I have posted a lot of unfurling leaves on my social media pages because I love that word and new houseplant leaves. So I decided to show you some unfurling leaves I have seen at conservatories in the last few years. Most public conservatories haven’t been open for the last 1 1/2 years so thought you would like to see some new spring leaves even though they aren’t from this year. Have you ever really looked at the new leaves unfurling on your plants in the spring and summer? They are beautiful.

This philodendron leaf below reminds me of what butterfly wings look like before they completely unfurl. Does it remind you of a newly emerged butterfly?

Stuck philodendron leaf

The orchid house at the Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh was the home of this wacky philodendron leaf.  I walked right by it but noticed the new leaf coming out on the second pass-through. The color of the veins and the interesting way it is wrapped up caught my attention.

Will the lobe wrapped around the stem eventually unfurl or is it going to just hang on? I’ll never know.

This Xanadu philodendron below has beautiful red veins as it opens up.

Dwarf Red Tree Fern

How could I pass by this red dwarf tree fern or Blechnum brasiliense and its frond unfurling in this striking red color? As you can see, the older fronds age to dark green.

Other ferns

Below is another kind of fern unfurling its fronds.

This bird’s nest fern is unfurling weirdly and I’m not exactly sure what is going on. It could be that it has a problem of some kind or it just may be a fluke of nature. It happens.

Unfortunately, there are those leaves that for some reason die before they can unfurl. Most of the time, though, the leaves open just fine.

Maidenhair fern

The maidenhair fern (Adiantum macrophyllum) below also has new growth that is a different color than the older leaves. Look at those gorgeous pink new leaves.

Pink Princess Philodendron

Something that occurred to me, is the fact that the new leaves are perfect, shiny, and unblemished as on this ‘Pink Princess’ philodendron.

Look at the older leaves that have water spots and brown spots from some kind of damage. And that is okay. Your plant is never going to look like it did when you first brought it home. I don’t look the same as I did at 19, either. It’s okay!

Look at the color of this new leaf!

Trevesia burckii or Snowflake Tree

This unusual plant is a snowflake tree or Trevesia burckii. The new leaves are tan and the veins are prominent, but as it unfurls and ages, they become green.

Sago Palm

I saw this sago palm unfurling at the Belle Isle Conservatory. Look how each leaflet is unfurling individually.

Anthurium crystallinum

It is so interesting how new leaves on many plants emerge a different color than their mature leaves. This Anthurium crystallinum is a perfect example. See the dark green mature leaf behind it.

Agave

The agave below is unfurling and the previous leaf leaves a permanent imprint on the newest leaf. So cool!

I hope you enjoyed this spring walkthrough of a couple of conservatories and all the new spring growth. It reminds us that life goes on and spring will always come no matter what is going on in the world.

Do you love the springtime like I do when the plants wake up and start growing, unfurling their leaves, reaching for the sun?

Have a great week, plant friends!