11 Strategies To Refresh Your Tropical House Plants
5 Easy-To-Care-For Tropical House Plants
Tropical house plants can provide a an exotic and tranquil feel to your home. They are generally easy to care for providing the right conditions.
They can be bright spots with a high humidity. Some of the most commonly used types of tropical houseplants include:
Dragon plant is an exotic foliage plant that is easy to grow indoors. It's a great air purifier and is tolerant of low light.
Alocasia Zebrina
The exotic zebra-striped stems and enormous elephant-ear-shaped leaves on this plant make it an outstanding choice among tropical house plants. It thrives in the warm and brightly lit area with high humidity, however it is sensitive to direct sunlight which can burn its waxy leaves. It is best to place it near a window facing towards the south or in an area in which light is filtered through a sheer drape.
Alocasia zebrina can grow moderately to quickly and thrives in warm temperatures. Its soil must be constantly moist but not too wet. As it grows, it needs an annual feeding using a balanced liquid fertilizer. The tropical plant is dormant in winter.
It also enjoys a humid atmosphere and that is why bathrooms and kitchen is the ideal place. You can create this atmosphere by misting it often or placing it in a pebble tray filled with water. It can also be grown outdoors in USDA zones 10 and 11.
Because this plant is a frost-tender it requires an environment that is warm and stays between 64 and 77 degF. Keep it from cold windows and drafts.
If you notice that alocasia zebrina's leaves start to change color, becoming crisp or yellow, it may need more moisture. You can boost the humidity of the air by putting a humidifier near the plant or moving it to a naturally humid room like a bathroom or kitchen.
Alocasia prefers to stay in its small pot and rootbound, therefore do not repot too soon. If you do need to repotted it, make sure you use soil mix that drains well, and a pot that is one size larger.
If the roots of this alocasia left in water too long, they can become rotted by water. It is essential to remove excess water and observe the weight before refilling. It's a good idea to place a saucer underneath the planter to catch drips, or place the plant in a sink when watering. It's best to allow the top two inches of soil to dry out before re-watering. This will also help conserve water in the winter months.
Butterfly Plant
Butterfly plant is an interesting tropical green houseplant with a unique foliage. It has a central stripe as well as curled red, brown or violet stripes on its leaves that make them appear like wings. This plant is native from South America, and can be grown outside in USDA hardiness zone 5 through 9. It is best known as a tropical houseplant because it thrives indoors and doesn't need frost protection. It is easy to maintain and grows quickly.
It is important to water the plant slowly and deeply whenever it requires watering. This allows the soil absorb the moisture, without becoming too wet. If the plant is in poor soil, adding a general-purpose fertilizer every now and then during the season will encourage healthy growth and blooming. Pre-bloom feedings are particularly important because the plant is focused on preparing to open its blooms.
The plant needs regular pruning in order to keep it compact. It thrives in a pot filled with nutrients-rich, well-drained soil. It is tolerant of moderate humidity, but should not be exposed excessive heat or cold. The plant can be cut back in the spring to stimulate new growth and improve flowering.
The Philodendron "Sunrise" is a great choice for tropical houseplants. good house plants is a bright yellow flowers which look like sunflowers. It also has large, dark green leaves that resemble the shape of a rhododendron. It is easy to care for and can be used as a focal point for your home.
Finally, there's the moth orchid of old, which is also very easy to take care of. It is commonly employed in hotels and restaurants, as it has very long-lasting blooms and comes in a variety of shades. To keep your plants looking great, make sure they get plenty of light and keep them away from drafts.
The Arrowhead plant (Syngoniumpodophyllum) is another good choice for tropical houseplants. This semi-tropical species is found in the rainforests of Brazil, Ecuador, Mexico and Bolivia and can be found growing in the wild in zones 6-9. The plant is a climber, but it also works well as an indoor plant. The fronds that are segmented, pinnately-branched give it an exotic touch and can be used to embellish a Victorian conservatory or a contemporary living room.
Golden Pothos
Golden Pothos is a long-lasting houseplant that is easy to take care of. The leaves are glossy green and covered with gold variegation. They are thicker than philodendron leaves, and are arrow-shaped that's why they're often mistaken for one another. However, just a glance at the underside of the leaves will tell you the difference: philodendron leaves possess smooth texture, while golden pothos leaves have a leathery one.
The plants can withstand low to bright indirect light, similar to the light they receive in their native tropical French Polynesia forest. The plant can grow to an elevation of 1 foot and beyond with each leaf growing from its own stem. This makes it a flexible indoor plant, and an extremely popular choice for hanging baskets.
Pothos plants can be propagated easily. Simply trim the 4-6 inches of a mature vine with 2 or more leaves. Be best houseplants to include a node, which is a bump on the stem, where roots will sprout and then place it in your growing medium of preference. Perlite, moss and sphagnum are good options. If you're planting the cutting directly into the soil, use a little Houseplant Propagation Promoter to help it take root. The cutting should start to develop roots within a week or two. When the roots are established you can move it into a larger pot with fresh potting soil.
Pothos is not fertilized during winter dormancy, however it thrives when fed every month during the spring growth period. Pothos is not susceptible to many problems, but it's still essential to look for insects and diseases regularly. Aphids are insects that are light-green and leave behind a sticky sap trail. Spider mites resemble spots of dark brown or yellow on leaves. Spraying water with pyrethrum, or insecticidal detergent, will effectively control these pests.
Be sure to keep the plant out of reach of children and pets as it is a source of compounds that can be harmful to rabbits, cats and dogs. The poisons can cause vomiting and swelling of lips or tongues. If your pet is poisoned by the plant, it's recommended to seek medical attention immediately. Adults may also develop a rash after touching the sap of the plant but it's not usually serious. Antihistamine creams and washing the affected area may help.
Rainbow Croton
The tropical house plant Croton (Codiaeum Variegatum) is a beautiful houseplant with colorful foliage that looks like a rainbow. It thrives indoors in bright sunlight but can also be grown outdoors in mild temperatures. This plant is easy for both experienced and novice gardeners to cultivate.
These boldly marked house plants look stunning in living rooms and dining rooms. The leaves of croton plant varieties feature mixtures of yellow, green, red, purple, and orange, with strong veining and edging. Some croton plants, like 'Petra,' and Florida Select', have round leaves, while others, like 'Mammy,' and Gold Dust', have multi-colored and twisted leaves.
As with other tropical houseplants crotons need lots of bright sunlight to stay vibrant. They are not fond of extreme humidity or heat as they can cause leaves' colors to fade or turn dull. To avoid this, place Croton plants away form air conditioners and radiators. Instead, select an area that has plenty of windows that let in sunlight to shine through.
Water a croton plant often enough to keep its soil evenly moist, but do not let the top couple of inches of soil dry out between waterings. Fertilize low maintenance house plants in the spring and summer, when it's actively growing. But less often in winter and fall.
It's a good idea wipe down the leaves of a croton tree with a damp cloth frequently to get rid of dust and to help prevent pests such as mealybugs, scales, spider mites and thrips. These pests can hinder the growth of the leaves and ultimately cause croton plant to die if it is not treated.
The leaves of croton plant can be poisonous in large quantities, even though they are generally safe for pets and children. It is best to put the croton plant in a location that is out-of-reach of curious animals or children. If you have young kids it is best to wait until they develop before introducing an invasive Croton Plant to your home.