The Spruce / Alonda Baird
Tropical house plants bring exotic flowers and foliage to yourindoor plant collection.
If light exposure is insufficient, it’s possible for you to supplement with anindoor grow light.
If youre ready for a tropical transformation, add one of these popular tropical house plants.
The Spruce / Alonda Baird
Tip
The tropical plants in this list can be grown indoors in any climate.
Many can also be overwintered indoors in cooler climates and brought outdoors in the summer.
Water when first inch or so of soil becomes dry.
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
Orchids
The Spruce / Leticia Almeida
Orchids are one of the most varied plant groups.
Instead, provide a warm, humid environment.
Allow to dry between waterings.
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Bromeliads
Bromeliads (Bromeliaceae) are probably the easiesttropical plants to grow.
They can be grown in fast-draining potting soil consisting of peat-based soil and sand.
They can also be mounted to boards or logs and hung on the wall.
The Spruce / Leticia Almeida
The fiddle leaf fig is toxic to people and pets.
This slow-growing plant can reach a maximum height of about 6 feet when grown indoors.
This low-maintenance tropical house plant is also more tolerant of low-humidity conditions.
The Spruce / LetÃcia Almeida
The ponytail palm is non-toxic, making it asafe house plant for pets.
It is easier than ever to grow them.Water frequently in summer; reduce watering in winter.
Philodendrons are toxic to humans and pets.
The Spruce / Lisa Ruschioni
This tropical vine can grow up to 15 feet tall.
The plant does best with bright light from a nearby window but should be kept out of direct sun.
Like all tropical plants, Monstera deliciosa benefits from frequent watering but can withstand short bouts of drought.
The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong
Even if they are challenging to overwinter, it is still well worth the effort.
Avoiddirect sunlightand keep the temperature above 40F.
Maintain evenly moist soil.
The Spruce / LetÃcia Almeida
Peace lilies are toxic so practice caution around pets and children.
If you are looking for plants with pink flowers or leaves, consider adding aMexican shrimp plantto your collection.
Anthurium is toxic to people and pets.
The Spruce / Cara Cormack
Light, warmth, and humidity are the keys to successfully growing schefflera plants.
Though it is rare to do so indoors, it may bloom with a red flower.
Plant them in rich, loose potting media with moist compost and fertilize regularly.
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Ficus
Ficus plants are fussy, but a well-grown ficus is near the pinnacle of houseplants.
Large, glossy, and imposingficus plantsare well worth the effort.
Ficus plants drop their leaves in drafty, cold conditions and don’t like being moved.
The Spruce / Kara Riley
They require adequate light, warmth, and humidity.
Water regularly during the growing season, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Reduce water in fall through late winter.
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
Though rare, you may find small yellow or white blossoms.
ZZ plants are resilient and do well in bright or low-light conditions and with minimal watering.
Before watering, let the soil dry out completely.
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The ZZ plant is toxic to humans and pets.
Queen Victoria favored Kentia palms throughout her many residences.
Water weekly in summer, letting the soil dry between waterings.
The Spruce / Kara Riley
Cordyline
Ask anyone who has been to Hawaiicordyline is virtually synonymous with the tropics.
With proper care, the plant can provide a dramatic accent.
It is also known as the Ti tree or Hawaiian Ti tree.
The Spruce / Cara Cormack
It should be kept continually moist except in winter.
Note that this plant is toxic to dogs and cats.
There’s only one essential rule for growing this tropical house plant: remember to water it.
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It features fuzzy green leaves and requires conscientious care.
The ideal spot for this plant receives bright, indirect light.
It has large, distinctive blue or orange flowers (though it’s unlikely to bloom indoors).
The Spruce / LetÃcia Almeida
Birds of paradise need three to five years of growth before they flower.
The bird of paradise flower is toxic to cats and dogs.
It tolerates low light conditions, but bright to medium indirect light is best.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
Amazonian Elephant’s Ear
The Amazonian elephant’s ear is common but distinctive and almost regal.
Its large, arrow-shaped green leaves are ribbed with silver.
It is much easier to grow inside than mostAlocasiaspecies and provides seasonal displays of wonderful foliage.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
They prefer rich, fast-draining potting soil and do require regular feeding.
Keep moist, but avoid wet roots.
This plant originated in southeast Asia.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
Elephant’s ear is toxic to humans and pets.
Goldfish Plant
If youre looking for an unusual flowering tropical house plant, consider the goldfish plant.
Other varieties of the goldfish plant produce red, pink, or bicolor blossoms.
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
Dracaena are one of the most exotic-looking plants and the easiest tropical plant to grow indoors.
Most indoor tropical plants need bright and indirect sunlight to thrive.
you’re free to find tropical plantsonlineor at your local nursery.
Look for a seller specializing in tropical plants and one that unconditionally guarantees all tropical plants for a year.
Tropical plants can be brought outside for the summer when the temperatures reach 55F or warmer consistently at night.
Cooler temperatures can harm or kill tropical plants.
Slowly acclimate the plant to sun exposure.
Many tropical plants may be understory plants and require filtered or dappled sun.
Dieffenbachia sequine.North Carolina State University Extension.
Dieffenbachia seguine.North Carolina State University Extension.
Ficus lyrata.North Carolina State University Extension.
Dieffenbachia and Philodendron: Two Popular but Poisonous Houseplants.Poison Control.
Spathiphyllum (Mauna Loa Peace Lily).
North Carolina State University Extension.
North Carolina Cooperative Extension.
5 Poisonous Houseplants to Keep Away From Toddlers and Pets.Child Development Institute.
Schefflera Are Toxic To Pets.
Ficus benjamina.Missouri Botanical Garden.
Weeping Fig.The University of Kansas Health System.
Zamioculcas zamiifolia.North Carolina State University Extension.
Bird of Paradise Flower.ASPCA.
Elephant ear poisoning.University of Florida Health.