Having a tropical indoor plant is a way to spruce up your living space. These beauties are known to add a pop of color to your homes. They can be grown either in hanging baskets or in pots.
10 types of tropical plants you can grow indoors.
You can grow them as living room, bathroom, or bedroom plants.
Moth Orchids
Moth orchids are true tropical plants from the Orchidaceae family. They are epiphytic orchids that are native to tropical regions of Asia and Australia. Moth orchids are known for their array of delicate, stunning flowering blooms. These blooms can last for up to 6 months and can range from pink to purple to white.
Growing Moth orchids indoors can be easy. This is because they are low-maintenance and can thrive in areas of bright but indirect light.
- Botanical Name: Phalaenopsis Sp.
- Light Requirement: Bright but filtered sunlight
- Soil Type: Well-draining, soilless growth medium.
Birds of Paradise
Strelitzias are common tropical plants that are easy to grow indoors. It is a flowering plant that is native to humid tropical regions like South Africa. It belongs to the Strelizaceae family and features stiff leathery leaves. They also produce bright-colored flowers that resemble the head of a bird.
To make the most of your Strelitzia, grow them in areas of full sunlight. You would need to keep watering to moderate levels and ensure they are fertilized often.
- Botanical Name: Strelitzia.
- Light Requirement: Bright, direct sunlight
- Soil Type: Well-draining, potting soil mix.
Horsehead Philodendron
Philodendron Bipennifolium or Horsehead philodendron is an exotic houseplant. It is from the Araceae family. They feature large leaves that are emerald green in color. These leaves are carried by long thin green stalks.
These exotic plants require rich, well-draining organic soil to grow well. Watering should be done every week and they would require bright but indirect light.
- Botanical Name: Philodendron Bipennifolium
- Light Requirement: Bright, but indirect sunlight.
- Soil Type: Rich, well-draining organic soil.
Dumb Cane
Dumb canes are awesome tropical plants to grow indoors. They can be found growing in tropical areas of Mexico and South Argentina. The dumb cane is an Arum from the Araceae family. They are known for their cane-like stems which are poisonous when eaten.
They do well when grown in areas of bright but indirect lighting. Watering should be done twice each week in the growing months.
- Botanical Name: Dieffenbachia sp.
- Light Requirement: Bright, but indirect sunlight.
- Soil Type: Rich, well-draining organic soil.
Rainbow Croton
Rainbow crotons are tropical plants from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Australia. They are known for their very unique variegated leaf structure. These leaves are a heavy mix of colors in patches ranging from bright red to yellow.
Direct lighting could ruin the plant’s variegation. This is why they keep them in areas with bright but filtered light. They would do well in rich and well-draining soil. And watering should be done once the top part of the soil feels dry.
- Botanical Name: Codiaeum variegatum ‘Lauren’s Rainbow’
- Light Requirement: Bright, but indirect sunlight.
- Soil Type: Well-draining, fertile organic soil mix.
Kentia Palm
Kentia palms are exotic tropical plants that offer a majestic feel to living spaces. They are able to draw attention to the room due to their large tropical fronds. Kentia palms also produce flowers, but this is rare when grown indoors.
Kentia palms also make good balcony plants as they do well in areas of full, direct sunlight. Watering can be done once a week during the summer months. A well-draining sandy or loamy soil would be perfect for the exotic tropical plant.
- Botanical Name: Howea forsteriana
- Light Requirement: Full or direct sunlight
- Soil Type: Well-draining, sandy, or loamy soil.
Butterfly Plant
The butterfly plant or swallowtail is a rare tropical plant. It has interesting or unique foliage. It is a moderate grower from tropical areas of Brazil and Asia. The Butterfly plant features leaves that are triangular and variegated. These stripes can range in color from purple to red to brown.
Butterfly plants are great when kept on coffee tables. They do well in all lighting (filtered or direct sunlight). Watering should be done twice a week, but the soil should be moist, not soggy.
- Botanical Name: Christia Obcordata
- Light Requirement: Filtered or direct sunlight
- Soil Type: Well-draining but moist potting soil.
Cordyline
The Cordyline genus is a small genus with 15 different flowering species. These plants are known for their bright- colored foliage. This foliage could range from bright orange to a deep purple. Cordylines come from the Asparagaceae family and are native to Australia and Asia.
Ensure you grow them in bright but filtered sunlight to protect its rich colors. Watering should be done often, but ensure the soil is moist.
- Botanical Name: Cordyline
- Light Requirement: Bright but filtered sunlight.
- Soil Type: Deep, moist but well-draining soil.
Living stones
Living stone or Lithops is a genius filled with peculiar succulent plant species. It is a tropical plant from South Africa belonging to the Aizoaceae family. They get their name from their succulent foliage which resemble small stones in a pot.
Growing and caring for living stones is easy. Being succulents, they don’t require frequent watering and can survive some neglect.
- Botanical Name: Lithops sp.
- Light Requirement: Full or filtered sunlight
- Soil Type: Sandy well-draining soil mix.
Golden Cane Palm
Just like the Kentia palm, the Golden Cane palm is a classic looking tropical palm you can grow indoors. They are native to tropical regions of Madagascar. And are known to produce yellow flowering blooms that are perfect for your living space.
You can grow the Golden Cane Palm indoors in areas of bright but indirect sunlight. A good well-draining potting mix is needed for the plant to thrive. And watering should be kept to moderate levels.
- Botanical Name: Dypsis Lutescens
- Light Requirement: Bright but indirect sunlight
- Soil Type: Well-draining palm-specific potting mix.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tropical plants are plants that grow or thrive in tropical environments.
Tropical plants are natural outdoor plants. But with proper management, they can be grown indoors.
Orchids and Palms are some of the best tropical plants to grow indoors.
On average, tropical plants need to be watered once a week. But this depends on the plant species.
Philodendrons are some of the easiest tropical plants to grow in your indoor spaces.
