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 and moderate humidity, which is typical of indoor environments.
The tropical foliage of monstera deliciosa also known as hole leaf monstera, gives an exotic accent to any interior. Bird of paradise flowers with their distinctive, slender blue or orange blooms are another exotic alternative.
Monstera
Monstera deliciosa, or the Swiss Cheese Plant is a beautiful house plant with large leaves that give a a tropical vibe to your home. It is a climber that can be trained to cling to poles that are covered with moss, to resemble the trees in its native habitat in Central and Mexico America. However, it also does well in a pot and can be placed on the edge of a table or other surface.
It is easy to grow, and it has a unique appearance. Just make sure it has bright, indirect sunlight and well-draining soil. It is tolerant of low humidity, but it performs best when humidity is higher.
As its name suggests, this plant is famous for the holes and splits it shows on its leaves. 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.
Like other aroids, Monstera is quite forgiving in its development and can be grown as an outdoor or indoor plant. It can be cultivated in shades of dappled shade, which is characteristic of its forest understory habitat.
The flowers of the plant appear like an ear of ear corn. It produces a delicious fruit, which has been described as a mixture of banana and pineapple. They can be consumed raw or cooked. The fruit of this plant can have the ability to lax which is why it is essential to use moderately.
One thing that differentiates this tropical plant from other species of plants is its ability to stand up to cold temperatures. common houseplants in general will turn to mush in very cold temperatures however Monsteras can continue to grow and thrive.
Monstera like other aroids, requires a little watering. Only water when the top inch or so of soil is completely dry. Be sure to let any excess water drain out the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot whenever you water. Like most tropical house plants, Monstera requires a balanced liquid fertilizer. Use common house plant of balanced 20-20-20 liquid fertilizer in a gallon of water to feed your Monstera plant every few weeks throughout the growing season.
Begonia
Begonias bring an element of color to window boxes, flower pots and garden beds. They are simple to grow tropical treasures. No matter if you opt for double- or single-flowered varieties There are begonias with vibrant colors and shapes to suit your personal style. Begonias are a great alternative to other exotic houseplants due to the fact that they bloom continuously during the growing season. They don't require any particular care, aside from watering twice a month.
The genus Begonia is made up of more than 2,000 species of plants, most with colorful flowers and leaves. Most are native to the tropics, however some can grow in cooler climates.
Tuberous begonias such as the fad "Non-Stop" series are ideal for shady spots and outdoor containers. These begonias with frost tolerance develop from tubers that are oval or round and have a firm growing habit. To thrive they require bright light with some shade. However, they might not bloom in very dense shade or in areas with hot, direct sunlight. Wax begonias can withstand the heat of full sun, but can quickly burn in hot weather.
Most begonias do not require deadheading, however they could benefit from spring and fall pruning to stimulate new growth. They also thrive when planted in rich, loose soil. This could be a mix of organic material, or a light, loamy mix containing slow-release fertilizer.
If you'd like to propagate 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 put the tray in a dark area. After about four weeks, they will begin to sprout. When they are about an inch tall they can be moved to a brightly lit place. When you are ready to plant them outdoors make sure there isn't any risk of frost. You can also start begonias by seed or by planting wax begonias in transplants. These are available at garden centers and greenhouses.
Anthurium
Anthuriums also referred to as tail flowers or flowers with flamingos provide a tropical feel to rooms that are brightly lit. It's easy-to-care for and blooms all year round. Anthuriums, originally epiphytes that are found on the surface of plants or in the air too are durable and hardy house plants.
The "flower" of the anthurium is actually an actual spathe. The protective sheath conceals an extremely tiny flower inside. common houseplant for a few weeks and are available in colors like pink, orange-red or white. The colorful anthurium is popular as a hostess's gift and is often used in wedding bouquets on Hawaiian and Pacific Islands.
Anthurium is a species of the genus Araceae which includes more than 1,000 species of flowering plants. Some are very familiar such as the hibiscus, orchid and poinsettia. Some are not as well-known, like the tulip tree as well as the arum palm.
Anthuriums can be grown from seeds but it can take up to 4 years before you can see any flowers. You can achieve faster results by cutting anthuriums off of mature plants. Find anthuriums that are established with roots that are compacted, and appear ready to be divided. Use a clean, dry knife to cut off a portion of the plant. Be careful not to harm the roots.
Anthuriums can be transplanted into a pot with slightly moistened vermiculite. Place the cut in a location that is kept at 70F and receives bright, indirect light. Mist the soil and plant frequently, and then run an humidifier around it to raise the humidity if necessary. Do not over-fertilize the Anthurium, as it will cause root burns.
Repot anthuriums every couple of years or whenever the root ball gets too big for the container. To reduce shock, select an area that is 20 percent larger than its current container.
Spray soap diluted on the leaves of your anthurium, then wipe them with a damp cloth. This allows the plant to breathe and will restore its beautiful sheen. Spider mites can cause anthuriums to suffer but a pesticide is able to help to stop this.
Coconut Palm
Coconut Palm (Cocos nucifera) is a tropical plant cultivated extensively around the world for its edible fruit. It is among the most significant and widely-used agricultural plants of the tropics, and is believed to have originated somewhere in Indo-Malaya. The trunk's wood is used to construct bridges and huts, while the fiber from the shells and husks are used to create mats, ropes and doormats, and brooms. The coconut is actually a drupe and is not the nut.
When the seeds make an audible sloshing noise when shaken, they are ready to be planted. The seeds must be placed on their sides, with the three eyes slightly upward, and planted in the soil for 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 to be transplanted.
The plant is ideally for warmer climates. It can tolerate frost but should not be exposed to temperatures below freezing, as it could be damaged. It requires plenty of sun as well as a protected location and a well-drained sandy soil. Watering is required regularly, but it should be kept moist, but not water-logged. Fertilizing is also essential by using a fertilizer that has an extremely high nitrogen content.
In the spring the palms produce sweet-smelling flowers on slightly branched stems which are male and female coconuts. The flowers are aprotandrous and male flowers typically open earlier than females open. The wind pollinates the flowers. After 4-6 years the tree will start producing fruit.
Indoors is best to plant the exotic houseplant in large pots with rich, draining soil. It prefers a sunny spot, but will tolerate low light. As it grows, repot the plant using a pot which is larger than its root ball. Water it thoroughly and feed the plant regularly with a liquid fertilizer. The Coconut Palm is generally pest-free, but it can be affected by a disease known as lethal yellowing for which there is no cure, and that can kill the plant.