12 Companies Are Leading The Way In Tropical House Plants
5 Easy-To-Care-For Tropical House Plants
Tropical house plants can provide a an exotic and tranquil feel to your home. If you give them the proper conditions, they're generally easy to maintain.
These include the appearance of a warm, bright area and high levels of humidity. The most popular kinds of tropical houseplants include:
The dragon plant is an easy-to-grow tropical foliage plant. It's an excellent air purifier that is tolerant of low lighting.
tall house plants is unique among tropical houseplants because of its unique zebra-striped leaves and huge elephant-shaped stems. It thrives in brightly lit, warm spaces with high humidity. However direct sunlight can burn the leaves' waxy coating. Therefore, place it close to a south-facing window or in a place that gets filtered light through curtains.
Alocasia zebrina grows moderately to quickly and thrives in warm temperatures. Its soil must remain moist throughout the year, but never wet. As it grows, it needs a monthly feeding with an appropriate liquid fertilizer. This tropical plant goes dormant in winter.
It also enjoys a humid atmosphere, which is why the bathroom or kitchen is the ideal place. This can be accomplished by misting the plant regularly or by placing it in a tray with pebbles partially filled with water. It can be grown outside in USDA zones 10 and 11.
Since this plant is frost-tender, it needs a warm, humid environment that remains between 64 and 77 degF. Keep it clear of windows with frost and drafts.
If you notice that alocasia Zebrina's leaves begin to become crisp or yellow it could be in need of more moisture. You can improve the humidity of the air by placing an humidifier close to the plant or moving it into an area that is naturally humid like kitchen or bathroom.
Alocasia prefers to stay in its pots that are small and is rootbound, so don't repot too quickly. If you do need to repotted it, use a soil mix that drains well and a pot that is a size larger.
This alocasia plant is susceptible to water decay if its roots are left in water for too long. It is essential to remove excess water and observe the weight prior to refilling. It's a good idea put a saucer under the planter to catch drips, or place the plant in a sink while watering. It's best to allow the top two inches of soil to dry before re-watering. This will also help conserve water in winter.
Butterfly Plant
Butterfly plant is a fascinating tropical houseplant that has unusual foliage. It is characterized by a central stripe and curled brown, red or violet stripes on the leaves, which makes them appear like wings. The plant is native to South America, and can be grown outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9. However, it's most popular as a tropical houseplant, since it thrives indoors and does not need any frost protection. It's easy to cultivate and requires little maintenance.
It is important to water the plant gently and thoroughly every time it requires watering. This will allow the soil to absorb moisture without becoming soggy. If the plant is in poor soil and needs to be fertilized, adding a general-purpose product every now and then during the season will encourage healthy growth and blooming. A pre-bloom feed is particularly crucial, as the plant will be putting all its energy into preparing to open blooms.
The plant needs regular pruning in order to keep it tidy. It also does best when planted in a pot with a nutrient rich, well-draining soil. It can tolerate moderate humidity, but should not be exposed to extreme heat or cold. The plant can be cut back in spring to stimulate new growth and encourage flowering.
The Philodendron "Sunrise" is another excellent choice for tropical houseplants. It has bright yellow flowers that appear like sunflowers. It also has large dark green leaves that resemble the shape of a Rhododendron. It is very simple to maintain and can make a great focal point in your house.
The moth orchid is a different easy-to-care for plant. This plant is often employed in hotels and restaurants, as it has very long-lasting blooms and is available in a range of shades. To keep the plants looking good ensure that they receive plenty of light and stay away from drafts.
The Arrowhead plant (Syngoniumpodophyllum) is another great choice for tropical houseplants. This semi-tropical plant grows in the rainforests of Brazil, Ecuador Mexico and Bolivia. It can also be found in the wild growing in zones 6-9. While this plant is an excellent climber in the garden, it does very well as an indoor plant. The fronds that are segmented, pinnately-branched give it an exotic touch and can be used to add a touch of elegance to a Victorian conservatory or modern living room.
Golden Pothos
Golden Pothos is a durable houseplant that is easy to care for. The shiny green leaves are sprinkled with gold. They are thicker than philodendron leaves, and are arrow-shaped that's why they're often confused with each other. However, just a glance at the underside of the leaf will tell you the difference: philodendron leaves possess smooth textures while golden pothos leaves have a leathery one.
The plants can tolerate low to bright indirect light which mimics what they get in their native tropical French Polynesia forest. The plant can grow to a height of one foot and more with each leaf growing from its own stem. This makes it a great indoor plant and a favourite for hanging baskets.
Pothos plants are very easy to propagate. Simply trim off a 4-6 inch section from a mature plant with two or more leaves. Be sure to include a node, which is a bump on the stem where roots will sprout and then place it in the growing medium of choice. Perlite, sphagnum and moss and leca are all excellent options. If you are planting the cutting directly into soil, use Houseplant Propagation Promoter to help it take roots. Within a week or so the cutting should begin to grow roots. Once the roots have grown, you can transplant it into a larger container with fresh potting soil.
Although you shouldn't fertilize pothos in the winter dormant phase it is best when fed monthly during the spring growing season. Pothos are not susceptible to many issues, but it is important to inspect the plant regularly for signs of insects and diseases. Watch out for aphids, which are light green bugs that leave the plant with a sticky trail of sap, and spider mites, that look like brown or yellow spots on the leaves. Spraying water with pyrethrum, or an insecticidal soap, will easily get rid of these insects.
Keep the plant away for children and pets as it is a source of compounds that are harmful to rabbits, cats and dogs. The poisons can cause vomiting and swelling of lips or tongues. It is best to seek medical attention immediately if your pet ingests the plant. Adults can also suffer from a rash when touching the plant's sap, but it's usually not serious. Antihistamine cream and washing the affected area can ease.
Rainbow Croton
The tropical house plant Croton (Codiaeum Variegatum) is a beautiful houseplant with vibrant foliage that resembles a rainbow. It grows well indoors with bright light, but it can also be grown outside in moderate temperatures. This plant is easy for both experienced and novice gardeners to grow.
These striking houseplants look fantastic in living rooms and dining rooms. The leaves of croton plants have combinations of green, yellow, red, purple, and orange with striking veining and edging. Some croton varieties, such as Petra and 'Florida Select', are round while others, like 'Mammy' or 'Gold Dust,' have twisted, multi-hued leaves.
As with other tropical houseplants Crotons require plenty of sunlight to remain vibrant. However, they do not enjoy extreme humidity or heat which can cause leaves to dull or faded in shade. To avoid this, croton plants should be placed away from radiators or air conditioners, and placed in an area with lots of windows that provide natural sunlight.
Water the croton plant enough to keep it evenly moist. But leave the top a few inches dry out between waterings. It is also important to fertilize a croton plant in the spring and summer when it is growing vigorously, but less frequently during fall and winter.
It's a good idea clean the leaves of a croton plant using a damp cloth frequently to remove dust and also to prevent pests such as mealybugs, spider mites, scales, and thrips. If not treated, these pests can stunt the growth of leaves and eventually cause the croton plant to die.
Although Croton plants are generally safe for pets and children but the leaves can be poisonous when consumed in large quantities. You should place the croton in a place that is safe from the eyes of curious animals or children. If you have kids who are young it is best to wait for them to develop before introducing an invasive Croton Plant to your home.