5 Easy-To-Care-For Tropical House Plants
Tropical house plants can make your home seem exotic and peaceful. As long as you give them the proper conditions, they are generally easy to maintain.
These include a bright spot with a high humidity. Some of the most commonly used kinds of tropical houseplants include:
The dragon plant is a simple to grow tropical foliage plant. It is an excellent air purifier that can tolerate low lighting.
Alocasia Zebrina
The exotic zebra-striped stems and giant elephant-ear-shaped leaves of this plant make it an outstanding choice among tropical house plants. It thrives in a warm, brightly lit room with high humidity, but it's sensitive to direct sunlight that could cause burning of its waxy leaves. It should be placed near a window that faces towards the south or in an area in which light is filtered through the sheer drape.
Like many tropical plants, alocasia zebrina thrives in warm temperatures and has moderate to fast growth. Its soil must be kept moist, but not soggy. As it grows, it will require an annual feeding using a balanced liquid fertilizer. This tropical plant becomes dormant in winter.
It also likes an atmosphere that is humid, which is why bathrooms and kitchen are ideal. You can create this atmosphere by misting it frequently or placing it in a pebble tray partly filled with water. It can be grown outside in USDA zones 10 and 11.
Since this plant is extremely frosty and requires a warm, humid environment that remains between 64 and 77 degF. Keep it away from windows that are frosty and drafts.
If you notice the leaves of alocasia zebrina turning yellow or becoming crispy, it could need more moisture. You can increase the humidity in the air by putting a humidifier next to the plant or by moving it to a room that is naturally humid such as the kitchen or bathroom.
Alocasia prefers staying in its small pot and rootbound, therefore do not repot too soon. If you do need to repotted it, make sure you use soil mix that drains well and a pot that is one size bigger.
If the roots of this alocasia are left in the water for too long, they can become rotted by water. It is essential to remove excess water and observe the weight before refilling. It's a good idea to place a saucer beneath the planter to catch drips, or place the plant in a sink while watering. It is recommended to let the top 2 inches dry before watering. This will also help conserve water in the winter.
Butterfly Plant
Butterfly plant is a unique green tropical foliage. It is characterized by a central stripe and curled brown, red or violet stripes on its leaves that make them appear like wings. This plant is native from South America, and can be grown outside in USDA hardiness zone 5 to 9. However, it's most popular as a tropical houseplant, because it thrives indoors and doesn't require frost protection. It is easy to care for and is able to grow quickly.
The plant should be watered gently and thoroughly every time it requires watering. This lets the soil absorb the moisture, without becoming too wet. Apply a general-purpose fertilizer each season, once or twice to the soil when the plant is in poor health. This will help promote healthy growth and flowering. A pre-bloom feeding is very crucial, as the plant will be putting all its effort into preparing for opening flowers.
The plant needs regular pruning to keep it tidy. It is also best placed in a pot that has a nutrient rich, well-draining soil. It is tolerant of moderate humidity however, it should not be exposed to extreme cold or heat. In spring you can trim the plant to encourage new growth and to encourage flowering.
small house plants for tropical houseplants would be the philodendron 'Sunrise' that has bright yellow flowers that look like sunflowers. It also has large dark green leaves that resemble those of rhododendron. This plant is easy to care for and can be used as a focal point for your home.
Then, there's the moth orchid and it is easy to care for. The plant is frequently employed in hotels and restaurants because of its long-lasting blooms and comes in a variety of shades. To keep your plants looking great ensure they get plenty of sunlight and keep them away from drafts.
The arrowhead plant (Syngoniumpodophyllum) is another good option for tropical houseplants. This semi-tropical plants grows in the rainforests in Brazil, Ecuador Mexico and Bolivia. It can also be found in the wild in zones 6-9. While this plant is a climber in the garden however, it can be used as houseplants. The fronds are segmented and pinnately-branched. add a touch of exoticism and can be used to decorate a Victorian conservatory or modern living room.
Golden Pothos
Golden Pothos is an easy-to-care for houseplant. The leaves are glossy green and splattered with gold-colored variegation. They are more robust than philodendron leaves, and are arrow-shaped and are often mistaken for one another. However, an inspection of the underside of the leaf can tell you the distinction: philodendron leaves have smooth textures while golden pothos leaves have a leathery texture.
The plants are tolerant of low to bright indirect sunlight which resembles the dappled light that they receive in their native tropical French Polynesia forests. If the conditions are right the plant can reach up to a foot or more in length, with each leaf growing on its own stem. This makes it a versatile indoor plant, and an ideal choice for hanging baskets.
Pothos plants are very easy to propagate. Simply trim off an area of 4-6 inches from a mature vine with 2 or more leaves. Include an elongated stem, which is a bump where roots will develop and put it in the medium you prefer to grow. Perlite, moss, leca and sphagnum are good choices. If you are planting the cutting directly in soil, use Houseplant Propagation Promoter to aid in the growth of roots. The cutting will begin to grow roots within a week or two. Once the roots are established, move it into a larger container of fresh potting soil.
Pothos is not fertilized during winter dormancy. However, it thrives when fed once per month during the spring growing period. Pothos are not prone to many problems but it is important to inspect the plant frequently for insects and diseases. Watch out for aphids, which are insects that are light green and leave a sticky trail of sap and spider mites that look like brown or yellow spots on the leaves. Spraying water with pyrethrum or insecticidal detergent, will effectively control these insects.
Make sure the plant is kept away from children and pets as it contains chemicals that are harmful to rabbits, cats and dogs. The poisons can cause vomiting, swelling of tongues, and difficulty breathing. If your pet is poisoned by the plant, it's best to seek medical attention immediately. Adults can also experience a rash after touching the sap of the plant but it's not usually serious. Antihistamine cream and rinsing the affected area may help.
Rainbow Croton
The tropical house plant Croton (Codiaeum Variegatum) is a stunning houseplant with colorful foliage that looks like an array of rainbows. It thrives indoors in bright light, but can also be grown outside at moderate temperatures. This plant is easy for both novices and experienced gardeners to cultivate.
These plants with bold markings are a popular choice for tropical houseplants. They look especially attractive in dining rooms and living rooms. The leaves of croton plants feature mixtures of yellow, green as well as red, purple and orange shades, with strong veining and edging. Certain varieties of croton such as Petra and 'Florida Select', are round while others, such as 'Mammy' and Gold Dust', have multi-hued, twisted leaves.
Like other tropical houseplants Crotons require plenty of bright sunlight to remain vibrant. They do not like extreme humidity or heat because they can cause the leaves' colors to fade or become dull. To avoid this, the croton plant should be placed away from radiators and air conditioners, and placed in an area with plenty of windows to let in natural sunlight.
Water a croton plant often enough to keep its soil evenly moist, but let the top two inches of soil dry out between waterings. It's also important to fertilize a croton in the spring and summer, when it is actively growing, but less frequently during fall and winter.
It is a good idea to wipe down the leaves of a croton plant using a damp cloth every now and then to get rid of dust and to help prevent pests like mealybugs spider mites, scales, and thrips. If not dealt with the pests could impede the growth of leaves and eventually cause croton plants ' death.
The leaves of croton plants could be poisonous in large quantities, despite the fact that they are generally safe for children and pets. You should place a croton in an area away from the reach of curious children or animals. Also, if you have children that are young it may be better to wait until they are older before adding a croton plant to your home.