Soil

Pereskiopsis diguetii

Large yellow flowers, green stems and leaves. Fast growing branchy shrubs can grow 5 to 6ft tall. Rooted stems are often used as the rootstock for grafting slower growing cactus.

Petopentia natalensis

Large caudiciform in the Milkweed Family, vining with large fruit. Keep dry in winter.

Phalaenopsis

Asian epiphytic shade orchids, over 60 species.

Piaranthus geminatus

Small thick stems, sprawling habit. Variable starfish flowers, yellow to burgundy, sometimes striped. Carrion plants, pollinated by flies. Plenty of water in hot weather to get them to readily bloom. Keep dry in winter.

Piaranthus pillansii

Probably a form of P. geminatus

Small thick stems, sprawling habit. Starfish flowers pale greenish-yellow to pale-red, without red spots. Carrion plants, pollinated by flies. Plenty of water in hot weather to get them to readily bloom. Keep dry in winter.

Pilosocereus flexibilispinus

Gorgeous blue columnar cactus, branching above ground when young. Can grow to 30 feet tall in habitat. Will form a substantial trunk.

Pilosocereus glaucescens

Tree-like to 30ft. tall; glaucous stems, golden spines.

Stunning waxy blue cactus with golden spines and wool along the ribs. Can be grown outside during the summer but should be kept inside, or under an overhang, for the winter.

Pilosocereus gounellei

Stunning tall frosty green-silver cactus with golden spines, to 12ft tall. Can be grown outside during the summer but should be kept inside, or dry under an overhang for the winter in the Bay Area.

Pilosocereus leucocephalus

P. palmeri

Tree-like cactus with tufts of wool and funnel shaped blooms. Stunning waxy blue stems with golden spines. Can be grown outside during the summer but should be protected from frost. Keep dry in the winter.

Pilosocereus pachycladus

P. azureus

Tree-like to 30+ft. tall; glaucous stems, golden spines.

Stunning waxy blue cactus with golden spines and wool along the ribs. Can be grown outside during the summer but should be kept inside, or dry under an overhang for the winter in the Bay Area.

Platycerium “Netherlands”

P. bifurcatum “Netherlands”

Epiphytic fern. Compact cultivar. Grown on weathered slabs of bark, these fascinating ferns are semi-hardy outdoor in the Bay Area in a shady spot, or indoor. Keep more dry in winter, under an eave or indoor. Will grow 2 to 4ft.

Platycerium alcicorne

Epiphytic fern w/fronds to 12″. Grown on weathered slabs of bark, these fascinating ferns are semi-hardy outdoor in the Bay Area in a shady spot, or indoor in a moist location. Keep more dry in winter, under an eave or indoor.

Platycerium superbum

Epiphytic fern. Giant Staghorn with very broad shield. Can get 8ft! Hardy to 25F. Long lived. Keep more dry in winter, under an eave or indoor.

Plectranthus amboinicus

Coleus amboinicus

Minty aroma, can be used in cooking. Soft fuzzy aromatic leaves, tall bloom spikes with small purple flowers. great for hanging baskets.

Plectranthus amboinicus “Variegata”

Coleus amboinicus

Minty aroma, can be used in cooking. Soft fuzzy variegated aromatic leaves, tall bloom spikes with small purple flowers. great for hanging baskets.

Plectranthus ernstii

Soft, fragrant, small green leaves. Natural bonsai, swollen stems, will form a caudex of up to 50mm. Lavender spur flowers. Can grow from cuttings.

Plectranthus montanus

Soft fuzzy aromatic leaves that smell like camphor or menthol. Purple spur-flowers. Great for hanging baskets.

Plectranthus tomentosa

Minty aroma, can be used in cooking. Soft fuzzy aromatic leaves, purple flowers. great for hanging baskets.

Pleiospilos bolusii

Pairs of wide leaves, mostly solitary; can have many blooms, yellow flowers.

Plumeria rubra

Tree to 8ft. tall indoor; fragrant blooms, bright sun. Dry in winter. Fragrant flowers.

Polaskia chichipe

Tree-like growth with branches growing at the top. Curved trunk when grown from seed. Chartreuse night-flowers, edible “chichituna” red fruit. Branches wide, grows to 15ft. tall.

Portulacaria afra

Small leaves, succulent branches; generally scrubby to 12ft., Good for Bonsai.