: Zebra Haworthia Zebra Cactus Zebra Plant Pearl Plant Star Window Plant
	Hedera helix Learn more	Common nicknames for Hedera helix include: English Ivy Common Ivy European Ivy Ivy
	Hoya Carnosa Learn more	Common nicknames for Hoya Carnosa include: Wax Plant Porcelain Flower Honey Plant Hindu Rope Plant
	Hoya Kerrii Learn more	Common nicknames for Hoya Kerrii include: Sweetheart Hoya Valentine Hoya Heart Leaf Hoya Wax Hearts Lucky-Heart Sweetheart Plant
	Kalanchoe blossfeldiana Learn more	Common nicknames for Kalanchoe blossfeldiana include: Flaming Katy Christmas Kalanchoe Florist Kalanchoe Madagascar Widow's-thrill
	Lavandula angustifolia Learn more	Common nicknames for Lavandula angustifolia include: English Lavender True Lavender Garden Lavender Common Lavender Narrow-leaved Lavender Lavender
	Ligustrum vulgare Learn more	Common nicknames for Ligustrum vulgare include: Common Privet European Privet Wild Privet Privet Garden Privet
	Maranta leuconeura Learn more	Common nicknames for Maranta leuconeura include: Prayer Plant Herringbone Plant Rabbit's Foot
	Monstera deliciosa Learn more	Common nicknames for Monstera deliciosa include: Swiss Cheese Plant Fruit Salad Plant Monster Fruit Split-leaf Philodendron Mexican Breadfruit Ceriman Windowleaf Monstera Delicious Monster
	Nepenthes alata Learn more	Common nicknames for Nepenthes alata include: Winged Pitcher Plant Alata Pitcher Plant Common Pitcher Plant Monkey Cup
	Nephrolepis exaltata Learn more	Common nicknames for Nephrolepis exaltata include: Boston Fern Sword Fern Fishbone Fern Boston Sword Fern Wild Boston Fern Tubed Sword Fern
	Oncidium Orchids Learn more	Common nicknames for Oncidium Orchids include: Dancing Lady Orchid Golden Shower Orchid Tiger Orchid Hawaii Orchids Butterfly Orchid Lady of the Valley Orchid Spray Orchid
	Orchid Phalaenopsis Learn more	Common nicknames for Orchid Phalaenopsis include: Moth Orchid Phalaenopsis Orchid Butterfly Orchid Moon Orchid Phals
	Oxalis purpurea Learn more	Common nicknames for Oxalis purpurea include: Purple Woodsorrel Broadleaf Woodsorrel Trailing Woodsorrel Purple Shamrock Giant False Shamrock
	Pachira Aquatica Learn more	Common nicknames for Pachira Aquatica include: Money Tree Guiana Chestnut Provision Tree Saba Nut Malabar Chestnut French Peanut Water Chestnut.
	Peperomia Obtusifolia Learn more	Common nicknames for Peperomia Obtusifolia include: Baby Rubber Plant Pepper Face American Rubber Plant Blunt-Leaved Peperomia Florida Peperomia Radiator Plant Desert Privet
	Philodendron Birkin Learn more	Common nicknames for Philodendron Birkin include:
	Philodendron Gloriosum Learn more	Common nicknames for Philodendron Gloriosum include: Glorious Jungle Philodendron Glorious Philodendron Velvet Philodendron
	Philodendron Micans Learn more	Common nicknames for Philodendron Micans include: Velvet Leaf Philodendron Heartleaf Philodendron Velvet Philodendron Hederaceum Philodendron
	Philodendron Minima Learn more	Common nicknames for Philodendron Minima include: Mini Monstera Dwarf Monstera Piccolo Banda Raphidophora Tetrasperma
	Philodendron scandens Learn more	Common nicknames for Philodendron scandens include: Heartleaf Philodendron Sweetheart Plant Velvet Leaf Philodendron Heart Leaf Vine Parlour Ivy
	Pilea Peperomioides Learn more	Common nicknames for Pilea Peperomioides include: Chinese Money Plant Pancake Plant UFO Plant Lefse Plant Mirror Grass Coin Plant Missionary Plant Bishop's Weed Pass-It-On Plant
	Polyscias fruticosa Learn more	Common nicknames for Polyscias fruticosa include: Ming Aralia Zig-zag plant Spider Aralia Geranium Aralia
	Rex Begonia Learn more	Common nicknames for Rex Begonia include: King Begonia Painted-Leaf Begonia Fancy-Leaf Begonia Fire King Begonia Dragon Wing Begonia
	Saintpaulia ionantha Learn more	Common nicknames for Saintpaulia ionantha include: African Violet Purple Saintpaulia Violet of Usambara Usambara Violet
	Sansevieria trifasciata Learn more	Common nicknames for Sansevieria trifasciata include: Snake Plant Mother-in-Law's Tongue Saint George's Sword Viper's Bowstring Hemp Devil's Tongue
	Schefflera Arboricola Learn more	Common nicknames for Schefflera Arboricola include: Umbrella Tree Dwarf Umbrella Tree Queensland Umbrella Tree Octopus Tree Gold Capella Arboricola Plant
	Schlumbergera Learn more	Common nicknames for Schlumbergera include: Thanksgiving Cactus Christmas Cactus Holiday Cactus Crab Cactus Claw Cactus Linkleaf Yoke Cactus
	Sedum Morganianum Learn more	Common nicknames for Sedum Morganianum include: Burro's Tail Donkey's Tail Horse's Tail Lamb's Tail Monkey Tail
	Senecio rowleyanus Learn more	Common nicknames for Senecio rowleyanus include: String of Pearls String of Beads String of Peas Rosary String of marbles Pea necklace Necklace plant
	Spathiphyllum Learn more	Common nicknames for Spathiphyllum include: Peace Lily Spathe Flower White Sails Mauna Loa Peace Lily
	Strelitzia reginae Learn more	Common nicknames for Strelitzia reginae include: Bird of Paradise Crane Flower Orange Strelitzia Golden Bird of Paradise Royal Strelitzia
	Syngonium angustatum Learn more	Common nicknames for Syngonium angustatum include: Arrowhead Plant Arrowhead Vine Goosefoot Plant African Evergreen Tri-leaf Wonder Butterfly Plant White Veined Arrowhead Vine.
	Syngonium podophyllum Learn more	Common nicknames for Syngonium podophyllum include: Arrowhead Vine Nephthytis African Evergreen Arrowhead Plant Arrowhead Philodendron Goosefoot White Butterfly.
	Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum Learn more	Common nicknames for Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum include: Tree Philodendron Lacy Tree Philodendron Hope Philodendron Horsehead Philodendron Cut-Leaf Philodendron Split-Leaf Philodendron
	Tillandsia ionantha Learn more	Common nicknames for Tillandsia ionantha include: Sky Plant Blushing Bride Air Plant
	Tradescantia Zebrina Learn more	Common nicknames for Tradescantia Zebrina include: Spiderwort Inch Plant Wandering Jew Plant Zebra Plant Silver Inch Plant Zebrina Wandering Jew Purple Wandering Jew
	Yucca filamentosa Learn more	Common nicknames for Yucca filamentosa include: Adam's Needle Common Yucca Spoonleaf Yucca Thread Yucca Needle-Palm Silk Grass Bear Grass.
	Zamioculcas Raven Learn more	Common nicknames for Zamioculcas Raven include: Raven ZZ Plant Black ZZ Plant Zanzibar Gem (generally used for all ZZ plant variants, including the Raven) Black Emerald Palm Black Zamioculcas Black Aroid Palm Raven Zamioculcas Zamiifolia Black Arum Fern
	Zamioculcas zamiifolia Learn more	Common nicknames for Zamioculcas zamiifolia include: ZZ Plant Zanzibar Gem Emerald Palm Eternity Plant Chinese New Year Festive Plant Money Tree (although this nickname is also used for other types of plants) Gold coin plant Succulent Philodendron Cardboard palm Aroid Palm

Scientific names of houseplants

Common nicknames for Abutilon indicum include:

Common nicknames for Adiantum include:

Common nicknames for Aechmea fasciata include:

Common nicknames for Aeschynanthus include:

Common nicknames for Agave tequilana include:

Common nicknames for Aglaonema include:

Common nicknames for Alocasia Zebrina include:

Common nicknames for Alocasia amazonica include:

Common nicknames for Aloe barbadensis miller include:

Common nicknames for Anthurium include:

Common nicknames for Aphelandra squarrosa include:

Common nicknames for Asparagus densiflorus include:

Common nicknames for Aspidistra elatior include:

Common nicknames for Asplenium include:

Common nicknames for Beaucarnea recurvata include:

Common nicknames for Begonia maculata include:

Common nicknames for Caladium Praetermissum include:

Common nicknames for Caladium bicolor include:

Common nicknames for Calathea Ornata include:

Common nicknames for Calathea Triostar include:

Common nicknames for Cephalocereus senilis include:

Common nicknames for Ceropegia woodii include:

Common nicknames for Chamaedorea elegans include:

Common nicknames for Chlorophytum comosum include:

Common nicknames for Citrus limon include:

Common nicknames for Clusia Rosea include:

Common nicknames for Codiaeum variegatum include:

Common nicknames for Cordyline fruticosa include:

Common nicknames for Crassula ovata include:

Common nicknames for Cycas revoluta include:

Common nicknames for Cyperus alternifolius include:

Common nicknames for Dieffenbachia seguine include:

Common nicknames for Dionaea muscipula include:

Common nicknames for Dracaena deremensis include:

Common nicknames for Dracaena marginata include:

Common nicknames for Dracaena sanderiana include:

Common nicknames for Dypsis lutescens include:

Common nicknames for Echeveria include:

Common nicknames for Epipremnum aureum include:

Common nicknames for Euphorbia Trigona include:

Common nicknames for Euphorbia pulcherrima include:

Common nicknames for Ficus Benjamina include:

Common nicknames for Ficus Elastica include:

Common nicknames for Ficus Ginseng include:

Common nicknames for Ficus Lyrata include:

Common nicknames for Gardenia include:

Common nicknames for Gerbera jamesonii include:

Common nicknames for Haworthia fasciata include:

Common nicknames for Hedera helix include:

Common nicknames for Hoya Carnosa include:

Common nicknames for Hoya Kerrii include:

Common nicknames for Kalanchoe blossfeldiana include:

Common nicknames for Lavandula angustifolia include:

Common nicknames for Ligustrum vulgare include:

Common nicknames for Maranta leuconeura include:

Common nicknames for Monstera deliciosa include:

Common nicknames for Nepenthes alata include:

Common nicknames for Nephrolepis exaltata include:

Common nicknames for Oncidium Orchids include:

Common nicknames for Orchid Phalaenopsis include:

Common nicknames for Oxalis purpurea include:

Common nicknames for Pachira Aquatica include:

Common nicknames for Peperomia Obtusifolia include:

Common nicknames for Philodendron Birkin include:

Common nicknames for Philodendron Gloriosum include:

Common nicknames for Philodendron Micans include:

Common nicknames for Philodendron Minima include:

Common nicknames for Philodendron scandens include:

Common nicknames for Pilea Peperomioides include:

Common nicknames for Polyscias fruticosa include:

Common nicknames for Rex Begonia include:

Common nicknames for Saintpaulia ionantha include:

Common nicknames for Sansevieria trifasciata include:

Common nicknames for Schefflera Arboricola include:

Common nicknames for Schlumbergera include:

Common nicknames for Sedum Morganianum include:

Common nicknames for Senecio rowleyanus include:

Common nicknames for Spathiphyllum include:

Common nicknames for Strelitzia reginae include: