What exactly are aroids? 🤔

Aroids derive their colloquial name from the plant family Araceae and are all monocot flowering plants. What does that mean? Monocots produce one leaf at a time, while dicots produce pairs of leaves. This difference persists throughout the life of the plant. For example, Monstera (an aroid) produces one leaf at a time, while mint (a dicot) produces pairs of leaves.

What else distinguishes them from other plants? If you’ve noticed the unique flowers of a Peace Lily you may already know! These are actually a modified leaf called a spathe surrounding a spike called a spadix. A flower can be either perfect or imperfect. Imperfect means the male (stamen) and female (pistil) reproductive organs are separated on different flowers, while perfect means they are present together on the same flower.

Aroids have other distinctive characteristics as well. Many varieties generate their own heat, especially during flowering. Also, since they originate from swampy, flood-prone environments, aroids have flood-resistant roots. This allows us to propagate aroids easily in water. We can even grow many aroids permanently in water with proper nutrients!

There are many popular aroids in cultivation from Alocasia, Anthurium, and Amorphophallus...all the way to Zamioculcas and Zantedeschia! Aroids comprise one of the most amazing plant families, and make a great addition to any plant collection.