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leaf empire

Bamboo U-Shape Trellises: Why Your Climbing Houseplants Will Love Them
Many of our favourite indoor plants are natural climbers. In the wild, they spend their lives attaching themselves to trees and growing upwards toward the forest canopy. When these plants are grown indoors without support, they often become leggy, produce smaller leaves, and lose the dramatic appearance that makes them so desirable. A bamboo U-shape trellis is one of the simplest and most attractive ways to provide support for climbing plants while maintaining a clean, natura
Nikki Smit
7 hours ago4 min read
The Ultimate Guide to Clear Plastic Pots & Planting for Indoor Plants
Whether you're rooting a cutting, growing a tiny rare aroid, or repotting a mature specimen, choosing the correct pot size is one of the most important decisions you can make for your plant's health. At Leaf Empire, we stock a range of clear plastic pots designed specifically for indoor plant enthusiasts who want to monitor root growth and create the ideal growing environment for their plants. Our available sizes include: • 9.0cm Clear Pot • 10.0cm Clear Pot • 12.5cm Clear Po
Nikki Smit
7 hours ago5 min read
Canadian Peat Moss: The Secret Ingredient Behind Thriving Aroids, Terrariums, and Happier Roots
What Is Canadian Peat Moss? Canadian Peat Moss is one of the most widely used growing mediums in the gardening world, prized for its excellent water retention, light texture, and ability to improve soil structure. Harvested from ancient peat bogs in Canada, it consists of partially decomposed mosses and organic matter that have accumulated over thousands of years. It is naturally lightweight, fluffy, and typically light brown to golden brown in colour when dry. When hydrated,
Nikki Smit
6 days ago6 min read
Succulent Soil: The Foundation of Healthy, Happy Succulents
What Is Succulent Soil? Succulent soil is a specially formulated growing medium designed to provide one thing that succulents love above all else: excellent drainage. Unlike traditional potting soil, succulent soil dries relatively quickly, allows plenty of air to reach the roots, and prevents excess moisture from lingering around the root system. This mimics the natural environments where many succulents evolved, including rocky hillsides, deserts, and dry grasslands. A good
Nikki Smit
6 days ago5 min read
Cocktail Kokedamas
What is a Cocktail Kokedama? Cocktail Kokedamas are proof that good things come in small packages. Inspired by the traditional Japanese art of Kokedama, these miniature living moss balls are displayed in elegant cocktail glasses, creating a unique blend of houseplant and living décor. Whether planted with Ivy, Parlour Palm, Philodendron Brasil, Syngonium, Peperomia, Ferns, Prayer Plants, or other compact tropical favourites, Cocktail Kokedamas transform ordinary houseplants i
Nikki Smit
6 days ago6 min read
Maranta leuconeura variegata Kokedama Care Guide
Introduction to Maranta leuconeura variegata Kokedama Maranta leuconeura variegata Kokedama combines one of the most beautiful foliage plants in the houseplant world with one of the most eye-catching growing styles. The result is a living moss ball bursting with colourful variegated leaves that seem to move throughout the day. Known as the Variegated Prayer Plant, Maranta leuconeura variegata is famous for its unique habit of raising its leaves in the evening and lowering the
Nikki Smit
6 days ago6 min read


LECA Use and Care Guide for Growing Plants and Terrariums
Google Image Google Image What LECA Actually Is (and Why Plant People Are Obsessed) LECA stands for Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate, which sounds intense but is really just small baked clay balls that behave like a drainage obsessed best friend. They hold water inside their porous structure while keeping plenty of air around roots, which is why they are so popular for semi hydro growing, propagation, and terrariums. There are two main sizes you will usually see. The 2 to
Nikki Smit
May 267 min read


Begonia Negrosensis Care Guide and Growing Tips
Google Image Google Image Introduction to Begonia Negrosensis Begonia Negrosensis is one of those plants that quietly turns into a favourite without trying too hard. Native to the Philippines, this species is loved for its textured foliage, compact growth, and slightly wild jungle appearance. The leaves have a soft, quilted look with deep veining and a rich green colour that gives the plant a lush, tropical feel without looking overly flashy or high maintenance. It is an exce
Nikki Smit
May 257 min read


Philodendron Erubescens Birkin Care Guide
Google Image Google Image Google Image Appearance and Growth Habit Philodendron Erubescens Birkin is a compact, upright philodendron famous for its striking pinstripe variegation. Its dark green leaves are layered with creamy white to pale yellow streaks that appear like fine brush lines across each leaf. No two leaves are ever identical, which is half the charm and half the mild obsession this plant tends to cause. This is a self heading philodendron, meaning it grows from a
Nikki Smit
May 224 min read


Philodendron Esmeralda Narrow Care Guide
Google Image Google Image Google Image Appearance and Growth Habit Philodendron Esmeralda Narrow is a sleek, architectural aroid known for its long, narrow, lance shaped leaves that give it a very clean, modern jungle look. The foliage is typically a deep glossy green with a slightly leathery texture, and as the plant matures the leaves elongate further and develop more dramatic tapering. This is a climbing philodendron, meaning it produces aerial roots and naturally grows up
Nikki Smit
May 224 min read


Philodendron Genevievianum Care Guide
Google Image Google Image Google Image Appearance and Growth Habit Philodendron Genevievianum is a rare, elegant aroid known for its elongated, deeply textured leaves and strong tropical presence. The foliage is typically narrow to lance shaped with a slightly rippled surface and a rich green tone that deepens as the plant matures. In ideal conditions, new leaves emerge softer and lighter before hardening into thicker, more structured mature foliage. This is a climbing philod
Nikki Smit
May 224 min read


Philodendron Glorious Care Guide
Google Image Google Image Google Image Appearance and Growth Habit Philodendron Glorious is a stunning hybrid that blends elegance and drama with its elongated, heart shaped leaves and soft velvety texture. The foliage has a deep green base with striking pale to silvery veins that create a beautiful contrast across each leaf surface. As the plant matures, the leaves become larger, more elongated, and more pronounced in texture. This is a climbing philodendron, meaning it natu
Nikki Smit
May 224 min read


Philodendron Hastatum Silver Wings Care Guide
Google Image Google Image Google Image Appearance and Growth Habit Philodendron Hastatum Silver Wings is a striking, modern looking aroid known for its elongated arrow shaped leaves and cool metallic silver blue sheen. The foliage almost looks semi reflective in good light, giving it a clean, futuristic jungle aesthetic that stands out from typical deep green houseplants. Young leaves are often narrower and softer in tone, then expand into larger, more defined arrow shaped bl
Nikki Smit
May 224 min read


Philodendron Lynamii
Google Image Google Image Google Image Appearance and Growth Habit Philodendron Lynamii is a seriously eye catching aroid with a bold, sculptural presence. Its leaves are long, slightly elongated and deeply textured with a glossy green surface that can sometimes take on a subtle reddish tone on new growth or the undersides depending on maturity and light conditions. One of its standout features is how the new leaves emerge. They often come in with a more dramatic, slightly br
Nikki Smit
May 224 min read


Philodendron Majesty Care Guide
Google Image Google Image Google Image Appearance and Growth Habit Philodendron Majesty is a dramatic, velvety foliage plant that lives up to its name with deep, dark leaves that almost look painted. The foliage is large, elongated, and slightly heart shaped at the base, with a rich green to near black tone depending on light conditions. New leaves emerge lighter and deepen in colour as they mature, creating a layered, high contrast look. This is a self heading philodendron,
Nikki Smit
May 224 min read


Philodendron Martianum Care Guide
Google Image Google Image Google Image Appearance and Growth Habit Philodendron Martianum is a bold, architectural philodendron that grows in a very different way compared to the typical vining types. Instead of climbing or trailing, it forms a rosette of thick, elongated leaves that emerge from a central crown, giving it a structured, almost sculptural look. The leaves are long, leathery, and slightly strap like with a strong central rib. As the plant matures, the foliage be
Nikki Smit
May 224 min read


Peperomia Prostrata String of Turtles Care Guide
Google Image Google Image Google Image Appearance and Growth Habit Peperomia Prostrata is a small, delicate trailing plant that earns its name from its uniquely patterned leaves. Each leaf is round, slightly succulent, and marked with intricate dark green veining over a lighter green background, resembling tiny turtle shells. It is one of the most charming compact trailing plants for shelves, terrariums, and small displays. This is a slow growing, trailing plant rather than a
Nikki Smit
May 224 min read


Pellionia Pulchra Care Guide
Google Image Google Image Google Image Appearance and Growth Habit Pellionia Pulchra is a soft, creeping tropical plant that looks like it was designed specifically to spill elegantly out of pots and terrariums. Its leaves are oval to slightly elongated, with a velvety texture and a beautiful mottled pattern of olive green, deep green, and sometimes bronze or purple tones depending on light and maturity. The stems are thin and flexible, naturally trailing and branching as the
Nikki Smit
May 224 min read


Maranta Lemon and Lime Care Guide
Google Image Google Image Google Image Appearance and Growth Habit Maranta Lemon and Lime is a vibrant, eye catching prayer plant that looks like someone painted it with fresh citrus tones. Its leaves are oval shaped with bold striping in lime green, soft yellow, and deep green, often with a slightly velvety texture that enhances the colour contrast. The undersides of the leaves typically show a warm reddish tone, which adds to its dramatic movement display. This is a low gro
Nikki Smit
May 225 min read


Lepismium Bolivianum Care Guide
Google Image Google Image Google Image Appearance and Growth Habit Lepismium Bolivianum is one of those plants that confuses people in the best way because it looks like a cactus that decided it actually prefers the jungle life. Instead of spines and desert vibes, it produces long, slender, flattened to slightly angled stems that branch and trail in a soft, cascading pattern. The stems are segmented, green, and often slightly translucent when young, with a delicate ribbed tex
Nikki Smit
May 225 min read
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