5 Exotic House Plants to Add a Taste of the Tropics to Your Home
These exotic houseplants will bring a touch of the tropics into your home. Orchids are excellent exotic houseplants since they thrive in warm temperatures and moderate humidity, which is the norm of indoor spaces.
The tropical foliage of monstera deliciosa also known as hole leaf monstera, adds an exotic look to any room. Another exotic option is the bird of paradise flower with its slender, distinctive orange or blue flowers.
Monstera
Monstera Deliciciosa, also known as the Swiss Cheese Plant, is a plant for your home with large leaves that give a a tropical vibe to your home. It is a climber and can be trained to attach itself to the poles covered in moss to mimic the trees that are native to its habitat of Mexico and Central America. It can also be cultivated in a pot, or hung over the edge of any table or even on a surface.
Apart from its distinctive appearance, this tropical plant is easy to cultivate. It needs bright, indirect sun and well-draining ground. It can tolerate low humidity, but it performs best at higher levels.
Like its name implies, this plant is famous for the holes and splits that it leaves. These are called fenestrations and they grow when the plant matures. It is part of the Araceae plant family that includes Pothos, Philodendrons and ZZ plants, as well as many others.
As with other aroids Monstera is quite tolerant in its growth and can be cultivated as an outdoor or indoor plant. It can be cultivated in shades of dappled shades, which are characteristic of its forest understory habitat.
The flowers of this plant resemble an ear of corn and produce a delicious fruit that has been described as a combination of pineapple and banana. You can eat the fruits raw or cooked. It is important to note that the fruit of this plant may be laxative and therefore moderation is essential.
This tropical plant can endure cold temperatures, making it unique. Most other aroids will quickly become mushy in extremely cold temperatures however Monsteras can continue to grow and flourish.
Like most aroids, Monstera must be watered in a controlled manner and only when the top inch of the soil is dry. When you water, make sure to let the excess drain out through the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot. Like many tropical houseplants, Monstera also requires a balanced liquid fertilizer. Dilute 1/2 teaspoon of a balanced 20-20-20 liquid plant food in one gallon of water, and use it to feed your plant every couple of weeks during the growing season.
Begonia
Begonias bring an element of color to flower pots, window boxes and garden beds. They are easy to cultivate tropical treasures. If you select double- or single-flowered varieties there is a begonia with vibrant colors and shapes to suit your personal style. In contrast to other exotic house plants, begonias bloom continuously throughout the growing season, requiring no special care beyond twice-a-month watering.
The genus Begonia is made up of more than 2 000 species of plants, most with vibrant leaves and flowers. They are mostly native to the tropics, but some can grow in cooler climates.
Tuberous begonias, like the popular 'Non-Stop' series are a good option for shady areas and outdoor containers. These frost-sensitive begonias originate from tubers that are oval or round, and have a firm growing habit. They require bright light and partial shade to grow well. big house plants might not bloom in areas with direct, hot sunlight or in areas of dense shade. Wax begonias are tolerant of full sun but will burn quickly in hot weather.
Most begonias do not need deadheading, but they may benefit from autumn and spring pruning to stimulate new growth. They also thrive when they are planted in loose, rich soil. This can be a mixture of organic material, or a light, loamy mix containing slow-release fertilizer.
If you are planning to propagate begonias in a shallow tray, place the tubers, with the hollow side up 6 to 8 inches apart in a moist potting mix. Keep the mix moist but not soggy, and place the tray in a dark space. They should begin to sprout within 4 weeks, and will then be moved to a spot with a bright light source when they're about 1 inch tall. You should wait until there is no risk of frost before planting outside. Begonias can be started from seeds or plant wax begonias transplants. These can be bought at garden centers and greenhouses.
Anthurium
Anthuriums are also known as tail flowers or flamingo flowers, add a tropical touch to brightly lit rooms. It's easy-to-care for and produces flowers all year round. Anthuriums, epiphytes originally that grow on the surface of plants, or in the air, too, are long-lasting and hardy house plants.
The "flower" of the anthurium is actually a spathe. This protective sheath covers a tiny flower inside. The flowers last for about a couple of weeks and come in colors like pink, orange-red or white. The bright anthurium flower is a popular choice for wedding bouquets and hostess gifts in Hawaii and the Pacific Islands.
Anthurium belongs to the large Genus Araceae which includes over 1,000 species of flowering plant. Some are very familiar like the hibiscus, orchid and poinsettia. Others are less well-known such as the arum and tulip tree.
Although it is possible to cultivate anthuriums by seeds, it can take up to four years before you can see any blooms. For quicker results you can propagate anthuriums through cutting them from mature plants. Look for a well-established anthurium with roots that are compacted and ready to be divided. Use a dry, clean knife to cut off a portion of the plant, being careful not to harm the roots.
A freshly cut anthurium can be transplanted to a pot of slightly damp vermiculite. Place the cut in a location that stays around 70F and is exposed to direct, bright light. Mist the plant and soil often, and run an humidifier around it to raise the humidity, if needed. Apply regular fertilizer to the anthurium however, don't apply too much because it burns the roots.
Repot anthuriums every two years or whenever the root ball gets too big for the container. To reduce shock, select a pot that is 20 percent bigger than the container in which it is.
If your anthurium's leaves lose their shine then spray a bit of natural soap diluted on the leaves and wipe it with a damp cloth. This aids the plant in breathing and restores its pretty sheen. Anthuriums can suffer from spider mites. to suffer but a pesticide is able to help to stop this.
Coconut Palm
Coconut palm (Cocos Nucifera) is found in tropical climates across the globe. It is cultivated for its edible fruits. It is one of the most significant and widely distributed agricultural plants in the tropics, and it is believed to have its origins in Indo-Malaya. The wood of the trunk is used to build bridges and huts, while the fibre from shells and husks is used to create mats, ropes, doormats and brooms. The coconut itself is a drupe and not an actual nut.
It is recommended to propagate this plant from seeds, which are ready for planting when they make an audible sloshing sound when shaking. house plants online should be placed on their sides, with the three eyes slightly upwards, and then planted in the soil for about half the thickness of the hardshell. Germination takes a long time, but can be encouraged by high temperatures and humidity and after six months, the roots and shoots are ready to be transplanted.
The plant is ideally suited to warm climates. It is tolerant of frost but should not be exposed to temperatures below freezing because it can suffer damage. tall houseplants requires plenty of sunshine and a protected location with a sandy soil that drains well. Watering is required regularly however it should be kept moist, but not water-logged. Fertilizing with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer is essential.
This palm produces fragrant flower stalks in spring. Male and female coconuts grow from these stalks. The flowers are fragrant, and male flowers typically open before females do. The winds pollinate the flowers. After 4-6 years, the tree will begin producing fruit.
For indoor cultivation, it is recommended to plant this exotic houseplant in a pot that has a rich, well-drained soil. It is a fan of sun but will tolerate low light. As it develops, repot the plant in a pot that is larger than the root ball. It is vital to water thoroughly and feed it regularly with an liquid fertilizer. Coconut palms are generally free of pests. However, they may be affected by a deadly yellowing. This disease is incurable and often causes the plant dying.