has anyone ever heard of this plant? Saw an article in the local newspaper about it and am wondering if it can be grown as a house plant?
Peanut butter plant
Follow this link and decide for yourself.
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/772/
Sylvain.
Probably you could keep it in a pot indoors in a cool room or basement through the winter, then summer it outdoors. It's not hardy to your zone, and drops its leaves in winter, so not much good as a house plant when it's bare of leaves. My cleros all lose their leaves in winter, even here, unless it's an exceptionally warm winter like last year.
It wouldn't get enough sun in the house to bloom in summer, either. Up side is if you keep it in a pot, it won't invade your whole yard!
There's also the peanut butter tree: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/102568/ Not sure if your'e looking for this one or the peanut butter shrub in the previous link. In either case, it'll be happiest if it can spend the warmer months outdoors but will need to be overwintered inside.