low maintenance house plants to Add a Taste of the Tropics to Your Home
These exotic houseplants will bring a bit of the tropical to your home. Orchids are fantastic exotic houseplants because they thrive in warm temperatures and moderate humidity, which is typical of indoor environments.
The tropical foliage, also known as hole-leaf monstera, gives any space an exotic ambiance. Bird of paradise flowers with distinctive, slim blue or orange flowers are another exotic alternative.
Monstera
Monstera Deliciciosa, or the Swiss Cheese Plant is an exotic house plant with large leaves that add an exotic feel to your home. It is an climber and can be trained up by moss cover poles inside to mimic the trees it climbs in its native Mexican and Central American habitat. However, it also does well in pots and can be suspended over the edge of a table or any other surface.
Aside from its unique appearance, this tropical plant is simple to cultivate. Make sure that it is in ample, indirect sunlight and a well-drained soil. It is tolerant of low humidity, but performs best at higher levels.
Like its name implies, this plant is famous for the holes and splits it displays on its leaves. These are called fenestrations and they grow as the plant grows. It is part of the Araceae family, as well as Pothos, Philodendrons, ZZ plants, and a variety of other popular foliage plants for your home.
Like other aroids Monstera is quite forgiving in its growth and can be cultivated as an outdoor or indoor plant. It can be grown in shades of dappled shade, which is typical of its understory forest habitat.
The flowers of this plant resemble an ear of corn and produce a delicious fruit that has been described as a mix of pineapple and banana. You can consume them raw or cooked. It is important to know that the fruits of this plant could cause laxative effects and therefore moderation is essential.
One of the things that distinguishes this tropical plant from other species of plants is its capacity to stand up to cold temperatures. Aroids in general will turn to mush in very cold temperatures, but Monsteras can still grow and thrive.
Monstera like other aroids, needs to be watered sparingly. Only water when the top inch or so of the soil is dry. Be sure to let any excess water drain out the drainage hole located at the bottom of the pot whenever you water. Like many tropical houseplants, Monstera also requires a balanced liquid fertilizer. Use 1/2 teaspoon of balanced 20-20-20 liquid fertilizer in one gallon water to feed your Monstera plant every couple of weeks throughout the growing season.
Begonia
Begonias bring an element of color to window boxes, flower pots and garden beds. They are easy to grow tropical treasures. Whether you choose double- or single-flowered varieties There are begonias with bright designs and colors that match your personal style. Begonias make a great alternative to other exotic houseplants since they bloom continuously during the growing season. They don't require any particular care, aside from watering every two weeks.
The genus begonia is comprised of more than 2 000 species of plants, most with vibrant leaves and flowers. Most are natives of the tropics, but some can be grown in cooler climates.
Tuberous begonias like the fad "Non-Stop" series are ideal for shady areas and outdoor containers. These frost-sensitive plants grow from firm, round or oval tubers that have either an upright or slender growth habit (for planters and flower boxes) or cascading tendencies (for hanging baskets). They require bright light and partial shade to thrive. However, they might not bloom in very dense shade or in areas with direct, hot sunlight. Wax begonias can withstand full sun, but will burn quickly in hot weather.
Most begonias self-clean and don't require deadheading; However, they may benefit from trimming in the spring and fall to encourage fresh growth. They also thrive when planted in loose, rich soil. This could be a mix of organic material or a light loamy mix with slow-release fertilizer.
If you want to propagate begonias in a shallow tray place the tubers, with the hollow side up 6 to 8 inches apart in a moist potting solution. Keep the mix moist but not soaking, and place the tray in a dark room. After about four weeks, they should start to sprout. When they reach an inch high, you can move them to a brightly lit place. When you are ready to plant them outdoors, wait until there's no risk of frost. Alternatively, you can start begonias from seed, or by planting wax begonia transplants. These are available at garden centers and greenhouses.
Anthurium
Anthurium, also known as the tail flower and flamingo flowers, adds an exotic tropical accent to any brightly lit space. It's easy to care for and produces flowers all year long. Anthuriums, which were originally epiphytes that are found on the surface of plants or in the air as well, are long-lasting and hardy houseplants.
The anthurium's "flower" is actually a spathe, a sheath that covers a tiny true flower within. The flowers last for about a couple of weeks and come in a variety of colors like pink, orange-red or white. The bright anthurium flower is popular for hostess gifts and wedding bouquets in Hawaii and the Pacific Islands.
Anthurium is part of the genus Araceae which includes over 1,000 species of flowering plants. Some are well-known, such as the orchid, hibiscus and poinsettia. Others are less well-known such as the arum and tulip trees.
Anthuriums can be cultivated from seeds, but it could take up to 4 years before you can see any flowers. To get faster results it is possible to propagate anthuriums through cutting them from mature plants. Find anthuriums that are established with roots that are compacted, and appear ready to be divided. Use a clean, dry knife to cut off a small portion of the plant. Be careful not to damage the roots.
A freshly cut anthurium can be transplanted to a pot that is slightly damp vermiculite. Place the cuttings in a place that receives direct sunlight and is at 70F. If tall house plants and plant frequently and run a humidity machine near it. Don't over-fertilize the anthurium as it will cause the roots to be burned.
Repot anthuriums at least every two years or if the root ball is too large for the container. Select a pot that is 20% larger than the anthurium's present one to minimize shock.
If the leaves of your anthurium lose their shiny luster spray a small amount of natural soap diluted on the leaves and wipe them with a damp cloth. This lets the plant breathe and restore a gorgeous sheen. Spider mites can cause anthuriums to suffer however a pesticide can help to stop this.
Coconut Palm
Coconut Palm (Cocos nucifera) is a tropical plant cultivated extensively around the world for its edible fruit. It is one the most important and widely distributed agricultural plants in the tropics and is believed to have originated in Indo-Malaya. The wood from the trunk is used to construct bridges and huts. Meanwhile, the fiber from the husks and shells is used to create mats, ropes, doormats and Brooms. The coconut itself is a drupe, not an actual nuts.
If the seeds make an audible sloshing sound when shaken the seeds are ready to be planted. The seeds should be laid on their side with the eyes slightly upward, and buried into the soil about half the thickness of the hardshell. Germination can take a long period of time, but can be enhanced by high temperatures and humidities. After 6 months, the roots and shoots are ready for transplantation.
The plant is ideally for warmer climates. It can withstand frost but should not be exposed to temperatures that are below freezing, as it could be damaged. It requires plenty of sunlight and a protected area with sandy soil that drains well. Watering is required regularly however, it must be kept moist, but not water-logged. Fertilizing with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer is essential.
The palm produces fragrant flower stalks in the spring. Female and male coconuts sprout from these stalks. The flowers are protandrous and male flowers open before the females. low maintenance house plants pollinates the flowers. After 4-6 years, the tree will begin to bear fruit.
Indoors is best to plant the exotic houseplant in pots large enough to hold well-drained soil. It prefers a sunny spot however, it will tolerate light that is low. As it grows, you can repot the plant in a pot that is larger than the root ball. It is vital to ensure that the plant is properly watered and feed it with liquid fertilizer on a regular schedule. The Coconut Palm is generally pest-free however, it could be affected by a disease referred to as lethal yellowing for which there is no cure and which can cause death to the plant.