Ready to create your own mini-jungle in your living area? Dive into the world of tropical indoor plants and add a touch of wilderness in your home!
These stunning, exotic tropical indoor plants help to purify the air, lower stress levels, and improve mood. The looks on your friends’ faces when they walk into your house and see a towering monstera deliciosa or a vibrant hibiscus flower make for great conversation starters.
There are a few things you should know before you start stocking up on all the tropical plants you could possibly want. Since these plants are native to warm, humid climates, they require different maintenance than your typical houseplant. They favor high humidity, bright but indirect light, and soil that drains well.
Not to worry! With a little perseverance and care, you’ll soon be a plant parent raising a flourishing indoor jungle. Don’t be concerned if you are completely new to indoor house plants, there are many tropical indoor plants that require little maintenance and are ideal for beginners.
Benefits of Having Tropical Indoor Plants
Bringing a little bit of the jungle inside your home is not only fashionable, but also has many advantages. These green marvels are more than just pretty accents, they can also boost your productivity while enhancing your mood, health, and well-being.
Tropical indoor plants have a purifying effect on the air. They release pure, fresh oxygen after absorbing airborne toxins. Therefore, a few strategically placed tropical plants will work wonders for your indoor air quality.
Studies have shown plants in your home can improve your mood and lower stress levels. So, if you’re feeling a little stressed out, just spending a few minutes watering, maintaining, and even talking to your plants can help you unwind and feel refreshed.
The aesthetic advantages of tropical indoor plants are limitless. Exotic tropical plants can be used to create a lush, green oasis in your home and bring a touch of the tropics to any space. They are simple to care for and will transform your home into a tropical paradise.
Our Top 9 Picks for Indoor Tropical Plants
1. Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium Nidus)
A stunning tropical plant, the Bird’s Nest Fern has long, glossy, crinkled fronds that spread out like a nest. This fern is distinguished from other ferns by its distinctive circular form.
For beginners or those who want to quickly add some greenery to their home or workplace, this low-maintenance plant is ideal. It thrives in a range of indirect lighting levels, from dim to bright, and prefers high humidity.
The Bird’s Nest Fern is a wonderful addition to any room since it cleans the air and gives the area a natural feel.
Light: medium to bright indirect light
Size: 2-3 ft. tall, 2-3 ft. wide
Soil requirements: well-draining, rich in organic matter, peat-based potting soil
Maintenance Level: Low
2. Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
The Parlor Palm is a traditional indoor tropical plant that requires little maintenance and looks great in any room. It features beautiful green plant fronds that give off an attractive, tropical vibe.
This plant is great for small to medium rooms and will bring a touch of nature into your house or place of business. It is also a great air purifier and may assist to raise the standard of the air in your room.
Light: indirect light, avoid direct sunlight. They can tolerate low light conditions.
Size: 2-6 ft. tall
Soil requirements: well-draining, nutrient-rich potting soil. A mixture of peat moss, perlite, and sand is ideal.
Maintenance level: Low to medium
3. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
East Africa is the home of the ZZ Plant, a tropical plant. It has up to three-foot-long, glossy, dark green leaves. This plant is renowned for its resilience and versatility in growing environments.
It is fantastic for bringing a touch of greenery to your home or business and is excellent for tiny areas. It is also a great air purifier and may assist to raise the standard of the air in your room.
Light: low to bright indirect light, avoid direct sunlight. They can tolerate low light conditions.
Size: 2-3 ft. tall, 2-3 ft. wide
Soil requirements: well-draining, nutrient-rich potting soil. A mixture of peat moss, perlite, and sand is ideal.
Maintenance level: Low to medium
4. Calathea (Calathea)
The magnificent foliage of calathea plants, which comes in a variety of shades and patterns, is well recognized. They are popular indoor plants because of their simplicity of maintenance and eye-catching beauty and are native to tropical areas.
Calatheas thrive in situations with high humidity and require bright, indirect light. Regular watering is necessary, but the soil shouldn’t be allowed to grow soggy. Throughout the growth season, fertilize them once a month.
Light: Bright indirect light.
Size: 1-3 ft. tall and wide
Soil requirements: well-draining soil that is high in organic matter
Maintenance Level: Medium
5. Snake Plant (Sansevieria Trifasciata)
A common tropical houseplant with a distinctive look and low maintenance requirements is the snake plant. It is also known as the “Mother-in-Tongue” Law’s plant because of its long, sword-shaped leaves, which are deep green with lighter green stripes.
Snake plants are extremely resilient, withstanding low light levels and little irrigation. They are a wonderful addition to any house or workplace since they are also amazing air filters.
Light: Low to medium indirect light.
Size: 2-4 ft. tall and wide
Soil requirements: well-draining soil that is low in organic matter
Maintenance Level: Low
6. Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus Lyrata)
The fiddle leaf fig is a well-liked tropical houseplant that is distinguished by its large, violin-shaped leaves, which may reach a length of 12 inches. It can give any indoor area a brash and striking statement.
Warm temperatures and bright, indirect sunshine are preferred for fiddle leaf figs. Regular watering is necessary, but avoid overwatering since they are susceptible to root rot.
Although they have a tendency to grow extremely tall, they may also be clipped to keep their height more manageable. A fiddle leaf fig can be a magnificent addition to any indoor jungle with the right care.
Light: bright, indirect sunlight
Size: up to 10-12 ft. tall, 2-3 ft. wide
Soil requirements: well-draining soil, such as a peat-based potting mix with added perlite or sand
Maintenance level: Moderate
7. Monstera Deliciosa
The monstera deliciosa, often known as the swiss cheese plant, is a tropical houseplant with enormous, distinctive leaves that have natural holes or “cuts” in them. It may grow up to several feet tall and broad, making it an excellent display plant for larger indoor areas.
Monstera deliciosas prefer well-draining soil that is maintained constantly damp but not soggy, as well as bright, indirect light. Regular trimming helps them maintain their size and promote new development.
The monstera deliciosa is an excellent option for anybody trying to enhance indoor air quality because it is both an eye-catching plant and a natural air cleaner.
Light: bright, indirect light
Size: up to several feet tall and wide
Soil requirements: well-draining soil, kept consistently moist but not waterlogged
Maintenance level: Moderate
8. Croton (Codiaeum variegatum)
Croton is a beautiful tropical plant with variegated leaves that are brilliantly colored. This plant is a real show-stopper with hues ranging from dark green to vivid orange and crimson.
Crotons are ideal for covering a huge vacant space in your home because they can grow up to six feet tall. They appreciate bright, indirect light and well-draining soil that is maintained continuously wet.
Croton is sensitive to temperature changes, so keep that in mind when taking care of it. It should not be exposed to unexpected temperature fluctuations or chilly breezes because it enjoys warm, humid environments.
Light: Bright, indirect light
Size: Up to 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide
Soil requirements: Well-draining potting soil
Maintenance level: Moderate
9. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
The Chinese Evergreen is a popular tropical houseplant with magnificent variegated leaves that come in shades of green, silver, pink, and red. It is a simple plant that grows well in low to medium light levels, making it the perfect option for people who want to add a little greenery to their indoor areas without a lot of work.
This plant is indigenous to Asia, where tropical forest understory is where it may be found. It is renowned for its capacity to eliminate pollutants like formaldehyde and benzene from the air. In fact, NASA ranks it as one of the top air-purifying plants.
Light: low to medium light. Can tolerate bright indirect light, but avoid direct sunlight.
Size: up to 3 ft. tall
Soil requirements: well-drained, rich in organic matter
Maintenance level: Low to moderate
How to Take Care of Your Indoor Tropical Plants
Time to work, now let’s figure out how to take care of your plants and keep them healthy.
First and foremost, make sure your plants are placed in an area with the right amount of light. Tropical indoor plants typically thrive in bright, indirect light, so be sure to keep them away from direct sun exposure.
Next, it’s time to water your plants. Tropical indoor plants typically like to be kept consistently watered. Check the soil regularly and water when it’s just starting to dry out.
Fertilize your plants every 4-6 weeks during the growing season to keep them healthy and strong. And finally, make sure to give your plants a little TLC every now and then – a gentle shower to wash off any dust and spider mites, rotate them every now and then to make sure all sides of the plant get equal exposure to light, even talking to your plants can make all the difference.
Caring for tropical indoor plants may seem like a difficult task, some love and care can make any plant flourish.
Choosing the Right Pot and Soil for Your Tropical Indoor Plants
The health and growth of your tropical indoor plants depend on the pot and soil you choose for them.
Pick a pot an appropriate size for your plant with good drainage. A pot that’s too small will limit the growth of your plant, and a pot without drainage will lead to waterlogged roots.
Next, choose a high-quality potting soil specifically formulated for indoor plants. This will help your plants absorb the nutrients they need to grow and thrive.
Don’t be afraid to have some fun with your pot choice! There are plenty of stylish and unique pots to choose from that will complement your plants and add a touch of personality to your home.
Keeping Your Tropical Indoor Plants Healthy and Beautiful
Tropical indoor plants make any home more beautiful and vibrant, but to maintain their beauty you need to be able to combat the pests and diseases that could harm their health. The health and growth of your plants depends on your ability to identify the typical issues that may arise and know how to address them.
The most common insects that might harm tropical indoor plants include scale insects, mealybugs, and spider mites. You can use a soap-and-water solution or a pesticide specifically designed to get rid of pests for indoor plants.
Root rot, a problem brought on by overwatering, is another typical issue with tropical indoor plants. Use a well-draining potting mix and water your plants only when the soil is just beginning to dry out to avoid this.
Yellowing leaves, brown spots, and wilting can be signs of disease that can affect tropical indoor plants. To treat these issues, you can use a fungicide, provide better air circulation, or adjust the watering schedule.
Interior Design Ideas
Tropical indoor plants enhance the aesthetics of your space while simultaneously enhancing the air quality. It can be difficult to keep them healthy and looking their best, but don’t worry; we’ve got you covered with these guidelines for keeping your tropical indoor plants healthy and beautiful:
- Provide enough light: Tropical indoor plants require bright, indirect light to thrive.
- Water your plants the right way: Water them only when the soil is just beginning to dry out.
- Use high-quality soil: Pick a potting mix designed especially for indoor plants that drains well.
- Pest control: Be vigilant for pests and take quick action to eliminate them to protect your plants.
- Regular pruning: shearing will promote new growth in your plants and keep them looking good.
- Humidity: Because some tropical indoor plants need higher humidity levels, you should think about misting or using a humidifier frequently.
