Genera: A
134 speciesAquilegia
RanunculaceaeIt self-seeds freely – cut off the seed pods if you don't want it to spread.Araucaria
AraucariaceaeOverwinter it cool (5–10 °C) indoors and turn it weekly or it grows lopsided.
Argyranthemum
AsteraceaeDeadhead regularly for continuous flowers; overwinter it bright and cool.Ariocarpus
CactaceaeTaprooted and very slow: pure mineral soil, flowers in autumn, totally dry in winter.Artemisia
AsteraceaeMost aromatic in poor, dry soil; cut back in spring to stop it getting woody.
Asparagus
AsparagaceaeIts thick storage roots can burst the pot – repot or divide it in spring.
Aspidistra
AsparagaceaeThe cast-iron plant copes with dark hallways and cool stairwells.Asplenium
AspleniaceaeNever pour water into the centre of a bird’s nest fern – the crown rots easily.
Aster
AsteraceaeLoves sunny, well-drained, limy spots; it rots in wet winters.Astilbe
SaxifragaceaeNever let it dry out – in summer drought the leaves brown quickly.
Garden flower · SaxifragaceaeFalse goat's beardAstilbe × arendsiiGarden flower · SaxifragaceaeChinese astilbeAstilbe chinensisGarden flower · SaxifragaceaeJapanese astilbeAstilbe japonicaGarden flower · SaxifragaceaeStar astilbeAstilbe simplicifoliaGarden flower · SaxifragaceaeThunbergs PrachtspiereAstilbe thunbergiiAstrophytum
CactaceaeVery prone to rot: use a mineral mix and water only during warm, sunny spells.
Cactus · CactaceaeStar cactusAstrophytum asteriasCactus · CactaceaeGoat's horn cactusAstrophytum capricorneCactus · CactaceaeAstrophytum caput-medusaeno common nameCactus · CactaceaeAstrophytum coahuilenseno common name
Cactus · CactaceaePapsapka kaktuszAstrophytum myriostigmaCactus · CactaceaeStar cactusAstrophytum ornatum