5 Exotic House Plants to Add a Taste of the Tropics to Your Home
These exotic houseplants will bring a bit of the tropics into your home. Orchids and ferns as well as palm trees make excellent exotic houseplants because they like mild temperatures and moderate humidity - typical of most indoor environments.
low maintenance house plants of the monstera deliciosa is also often referred to as hole leaf monstera, provides an exotic accent to any room. Another option that is exotic is the bird of paradise with its distinctive, slender orange or blue flowers.
Monstera
Monstera Deliciciosa or Swiss Cheese Plant is a beautiful houseplant with large leaves. It provides a tropical feel to your home. It is an climber and can be trained up moss cover poles indoors to mimic the trees it clings to in its native Mexican and Central American habitat. It can also be planted in a pot or hung over the edge of any table or surface.
This tropical plant is easy-to-grow and has a distinct appearance. Just ensure it gets bright, indirect sunlight and well-draining soil. It can tolerate low humidity, but will perform best when it is in higher humidity levels.
The plant's name is derived from the splits and holes it shows on its leaf. These are referred to as fenestrations, and they appear as the plant grows. It is part of the Araceae plant family which includes Pothos, Philodendrons and ZZ plants, as well as many others.
As with other aroids Monstera is quite forgiving in its development and can be grown as an indoor or outdoor plant. It can be cultivated in shades of dappled shade, which is typical of its understory forest habitat.
The flowers of the plant look like an ear of corn. It produces a delicious fruit that has been described as a mixture of pineapple and banana. You can consume raw or cooked. It is important to note that the fruit of this plant can cause laxative effects and therefore moderation is essential.
This tropical plant is able to endure cold temperatures, making it unique. Aroids in general will melt in extremely cold temperatures However, Monsteras can still grow and thrive.
Monstera like all aroids requires a little watering. Only water when the top inch or so of soil is dry. When you water, make sure to let the excess water drain out through the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot. Also, like most tropical house plants, Monstera requires a balanced liquid fertilizer. Dilute 1/2 teaspoon of a balanced 20-20-20 liquid plant food into one gallon of water, and use it to feed your plant every couple of weeks during the growing season.
Begonia
Begonias are easy to cultivate tropical treasures which add a splash of color to window boxes or flower pots, as well as garden beds. There are begonias available in bright colors and shapes that suit your design, whether you opt for single or double-flowered varieties. Begonias make a great alternative to other exotic houseplants due to the fact that they bloom all the time during the growing season. They don't require any special care, except for watering twice a month.
The genus Begonia is made up of more than 2 000 species of plants, the majority with vibrant flowers and leaves. Most are native to the tropics, however some are able to thrive in cooler climates.
Tuberous begonias like the fad "Non-Stop" series are great for shaded areas and outdoor containers. These plants are frost-sensitive and grow from firm, round or oval tubers, with either an upright or slender growth habit (for planters and flower boxes) or cascading tendencies (for hanging baskets). To grow well they require bright light with partial shade. They might not bloom in areas of direct, hot sun or in dense shade. Wax begonias can withstand the heat of full sun, but can quickly burn in hot temperatures.
The majority of begonias don't require deadheading, however they could benefit from fall and spring pruning to stimulate new growth. They also thrive when they are planted in loose, rich soil. This could be a mix of organic material or a light loamy mix with slow-release fertilizer.
If you'd like to grow begonias, plant tubers with the hollow side up, 6 to 8 inches apart in a shallow tray filled with moist potting mix. Place the tray in a space with a low amount of light. Keep the mix moist but not too wet. They should begin to sprout within 4 weeks. They will then be moved to a spot with bright light when they're around an inch tall. When they are ready to plant outside, wait until there's no risk of frost. Alternately, you can plant begonias from seed, or by planting wax begonia transplants. These are available at greenhouses and garden centers.
Anthurium
Anthuriums, also known as tail flowers and flowers with flamingos are a tropical addition to brightly lit rooms. It is easy to maintain, and newer cultivars produce flowers year-round. Originally an epiphyte plant that grows 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 protective layer that covers a tiny true flower within. The flowers last for a few weeks and are available in colors like pink, orange-red or white. The vibrant anthurium is a favorite as a hostess's gift, and it's also often used in wedding bouquets on Hawaiian and Pacific Islands.
Anthurium is part of the Genus Araceae which contains over 1,000 species of flowering plant. Certain species are well-known, such as the orchid, hibiscus and poinsettia. Others are less well-known like the arum tree and tulip trees.
Anthuriums can be planted from seeds but it can take up to 4 years before you see any flowers. You can get quicker results by cutting anthuriums of mature plants. Find anthuriums with a long-lasting, established plant with roots that are compacted and ready to be divided. Make use of a dry, clean knife to cut off a portion of the plant, but be careful not to harm the roots.
Anthuriums can be transplanted into a pot by using vermiculite that has been moistened. Place the cuttings in an area that receives bright indirect light and stays at 70F. If you need to mist the soil and plant frequently and run a humidity machine near it. Give the anthurium regular fertilizer but don't apply it too much since it burns the roots.
potted house plants or when the root ball is too large for the container. Select a pot that is 20% bigger than the anthurium's current one to reduce shock.
If the leaves of your anthurium lose their shiny shine, spray a little natural soap diluted on the foliage and wipe it with a damp cloth. This lets the plant breathe and restore a gorgeous shine. Anthuriums can suffer from spider mites. to suffer, but a pesticide can prevent this.
Coconut Palm
Coconut Palm (Cocos nucifera) is an exotic plant that is extensively grown all over the world for its edible fruit. It is among the most significant and widely distributed agricultural plants of the tropics and it is believed to have its origins in Indo-Malaya. The wood of the trunk is used to construct bridges and huts, while the fiber from the shells and husks are used to create ropes, mats, doormats and Brooms. The coconut is actually a drupe, and is not an nut.
It is recommended to propagate this plant using seeds, which are ready for planting when they produce an audible sloshing sound when shaking. The seeds should be placed on their sides, with the three 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 accelerated by high temperatures and humidity. After six months, the roots and shoots are ready for transplantation.
The plant thrives in warm climates and can withstand the effects of frost, however it shouldn't be exposed to very cold temperatures, as it may be damaged. It requires plenty of sun as well as a protected location and a well-drained soil. Regular watering is necessary, but it should be kept moist, but not drained of water. Fertilizing with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer essential.
In the spring, this palm produces fragrant flowers that smell sweet on a few branched stalks which are male and female coconuts. The flowers are protandrous, and male flowers bloom before the females. The flowers are pollinated by wind. After about 4-6 years the tree will start producing fruit.
For indoor cultivation, it's recommended to plant this exotic houseplant in a large pot that has a rich, well-drained soil. It is a fan of sun but will take low light. Repot the plant as it grows in a pot larger than its roots. It is vital to give the plant a thorough watering and to feed it with liquid fertilizer on a regular schedule. Coconut palms are generally non-pest-free. However, they may be affected by the deadly yellowing. good house plants is incurable and often leads to the plant dying.