12 Tropical Plants to Brighten Your Home (2024)

Gardening

Houseplants

Types of Houseplants

• 01 of 12

  Amazonian Elephant's Ear (Alocasia x amazonica)

  

  Amazonian elephant's ear is commonbut distinctive and almost regal. Large, arrow-shaped green leaves are ribbed with silver. They are much easier to grow inside than most Alocasia species and provide seasonal displays of wonderful foliage. They prefer rich, fast-draining potting soil and do require regular feeding. Keep moist but avoid wet roots. This plant originated in southeast Asia.

  • Light: Part shade or filtered sun
  • Mature Size: 1–2 ft. tall, 1–2 ft. wide
  • Difficulty: Low-maintenance

  Warning

  Elephant's ear is toxic, so practice caution around children and pets.

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• 02 of 12

  Anthurium (Anthurium andraeanum)

  

  Anthurium andraeanum is a tropical plant that is highly prized for its stately, bright red flower and yellow spadix. Many anthurium cultivars are available, and while they are challenging to grow, they are highly rewarding plants. Plant them in rich, loose potting soil, and keep moist, but be sure the roots are not too moist. If you are looking specifically for plants with pink flowers or leaves, consider adding a Mexican shrimp plant to your collection.

  • Light: Bright indirect light, avoid full sun
  • Mature Size: 12-18 in. tall, 9-12 in. wide
  • Difficulty: Expert

  Warning

  Anthurium is toxic to humans and pets.

• 03 of 12

  Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae)

  

  Bird of paradise is one of the most exotic flowers in the world with large, distinctive blue or orange flowers that some say resemble a bird's head and beak. They are also surprisingly easy to grow indoors. While it is a vigorous, rapidly growing indoor plant, it should be kept moist, fertilized weekly, and kept pot-bound. Birds of paradise need three to five years of growth before they flower.

  • Light: Bright light with some direct sun
  • Mature Size: 3.5-6 ft. tall, 3-4 ft. wide
  • Difficulty: Low-maintenance
    

  Warning

  The bird of paradise flower is toxic to cats and dogs.

• 04 of 12

  Bromeliads (Bromeliaceae)

  

  Bromeliads are probably the easiest of all tropical plants to grow. These tropical epiphytes (air plants) are easily adapted to growing in pots, and they are much more tolerant than many of their lush-leaved colleagues. They come in a wide array of colors, including red, green, purple, orange, yellow, and with combinations of patterns and textures. Bromeliads can be grown in fast-drainingpotting soil consisting of peat-based soil and sand. Bromeliads can also be grown mounted to boards or logs and hung on the wall. Water weekly but avoid standing water.

  • Light: Bright, indirect light
  • Mature Size: Varies by genera and species
  • Difficulty: Low-maintenance
    

  Continue to 5 of 12 below

• 05 of 12

  Cordyline (C. terminalis)

  

  Ask anyone who has been to Hawaii—cordyline is virtually synonymous with the tropics. These bold and colorful foliage plants are available in a wide array of leaf colors, from green, red, and purple to yellow and white. With proper care, the plant can provide a dramatic accent. It is also known as the Ti tree or Hawaiian Ti tree. Cordyline needs a warm, draft-free location, rich, well-drained high-quality potting mix with a pH of 6 to 6.5, and weekly feeding. Keep it continually moist except in winter.

  • Light: Bright, indirect light
  • Mature Size: 3-6 ft. tall and wide
  • Difficulty: Low-maintenance
    

  Warning

  Note that this plant is toxic to dogs and cats.

• 06 of 12

  Dieffenbachia (Dieffenbachia seguine)

  

  Dieffenbachia is ubiquitous as a houseplant, so it is easy to forget it is also a true tropical foliage plant. To grow this popular plant with its large green and white leaves, use a fast-draining potting mix and fertilize with a 20-20-20 mix. Locate it in a warm (over 60 degrees Fahrenheit) and draft-free location. Water twice a week, and reduce water in the winter.

  • Light: Bright light in winter; dappled shade or indirect light during growing months
  • Mature Size: 3–10 ft. tall, 2–3 ft. wide
  • Difficulty: Low-maintenance

  Warning

  It is highly toxic to humans, dogs, and cats. The sap on this plant can be caustic so wear gloves when handling it.

  See Also

  Top 40 Beautiful Tropical Flowering Plants With Names And Photos | Florgeous

• 07 of 12

  Ficus (Ficus benjamina)

  

  Ficus plants are fussy, but a well-grown ficus is near the pinnacle of houseplants. Large, glossy, and imposing, ficusplantsare well worth the effort. Ficus plants drop their leaves in drafty, cold conditions, and they don't like to be moved. They require adequate light, warmth, and humidity. Do not overwater. Water regularly during the growing season, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Reduce water in fall through late winter. Though rare, you may find small yellow or white blossoms. Watch for pests such as spider mites, mealybugs, thrips, and aphids.

  • Light: Bright indirect light
  • Mature Size: 6 ft. high, 3 ft. wide
  • Difficulty: Needy

  Warning

  The ficus tree's sap is toxic to humansandpets.

• 08 of 12

  Kentia Palm (Howea forsteriana)

  

  Palm trees are the enduring symbol of everything tropical, and many palms are easy to grow indoors. You can enjoy them in an entryway or the corner of a sunny room and be transported back to your tropical vacation. You are in good company, too—Queen Victoria made sure that Kentia palms were used throughout her many residences. Plant your palm in fast-draining potting mix, fertilize monthly, and keep your plant warm (above 55 degrees Fahrenheit). Water weekly in summer letting thesoil dry between waterings.

  • Light: Filtered bright sun
  • Mature Size: 10 feet (indoors)
  • Difficulty: Low-maintenance
    

  Continue to 9 of 12 below

• 09 of 12

  Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

  

  Peace lilies are lovely, especially when massed and in bloom, though it's rare to see this white flower peek out of its hood. This plant is considered easy to grow, though not always, and the blooms, though very rare, last for months. Even if they are a bit of a challenge to overwinter, it is still well worth the effort. Avoid direct sunlight and keep the temperature above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Maintain evenly moist soil and mist frequently in summer; reduce water in winter.

  • Light: Medium, indirect light
  • Mature Size: 1–4 ft. tall, 1–4 ft. wide (indoors)
  • Difficulty: Needy at times
    

  Warning

  Peace lilies are toxic so practice caution around pets and children.

• 10 of 12

  Philodendron (philodendron)

  

  For indoor use, there are climbing varieties and the self-heading (non-climbing) types of philodendrons. Newer hybrids have been bred that mix the vigor and ease of the climbing varieties with the convenience of the self-heading varieties. It is easier than ever to grow them. Water and mist frequently in summer; reduce water in winter.

  • Light: Medium, indirect light
  • Mature Size: 1–20 ft. tall, 1–6 ft. wide
  • Difficulty: Low-maintenance

  Warning

  Philodendrons are toxic tohumans and pets.

• 11 of 12

  Schefflera ( Schefflera arboricola)

  

  Sometimes called the umbrella plant, Schefflera leaves are broad, glossy, and abundant. Use them as background plants or place a large one in a bright, warm corner for a nice canopy effect. Light, warmth, and humidity are the keys to successfully growing Schefflera. Though very rare to do so indoors, it may bloom with a red/burgundy flower. Plant them in rich, loose potting media with moist compost, and fertilize regularly. Water and mist weekly in summer; reduce water in winter.

  • Light: Bright indirect light
  • Mature Size: 4-6 ft. tall, 3-6 ft. wide (indoors)
  • Difficulty: Needy

  Warning

  All parts of theScheffleraplant are mildly toxic to humans. The plant is more seriously toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.

• 12 of 12

  Orchids (Orchidaceae)

  

  Orchids are the most varied of all plant groups—they 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. A flowering orchid is the quintessential tropical plant with its color varieties of white, yellow, pink, purple, red, orange, and variegated. Avoid dry air, direct heat or drafts, and direct sunlight. Instead, provide a warm humid environment. In general, once per week; allow to dry between waterings; do not overwater

  • Light: Bright, indirect light
  • Mature Size: 1–3 ft. tall, 6–12 in. wide
  • Difficulty: Needy at times