best houseplants For a Tropical Touch
For those who want to give your home a tropical feel take a look at the heartleaf philodendron. These vibrant leaves are easy to take care of and can tolerate low light.
Calatheas, also called peacock plants, have beautiful patterns on their leaves. Like a lot of other popular house plants, calatheas are fairly easy to cultivate, but require filtered light and well-draining soil.
Ponytail Palm
The ponytail palm, Beaucarnearecurvata is a stunning plant that is easy to maintain. It has become one of the most popular houseplants in recent years. This species, which looks like an palm is actually a succulent. It thrives in dry conditions. The trunk's swelling stores liquid, and it can go for months without watering. It is a wonderful plant for people who live in colder climates or have a hectic schedule. It is also called the elephant-foot or bottle-palm.
Ponytail palms can withstand cold temperatures and thrive in warm indoor climates. In summer they prefer bright places with indirect sunlight to keep warm and avoid scorching their leaves. However they can be adapted to full sun exposure in warmer climates and they can be grown outdoors as a landscape tree in a frost-free region. When grown indoors, they can grow to six inches or more in diameter. They can be propagated by offsets that grow on the base of the trunk.
Ponytail palms require very little water and thrive in the same quick-draining soil as succulents, cacti and others. Clay pots are suggested for this because they wick away moisture from the roots. If your ponytail palm gets root-bound, you can pot it into the container that is just a couple of inches wider than its trunk. To avoid shock, slowly move it to the new container. Fertilize your cactus plants once or twice a season with a liquid fertilizer for cactus at half strength.
Schefflera
The genus Schefflera, which is also called the Umbrella Plant or Queensland Umbrella Tree is comprised of several popular house plants with leaflets that are similar to those of an umbrella. Schefflera actinophylla Schefflera Arboricola and other common varieties have elongated leaflets ranging from four to six leaves that gracefully drop from the central stem. This is what gives them their common name. The smaller variety, Areca catechu, produces a similar leaf shape but with smaller leaves that are usually colored with yellow or cream. Both kinds of plants are not just beautiful however, they also function as natural air fresheners and deodorizers.
This tropical houseplant is relatively easy to take care of and thrives in a humid environment. It will tolerate moderately warm temperatures but will not tolerate sudden temperature fluctuations or drafts. It is susceptible to a variety of diseases, such as leaf spots caused by fungus or bacteria. To prevent these problems, keep the soil dry and avoid overwatering and make use of a peat moss-based potting mix. If you have to water your plant make sure that the soil's top inch is dry before watering again.
It is possible to feed your plant more frequently if it shows indications of nutrient deficiencies like leaves that appear pale or withered, or brown tips. You can do this by adding liquid fertilizer to the water or by using slow-release pellets. Regularly trimming your schefflera can encourage new growth and leaves.
Areca Palm
Palms are a staple in tropical climates. They make stunning house plants because of their green fronds which stay all year round and blend well with the majority of interiors. They can be cultivated in pots to bring natural beauty to a space or used as a large centerpiece. They also add a lot of drama to entranceways or a corner and are an excellent way to lighten the dark corners of the home.
In their natural habitat areca palms thrive in a rainforest climate and are naturally adapted to warm temperatures and high humidity. The areca is sensitive and can burn when exposed to sudden blasts freezing air. Therefore, it is important to keep indoor areca palms away from cold windows, heat sources and air conditioners.
Areca palms must be exposed to lots of sunlight. They will not take low or moderate lighting, so make sure they are parked in an area with plenty of direct sunlight.
Areca palms require constant watering but should never be left to overwater. Overwatering can lead to rot and fungus diseases. The soil should be moist, but not overly waterlogged, and allowed to dry between every watering. If the soil is not a rich, loamy mix you can alter it by adding a bit of builder's sand, peat moss or bark to create a more rich and well-draining mix.
Chinese Money Plant
The Pilea peperomioides can also be called the Chinese money plant, coin plant or pancake plant. It's an annual flowering plant of the nettle genus, which is cultivated for its round, UFO shaped leaves. It's an easy-to-propagate houseplant.
This houseplant thrives under medium light conditions. Avoid placing it in direct sunlight because this could cause burns to its beautiful leaves and cause other problems. Place tall house plants near a large window that is exposed to lots of indirect sunlight.
Rotate the pot of the Chinese money plant by approximately an inch every few weeks. This ensures that all the leaves get equal amounts of sunlight. You can also fertilize your plants each month by feeding it a balanced liquid food, dilute to half strength.
The Chinese money plant is tolerant of low levels of humidity. However, if you notice that the leaf edges are beginning to crisp up it's a sign that it's time to up the humidity.
potted house plants is a fan favourite in Feng Shui which is believed to boost prosperity and wealth. It's a great choice for the office as it has been shown to increase worker productivity and reduce stress for employees. It's also nontoxic for children and pets. Share your greenery! This plant is available in local nurseries, garden centers and a majority of supermarkets and home improvement stores have a gardening section.
Majesty Palm
Majestic palms, or Ravenea Rivularis are characterized by their tall leaves that make a beautiful addition to any home. These tropical plants are recognized for their air purifying properties. They aren't easy to maintain, however due to their ever-growing demands and the need for high humidity.
As with other indoor house plants, majestic palms require moderate moist and light soil. They should be watered frequently, but not too often. Regular fertilization can also benefit the plant.
When watering a majesty palm be sure to pour the water over the entire surface of the soil. Avoid watering plants directly on the crown of the base because this could cause rot and damage new fronds.
Majesty palms do best in a pot 2-3 inches larger than the root ball. The plant will also appreciate an area with a good drainage, as it's prone to root rot. Put some drain rocks in the bottom of your pot to improve the drainage. Repot a majesty palm every once a year, or when the roots are extending beyond the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot.
Majesty palms can be vulnerable to aphids and scale bugs, as well as spider mites. To avoid these pests, it's important to spray your plant with mild soap and water solution. Majesty palms are also sensitive to low humidity. It's important that you keep them in a place with a good air circulation.
Peperomia
The Peperomia is a wonderful houseplant for novices because it does not require much watering. It is a tropical rain-forest plant and prefers warm growing conditions and moderate humidity. It thrives in humid places like terrariums, brightly lit bathrooms or even areas that are misted of the home. It can be put outside in the summer but remember to bring it inside when temperatures drop.
Lindsay Pangborn from the gardening site Bloomscape suggests that you water only when the top 2 inches of soil appear dry to the touch. potted house plants suggests using a chopstick for aerating the soil prior to watering to ensure that it will reach all of the roots. Aeration stops the rot process and promotes deep root growth. Peperomias aren't fussy when it comes to feeding and can be fertilized biweekly using a general-purpose fertilizer specifically designed for houseplants.
The leaves of peperomias are unique in texture that gives them a lot of visual appeal. They can be smooth, crinkled or even with grooves or ridges. They can also be seen or variegated. Some of them also have an appearance that is reminiscent of the appearance of the watermelon rind or emerald ripples. They can be cleaned by wiping them with a damp cloth in order to remove dust from crevices, particularly in species with grooves or ripples. If you notice swelling spots on the leaves of your peperomia plant, this could be a sign of a problem with the plant and should be treated with an insecticidal soap.