Best Tropical House Plants
By Robert Bennett
, last updated August 10, 2011
Houseplants are a wonderful additional to any home. They bring the great outdoors inside and provide many healthy benefits. Houseplants are known to help reduce stress, clean indoor air, and bring a relaxing and calming atmosphere to any room. Check out these ideas for some great tropical house plants.
All tropical houseplants need the correct balance of light and water to thrive. Ensure that you read the care instructions carefully for your preferred species of plant. The Elephant Ear is a common but distinctive plant. With large, arrow shaped leaves, they are easy to grow inside and available in several colors. Brightly flowered Anthuriums are extremely popular. There are many different varieties to choose from. Anthuriums grow best in 70-90 degree rooms with 80-100% humidity and indirect sunlight. The showy Bird of Paradise is one of the most recognizable tropical plants in the world. They are easy to grow indoors and require full sun. Successfully grown plants require adequate moisture with proper drainage.
The easy-to-grow Bromeliads are tropical plants which adapt well to growing in pots. There are many different varieties of Bromeliads. Some require full sun while others do quite well in shady areas. In general, they prefer well-lit windows, but not direct sunlight. The hardy Ficus is a tall tree with glossy leaves. Ficus trees are popular in office buildings and homes. The Ficus tree requires filtered light and can grow to 15 feet tall.
Palm trees are the quintessential symbol for tropical plants. There are many varieties to choose from. Generally, palm trees require frequent watering and rich, well-drained soil. Most species require bright indirect light. The European Fan Palm is the easiest palm to grow. They grow to about four feet tall and are well suited for warm, dry conditions found in many homes. The most popular palm is the Parlor Palm. These are the preferred palms for businesses and do well in low lit areas. Tropical orchids are a favorite for providing bursts of color. These little beauties come in a variety of colors with long-lasting blooms and require filtered light.
