Tropical plants are beloved for their dramatic foliage and beautiful colors that add intrigue to any setting. And if you want to bring these warm weather beauties into your home or landscape, you're in luck—there are many tropical plants that can be grown anywhere. Whether you display them year-round as a houseplant or only bring them indoors when temperatures drop, these tropical plants thrive even when they're miles away from their natural habitat.
- Karl Gercens, east conservatory manager at Longwood Gardens
- Adrienne Roethling, the garden director forPaul J. Ciener Botanical Garden
- Chuck Pavlich, new product development director forTerra Nova Nurseries
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Anthurium
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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
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Pothos
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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
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Rubber Plant
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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
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Bromeliad
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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
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Prayer Plant
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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
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Chinese Evergreen
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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
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Orchids
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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
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ZZ Plant
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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
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Dracaena
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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
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Bird of Paradise
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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
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Monstera
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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
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Philodendron
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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
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Snake Plant
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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
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Lady Palm
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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
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Rex Begonia
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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
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Elephant Ears
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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
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Croton
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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
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
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Regarding the concepts mentioned in this article, here is some information about tropical plants and their characteristics:
Tropical Plants
Tropical plants are known for their dramatic foliage and vibrant colors, which can add intrigue to any setting. They are beloved for their beauty and are often sought after for both indoor and outdoor environments. Tropical plants can thrive even when they are far away from their natural habitat, making them suitable for growing in various locations [[1]].
Anthurium
Anthuriums (Anthurium andraeanum) are classic tropical plants that come in various sizes, habits, colors, and flowers. They have glossy, heart-shaped flowers in vibrant shades of red, pink, or white. Anthuriums are native to Central and South America and require bright, indirect light and well-draining soil to thrive [[1]].
Pothos
Pothos (Epipremnum) is a low-maintenance climbing plant with several species and cultivars. Some forms of Pothos have variegated leaves with creamy white or chartreuse patterns. They can tolerate low to bright, indirect light and prefer a porous potting mix [[2]].
Rubber Plant
Rubber plants (Ficus elastica) are banyan species with thick aerial roots and a stocky trunk. They have large, stiff, leathery leaves with an elongated point. Rubber plants are often grown as indoor plants for their foliage. They require bright to medium light and all-purpose soil [[3]].
Bromeliad
Bromeliads (Bromeliaceae) are a diverse family of plants with approximately 3,700 different species. They have dramatic, colorful center rosettes and unique flowers. Bromeliads should be watered directly into the cupped leaves to keep them moist but not boggy. They thrive in bright, indirect light and well-draining soil [[4]].
Prayer Plant
Prayer plants (Calathea) consist of 60 species and numerous cultivars. They are known for their colorful, variegated leaves with hints of pink, purple, white, and red. The variegation in each leaf can vary depending on the variety. Prayer plants prefer low to bright indirect light and well-draining soil [[5]].
Chinese Evergreen
Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema) is a tropical plant with colorful, broad leaves featuring unique patterns ranging from silver to shades of pink and green. Despite its name, Chinese evergreen has cultivars that go beyond just green. It requires low to bright, indirect light and well-draining soil [[6]].
Orchids
Orchids (Orchidaceae) are known for their striking beauty and are available in a vibrant array of colors. The most common type of orchid grown as a houseplant is Phalaenopsis, also known as the moth orchid. Orchids require bright, indirect light and a well-draining orchid mix to thrive [[7]].
ZZ Plant
The ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is a low-maintenance tropical plant native to Eastern Africa. It has shiny leaves and thick stems that always look fresh, even when grown under artificial light. The ZZ plant can tolerate low to bright, indirect light and well-draining soil [[8]].
Dracaena
Dracaena is a tropical plant that comes in a multitude of color choices. One popular variety is Dracaena fragrans 'White Bird,' which has wider leaves with a white edge. Dracaena plants thrive in bright, indirect light and well-draining soil [[9]].
Bird of Paradise
Bird of paradise (Strelitzia) plants have unique flowers that resemble birds in flight. They have beautiful orange or yellow blossoms hovering over paddle-like leaves. Bird of paradise plants require bright, indirect light and well-draining soil [[10]].
Monstera
Monstera (Monstera deliciosa) is a tropical houseplant known for its large, dramatic foliage and climbing growth habit. It is easy to care for and comes in various unique characteristics and colors. Monstera plants prefer low to bright, indirect light and well-draining soil [[11]].
Philodendron
Philodendrons are well-known tropical plants that come in a variety of species and foliage colors. They are relatively low maintenance and can be found in humid regions. Philodendrons require low to bright, indirect light and well-draining soil [[12]].
Snake Plant
Snake plants (Sansevieria) feature tall, upright leaves with a striking blend of green hues. They are known for their resilience and tolerance of low light conditions. Snake plants bring a modern, sculptural element to interiors and require minimal care. They prefer low to bright, indirect light and well-draining soil [[13]].
Lady Palm
Lady palm trees (Rhapis) are slow-growing plants that add tropical flair to homes or landscapes. They have low light and humidity requirements, making them relatively easy to grow as houseplants. Lady palms prefer low light conditions and well-draining soil [[14]].
Rex Begonia
Rex begonias are native to tropical regions and have beautifully intricate foliage designs. They are available in numerous varieties and foliage colors. Rex begonias prefer low light conditions and well-draining soil [[15]].
Elephant Ears
Elephant ears (Alocasia) are bulbous perennials native to subtropical Asia. They have heart- to spade-shaped leaves with various patterns. Elephant ears require bright light and humidity to thrive [[16]].
Croton
Croton plants are shrubs with thick, waxy leaves that can be grown as houseplants. They have colorful leaves in shades of green, red, yellow, purple, and orange. Crotons prefer bright, indirect light and well-draining soil [[17]].
I hope this information helps you understand the concepts mentioned in the article about tropical plants. If you have any further questions or need more information, feel free to ask!
