5 Exotic House Plants to Add a Taste of the Tropics to Your Home
These exotic houseplants can bring a little bit of the tropics into your home. Orchids, ferns, and palm trees are great exotic houseplants because they like warm temperatures and moderate humidity which is typical of indoor settings.
The tropical foliage, also known as hole-leaf gianta, gives any room an exotic look. Another exotic option is the bird of paradise flower with its slim, distinctive blue or orange flowers.
Monstera
Monstera deliciosa, also known as Swiss Cheese Plant is an exotic houseplant with large leaves. It adds an exotic look to your home. It is a climber that can be trained to attach itself to poles that are covered with moss, to resemble the trees that are native to its habitat in Central and Mexico America. However, it also performs well in pots and is kept hanging over the edge of a table or any other surface.
It is easy to grow and has a distinct appearance. Just ensure it gets ample, indirect sunlight and a well-drained soil. It's also tolerant of low humidity levels, but will perform best when humidity levels are higher.
potted house plants of the plant suggests that this plant is famous for the splits and holes that it leaves. These are referred to as fenestrations, and they grow when the plant matures. It belongs to 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 in both outdoor and indoor plant. It can also be cultivated in dappled shade, which is typical of its forest understory habitat.
The flowers of this plant look like corn ear and produce delicious fruits that have been described as a combination of pineapple and banana. It is possible to eat the fruits raw or cooked. The fruit of this plant has a laxative affect and it is therefore important to use moderately.
best houseplants that differentiates this tropical plant from other species of plants is its capacity to tolerate cold temperatures. Monsteras can live in temperatures that would kill most other Aroids.
Monstera like all aroids needs to be watered sparingly. Only water when the top inch or so of the soil is dry. Make sure that any excess water drain from the drainage hole in the bottom of the pot when you water. Like many tropical houseplants, Monstera also requires a balanced liquid fertiliser. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of a balanced 20-20-20 liquid plant food into a gallon of water and feed your plant every couple of weeks throughout the growing season.
Begonia
Begonias add a splash of color to window boxes, flower pots and garden beds. They are simple to grow and are tropical treasures. Begonias are available in bright designs and colors that fit your design, whether you opt for single or double-flowered varieties. Contrary to other exotic house plants, begonias bloom continuously throughout the growing season, requiring minimal attention beyond a couple of times a month watering.
More than 2,000 species of plants belong to the genus Begonia, with most having colorful flowers and leaves. The majority of them are native to the tropics, but certain species can thrive in cooler climates.
tall house plants like the'Non-Stop' variety, which is popular are a great choice for shady spots and containers for the outdoors. These frost-sensitive plants develop from firm, round or oval tubers with either an upright growth style (for planters and flower boxes) or cascading tendencies (for hanging baskets). They require full sun and some shade to grow well. However, they might not flower in very dense shade or in areas with direct sunlight that is hot and intense. Wax begonias are more tolerant 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 encourage new growth. They also thrive when they are planted in rich, loose soil. This can be a mixture of organic material, or a light, loamy mix containing slow-release fertilizer.
If you want to propagate begonias in a shallow tray, place the tubers with the hollow side about 6 to 8 inches apart, in a moist potting mix. Place the tray in a room with low light and keep the mix moist but not soggy. After about four weeks, they will begin to grow. When they're about an inch high they can be moved to a brightly lit space. When you are ready to plant them outdoors be sure to wait until there isn't any risk of frost. Alternately, you can plant begonias from seed, or by planting begonias in wax. They are available at greenhouses and garden centers.
Anthurium
Anthuriums are also known as tail flowers or flamingo flowers, add a tropical touch to rooms that are brightly lit. It's easy to care for and the latest cultivars can produce flowers year-round. Anthuriums, epiphytes originally that grow on the surface of plants, or in the air, too are durable and hardy houseplants.
The anthurium's "flower" is actually a spathe, a protective layer that covers a tiny, real flower within. The flowers are available in pink, orange-red, or white, and last for several weeks. The vibrant anthurium flower is popular for hostess gifts and wedding bouquets in Hawaii and the Pacific Islands.
Anthurium is a species of the large genus Araceae which includes more than 1,000 flowering plants. Some are well-known, such as the hibiscus and poinsettia. Some are not as well-known, like the tulip trees and the Arum palm.
While it is possible to grow anthuriums by seeds, it can take up to four years before you can see any blooms. To get faster results you can propagate anthuriums through cutting them from mature plants. Find an established anthurium that has compacted roots and appears ready to be divided. Use a dry, clean knife to cut off a small portion of the anthurium, making sure not to hurt its roots.
Anthuriums can be transplanted into a pot using vermiculite that is slightly moistened. Place the cut in a location that is kept at 70F and receives direct, bright light. Mist the soil and plant frequently, and then run a humidifier near it to raise the humidity, if needed. Don't over-fertilize the anthurium because it can cause root burns.
Repot anthuriums at a minimum every two years or if the root ball is too large for the pot. Select a pot that is 20% bigger than the anthurium's current one to minimize shock.
If your anthurium's leaves lose their shiny shine then spray a bit of natural soap diluted on the leaves and wipe it with a damp cloth. This allows the plant to breathe and restores its beautiful sheen. Anthuriums can be afflicted by spider mites. However, the use of a preventative pesticide will keep these tiny pests at bay.
Coconut Palm
Coconut palm (Cocos Nucifera) is a tropical plant that grows around the world. It is grown to produce edible fruit. It is one the most significant and widely distributed agricultural plants in the tropics and is believed to have originated in Indo-Malaya. The trunk's wood is used to construct bridges and huts, and the fibre from the shells and husks is used to make ropes, mats, doormats, and brooms. The coconut is actually a drupe not an nuts.
When the seeds make an audible sloshing noise when shaken they are ready to be planted. The seeds should be placed on their sides with the three eyes slightly upwards, and then buried into the soil about half the thickness of the hardshell. Germination takes a long time, but can be encouraged by high temperatures and humidity, and after 6 months the roots and shoots are ready for transplantation.
The plant is best designed for warm climates. It is tolerant of frost, but should not be exposed to temperatures below freezing as it may be damaged. It requires plenty of sun, a shaded location and a well-drained sandy soil. Regular watering is essential, but the soil should not be submerged. Fertilizing is also essential by using a fertilizer that has the highest nitrogen content.
This palm produces fragrant flower stalks in the spring. Male and female coconuts grow from these stalks. The flowers are protandrous, and male flowers typically open before the females do so. The wind pollinates the flowers. After 4-6 years the tree will begin to bear fruit.
Indoors, it's best to grow the exotic houseplant in large pots with drainage and rich soil. It likes a sunny location however, it can also be tolerant of low light. good house plants once it grows in a pot larger than its roots. It is important to ensure that the plant is properly watered and feed it with liquid fertilizer on a regular schedule. Coconut palms are generally non-pest-free. However, they can be affected by the deadly yellowing. This disease is incurable and often leads to the plant dying.