Tropical plants of the world are amongst the most fascinating with awesome diversity. Bringing a slice of paradise in, their vibrant foliage, exotic blooms and unique textures brighten our homes, gardens, and landscapes. Whether you are decorating indoor space or planning an outdoor oasis, tropical plants are a wonderful addition to the aesthetic that improves air quality and gracefully brings a bit of nature’s magic to our lives.
In this article we’ll discuss indoor and outdoor tropical plants, offer care tips, and share a long list of tropical plant names to get you motivated for your next plant bed of green.
What Are Tropical Plants?
Tropical plants are plants, native to the tropics. They are the area around the equator that has warm temperatures, high humidity, and lots of rainfall. However, these plants are well suited to transform any space into a dramatic, exotic one that is uniquely suited to lush, dense environments these plants have evolved to perform in.
There’s virtually an unlimited number of tropical plants, including towering palms, trailing vines and colorful blooms. Most of these plants are easy to grow inside or out, as long as you can make their conditions work for them (warmth, moisture, and light).
Indoor Tropical Plants: Bring the Jungle Indoors
Intended for indoor use, tropical plants are a favorite for plant lovers and interior designers alike. But, they can not only give your home more ambiance, they can also clean the air and improve your mood. And here is a closer look at some of the best tropical plants for indoor living spaces.
1. Swiss cheese plant (Monstera Deliciosa)
Being a statement plant whose large, fenestrated leaves are unmistakable, the Monstera is a plant that thrives in bright, indirect light. This is the low maintenance, bold, tropical centerpiece for living rooms or offices.
2. Philodendron
There are many varieties of Philodendrons including the heart-leaf Philodendron and the Philodendron Birkin. They are easily adaptable and a total favorite of beginners. In medium light and slightly moist soil, they prefer.
3. Strelitzia reginae or Bird of Paradise
The Bird of Paradise is an indoor showstopper with its striking, banana-like leaves and occasional orange flowers. They do need bright light and high humidity and are perfectly happy growing in a sunny spot inside your home.
4. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
It is also a classic tropical plant known for having glossy green leaves and white elegant blooms. It likes moderate lighting and little maintenance, and is great in offices and bedrooms.
5. Calathea (Prayer Plant)
Calatheas have impressive, colorful, intricately patterned leaves. Misting them regularly, or using a humidifier, will make them happy, since they’re sensitive to water quality.
Caring for Indoor Tropical Plants Tips
To keep your indoor tropical plants thriving, follow these care tips:
- Light: Bright indirect light is what most tropical plants prefer. Don’t leave them in the direct sunlight because their leaves can be scorch.
- Watering: Consistent moisture is usually what tropical plants love, but they will drown if overwatered. Water the top inch of soil again once it becomes dry to the top inch.
- Humidity: Mist plants, use a pebble tray, place a humidifier nearby, increase humidity levels.
- Temperature: They should be kept in a warm environment (60—85°F) and out of the drafts or cold windows.
- Feeding: Balance, water soluble fertilizer is used during the growing season (spring and summer) to promote healthy growth.
Outdoor Tropical Plants: You can create your own Garden Paradise
What better way to bring a tropics like feel into your backyard or patio than with an outdoor tropical plant. In warm climates these will thrive or in summer months in temperate regions. Here are some favorites:
1. Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa sinensis)
Red, orange, yellow and pink vibrant flowers are the trademark size of hibiscus plants. These sun lovers look perfect in garden borders or patio pots.
2. Palm Trees
The Majesty Palm towers to the Pygmy Date Palm is compact; all offer height, structure and greenery for outdoor spaces. Right now, they thrive in full, well-draining sunlight.
3. Bougainvillea
These cascades of vivid pink, purple, or red bracts are produced by this colorful climbing plant. Bougainvillea grows in the sun and is useful on fences, trellises, and walls.
4. Outdoor Variety – Bird of Paradise
The popular indoor Bird of Paradise is but a diminutive specimen compared to the outdoor counterparts which can grow even taller and produce gorgeous birds in flight type flowers.
5. Elephant Ear (Colocasia)
They are named for their gigantic, heart-shaped leaves and add a dramatic foliar presence to outdoor gardens. Moist, rich soil and partial to full sunlight are their plays.
Tips for Growing Outdoor Tropical Plants
To ensure your outdoor tropical plants thrive, follow these guidelines:
- Climate: They also need warm weather. In cooler regions grow them in pots and move them indoors in the colder months.
- Watering: Water as close to root depth as possible; it’s especially important when dry because if too much is allowed close to the surface, we can lead to waterlogging (standing water).
- Sunlight: Almost all outdoor tropical plants prefer full or partial sunlight. Find out what each plant’s specific requirements are.
- Soil: Growing the rosalind watson in well draining soil that’s been fortified with organic matter mimics it’s nutrient rich environment of the tropics.
- Protection: When winds are particularly strong or the rains especially heavy, move plants to provide shelter to prevent damage to delicate leaves or flowers.
Popular Tropical Plant Names
If you’re looking for inspiration, here’s a list of tropical plants, complete with their scientific and common names:
Indoor Tropical Plants:
- Swiss Cheese Plant – Monstera Deliciosa
- Philodendron hederaceum – Heartleaf Philodendron
- Pinstripe Plant – Calathea ornata
- Peace Lily – Spathiphyllum spp.
- Giant White Bird of Paradise, Strelitzia nicolai
Outdoor Tropical Plants:
- Tropical Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa sinensis)
- Codiaeum variegatum – Croton
- Plumeria spp. – Frangipani
- Giant Taro – Alocasia (Elephant Ear)
- Paper Flower – Bougainvillea glabra
Versatile Tropical Plants (Indoor and Outdoor):
- Dragon Tree – Dracaena marginata
- Ficus elastica – Rubber Plant
- Chamaedorea elegans – Parlor Palm
- Ti Plant – Cordyline fruticosa
- Bird’s Nest Fern-Asplenium nidus
Why Choose Tropical Plants?
Tropical plants are more than just beautiful—they also offer several benefits:
- Improved air quality: Peace Lily and Rubber Plant are natural air purifiers for many tropical plants.
- Stress reduction: Studies suggest that being around plants can cut stress and maintain mental well being.
- Aesthetic appeal: A gentle wind and a lush, vibrant tropical plant atmosphere can turn any space into a tubular paradise for both people and plants.
- Wildlife support: Pollinators may include bees, butterflies, and humming birds that are attracted to outdoor tropical plants.
Conclusion
Tropical plants are fantastic ways of enjoying nature’s beauty and vitality within the four walls of your house or outdoors. No matter your skill level there’s a tropical plant for every setting, from the dramatic leaves of Monstera Deliciosa to the colorful blooms of Hibiscus.
If you learn their specific care requirements; for instance, what light, humidity or watering do they need you get tropical greenery thriving all year round. Tropical plants will never disappoint if you want to decorate your home, revamp your garden, or want to liven up with some exotic charm.
