5 Exotic House Plants to Add a Taste of the Tropics to Your Home
Bring the taste of the tropics into your home by incorporating these exotic house plants. Orchids, ferns, and palm trees are excellent exotic house plants because they prefer mild temperatures and moderate humidity that are typical of indoor environments.
The tropical foliage of monstera delicciosa, known as hole leaf monstera, provides an exotic look to any room. Another option that is exotic is the bird of paradise flower with its distinctive, slender orange or blue flowers.
Monstera
Monstera deliciosa, or the Swiss Cheese Plant, is an exotic house plant with large leaves that add a tropical vibe to your home. It is a climber that can be trained to attach itself to the poles covered in moss to mimic the trees in its native habitat in Central and Mexico America. It can also be grown in a pot, or hung over the edge of a table or other surface.
This tropical plant is easy-to-grow, and it has a distinctive appearance. It needs sunlight that is bright and indirect, as well as well-draining ground. It is also tolerant of low humidity levels however, it will be most effective when humidity levels are higher.
The name of the plant suggests that this plant is renowned for the splits and holes it displays on its leaves. These are referred to as fenestrations, and they develop as the plant matures. It is part of the Araceae family, as well as Pothos, Philodendrons, ZZ plants, and a variety of other popular foliage plants for your home.
As with good house plants is fairly forgiving in its development and can be grown in both outdoor and indoor plant. It can even be grown in dappled shade, which is typical of its forest understory habitat.
The flowers of this plant look like corn ear and produce an incredibly delicious fruit that has been described as a combination of pineapple and banana. They can be consumed raw or cooked. It is important to remember that the fruit of this plant could cause laxative effects, so moderation is key.
One of the things that distinguishes this tropical plant from other species of plants is its ability to withstand cold temperatures. Monsteras can live in temperatures that would kill most other Aroids.
Like all aroids, Monstera needs to be watered sparingly and only when the top inch of the soil is dry. Be sure to let any excess water drain out the drainage hole in the bottom of the pot when you water. Also, like most tropical house plants, Monstera requires a balanced liquid fertilizer. Use 1/2 teaspoon of balanced 20-20-20 liquid fertilizer in one gallon water to feed your Monstera plant every couple of weeks throughout the growing season.
Begonia
Begonias are easy to cultivate tropical treasures which add a splash of color to window boxes as well as flower pots and 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 due to the fact that they bloom continuously during the growing season. They don't require any special care, except for regular watering once a month.
The genus Begonia is made up of more than 2,000 species of plants, the majority with colorful flowers and leaves. They are mostly native to the tropical regions, but some can grow in cooler climates.
Tuberous begonias, such as the popular 'Non-Stop' series are a great choice for shaded spots and containers for the outdoors. These begonias with frost tolerance grow from tubers that are either round or oval and have a sturdy growing habit. They require bright light and partial shade to flourish. However, they might not flower in very dense shade or in areas with direct sunlight that is hot and intense. Wax begonias can withstand the heat of full sun, but will quickly burn in hot weather.
The majority of begonias are self-cleaning and don't require deadheading; however, they could benefit from pruning in spring and fall to encourage new growth. They also thrive when planted in loose, rich soil. This can be a mixture of organic material or a light loamy mixture with a slow-release fertilizer.
If you wish to propagate begonias in a shallow tray, place the tubers, with the hollow side about 6 to 8 inches apart, in a moist potting solution. Keep the mix moist, but not soggy, and place the tray in a dark room. After about 4 weeks, they should start to sprout. When they reach an inch tall, you can move them to a brightly lit space. When you are ready to plant them outdoors make sure there's no risk of frost. Begonias can be started from seeds or plant wax begonias as transplants. These can be purchased in greenhouses and garden centers.
Anthurium
Anthuriums are also known as tail flowers and flowers with flamingos, add a tropical touch to brightly lit rooms. It is easy to maintain, and newer cultivars produce flowers year-round. Anthuriums, which were originally epiphytes that are found on the surface of plants, or in the air too are durable and tough house plants.
The "flower" of the anthurium actually is an actual spathe. The protective sheath protects a tiny flower inside. The flowers last for a few weeks and come in a variety of colors such as orange-red, pink, or white. The vibrant anthurium flower is popular for wedding bouquets and hostess gifts in Hawaii and the Pacific Islands.
Anthurium belongs to the large genus Araceae which includes over 1,000 species of flowering plants. Certain species are well-known such as the hibiscus, orchid and poinsettia. Others are not as well-known, such as the arum tree and tulip tree.
While it's possible to grow anthuriums by seeds, it can take up to four years before you notice any blooms. You can achieve faster results by cutting anthuriums of mature plants. Look for a well-established anthurium with compacted roots that appear ready to be divided. Use a dry, clean knife to cut off a section of the plant, but be careful not to damage the roots.
Anthurium freshly cut can be transplanted to a pot of slightly damp vermiculite. Place the cuttings in a place which receives direct sunlight and is at 70F. Mist the plant and soil often, and run a humidifier near it to raise the humidity, if needed. Do not over-fertilize the Anthurium, as it will cause root burns.
Repot anthuriums every two years or whenever the root ball is too big for the container. To minimize good house plants , choose an area that is 20% bigger than the container in which it is.
If your anthurium's leaves have lost their shine spray a small amount of natural soap in a diluted form on the foliage and wipe it with a damp cloth. This aids the plant in breathing and restores its beautiful sheen. Anthuriums can suffer from spider mites. to suffer but a pesticide is able to stop 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 one of the most significant and widely distributed agricultural plants in the tropics and it is believed to have its origins in Indo-Malaya. The wood of the trunk is used to build bridges and huts, and the fibre from the shells and husks is used to create mats, ropes and doormats and brooms. The coconut is actually a drupe and is not an nucleus.
It is best to propagate this plant from seed, which are ready to be planted when they produce an audible sloshing sound after shaking. The seeds are then set on their sides with the three eyes slightly tilted upwards and then dug into the soil to about half the thickness of the shell. Germination takes a while however, it is able to be stimulated by high temperatures and humidity and after 6 months the shoots and roots are ready to be transplanted.
The plant thrives in warm climates and is tolerant of frost, however it shouldn't be exposed to very cold temperatures as the plant can suffer damage. It requires plenty of sunshine and a protected location with a sandy soil that drains well. Regular watering is required, but the soil should not be submerged. Fertilizing with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer is essential.
The palm produces sweet-smelling flower stalks in the spring. Male and female coconuts are able to grow from these stalks. The flowers are protandrous and male flowers bloom before the females. good house plants are pollinated by wind. After 4-6 years the tree will start bearing fruit.
Indoors it is recommended to grow the exotic houseplant in large pots with rich, draining soil. It is a fan of sun however, it can also take low light. Repot the plant once it grows in a pot larger than its roots. Water it thoroughly and feed it on a regular basis with liquid fertilizer. The Coconut Palm is generally pest-free however it is affected by a disease known as lethal yellowing, for which there is no cure and that can kill the plant.