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 because they thrive in warm temperatures with moderate humidity, which is typical of most indoor environments.
The tropical foliage of monstera delicciosa also called hole leaf monstera, gives an exotic accent to any interior. Bird of paradise flowers with distinctive, slim blue or orange flowers are another exotic option.
Monstera
Monstera deliciosa, or the Swiss Cheese Plant is a beautiful house plant with large leaves that give a an exotic feel 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. However, it also does well in a pot and can be suspended over the edge of a table or any other surface.
This tropical plant is easy-to-grow and has a unique appearance. Make sure that it is in bright, indirect sunlight and well-drained soil. It can also tolerate low humidity levels, but will perform best when it is in higher humidity.
The plant's name is derived from the splits and holes it displays on its leaf. They are known as fenestrations and they develop as the plant matures. It is part of the Araceae plant family that includes Pothos, Philodendrons and ZZ plants, as well as many others.
Monstera, like other aroids, is an plant that can be grown indoors or out in the open. It is also able to be planted in shade that is dappled, which are typical of its forest understory habitat.
The flowers of this plant look like corn ear and produce delicious fruits that have been described as a mixture of pineapple and banana. You can consume the fruits raw or cooked. It is important to know that the fruit of this plant could be laxative, so moderation is key.
One thing that distinguishes this tropical plant from other species of plants is its ability to tolerate cold temperatures. Monsteras is able to survive in temperatures that would kill most other Aroids.
Like most aroids, Monstera must be watered sparsely and only when the top inch of soil is dry. When you water, be sure to let the excess flow out through the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot. Also, like most tropical house plants, Monstera requires a balanced liquid fertilizer. Use a teaspoon of balanced 20-20-20 liquid fertilizer in a gallon of water to feed your Monstera plant every couple of weeks throughout the growing season.
Begonia
Begonias provide an element of color to window boxes, flower pots and garden beds. They are easy to grow and are tropical treasures. If you select double- or single-flowered varieties there is a begonia with vibrant designs and colors that match your style. In contrast to other exotic house plants begonias flower continuously throughout the growing season, requiring no special care beyond twice-a-month watering.
More than 2,000 species of plants belong to the genus Begonia, with the majority having vibrant flowers and leaves. Most are native to the tropical regions, but certain species can thrive in cooler climates.
Tuberous begonias like the popular "Non-Stop" series are perfect for shaded areas and outdoor containers. These frost-sensitive plants grow from round, solid or oval tubers, with either an upright growth habit (for containers for plants and flower boxes) or cascading tendencies (for hanging baskets). They need full sun and some shade to thrive. They might not bloom in areas with direct, hot sunlight or dense shade. Wax begonias can tolerate full sun, but will quickly burn in hot weather.
Most begonias self-clean and don't require deadheading; However, they may benefit by pruning in the fall and spring to encourage new growth. They also thrive in rich, loose soil. This can be a mixture of organic material or a light loamy mix containing slow-release fertilizer.
If you'd like propagation of begonias, you can plant tubers hollow side up, 6 to 8 inches apart in a shallow tray with moist potting mix. Keep the mix moist but not soggy, and place the tray in a dark room. They should sprout in about 4 weeks. They can then be moved to a location with bright light when they're about an inch tall. When they are ready to plant outside make sure there's no risk of frost. Alternately, you can plant begonias by seeding them or by planting begonias in wax. They can be bought at greenhouses and garden centers.
Anthurium
Anthuriums are also known as tail flowers and the flamingo flower are a tropical addition to rooms that are brightly lit. It is easy to maintain and modern cultivars provide flowers all year round. Originally an epiphyte plant that is found on the surface of other plants or even in the air, anthuriums are durable and long-lasting house plants.
The anthurium's "flower" is actually a spathe, a sheath that covers a tiny true flower within. The flowers are available in orange-red, pink or white, and last for several weeks. The vibrant anthurium is a favorite as a hostess gift and is often used in wedding bouquets on Hawaiian and Pacific Islands.
potted house plants is part of the Genus Araceae which includes over 1,000 species of flowering plant. Some are very familiar like the orchid, hibiscus and poinsettia. Others are less well-known such as the arum tree and tulip tree.
While it's possible to grow anthuriums from seeds, this can take up to four years before you can see any blooms. For quicker results, you can propagate anthuriums by cutting them off of mature plants. Find anthuriums with a long-lasting, established plant with roots that are compacted, and appear ready to be divided. Make use of a dry, clean knife to cut off a section of the plant. Be careful not to damage the roots.
Anthurium that has been cut cleanly can be transplanted to a pot that is slightly moist vermiculite. Place the cutting in a spot that is at 70F and receives indirect, bright light. If necessary mist the soil and plant frequently and run a humidifier close to it. Give the anthurium regular fertilizer, though don't apply too much because it burns the roots.
Repot anthuriums at least every two years or when the root ball is too big for the pot. To minimize shock, choose a pot that is 20 percent larger than its current container.
Spray diluted soap on the leaves of your anthurium and wipe them dry with a damp cloth. This allows the plant to breathe and restores a beautiful shine. Anthuriums can suffer from spider mites. to suffer, but a pesticide can help to stop this.
Coconut Palm
Coconut Palm (Cocos nucifera) is a tropical plant that is extensively grown all over the globe for its edible fruit. It is among the most significant and widely-used agricultural plants in the tropics, and is believed to have originated in Indo-Malaya. potted house plants from the trunk can be used to build bridges and huts. The fibers of shells or husks are used to make ropes. The coconut is a drupe, and not a real nut.
When the seeds make an audible sloshing sound when shaken, they are ready to be planted. The seeds should be placed on their sides with the eyes slightly up, and buried into the soil about half the thickness of the hardshell. Germination can take a long period of time, but can be increased by high temperatures and high humidity. After 6 months the shoots and roots are ready for transplantation.
The plant thrives in warm climates and is tolerant of frost, however it shouldn't be exposed to extreme cold temperatures because the plant could be damaged. It needs plenty of sun and a sheltered location with a sandy soil that drains well. Regular watering is required but the soil must not be flooded. Fertilizing is also important, using a fertilizer with an extremely high nitrogen content.
In spring the palms produce sweet-smelling flowers on slightly branched stems which grow male and female coconuts. The flowers are protandrous, and male flowers generally open before the females open. The flowers are pollinated by the wind. After 4-6 years, the tree will begin bearing fruit.
Indoors is best to plant the exotic houseplant in large pots with well-drained soil. It prefers a sunny spot however, it can tolerate low light. As it grows, repot the plant with a container which is larger than its root ball. It is essential to give the plant a thorough watering and to feed it with liquid fertilizer regularly. Coconut palms are generally free of pests. However, they may be affected by the deadly yellowing. best houseplants is incurable and frequently leads to the plant dying.