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leaf empire



Solanum uleanum – Dark, Mysterious, and Made for Terrariums
This guy caught my eye with that deep, dark foliage — I absolutely love all things moody and dramatic in the plant world, and Solanum...
Nikki Smit
Aug 72 min read
Philodendron Florida Ghost Seedling
The Little Phantom with Big Promise This tiny ghost may be small now, but she’s already stealing the spotlight. With pale, almost...
Nikki Smit
Jul 181 min read
Fern Autumn (Dryopteris erythrosora): Your Forest-Floor Firecracker
Your Autumn Fern isn’t just another green filler—she’s a seasonal show-off. New fronds unfurl in fiery copper, bronze, and red, slowly...
Nikki Smit
Jul 182 min read
Alocasia Melo: The Velvet Tank with a Taste for Drama
She may be compact, but Alocasia Melo is not here to blend in. With ultra-thick, textured, almost rubbery leaves that look like they’ve...
Nikki Smit
Jul 182 min read
Alocasia Nebula
This little lady is born fabulous. As a seedling, she sports the most delightful reddish-pink veins under her leaves, like she's blushing...
Nikki Smit
Jul 182 min read
Not so boring Syngonium Robusta
This little arrow-shaped leaf comes in all the colours—but Robusta ? She might be one of the plain Janes of the bunch, but she still...
Nikki Smit
Jul 182 min read


Philodendron Ring of Fire
The fiery red and orange variegation on Philodendron Ring of Fire? Honestly, it tickles everybody’s fancy. You see it, you drool, you buy...
Nikki Smit
Jul 182 min read
Earth Star Magic: Cryptanthus ‘Earth Star’
If you want a small plant that makes a big statement, Cryptanthus ‘Earth Star’ is your girl. Those spiky, star-shaped leaves with earthy...
Nikki Smit
Jul 181 min read
Little Black Dress of Plants: Golden Pothos
In my opinion, she’s probably the plant everyone asks for. Whether you’re 50+ plants deep into your collection or just starting out,...
Nikki Smit
Jul 182 min read
Monstera Siltepecana: A Silvery Stunner with a Bit of Mystery
She was one of my very first plant purchases — Monstera siltepecana . The silver markings! The trailing habit! The name I couldn't...
Nikki Smit
Jul 172 min read


Meet the Marimo Moss Ball
I saw this floating ball of moss in a pet store one day and instantly knew — I needed this little mossy friend in my life. I had no idea...
Nikki Smit
Jul 172 min read


Tuft Ophiopogon Kyoto Dwarf — The Accidental Terrarium Hero
Ran out of supplies today and ended up poking around my garden for something to fill the last corner of a terrarium build. I spotted...
Nikki Smit
Jul 111 min read


My Take on Tuft Carex Honey Bird — The Perfect Little Volcanic Tuft for Your Enclosure
This cute little volcanic tuft fills up that last awkward corner in your enclosure that you never quite know what to put. I keep mine as...
Nikki Smit
Jul 111 min read


Tuft Acorus 'Golden Edge' — Easy, Reptile-Safe, and Pretty Much Effortless
(Google Image) These Tuft Acorus 'Golden Edge' are such a great addition to your terrarium or enclosure setup, especially if you're...
Nikki Smit
Jul 112 min read
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