5 Exotic House Plants to Add a Taste of the Tropics to Your Home
These exotic houseplants will bring a little bit of the tropics into your home. Orchids, ferns, and palm trees are great exotic houseplants since they enjoy moderate humidity and warm temperatures - typical of most indoor settings.
The tropical foliage, also known as hole-leaf gianta, gives any interior an exotic feel. Bird of paradise flowers with distinctive, slender blue or orange blooms are another exotic option.
Monstera
Monstera Deliciciosa, also known as the Swiss Cheese Plant is a beautiful house plant with large leaves that provide a an exotic feel to your home. It is a climber that can be trained to hang from moss-covered poles inside to mimic the trees found in its native habitat in Central and Mexico America. However, it also performs well in pots and is placed on the edge of a table or other surface.
Apart from its distinctive appearance, this tropical plant is also easy to cultivate. Just ensure it gets ample, indirect sunlight and well-drained soil. It can tolerate low humidity, but will perform best at higher levels.
The name of the plant suggests that this plant is known for the splits and holes it shows on its leaves. They are referred to as fenestrations and they are visible as the plant grows. It belongs to the Araceae plant family that includes Pothos, Philodendrons and ZZ plants, in addition to many others.
As with other aroids Monstera is quite tolerant in its development and can be grown as an indoor or outdoor plant. It can be grown in shades of dappled shade, which is characteristic of its understory forest habitat.
The flowers of the plant appear like an ear of corn. It produces a delicious fruit, which has been described as a mixture of banana and pineapple. They can be eaten raw or cooked. It is important to note that the fruits of this plant can have a laxative effect and therefore moderation is essential.
This tropical plant can endure frigid temperatures, which makes it unique. Aroids in general will become mushy in extremely cold temperatures however Monsteras can withstand cold temperatures and thrive.
Monstera, like most aroids require a moderate amount of water. 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. Like most tropical house plants, Monstera requires a balanced liquid fertilizer. Dilute 1/2 teaspoon of a balanced 20-20-20 liquid plant food in one gallon of water, and feed your plant every couple of weeks throughout the growing season.
Begonia
Begonias are easy-to-grow tropical treasures that add a burst 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 style, whether you choose either a single or double-flowered variety. Begonias make a great alternative to other exotic houseplants since they bloom continuously during the growing season. They require no special care, besides regular watering once a month.
More than 2,000 plant species belong to the genus Begonia, with most having colorful leaves and flowers. They are mostly native to the tropical regions, but some are able to thrive in cooler climates.
Tuberous begonias like the fad "Non-Stop" series are perfect for shady areas and outdoor containers. These begonias that are frost-sensitive originate from tubers that are oval or round and have a strong growth habit. They need full sun and some shade to thrive. However, they won't bloom in very dense shade or in areas with direct sunlight that is hot and intense. Wax begonias are tolerant of full sun but can quickly burn in hot weather.
Most begonias do not need deadheading, but they may benefit from autumn and spring pruning to encourage new growth. They also thrive when planted in loose, rich soil, such as an organic material or a light, loamy mix with a slow-release fertilizer added.
If you want to reproduce begonias in a shallow tray, place the tubers, with the hollow side between 6 and 8 inches apart in a moist potting mix. Keep the mix moist, but not soggy, and put the tray in a dark space. The seeds should start to grow in about 4 weeks, and can then be moved to a spot with a bright light source when they're around 1 inch tall. Make sure there is no risk of frost before putting them in the ground. You can also start begonias by sown seeds or by planting wax begonias in transplants. They are available at garden centers and greenhouses.
Anthurium
Anthurium, also called tail flower or flamingo flower is a tropical exotic accent to any room that is brightly lit. It is easy to maintain and the latest cultivars can produce flowers year-round. It was originally an epiphyte plant that is found on the surface of other plants, or in the air, anthuriums are durable and long-lasting house plants.
The "flower" of the anthurium actually is an actual spathe. The protective sheath conceals the inside of a tiny flower. The flowers are available in pink, orange-red, or white, and last for some weeks. The bright anthurium flower is popular for wedding bouquets and hostess gifts in Hawaii and the Pacific Islands.
Anthurium is a part of the genus Araceae that includes more than 1,000 species of flowering plants. best houseplants are very familiar, such as the hibiscus, orchid and poinsettia. Some are less well-known, such as the arum tree and tulip trees.
Anthuriums can be cultivated from seeds, but it could take up to 4 years before you notice any flowers. You can achieve faster results by cutting anthuriums 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 small portion of the plant, being cautious not to damage the roots.
Anthuriums can be transferred into a pot by using vermiculite that has been moistened. Place the cut in a place that is at 70F and receives bright, indirect light. Mist the soil and plant frequently, and run an air humidifier close to it to raise the humidity, if needed. Give the anthurium regular fertilizer however, don't apply too much as it can burn the roots.
Repot anthuriums at a minimum every two years or when the root ball is too large for the container. Choose a pot 20% larger than the anthurium's current one to minimize shock.
If the leaves of your anthurium lose their shine, spray a little natural soap diluted on the foliage and wipe it 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 is able to help to stop this.
Coconut Palm
Coconut palm (Cocos Nucifera) grows in tropical climates across the globe. It is grown for its edible fruit. It is one of the most important and widely spread agricultural plants in the tropics, and it is believed to have its origins in Indo-Malaya. The wood from the trunk is used to build bridges and huts, and the fibre from the shells and husks is used to create mats, ropes, doormats, and Brooms. The coconut is actually a drupe is not an nuts.
It is best to propagate this plant from seed, which are ready for planting when they produce an audible sloshing sound upon shaking. The seeds are then laid on their sides with the three eyes slightly angled upwards and then buried in soil until about half of the thickness of the hard shell. Germination can take a long period of time, but can be accelerated by high temperatures and humidity. After 6 months after which the roots and shoots are ready to be transplanted.
The plant thrives in warm climates and can withstand the effects of frost, however it should not be exposed to very cold temperatures as the plant may be damaged. It needs plenty of sunlight, a sheltered position and a well-drained soil. Regular watering is required but the soil must not be flooded. Fertilizing is also vital by using a fertilizer that has an extremely high nitrogen content.
The palm produces fragrant flower stalks in the spring. Male and female coconuts sprout from these stalks. The flowers are protandrous, and male flowers typically open before females do so. The winds pollinate the flowers. After 4-6 years, the tree will start bearing fruit.
Indoors is best to plant the exotic houseplant in pots that are large and have well-drained soil. It prefers a sunny location however, it can tolerate light that is low. Repot the plant once it grows in a pot larger than its roots. It is essential to water the plant thoroughly and feed it with liquid fertilizer regularly. Coconut palms are generally free of pests. However, they can be affected by the deadly yellowing. This disease is incurable and frequently results in the plant dying.