15 Undeniable Reasons To Love Exotic House Plants
5 Exotic House Plants to Add a Taste of the Tropics to Your Home
Bring the flavor of the tropics to your home by incorporating exotic house plants. Orchids are fantastic exotic houseplants as they thrive in warm temperatures with moderate humidity, which is the norm of indoor environments.
The tropical foliage of the monstera deliciosa is also known as hole leaf monstera, gives an exotic accent to any room. Bird of paradise flowers with distinctive, slender blue or orange blooms are another exotic option.
Monstera
Monstera Deliciciosa or Swiss Cheese Plant is a unique houseplant with large leaves. It gives a tropical feel to your home. It is an climber and can be trained to climb with moss cover poles in the indoors to mimic the trees it clings to in its native Mexican and Central American habitat. It also works well in pots and is kept hanging over the edge of a table or another surface.
It is easy to grow and has a distinctive appearance. Just make sure it has bright, indirect sunlight and a well-drained soil. It can also tolerate low humidity levels but will do best when it is in higher humidity.
This plant is named after the splits and holes it shows on its leaf. They are known as fenestrations and they develop as the plant matures. It is a member of the Araceae family, which includes Pothos, Philodendrons, ZZ plants and many other popular foliage plants for your home.
Monstera like other aroids, is an plant that can be grown indoors or outdoors. It is able to be planted in shades of dappled shade, which is characteristic of its understory forest habitat.
The flowers of this plant are reminiscent of an ear of corn and produce delicious fruits that have been described as a mix of pineapple and banana. It is possible to consume raw or cooked. The fruit of this plant can have the ability to lax which is why it is essential to use moderately.
One thing that differentiates this tropical plant from other species of plants is its ability to withstand cold temperatures. low maintenance house plants will quickly become mushy in extremely cold temperatures However, Monsteras can still grow and flourish.
As with most aroids Monstera must be watered in a controlled manner and only when the top inch of the soil is dry. When you water, be sure to let the excess water drain out through the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot. Like most tropical house plants, Monstera requires a balanced liquid fertilizer. Use 1 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 are easy to cultivate tropical treasures that add a splash of color to window boxes or flower pots, as well as garden beds. Whether you choose double- or single-flowered varieties there is a begonia with vibrant shapes and colors to match your style. In contrast to other exotic house plants begonias flower continuously throughout the growing season, requiring minimal attention beyond a couple of times a month watering.
The genus begonia consists of more than 2 000 species of plants, most with vibrant flowers and leaves. They are mostly native to the tropics, but some can be grown in cooler climates.
Tuberous begonias like the popular 'Non Stop' series are a good option for shaded spots and containers for the outdoors. These frost-sensitive plants develop from round, firm or oval tubers that have either an upright or slender growth habit (for planters and flower boxes) or cascading tendencies (for hanging baskets). They need bright light and partial shade to grow well. However, they may not flower in very dense shade or in areas with hot, direct sunlight. Wax begonias are tolerant of full sun but can quickly burn in hot weather.
Most begonias are self-cleaning and do not require deadheading; however, they could benefit from pruning in spring and fall to encourage fresh growth. They also thrive when they are planted in loose, rich soil. This can be a mixture of organic material, or a light, loamy mix with slow-release fertilizer.
If low maintenance house plants wish to grow begonias in a shallow tray, place the tubers with the hollow side about 6 to 8 inches apart in a moist potting mix. Place the tray in a room with a low amount of light. Keep the mix moist, but not too wet. They should begin to sprout within 4 weeks. They can be moved to a spot with a bright light source when they're about 1 inch tall. Wait until there is no chance of frost before putting them in the ground. Begonias can also be planted by sown seeds or by planting wax begonias transplants. They are available at greenhouses and garden centers.
Anthurium
Anthuriums also referred to as tail flowers and flamingo flowers, add a tropical touch to brightly lit rooms. It's easy to take care of, and newer cultivars produce flowers year-round. It was originally an epiphyte plant that is found on the surface of other plants, or in the air, anthuriums are durable and long-lasting house plants.
The "flower" of the anthurium is actually an actual spathe. The protective sheath conceals the inside of a tiny flower. The flowers last for a few weeks and are available in colors like orange-red, pink or white. The vibrant anthurium is a favorite as a hostess gift, and it's also often used in wedding bouquets on Hawaiian and Pacific Islands.
Anthurium is a species of the genus Araceae which includes more than 1,000 species of flowering plants. Certain species are well-known, such as the orchid, hibiscus and poinsettia. Others are less well-known like the arum tree and tulip tree.
Anthuriums can be planted from seeds, but it could take up to 4 years before you notice any flowers. For low maintenance house plants is possible to propagate anthuriums through cutting them from mature plants. Look for a well-established anthurium with roots that are compacted, and appear ready to be divided. Use a dry, clean knife to cut a portion of the anthurium. Take care not to harm its roots.
Anthurium freshly cut can be transplanted to a pot that is slightly moist vermiculite. Place the cutting in a spot that is at 70F and receives direct, bright light. If necessary, mist the soil and plant frequently and run a humidity machine close to it. Don't over-fertilize the anthurium because it can cause root burns.
Repot anthuriums at least every two years or if the root ball is too big for the container. Select a pot that is 20 percent bigger than the anthurium's current one to reduce shock.
Spray diluted soap on the leaves of your anthurium, then wipe them with a damp cloth. This lets the plant breathe and restore a gorgeous shine. Anthuriums can be plagued by spider mites, however a preventative pesticide can keep these tiny pests at bay.
Coconut Palm
Coconut palm (Cocos Nucifera) is a tropical plant that grows across the globe. It is cultivated to produce edible fruit. It is one of the most significant and widely-used agricultural plants of the tropics, and is believed to have originated somewhere in Indo-Malaya. The trunk's wood can be used to construct huts and bridges. tall house plants that are formed from shells or husks are used to create ropes. The coconut is actually a drupe and is not a nut.
It is recommended to propagate this plant from seeds that are ready for planting when they make an audible sloshing sound when shaking. The seeds are then set on their sides with three eyes angled slightly upward and then dug into the soil to about half the thickness of the hard shell. Germination takes a while, but can be encouraged by high temperatures and humidity and after 6 months the roots and shoots are ready to be transplanted.
The plant is ideally suited to warm climates. It is tolerant of frost but should not exposed at temperatures below freezing as it may be damaged. It requires plenty of sunshine and a sheltered location with a sandy soil that drains well. Regular watering is necessary but the soil must not be submerged. Fertilizing with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer equally important.
In spring, this palm produces sweet-smelling flowers on a few branched stalks which grow male and female coconuts. The flowers are fragrant, and male flowers generally open before females do so. The winds pollinate the flowers. After potted house plants -6 years the tree will begin bearing fruit.
Indoors, it's best to grow the exotic houseplant in pots large enough to hold rich, draining soil. It prefers a sunny spot however, it will tolerate light that is low. Repot the plant as it grows in a container larger than its roots. Make sure to water it thoroughly and feed it on a regular basis with a liquid fertilizer. The Coconut Palm is generally pest-free however it is affected by a disease referred to as lethal yellowing, for which there is no cure and that can kill the plant.