There are many tropical plants that They can be grown indoors and add an exotic touch to your home. Tropical plants are native to warm and humid regions of the world, although they adapt and can be grown in colder and drier climates if we provide them with adequate care.
These plants usually exhibit fvery brightly colored lordsstriking structures and vigorous growth. They are often plants with large leaves and resistant to diseases, insects and parasites. We tell you how to take care of them.
Tropical indoor plants to enjoy at home and how to care for them
Sansevieria or snake plant
Sansevieria is a perennial succulent plant native to Africa and Asia. It is also known as «mother-in-law’s tongue» or «snake’s tongue», due to its long, thin leaves that grow vertically. There are different varieties, from the classic Sansevieria trifasciata with green and yellow leaves, up to Sansevieria cylindrica, which has cylindrical and succulent leaves. Some varieties also produce fragrant spike-shaped flowers, although these are rare in home cultivation.
This plant is very popular as a houseplant due to its easy care and its ability to purify air by eliminating toxins such as formaldehyde, benzene and trichlorethylene. It is also a hardy plant and can survive in low light and low water conditions. Sansevieria is a great choice for those looking for a hardy houseplant.
- Light: Sansevieria tolerates a wide range of light levels, from bright light to dim light. However, it is best to avoid direct sunlight, especially in the hottest parts of the day. If the plant does not receive enough light, the leaves may turn paler or yellow.
- Irrigation: Sansevieria is a succulent plant, meaning it can store water in its leaves and roots. Therefore, it is best to water it sparingly, allowing the soil to dry completely between watering. It is better to water little than too much.
- Temperature and humidity: It prefers warm temperatures and does not tolerate extreme cold well. The optimal temperature is around 18-24ºC. As for humidity, it prefers a dry environment, so it is not necessary to spray the leaves with water.
- Land: Sansevieria grows best in well-drained, porous soil. You can plant it in a mix of soil for cacti and succulents.
- Fertilizer: Sansevieria doesn’t need much fertilizer, but if you want it to grow faster, you can fertilize it once a month during the growing season (spring and summer) with liquid compost.
Monstera or Adam’s rib
Monstera or Adam’s rib is popular for its large leaves with hole-shaped cuts. It is a climbing plant native to the rainforests of Central and South America. The name «Adam’s rib» is due to the peculiar shape of its leaves, which have large perforations in the middle and a leaf-like outline. Mature plants too They can produce flowers and fruits, that look like ears of corn covered in scales. If you put a moss stake on it, you will promote its healthy growth.
- Light: Monstera prefers bright indirect light, although it can tolerate lower light levels as well. Direct sunlight can burn the leaves.
- Irrigation: It needs to be watered regularly to keep the soil slightly moist. Avoid overwatering, as this can cause root rot.
- Temperature and humidity: prefers warm temperatures and high humidity. Keeping the temperature between 18 and 27ºC and the humidity above 50% will help the plant grow happy and healthy.
- Floor: Monstera grows best in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil. You can use a mixture of potting soil and perlite or pine bark to improve drainage.
- Care and pruning: Monstera is a climbing plant and can grow quite large. If you want it to be kept in a smaller pot, you can prune the tips of the leaves or train the branches to grow in the direction you want.
Philodendron or philodendron
The philodendron is a plant with large, decorative leaves.
iStock Photo.Firn
There are many varieties of philodendron or philodendron, but all are known for their large, shiny leaves that can have various shapes. It is a plant suitable for indoor spaces, native to the rainforests of Central and South America. There are many different varieties, but they all have large, green heart- or arrow-shaped leaves. Some show variegated or mottled leaves.
- Light: The philodendron prefers bright indirect light, although it can also tolerate lower light levels. Direct sunlight can burn the leaves.
- Irrigation: It needs to be watered regularly to keep the soil slightly moist. Avoid overwatering, as this can cause root rot.
- Temperature and humidity: prefers warm temperatures and high humidity. A temperature between 18 and 27 ºC and humidity above 50% is suitable.
- Land: Philodendron grows best in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil. You can use a mixture of potting soil and perlite or pine bark to improve drainage.
- Care and pruning: It is a climbing plant and can grow quite large. If you want it to be kept in a smaller pot, you can prune the tips of the leaves or train the branches to grow in the direction you want.
Parlor palm tree (Chamaedorea elegans)
Chamaedorea elegans
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The Chamaedorea elegansalso known as the parlor palm, is one of the most popular indoor palms due to its attractive appearance and easy care. It is native to Mexico and Central America, and is characterized by its thin stems and bright, delicate green leaves that grow in a fan shape.
Being a small sized palm, it is easy to care for and is perfect for adding a tropical touch to any room. It prefers indirect light and should be watered regularly.
- Light: the Chamaedorea elegans It prefers bright indirect light, although it can also tolerate lower light levels. Direct sunlight can burn the leaves.
- Irrigation: It needs to be watered regularly to keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged. Avoid overwatering, as this can cause root rot.
- Temperature and humidity: prefers warm temperatures and high humidity. It prefers a temperature between 18 and 27 ºC and humidity above 50%. You can improve the humidity around the plant by placing a tray of water near it or using a humidifier.
- Land: It grows best in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil. You can use a mixture of potting soil and perlite or pine bark to improve drainage.
- Fertilization: You can fertilize your Chamaedorea elegans once a month during the growing season with compost.
Bromeliad
This tropical plant is Known for its bright flowers and unique shape. It prefers indirect light and should be watered carefully to prevent water from accumulating in the center of the plant.
It belongs to the Bromeliaceae family, which includes more than 2,000 different species. They are native to Central and South America, and are characterized by having rigid, spiny leaves that grow in a rosette shape, as well as brightly colored and exotic flowers. Among the care of bromeliads, take into account the most basic ones to start with:
- Light: Bromeliad prefers bright indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can burn the leaves.
- Irrigation: It should be watered in the center of the rosette of leaves and in the soil, but avoiding water accumulation in the center, as it can cause the plant to rot. Bromeliads do not need much water, and it is best to let the soil dry out a little before watering again.
- Temperature and humidity: prefers warm temperatures and high humidity. The ambient temperature should be between 18 and 27 ºC and the humidity above 50%.
- Land: Bromeliad prefers well-drained soil, so it is advisable to mix potting soil with perlite or pine bark to improve drainage.
- Fertilization: It can be fertilized once a month during the growing season with compost.
- Bloom: They usually bloom once a year, and the flowers can last for several weeks. After flowering, the plant may produce «suckers» or small plants that grow around the base. These suckers can be separated and planted in individual pots to create new plants.
Calathea
Calathea is known for its vibrant leaves with unique patterns and its nocturnal movements. There are several different species of calatheas, all native to Central and South America.
They are characterized by having large, rounded, shiny leaves that grow on long, thin stems.
- Light: Calathea prefers bright indirect light, but can tolerate lower levels of light. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can burn the leaves.
- Irrigation: It needs to be watered regularly to keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged. Make sure the pot has good drainage, and prevent water from collecting in the saucer under the pot. Do not allow the substrate to dry out completely, but avoid excess water, which can cause root rot.
- Temperature and humidity: prefers warm temperatures and high humidity. Maintaining the temperature between 18 and 27ºC and humidity above 50% will help it develop healthy. You can improve the humidity around the plant by placing a tray of water near it or using a humidifier.
- Land: It grows best in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil. You can use a mixture of potting soil and perlite or pine bark to improve drainage.
- Fertilization: You can fertilize your calathea once a month during the growing season with liquid compost
- Leaf care: Calathea leaves are sensitive and can be easily damaged if touched or exposed to cold drafts. They can also wilt if the plant does not receive enough water or humidity. To keep the leaves healthy, make sure to take good care of the plant and avoid any type of stress.
Swedish ivy (Plectranthus verticillatus)
This plant is known for its small, round leaves that grow in a cascade. Also known as money plant or mouse tail plant, it is a perennial plant native to Africa and Madagascar.
- Light: The money plant prefers bright indirect light and can tolerate lower levels of light. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can burn the leaves.
- Irrigation: he Plectranthus verticillatus It needs to be watered regularly to keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged. Make sure the pot has good drainage, and prevent water from collecting in the saucer under the pot. Do not allow the substrate to dry out completely, but avoid excess water, which can cause root rot.
- Temperature and humidity: The money plant prefers warm temperatures and high humidity. Keep the…