For every housplant lover - alphabetical listings of more than 80 plants. 16 pages of color photos help with identification.

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This compact little volume is a great resource for houseplant info. The one downside to this book is the fact that the pictures of the individual plants are illustrations (drawings). There are 16 pages of color photographs - generally they seem to be of plants that look like others - thus helping with the clarification of similar species.

Since I've grown most of the included plants sometime over the last 40 years, I thought the plants chosen for inclusion to be great. They are the ones you are most likely to see offered in a nursery.

Let's look at one example: The Weeping Fig (ficus benjamina).
* Various names by which it is known are given - including pronunciations
* What is unique about this small, indoor tree
* Explains where the "weeping" comes from
* To get this tree to be beautiful, it warns not to move it - the ficus is picky
* What you need to know about this plant: humidity, water, temperature light needs, how to propagate (get more of this plant) and the problems inherent in the tree (sudden leaf drop means it is in a drafty location or is getting too much water).

This book offers so much! One of the best parts for a novice is "Houseplants for every home: Choosing the best ones for you." Various lists are included: easiest plants to grow inside, plants that don't need frequent replanting, plants for offices and many more.

Here are some of the chapter titles:
* What's Wrong with My Plant?
* Terrariums and Dish Gardens
* Starting New Plants

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