17 Tropical Plants You Can Grow Anywhere (2024)

9 Types of Palm Trees That Will Thrive Indoors

Anthurium

Anthuriums (Anthurium andraeanum) are classic tropical plants that have new cultivars available every year in various sizes, habits, colors, and flowers. "They add a touch of sophistication with their glossy, heart-shaped flowers in vibrant shades of red, pink, or white," says Karl Gercens, east conservatory manager at Longwood Gardens.

• Native region: Central and South America
• Mature size: 1 to 2 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
• Growing conditions: Bright, indirect light; well-draining soil

Pothos

Pothos (Epipremnum)is a low-maintenance climbing plant with about a dozen or so species and numerous cultivars."Some forms possess a variegation such as creamy white or chartreuse, often mottled or margined," says Adrienne Roethling, the garden director forPaul J. Ciener Botanical Garden. "Other forms are similar to monstera with deep sinuses or holes."

• Native region: China, Asia, and Australia
• Size: 6 to 8 feet tall x 18 inches wide
• Growing conditions:Low to bright, indirect light; porous potting mix
  

Rubber Plant

Rubber plant (Ficus elastica) is a banyan species that has thick aerial roots and a stocky trunk. "The leaves are large, stiff, leathery, and have an elongated point," says Roethling. "Most folks grow them in pots as indoor plants for their foliage." When well cared for, rubber plants can live for decades.

• Native region: Southeast Asia
• Size:6 feet tall x 6 feet wide
• Growing conditions:Bright to medium light; all-purpose soil

Bromeliad

The bromeliad family (Bromeliaceae) contains roughly 3,700 different species of plants with dramatic, colorful center rosettes that have unique flowers. Water the plant directly into the cupped leaves, which will keep the plant moist but not boggy, says Chuck Pavlich, new product development director forTerra Nova Nurseries.

• Native region: Tropical North and South America and tropical West Africa
• Size:3 feet tall x 12 inches wide
• Growing conditions:Bright, indirect light; well-draining soil

Prayer Plant

Prayer plant (Calathea) is made up of 60 species and numerous cultivars. "They are also colorful, mostly variegatedwith hints of pink, purple, white, and red," says Roethling. "The variegation in each leaf can be mottled, margined, veined, or streaked depending on the variety." Calathea isfussy about water, so distilled water free of chlorine and fluoride is ideal.

• Native region: Tropical North and South America
• Size:2 feet tall x 2 feet wide
• Growing conditions:Low to bright indirect light; well-draining soil

Chinese Evergreen

Despite its name, Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema) has cultivars that go beyond just green. "Aglaonema features colorful, broad leaves with unique patterns, ranging from silver to shades of pink and green," says Gercens.

• Native region: Southeast Asia
• Size: 3 feet tall x 3 feet wide
• Growing conditions: Low to bright, indirect light; well-draining soil

Orchids

Orchids (Orchidaceae) are known for their striking beauty and are available in a vibrant array of colors, from delicate whites to exotic purples. "The most common type of orchid grown as a houseplant isPhalaenopsis, the moth orchid," says Gercens. "These orchids are native to the tropics but are shaded by large trees, so the ideal place to grow this orchid is in an eastern-facing window where the plant can enjoy bright sun but not strong afternoon rays."

• Native region: Orchids are found worldwide
• Size: Varies by species
• Growing conditions: Bright, indirect light; well-draining orchid mix

ZZ Plant

If you don't have much natural light in your home, the low-maintenance ZZ plant(Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is a top choice. "Its shiny leaves and thick stems always look fresh, even when grown under artificial light," says Gercens.

• Native region: Eastern Africa
• Size: 3 feet tall x 3 feet wide
• Growing conditions: Low to bright, indirect light; well-draining soil

Dracaena

Dracaena is a tropical plant that's very easy to grow inside your home or office, and it comes in a multitude of color choices. "If you like a wider leaf with a little white on the edge, then you have to see Dracaena fragrans ‘White Bird,’" says Gercens. "It’s so clean and crisp and makes a perfect houseplant when given bright, indirect light."

• Native region: Africa, Central America, and Asia
• Size: Varies by species
• Growing conditions: Moderate light; well-draining soil

Bird of Paradise

Like the name implies, bird of paradise has unique flowers that resemble birds in flight. "With beautiful orange or yellow blossoms hovering over paddle-like leaves from the narrow stems, bird of paradise (Strelitzia) plants make dramatic additions to gardens indoors and out," says Gercens.

• Native region: South Africa
• Size: 5 to 6 feet tall x 5 to 6 feet wide
• Growing conditions: Bright, indirect light; well-draining soil

Monstera

Monstera (Monstera deliciosa) is one of the best tropical houseplants due to its large dramatic foliage and climbing growth habit. “We love monstera because of its easy care and no-fuss traits," says Pavlich. "The new varieties available offer unique characteristics and colors for the home and will enliven any space."

• Native region: Central and South America
• Size: 10 feet tall x 6 feet wide
• Growing conditions: Low to bright, indirect light; well-draining soil

Philodendron

A well-known plant that's relatively low maintenance, philodendrons grow natively in humid regions and can even be found alongside swamps, riverbeds, and rocky outcrops. "Philodendron’s large leaves are typically associated with a deep green color, but many new varieties and cultivars make up a very diverse plant family with numerous new varieties and foliage colors," says Pavlich.

• Native region: Central and South America
• Size: Varies by species
• Sun & Soil: Low to bright, indirect light; well-draining soil

Snake Plant

Snake plants (Sansevieria) feature tall, upright leaves with a striking blend of green hues. Known for their resilience and tolerance of low light, snake plants bring a modern, sculptural element to interiors while requiring minimal care, says Gercens.

• Native region: West Africa
• Size: 12 to 36 inches tall x 6 to 36 inches wide
• Sun & Soil: Low to bright, indirect light; well-draining soil

Lady Palm

The slow-growing lady palm tree (rhapis) will certainly add tropical flair to your home or landscape. “Its low light and humidity requirements make it a great houseplant that has proved to have a long lifespan as well as being relatively easy to grow," says Pavlich.

• Native region: China
• Size: 6 feet tall x 4 feet wide
• Sun & Soil: Low light; well-draining soil

Rex Begonia

Begonias are native to tropical regions and possess some of the most beautifully intricate foliage design of almost any indoor plant available today, says Pavlich. This perennial is native to rocky, forested, and tropical valleys and slopes in Northeastern India, Southern China, and Vietnam.

• Native region: Northeastern India, Southern China, and Vietnam
• Size: 16 inches tall x 18 inches wide
• Sun & Soil: Low light; well-draining soil

Elephant Ears

Elephant ears (Alocasia) are bulbous perennials native to subtropical Asia with close to 100 species and numerous cultivars. "The leaves are heart- to spade-shaped with a few having deepsinuses and some with elongated heart-shaped leaves," says Roethling. "Most species make great houseplants that need bright light andhumidity."

• Native region: Subtropical Asia
• Size: 1 to 8 feet tall x 1 to 6 feet wide
• Sun & Soil: Bright light, well-draining soil

Croton

Croton are shrubs with thick, waxy leaves that can be grown as houseplants. The plant's colorful leaves are typically green, red, yellow, purple, and orange. "They can be solid with yellowveins or a combination of colors with yellow veins," says Roethling. They don't like temperatures below 30 degrees Fahrenheit, so make sure you bring it inside before temperatures drop if growing in the landscape.

• Native region: Southeast Asia
• Size: 3 to 5 feet tall x 3 to 5 feet wide
• Sun & Soil: Bight, indirect light; well-draining soil