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 and ferns as well as palm trees make excellent exotic houseplants since they enjoy warm temperatures and moderate humidity that are typical of indoor settings.
The tropical foliage of the monstera deliciosa, often referred to as hole leaf monstera, adds an exotic look to any interior. Bird of paradise flowers with distinctive, slender blue or orange blooms are another exotic option.
Monstera
Monstera Deliciciosa, or the Swiss Cheese Plant, is an exotic house plant with large leaves that give a an exotic feel to your home. It is a climber and can be trained to attach itself to poles that are covered with moss, to resemble the trees that are native to its habitat of Mexico and Central America. It can also be cultivated in a pot, or hung on the edge of a table or surface.
Apart from its distinctive appearance Apart from its unique appearance, this tropical plant is easy to grow. It requires direct, bright sunlight and well-drained soil. It can also tolerate low levels of humidity however, it will be most effective with higher ones.
The name of the plant suggests that this plant is renowned for the holes and splits that it leaves. These are referred to as fenestrations, and they appear as the plant matures. It is part of the Araceae family, as well as Pothos, Philodendrons, ZZ plants, and a myriad of other common household foliage plants.
Like house plants online is quite tolerant in its growth and can be cultivated as an outdoor or indoor plant. It is also able to be planted in shade that is dappled, which are typical of its forest understory habitat.
The flowers of this plant resemble an ear of corn and produce an incredibly delicious fruit that has been described as a combination of banana and pineapple. They can be consumed raw or cooked. It is important to note that the fruit of this plant may cause laxative effects, so moderation is key.
One of the things that distinguishes this tropical plant from other species of plants is its capacity to stand up to cold temperatures. Monsteras can live in frigid temperatures that would kill most other aroids.
As with most aroids Monstera must be watered in a controlled manner and only when the top inch of the soil is dry. When you water, make sure to let the excess water drain out of the drainage hole in the bottom of the pot. Also, like most tropical house plants, Monstera requires a balanced liquid fertilizer. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of a balanced 20-20-20 liquid plant food into one gallon of water and feed your plant every couple of weeks during the growing season.
Begonia
Begonias are easy-to-grow tropical treasures which add a splash of color to window boxes or flower pots, as well as gardens. No matter if you opt for double- or single-flowered varieties there is a begonia with bright colors and shapes to suit your style. Contrary to other exotic house plants, begonias flower continuously throughout the growing season, and require no special care beyond twice-a-month watering.
More than 2,000 species of plants belong to the genus Begonia with most having colorful flowers and leaves. Most are native to the tropical regions, but some can grow in cooler climates.
Tuberous begonias, like the popular 'Non Stop' series, are a good choice for shady areas and containers for outdoor use. These frost-sensitive plants develop from round, solid or oval tubers with either an upright or slender growth habit (for planters and flower boxes) or cascading characteristics (for hanging baskets). They require sunlight and shade to flourish. However, they won't flower in very shade or in areas with direct sunlight that is hot and intense. Wax begonias are more tolerant of full sun, but will quickly burn in hot weather.
Most begonias do not require deadheading, however they could benefit from autumn and spring pruning to stimulate new growth. house plants online do best when planted in loose, fertile soil, like mixing with organic material or a light, loamy mixture with slow-release fertilizer added.
If you'd like to propagate begonias, you can plant tubers with the hollow side up 6 to 8 inches apart in a shallow tray containing moist potting mix. Place the tray in a room with a low amount of light. Keep the mix moist but not soggy. big house plants should begin to sprout within 4 weeks. They can be moved to a place with a bright light source when they're about an inch tall. Wait until there is no risk of frost before planting outdoors. Alternately, house plants online can plant begonias with seeds or by planting begonias in wax. They are available in greenhouses and garden centers.
Anthurium
Anthurium, also called tail flower or flamingo flower, adds an exotic tropical accent to any room that is brightly lit. It's easy to maintain and produces flowers all year long. The epiphyte was originally a plant that is found on the surface of other plants or in the air, anthuriums are hardy and long-lasting house plants.
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 colorful anthurium flower is popular for wedding bouquets and hostess gifts in Hawaii and the Pacific Islands.
Anthurium is part of the family of Araceae which includes over 1,000 species of flowering plant. Certain species are well-known like the hibiscus, orchid and poinsettia. Others are less well-known such as the arum and tulip trees.
Anthuriums can be grown from seeds but it can take up to 4 years before you can see any flowers. For quicker results you can propagate anthuriums by cutting them off 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 clean, dry knife to cut a piece of the anthurium. Take care not to damage its roots.
Anthurium freshly cut can be transplanted to an uncooked pot of slightly damp vermiculite. Place the cuttings in a place that is exposed to bright indirect light and stays at 70F. Mist the soil and plant frequently, and run an air humidifier close to it to raise the humidity if necessary. Don't over-fertilize the anthurium, as it will burn the roots.
Repot anthuriums every few years or whenever 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 your anthurium's leaves lose their shiny luster, spray a little natural soap diluted on the foliage and wipe it with a damp cloth. This aids the plant in breathing and restores its lovely sheen. Anthuriums are susceptible to spider mites, but a preventative pesticide can keep these tiny invaders at the horizon.
Coconut Palm
Coconut Palm (Cocos nucifera) is an exotic plant that is cultivated extensively around the world for its edible fruit. It is one the most important and widely distributed agricultural plants in the tropics and likely originated somewhere in Indo-Malaya. The trunk's wood is used to build bridges and huts, and the fiber from the shells and husks is used to create mats, ropes, doormats, and Brooms. The coconut itself is a drupe, and not an actual nuts.
When the seeds make an audible sloshing noise when shaken, they are ready to be planted. The seeds are then laid on their sides, with the three eyes slightly tilted upwards and then buried in soil until about half the thickness of the shell. Germination takes a long time however it can be accelerated by high temperatures and humidity and after 6 months the roots and shoots are ready to be transplanted.
The plant thrives in warm climates and can withstand the effects of frost, but it shouldn't be exposed to extremely cold temperatures because the plant can suffer damage. It needs plenty of sun and a protected location with a sandy soil that drains well. Regular watering is essential, but the soil should not be flooded. Fertilizing is also vital and should be done using a fertilizer with a high nitrogen content.
The palm produces fragrant flower stalks in spring. Female and male coconuts sprout from these stalks. The flowers are protandrous and male flowers bloom before the females. The breeze pollinates the flowers. After 4-6 years, the tree will start bearing fruit.
Indoors, it's best to grow the exotic houseplant in large pots with rich, draining soil. It prefers a sunny spot however, it will tolerate light that is low. big house plants when it grows in a container larger than its roots. It is important to give the plant a thorough watering and feed it with liquid fertilizer regularly. The Coconut Palm is generally pest-free however, it could be affected by a disease known as lethal yellowing, which there is no cure and which can cause death to the plant.