Imagine a space that’s filled with beautiful green foliage, wispy palms, and trees yielding unique blooms. Somewhere that feels safe, warm, and inviting. You may believe that tropical plants are only able to thrive in their natural environment- but you’d be wrong. There are tons of great options when it comes to indoor tropical plants. Here are some of my favorite tropical plants that you can grow inside your own home!
Monstera (Monstera Deliciosa)
Also known as the “swiss cheese plant”- This is an incredible evergreen vine/shrub that you can add to your home! When I think of the perfect tropical plant- this is what comes to my mind!
In the wild, this plant can grow up to 70 feet tall and bear fruits that resemble an ear of corn- but taste like pineapple and bananas.
It has bright- indirect light requirements.
You want to water every 1-2 weeks but allow the soil to dry in between waterings.
It will survive in normal humidity conditions- But if you really want it to thrive you could consider buying a humidifier or giving it a mist of water every once and awhile!
Orchid (Orchidaceae)
The flowers on an orchid are breath taking. They are one of the oldest family of flowering plants.
Contrary to common practice/belief these plants will continue to flower every year if it is under the correct conditions and taken well care of.
These plants need bright, indirect light to survive. They will burn in direct light. A west or east facing window is a perfect location for this plant.
Orchids do not grow in regular potting mix. So instead- opt for a mix of bark, sphagnum moss, perlite, and peat. You can buy a pre-made mix at your local nursery!
You only want to water when the medium is dry. You’re typically going to water more during the warmer months/flowering period. Use room temperature water! Remember these are tropical plants.
If you want your orchid to have a maximum flowering period- you’re going to want it to be in an environment with 40%-70% humidity.
Snake Plant (Dracaena Trifasciata)
The snake plant is one of the most hardy plants you can have inside! They are also great for propagating so you can make the most out of your one plant!
They need bright, indirect light but will benefit from a few hours of direct sun.
They prefer loose, well draining soil that is low in peat content. A good pre-made cactus soil mix will do perfectly.
These plants prefer warmth and a decent humidity percentage.
These plants are drought resistant- and they are susceptible to root rot if you water them too much! So make sure to only water when the soil is dry. Once the winter comes around you want to reduce watering to once a month.
Bird Of Paradise (Strelitzia Reginae, Strelitzia Nicolai)
These stunning plants obviously get this name from their beautiful blooms! They are easy to care for and make a great addition to any space!
They need bright indirect light- but need a few hours of direct sunlight to create their blooms. The younger leaves will burn in direct light though, so make sure to limit its time in direct sun.
They love rich, well draining soil. Make sure the pot being used has drainage holes so that no water can sit under the soil.
You want to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. You can expect to water it at least once a day through its growing period.
It is a heavy feeder. Which means you want to use a liquid release fertilizer during the growth period- and a slow release pellet fertilizer on the off season.
This plant likes high humidity- so it will benefit from a humidifier or by misting the plant a couple times a day.
Caladium
These are some heat loving tropical perennials in the Araceae family. They have large heart shaped leaves that come in a variety of patterns and colors!
They thrive in bright indirect light. Full sun will scorch the sensitive leaves. The narrower the leave the brighter sun it can take.
Soil conditions need to be rich, and well draining. The ideal pH is slightly acidic. You can buy a pre-made garden mix at your local nursery.
Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Do not let the soil dry out in between waterings. You want to cut back on watering once the foliage starts dying back.
The warmer the environment, the better. They also benefit from high humidity- so a space in your bathroom is perfect. Or you can supplement with a humidifier.
Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus Lyrata)
This tree has large, heavily veined leaves that grow on a sleek trunk. These specimens can reach up to 10 ft tall if given the correct amount of space!
They need bright filtered light in order to grow the best. Direct sun can burn and scorch the leaves. Dusting the leaves every week can help with the process of photosynthesis.
A regular indoor potting mix is a great option for these plants.
The soil needs to stay moderately moist but not soaking wet. You want to water this plant when the top inch of soil is completely dry. To prevent salt build up- you want to make sure to flush the soil once a month. This simply means running water through the pot until it is running through the bottom holes consistently.
Keep the plant away from drafty areas. It will thrive in conditions from 60-80 degrees.
You can fertilize this plant with a nitrogen rich plant food during its growing season.
Money Tree (Pachira Aquatica)
These plants are readily available in most grocery store floral sections and easy to take care of. They symbolize “good luck”.
They need 6-8 hours of medium indirect light. If you don’t have a good space for them to get light you can supplement with an indoor grow light.
These trees like mild temperatures and high humidity. To increase humidity- you can try placing the pot on a tray of pebbles filled with water.
These plants should be watered pretty often. A good rule of thumb is when the top inch of soil is completely dry. The best way to avoid overwatering is to make sure it has good drainage holes.
A basic fertilizer mix needs to be applied monthly during its growing months.
This tree can be trained like a bonsai. Once the trunks are about a foot tall- you can successfully braid it for a unique look.
Rattlesnake Plant (Goeppertia Insignis)
This tropical evergreen has distinctive wave like leaves. It has some pretty strict light, heat, and watering requirements so they may not be geared for beginners.
It needs bright indirect light to survive. Take care not to leave it in direct sunlight. This can be done by filtering the light with some curtains.
You need a well draining soil mix for this plant. They prefer slightly acidic or neutral pH levels.
During its growth season the soil always needs to be moist and you will water regularly. Once winter comes around you want to reduce watering to only when the top of the soil gets dry.
They want to be kept in relatively warm conditions from 60-75 degrees. Keep away from cold drafts and heating units as for this could ultimately kill the plant.
You want to use a basic fertilizer every month through the spring and summer to encourage healthy foliage.
Pathos (Epipremnum Aureum)
A pathos is a beautiful vining plant that is great for beginner gardeners. This plant is super tolerant and will adapt to most growing conditions. It is identified with heart shape leaves- ranging in colors from light green to variegated yellow.
These plants need bright, indirect light when being grown indoors. But they will grow in low-light conditions as well. This makes them perfect for rooms that may only have fluorescent lighting.
It isn’t too fussy when it comes to soil. A pre-made bag of well draining potting mix from your local nursery will do the trick.
When it comes to watering requirements this plant thrives on being forgotten! They actually prefer their soil to dry out completely before being watered again. A good way to tell if your pathos needs water is by the drooping of the leaves. If it droops then it needs water. If it starts developing brown edges- its been left without water too long.
Croton (Codiaeum Variegatum)
These eye-catching plants can be identified by its bright variegated leaves. The trick to taking good care of this plant is to keep it warm consistently.
Croton plants need a good amount of sun to keep up its appearance. If it isn’t receiving enough of it, the leaves will start to turn green. It is best to use bright indirect light.
The soil needs to be kept moist most of the summer and through its growing period. Once winter comes around you can reduce the watering twice a month of so.
This plant needs rich, acidic, well draining soil to thrive. You can mend a bag of potting pix with some compost to help achieve this.
These tropical plants thrive on humidity. If it isn’t getting 40-80% humidity then it will start dropping leaves. Supplement your topical plants with a humidifier to help with this!
These tropical plants are a great option for anyone who feels their home needs a little more nature! Creating your own inside oasis has never been easier.
Thanks for reading! I appreciate the time and support given. Happy gardening ❤
Native Grounds Farm 