Tropical House Plants

Houseplants add a great value to the beauty and comfort level of any house or office. They purify the air and provide a cooling effect to the surrounding. Knowingly or unknowingly, most of the decorative plants that we have grown to beautify our interiors are tropical house plants. They are native to the tropical and subtropical climatic conditions, and grow under the canopies of large trees. It is mainly because of this reason that tropical houseplants can adapt well, even when they are maintained in warm temperatures under the roof.

How to Identify Tropical House Plants?

You can find a plethora of beautiful tropical house plants and choosing some particular varieties for your home can be quite a confusing task. A simple way is to learn the basics of tropical house plants identification and select those that complement your interior decoration. Some of the common tropical house plants, which are excellent for home or office plantation are:

• Bird of Paradise - Vibrant colored flower resembling that of a flying bird, the bird of paradise is a preferable tropical house plant. The large green, leathery leaves also add to the elegance of bird shape flowers.
• Bromeliads - In the native habitats, bromeliads are found growing in the branches of tall trees. With respect to foliage shape (thin or thick, needle-shaped or broad) and color (green, golden, read, maroon, etc.), bromeliads are described as the most diverse tropical plant.
• Dumb Canes - Adaptive to moderate light and humid atmosphere, dumb canes are well-known for their attractive large, oval-shaped leaves. The center of the leaf blades are lighter in color, while the borders are dark green.
• Orchids - Who does not adore the unique flowers of orchids? With more than 22,000 identified species, orchids belong to the largest flowering group. Of these types, cattleya, dendrobium, phalaenopsis and oncidium are best grown as house plants.
• Xanthosoma - Xanthosoma is another type of house plants with more than 40 species, which can be identified from the spade shaped foliage and distinctive whitish colored venation. Some species of xanthosoma grow to more than 6 feet and spreads to around 1 - 2 feet width.

How to Take Care of Tropical House Plants?

A far as hardiness of tropical house plants is concerned, growing lavishly under the shade of roof is self-explanatory. They can adapt in a wide range of soil types and growing conditions. The only thing is that they require sufficient light and water. Mention below are some of the useful tips for tropical house plants care and maintenance:

• Light - With tropical house plants, it is understandable that they require lots of sunlight for survival. While growing in indoors, place them in an area that receives diffused sunlight and make sure you install artificial light system. Know more on tropical house plants growing tips.
• Water - The second primary requirement for maintaining tropical house plants is high humidity. Do not forget to place plastic trays below the pots to avoid drainage problem. As per the directions of the retailer, plan the watering time and frequency for the specific tropical house plant.
• Temperature - A warm temperature is a must for healthy growing of tropical house plants. Thus, some varieties may not tolerate frequent air conditioning. The best way is to take advice from the retailer and select plants that will adapt to your home or office interior conditions.
• Nutrients - Most of the tropical house plants are fast growers and consequently, they need optimum nutrients to support their development. Read more on indoor tropical plants care.
• Pest Control - Pest infestation weakens the tropical house plants and at times, kills them. To prevent pests, keep a keen eye and spend a few minutes with your indoor plants each time you irrigate them.
• Other Tips - Apart from the above mentioned aspects, you should plant the tropical house plant in correct size pots and clean the leaves on a regular basis. For cleaning foliage, you can dampen a cloth and wipe both sides of the leaves gently.

In order to maintain luxuriant tropical house plants, the trick is to provide correct growth conditions, which match the natural habitat of the plants. As long as light, temperature and water are available in adequate range, your tropical house plants will grow to the fullest and embellish your interiors with a natural touch.