small tropical plants


Grows up to 23in (60cm) in height. Alexander sings the praises of the sabal minor as a hardy, cold-tolerant plant that can tolerate a wide variety of habitats and conditions. The five-lobed leaves are bright green and, during warm summers, purplish sausage shaped fruits may form. The plant is handy because its been studied to treat minor burns; snap off an outer leaf and apply the gel-like substance to aid healing. clusia rosea guttifera Just cut the plant down to ground level and it should sprout again in late spring. But typically, it needs watered every 10 days to 2 weeks. Country Living participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Watch for pests such as spider mites, mealybugs, thrips, and aphids.

Water when the top few inches of soil are dry.

Trails to around 15in (40cm). Look for G. communis subsp. Use them as background plants or place a large one in a bright, warm corner for a nice canopy effect. We've updated our Privacy Policy, which will go in to effect on September 1, 2022. Its standout feature is the numerous clusters of bright orange or red trumpet-shaped flowers (hence the common name trumpet vine), each over 3in (8cm) long. Large, bold leaves, rich colors and interestingly shaped flowers are the hallmarks of this style of planting. Give it bright light, keep it out of drafts, and water when the soil is dry to the touch.

Try Canna Durban for hot orange blooms, and Tropicanna Gold which has enormous black/bronze leaves and gold flowers. We also spoke with Michael Alexander, the founder of Austin Plant Supply, about the best tips to ensure tropical plant success. It needs bright light, but rotate the pot weekly so it doesnt start to lean toward the light. Cannas dislike cold winters, so lift the rhizomes and store somewhere dry and frost-free and replant the next year. Plants with contrasting foliage color work well, and select some with big, bright blooms. Whether you're in the Southeast or South Central United States, knowing your plant hardiness zone can help inform your tropical plant selection and set you up for success. Gardeningetc is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Your questions answered, Tips, advice and inspiration on how to maintain your garden, Weekly issues delivered direct to your door or device.

Don't skimp on the soil. The stems of these tropical plants grow up to 5ft (1.5m) and bear striking orange flowers with white anthers. 50 Thoughtful Messages for a Meaningful Thank You Note. University of Florida Health. For best results and to encourage healthy growth, feed monthly with an all-purpose soluble plant food. The slim, polished black canes of Phyllostachys Nigra make a beautiful contrast with its fresh green leaves. Deer avoid it and the plant is drought tolerant. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. Do bear in mind that this plant can be toxic to cats and dogs if eaten.

Give jade plant bright filtered light. Mist the crown and trunk regularly, and regularly add a diluted seaweed-based feed. He is the author of "Houseplants for a Healthy Home," and his writing has also appeared in the Chicago Tribune,and Better Homes & Gardens, among others. Looking for more of the best plants for beginners? Many of these houseplants are easy to grow, too, so both new and experienced plant parents can enjoy their beauty without a lot of fussing. 14 Best Indoor Tropical Plants to Make Your Home Cozy and Inviting. Debra LaGattuta is a gardening expert with three decades of experience in perennial and flowering plants, container gardening, and raised bed vegetable gardening. If you love the tropical look, it does not get much better than a tree fern. Best grown in a sheltered spot on a sunny wall as this can be a delicate plant. Growing them in pots makes this an easier task as they can easily become part of your indoor garden ideas too. Bold, fun, and bright, the pride of Barbados is the flower you want if you love color. Make sure you feed and water it well and cut off any spotty leaves. North Carolina State University Extension. Read our, The 8 Best Grow Lights of 2022, Tested by Our Experts, 27 Simple Ways To Display Plants In Style, 17 Popular Houseplants Even Brown Thumbs Can Grow, Dress Up Your Bathroom With These 17 Moisture-Loving Plants, How to Grow and Care for Philodendron Birkin, 8 Flowering Houseplants That Provide Color Without Much Fuss, How to Grow & Care for Schefflera (Umbrella Plant), How to Grow Amazonian Elephant's Ear (Alocasia x amazonica), 21 Plants to Turn Your Patio Into a Paradise, 13 Big Leaf Houseplants That Make a Statement, How to Grow and Care for Alocasia Zebrina, Outdoor Garden Plants That Make Great Houseplants, How to Grow and Care for Alocasia Maharani, Learn How to Grow and Care for Elephant Ear. Because these plants originate in the tropics, they dont like being cold any more than you do! Calla lilies are one of the easiest options for a beginner. They are also surprisingly easy to grow indoors. The two most popular types are Dracaena fragrans, called corn plant, and Dracaena marginata, called dragon tree. They need a sunny spot to maintain the dark color, and should be planted in gritty, well-drained soil. Corms are inexpensive and perfect for edging borders, but they work equally well when planted as part of a wildflower meadow. It's pretty; it looks tropical and it's great. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Peace lilies are lovely, especially when massed and in bloom. North Carolina State University Extension. They will also be happy in a pot if you're keen to include them in your container gardening ideas, but they can grow up to 13ft (4m) in height and width, so make sure its a roomy one. Here's how to show your gratitude with a handwritten note. Plant them in rich, loose potting media with moist compost, and fertilize regularly. You will need to be watering plants frequently during hot spells, except for succulents, which have water-retaining leaves. (Image credit: Clive Nichols/Getty Images), (Image credit: Zena Elea/Alamy Stock Photo), (Image credit: Oleksandr Sokolenko/Alamy), (Image credit: Jenny Dettrick/Getty Images), (Image credit: Michele Thulborn/Chapman/EyeEm/Getty Images), Best hot tubs 2022: 7 garden spas to help you relax and unwind, What is a rain chain and how does it work? But the proper care is worth it, since the bird of paradise is the epitome of a tropical plant and a must to bring an idyllic ambience to your garden. Orchids are the most varied of all plant groupsthey come from all over the world from deserts to woodlands to tropical forests, but the orchids most people love are from tropical and subtropical climates. There are several different species of Monstera that go by this common name, but the one youll see most often is Monstera deliciosa. Arching, strappy evergreen leaves define this large plant, also known as New Zealand flax. Allow the soil to dry out before watering in the colder months, or they may rot. A lot of people think they can just go out into their flower beds and break up the existing soil that they've had there for years and plant in it. If your best tropical plants are in pots or grown as part of your raised garden bed ideas, you need to water if you can push your finger into the soil and it feels dry all the way down. Give it bright light, though it will tolerate low light levels. Plant them from April-May, and they will grow to a maximum height of around 30in (75cm). Heres why you can trust us. Ficus plants are fussy, but a well-grown ficus is near the pinnacle of houseplants. Mulch over winter. Birds of paradise often grow to 4 feet tall and need 3 to 5 years of growth before they flower. Another option is the yellow butterfly vine with its bright, sunny flowers and chartreuse-colored pods that resemble the insect. Bromeliads can also be grown mounted to boards or logs and hung on the wall. Southern Living is a registered trademark of, can tolerate a wide variety of habitats and conditions, which naturally occur in the globe's Western Pacific. In a border, plant in groups in moist soil to create a fabulous focal point. If you dont have the right conditions, consider getting an inexpensive LED grow light. Produced in spring, they have a spicy vanilla scent. Bonus? They typically grow up to 10ft (3m) tall, making them an ideal feature for contemporary courtyard gardens, or they look equally at home as a striking addition to modern decking ideas. These plants are also borderline hardy. There are many different types of philodendrons, and theyre generally easy-care and long-lived plants.

plants aquarium dots myaquariumclub Amazonian elephant's ear is commonbut distinctive and almost regal. It flowers from April to May. "Bougainvillea is considered semi-tropical," Alexander says. Tropical houseplants can bring color and exotic flair to your home even if you live in a colder climate. It grows up to 32ft (10m), and in cold areas of the UK it can be semi-evergreen. Choose plants with flowers in bold, exotic colors such as hot orange, purples and almost-black. A flowering orchid is the quintessential tropical plant. "They're used in pots, around pumpkins, in pine straw, and all sorts of things to make your Halloween and fall vignette," he says. Whether or not you believe it, this handsome little tree, often sold with a central braided stem or as a bonsai tree, is native to Central and South America. There's no denying how the pandemic fundamentally changed the worldincluding how we live (and work) inside our homes. Originally from the Solomon Islands, northeast of Australia, pothos will tolerate low light but grows faster in bright indirect light. These bold and colorful foliage plants are available in a wide array of leaf colors, and with proper care, can provide a dramatic accent. In warmer regions, they can be left in the ground with a thick mulch of composted bark to keep them warm. To grow this popular plant, use a fast-draining potting mix and fertilize with a 20-20-20 mix. It bears small, bright red trumpets against feathery leaves and will bloom throughout summer. This plant originated in southeast Asia. It is easier than ever to grow them. The strong upright form of this native South and Central American plant makes a statement, so its a great floor plant.

The trick is to mix them up, so that looking after your tropical patch is not too labour intensive. However, he also adds that bougainvillea can grow back, provided that the temperature doesn't take an extreme dive. This very hardy crown imperial variety blooms in early summer. In winter, the trunk and the crown need protecting from cold temperatures with fleece. Their thick leaves act as water reservoirs, so water every 2 weeks or so. The best tropical plants for your garden will make a splash with bold colors and dramatic foliage. You can find out more of the most poisonous plants for dogs and plants that are poisonous to cats in our guides. These intriguing flower spikes are studded with tiny flowers. Choose from sizzling orange, punchy pinks and red on huge architectural leaves. More about us. This succulent probably is native to the Arabian peninsula, but it now grows all over the world. The garden is many a home's pride and joy, and outdoor tropical plants sure have a way of bringing a little slice of paradise right to our front door. Tree ferns, cannas and banana plants will need protection to survive cold, wet winters, but there are other hardy plants such as bamboo, which can happily survive unaided. Water from the bottom (place the pot in water and let it soak up moisture for 30 minutes), or the top. Large purple (or slightly greenish white) bell-like flowers open all summer, twining over a large area of wall or fence. Get the lowdown on these decorative water diverters and find out how to use them in your yard. The most common types of bromeliads have upright water-holding cups, called urns, so they can store rainwater in their natural environments. Exotic and dramatic, it's easy to see why this plant makes our list of the best tropical plants. They're absolutely delightful with swooping, abundant flowers in sherbet tones. These best hot tubs, from hard-shell to inflatable Lay-Z-Spas, will transform your garden into the ultimate outdoor spa experience, How To

Give it bright indirect light, and wait to water until the top few inches of soil feel dry. Tropical-looking begonias are super for hanging basket ideas hung from a branch of a tree. Young ones may need some winter protection, so do bear this in mind during cooler spells of weather. The following tropical plants can be grown indoors to bring a bit of the jungle or rainforest into your living room, bath, or bedroom. With varieties like Chilean jasmine, sun parasol crimson, and pink parfait (a unique, double-petaled variation), they're hard to resist. Early summer sees spikes of elegant magenta flowers that will add interest to any space. Ferns grow in many regions, such as the lady fern which naturally occurs across the Eastern and Central United States. Palm trees are the enduring symbol of everything tropical, and many palms are easy to grow indoors. It's easy to add color and style to any room. It grows in the tropics of North and South America. They have huge, purple-green paddle shaped leaves on a sturdy stem and grow up to 8ft (2.5m) tall. Semi-evergreen chocolate vine gets its name from the beautiful maroon-chocolate flowers. They are much easier to grow inside than most Alocasia species and provide seasonal displays of wonderful foliage. According to plant expert and designer Laura Heybrook of Dale & Heybrook (opens in new tab), the Japanese banana plant (musa basjoo) is a rapid grower. They will then flower from June to September. Quite possibly the easiest tropical to grow (besides snake plant), this vining plant looks amazing on a bookshelf, end table or nightstand. You'll find more info on mulching in our guide. The Coziest Winter Nail Colors for January 2022. The tropical plants in this list can be grown indoors in any climate, but many can also be overwintered indoors in cooler climates and then brought outdoors in the summer. It takes only a little courage to step outside your usual OPI Lincoln Park After Dark or Essie Bordeaux, which is all you need to kick 2022 off on a fanciful foot. Alexander says, "It's low-growing. Vines can make for a lovely entryway as they wrap around a gazebo, trellis, or arbor. They will tolerate lower light levels, but keep them lightly moist. 16 Kitchen Design Trends Southern Designers Predict Will Be Everywhere in 2022. They will also thrive in garden planters, and this means you can easily move them to a sheltered spot after the first frosts.

Even if they are a bit of a challenge to overwinter, it is still well worth the effort. If displayed in a vase of water, change the water weekly so that the roots are covered. Sow seed early and pinch out the growing tip for bushy plants. If You Keep Finding Ladybugs in Your House, Here's What You Need to Know, Plus a few strategies for keeping them out-of-doors, Southern Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. They add height (up to 5ft/1.5m) and drama to garden borders, and theyre easy to grow. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. Here, interior designers from around the South share their predictions for what's trending in kitchen design for 2022 and beyond. She is a Master Gardener and lead gardener in a Plant-A-Row, which is a program that offers thousands of pounds of organically-grown vegetables to local food banks. These plants are grown for their large shapely leaves which stay green all year round. All rights reserved. You might also consider the passion vine, which produces delicate purple flowers with exquisite centers. In milder areas it can stay in the ground all year; elsewhere it should be grown in a pot thats overwintered indoors. Not all of the best tropical plants are needy, but some do require extra care and attention. Note that they do require a lot of watering and do best in zones 10 and 11. Some gardeners also advise adding a thick layer of straw to cover the tree crown as an added measure in colder climates. They will do well when planted in garden borders in warmer climates such as USDA zones 9 to 12 (they will produce flowers all year in tropical or sub-tropical climates), but you can also try growing them outdoors in containers in slightly cooler zones (such as the UK) over summer. Crotons, which naturally occur in the globe's Western Pacific, fare best in similar climates. It is just a matter of digging a hole, planting the bulb and letting nature do the rest. We're turning away from big-box stores and toward vintage itemsfirst, out of necessity due to supply-chain issues, and now, for design reasonsto add charm and character to every room in the house, including the kitchen. Snake plants basically thrive on neglect and can go for several weeks without water. Bromeliads can be grown in fast-drainingpotting soil consisting of peat-based soil and sand. If you're considering planting tropical flowering plants or tropical foliage plants in your yard, here are some ideas to get you started. Ficus benjamina. A more compact species is Trachycarpus fortunei x wagnerianus, which is ideal for small gardens. 12 Outdoor Tropical Plants That Thrive in the South. The peacock tiger flower is an exotic Mexican corm with three-petalled summer blooms in bold, bright colors. An overall trend toward celebrating the history and originality of our homes is displacing ultramodern aesthetics and sharp lines as we all look to create cozier, colorful, more personalized spaces that better suit our lifestyles. There are a few easy rules to follow for making a tropical-inspired garden. Passifloras are one of the best climbing plants and will jazz up any wall or fence with exotic, eye-catching flowers from July to September. The sap on this plant can be caustic so wear gloves when handling it. Country Living editors select each product featured. Jon VanZile is a Master Gardener who wrote content for The Spruce for over a decade. Finally, just because theyre tropical doesnt mean they want to stay sopping wet. For indoor use, there are climbing varieties and the self-heading (non-climbing) types of philodendrons. Do not overwater. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Just plant in moist soil, in full sun or part shade, and water regularly until it is established. Cobaea scandens is a vigorous tropical annual that loves heat. From the dramatic Birds of Paradise to the abundant and buoyant trumpet flower, these tropical plants will delight at every garden party. Native to the jungles of India and Malaysia, the rubber tree can top out at 6 to 10 feet tall indoors. Its not all in the senses, but they sure can help. Not sure what to write in a thank you card? Here are the haircuts you'll be seeing everywhere this year. Spathiphyllum (Mauna Loa Peace Lily). Water only when the pot feels dry, about every 2 to 3 weeks. It's a half-hardy perennial that easily climbs trellis by tendrils at the ends of the leaves. Dramatic with a fiery orange mane, these tropical flowers, which resemble a crane, will thrive in zones 10 through 12, and prefer moderate temperatures of around 55 degrees F at night and 70 degrees F during the day. In zone eight, pride of Barbados will come back as a perennial and in zone nine is a deciduous shrub. Because these are usually sold in large pots and arent really tabletop plants, you cant poke your finger into the soil. They are best planted in moist soil in sheltered, dappled shade, so they are also a good choice for shade garden ideas. Trumpet vine, also known as Campsis radicans, is vigorous and self-clinging. Dieffenbachia seguine. "A lot of compost and rich, black, earthy organic material is great for tropical plants," he shares. Jon began collecting plants over 10 years ago andhe maintains a growing collection of rare and tropical plants. "It's got really brilliant red, orange, and yellow flowers," Alexander says. In these cooler areas, you will need to being them indoors over autumn and winter to protect them from the colder temperatures. Whether you have a compact courtyard or a spacious backyard, you'll find plenty to choose from in our selection. When it comes to the best tropical plants, there can surely be few more stunning than the Bird of Paradise, also known as Strelitzia reginae. Laura also has a top tip for a trouble-free tropical look for your flowerbed ideas.