Clivia miniata

Clivia miniata is a spring-blooming perennial in sub-tropical regions, but also makes a durable houseplant in colder climates. The orange flowers open in a large cluster held just above the foliage. Individual flowers are about 2 inches across, with the entire cluster having a spread of 6-8 inches.

This species has such distinctive leaves that it is instantly recognizable even when not in bloom. Foliage is dark green, strap-like, leathery and two-ranked. Individual leaves are 2 inches wide and grow to about 1.5 feet in length, with the entire plant having a spread of 2.5 feet.

In containers, they supposedly prefer to be root-bound. I keep mine in 6-inch diameter pots, only removing them to divide the occasional offset. Roots are thick and fleshy. They thoroughly fill the container and are often visible on the soil surface.

Plants are slow-growing, but long-lived. I've been growing the same plant or its offsets for more than 30 years. They occasionally set seed, but are usually propagated from the offsets that develop near the base of the plant.
Clivia miniata is native to South Africa and is recommended for USDA Zones 9-11. It prefers mostly shady conditions, protected from direct sun. Flowering is supposed to be best following a cool dry winter.
There are also some cultivars that have yellow or reddish blooms.

Aechmea comata

Aechmea comata is a spring-blooming species of bromeliad with reddish bracts, orange sepals and bright yellow flowers. The sturdy inflorescence is held well above the foliage so the color is visible from far away.

Pollinated flowers develop into reddish fruits that extend the period of visual enjoyment by another couple of months.

The foliage is stiff and heavily armored with spines. The lower part of each leaf has a distinctive depressed area often referred to as a "thumbprint".

The leaves are also marked with purple at the base, especially on the inner side.

Aechmea comata grows about a foot tall and wide, with individual leaves measuring about 2 inches across. I grow mine in about 50-75% sun.

Suessenguthia multisetosa

Suessenguthia multisetosa is a large, somewhat sprawling shrub that blooms throughout the winter and early spring.
The large leaves (up to 18 inches long) lend a tropical look to the landscape when the plant is not in bloom.

New growth is bronze-colored, especially on plants grown in full sun.

When the days shorten in fall, clusters of large hairy buds form at the tip of each stem.

Several lavender-pink flowers at a time open from each cluster throughout the flowering months. Individual flowers are tubular and 1 1/2 to 2 inches in diameter.
Young stems are flexible and often tend toward a pendant habit, but the main stems at the base of the plant thicken into sturdy trunks with age, often reaching 4 inches in diameter. A persistent leaf scar completely encircles the trunk.

The plant grows to around 10-12 feet tall if un-pruned, but can be maintained at a shorter height with periodic pruning. Just be sure not to trim off any growth in late summer or fall if you want winter blossoms.

This plant is about 8 feet tall.

Suessenguthia is native to Bolivia and is recommended for USDA Zones 9B-11. It grows well in full sun or half shade. In hot, tropical climates afternoon shade will help prevent the large leaves from wilting in the heat.

Billbergia 'El Jefe'

Billbergia 'El Jefe' is a nice medium-sized hybrid that usually blooms in late winter for me. When shade-grown, the plant has a rich chocolate-brown color with white spots.

In higher light the foliage takes on a more pinkish cast. The plant grows about 12-18" tall with an arching inflorescence.

The petals of the flowers mimic the sepals; both are pale-colored with a blue tip.

They are a nice contrast to the showy red bracts on the scape.
After the flowers decline the sepals turn pink, extending the colorful life of the inflorescence.

Aechmea organensis

Aechmea organensis is a compact-growing species suitable for small places. The plant reaches an overall height and spread of about 8 inches.
Blooming usually occurs in winter, when a red spike with intense blue flowers rises above the foliage. The inflorescence arches away from the center of the plant. The flowering only lasts for a couple of weeks, but the red spike will last a while longer.

Even when not in bloom, the plant is attractive, with distinctly purple leaf bases and tips.

There are other cultivars of this species available that grow larger or smaller, or have pink sepals.

Odontonema callistachyum (purple firespike)

Odontonema callistachyum is a large tropical shrub with showy purple flower spikes all winter long. An inflorescence consisting of scores of tubular flowers develops at the tip of nearly every branch, providing an extended period of bloom. The flower spikes can reach nearly a foot long when fully developed. Hummingbirds and butterflies are attracted to the inch-long blooms if they are in residence at the time of year when flowers are open.

The stems are herbaceous, becoming slightly woody at the base. The plant grows up to 8 feet tall and wide but can be kept pruned to about half that size. The growth habit is somewhat sprawling, so a little trimming back is usually required anyway. Pruning also forces additional branching and therefore more flowers. I usually do a final pruning in late summer so that new growth has a chance to mature before the initiation of flower spikes.
The leaves are large and give a tropical look to the landscape even when the plant is not in bloom. Individual leaves grow up to 8 inches long and nearly as wide.

Odontonema callistachyum is native to Mexico and Central America. It is recommended for USDA Zones 9 to 11. In colder pockets of Zone 9 the flowering season is often cut short by frost or freeze. In these areas it can be grown as a perennial shrub. It will flower in containers, but requires diligent pruning to keep it from becoming tall and lanky.
Flowering is best in full or half-day sun, but the foliage looks best if given a little shade during the summer.

Related reading: Odontonema strictum

Aechmea weilbachii forma pendula

Aechmea weilbachii forma pendula is one of the few bromeliad species that has truly pendulous flower spikes. Many other species have lax or arching spikes, but these hang straight down far below the crown of the plant. That makes this Aechmea a perfect choice for hanging basket culture.

Aechmea weilbachii comes in three distinct forms and this is the pendulous one. The length of the bloom spike can be more than 2 feet.
Flowering occurs in winter and the inflorescence keeps good color for many weeks. Bracts are a rosy-pink color and flower petals are pale lavender. The bracts become darker as the bloom spike ages.
The leaves are long, narrow and flexible, giving a grass-like appearance to large clumps of the plant. Individual leaves are about an inch wide by 12-18 inches long. They are spineless or have only soft flexible spines near the base, making this a good choice for people who are turned off by more heavily armored species.
Offsets are produced on short, thin stolons.

Related reading: Aechmea weilbachii forma viridisepala

Tetradenia riparia (Iboza)

Tetradenia riparia is a shrubby plant with highly fragrant foliage and spectacular winter flowers. The leaves are thick with a scalloped edge. Glandular hairs cover both sides of the leaf, giving it a sticky feel. They emit a strong scent that remains even when the leaf dries. In its native Africa, the leaves are added to stored seeds and grains to keep out weevils and other injurious pests. There are also many traditional medicinal uses. Simply inhaling the scent of the crushed leaves is supposed to relieve headaches.

In winter the tip of every branch is covered with clusters of snow-white flowers. Even the smallest of plants bloom. I've had them flower in a 4-inch pot with a flower spike taller than the plant itself. The blooming period may extend for more than two months as new buds continue to open at the branch tips. The species is semi-deciduous, depending on the climate, so in some locations the plants will be nearly bare when they come into bloom.

Tetradenia can grow to 8 or 9 feet in height, but is cold-sensitive, and only recommended for USDA Zones 10-11 when planting in the ground. At 30°F the plant completely defoliates, but will leaf out again from the bare stems. Fortunately, it thrives in containers. In slightly colder zones it may be grown as a perennial, but frost may come before the bloom. Even then, it's still worth growing for the scented foliage.

The species name, riparia, means growing on the banks of rivers, and that is where the plant is frequently found in its native habitat, as well as in dry wooded valleys and on hillsides. It grows well in full sun, but in hot climates it benefits from a little shade during the middle of the day.

The common name Iboza is a native Zulu word referring to its aromatic qualities, and that name is sometimes seen listed as the genus for the plant. Other common names include misty plume and ginger bush. Cultivars supposedly exist bearing pink or lavender flowers.

Aechmea kertesziae

Aechmea kertesziae is a colorful bromeliad that blooms en masse during the short days of winter. The plant grows about a foot tall and 12-18 inches wide. Multiple orange and yellow flower spikes emerge from plant clumps all at the same time making for quite a display.

Foliage is apple-green in color and has minimal spines along the leaf margins. Plants grow well in exposures ranging from full shade to mostly sunny. During the summer the plants look best if they get a little mid-day shade.
In the winter, the plants tolerate brief periods as low as 26°F without damage, as long as no frost forms on the leaf surface.

Buy Aechmea kertesziae plants

Carissa macrocarpa (natal plum)

Carissa macrocarpa (syn. C. grandiflora) is a very attractive shrub that bears edible fruits. It is sometimes called natal plum, but it is not a plum, belonging instead to the Apocynaceae family.
Very fragrant white blooms appear near the stem tips whenever the plant is in growth. The fragrance doesn't carry far, so it's best enjoyed up close. Individual flower are five-petaled and about 2 inches across. Pollinated flowers are followed by 1-3 inch long reddish fruits.

When the fruit turns dark red, starts to soften, and gives slightly under gentle pressure, it's time to pluck it off and pop it in your mouth. Even fully ripe fruits have a slightly milky sap, but it is undetectable when eaten whole.

Each fruit contains a few small brown seeds that are soft enough to chew or swallow. The chewed seeds do detract somewhat from the cranberry/raspberry/strawberry flavor, so I usually swallow them whole or spit them out.
The plant can be relatively slow growing, but eventually reaches 8 feet. Branching often takes on a layered look, and the stems have a cluster of sharp spines at each leaf node.

The 2-inch diameter rounded, leathery leaves are very dark green and have a glossy sheen.

The entire plant exudes a milky sap when injured. Some low-growing and thornless cultivars exist that are used commercially as groundcovers.
Carissa macrocarpa is native to South Africa and will grow in sun or shade. It is drought-tolerant and resistant to salt spray, making it popular on oceanfront properties. It is recommended for USDA Zones 9B-11.