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Discover some of the best indoor tropical house plants to add that jungle feel to your home, as well as some quick tips for caring for them.

Best Tropical Indoor House Plants


There's no better way to make your home feel like a lush jungle than indoor tropical plants. With their bright colours, exotic appearance and a little bit of care, you can make your home feel like a tropical paradise all year long.

## Monstera Deliciosa (Swiss Cheese Plant)

If you're new to the world of tropical house plants this is the one you'll most certainly recognise. The Swiss Cheese Plant is a classic, has plenty of personality and is one of the most Instagrammable house plants around.

Monstera Deliciosa is easy to care for and if you want to delve into the world of propagation and multiply your plant family, or even share them with friends and family, is a great first plant to try it with.

Once this plant starts to grow larger you may want to assist it with a support such as a moss pole, Monstera is a climber in the wild after all. This will also prevent it from sprawling out all over your home and help you to appreciate it's foliage even more.

## Dieffenbachia (Dumb cane)

If you're a fan of big, dramatic variegated leaves you're in for a treat with Dieffenbachias!

Given the nickname "Dumb Cane" due to the fact they can be highly toxic if ingested causing a temporary loss of speech.

In my experience these plants can be very forgiving. For instance when I first acquired a Dieffenbachia Tropic Snow I placed it in my porch – which can reach highs of 30-40C in the summer (I was new a new plant parent, don't judge 😬). Following this mistake I had to cut all the leaves back apart from one. The following winter I placed it in a draughty spot, another hard house plant life lesson! The following summer my Dumb Cane had recovered and was routinely putting out three leaves at a time and was one of my bushiest and biggest house plants!

## Calatheas and Marantas

These house plants are a separate topic of their own as there's so many to choose from. Calatheas and Marantas are technically two different genus of plants however they're closely related and often mistaken for one another.

You may also hear the term Prayer Plants, the reason being some of them like to fold their leaves up at night and lower them back down during the day. You may even hear the leaves rustling or catch them moving slightly from the corner of your eye before you go to bed.

All are adorned with impressive patterns and colours. If you can give these plants the attention they desire you'll be rewarded with the tropical feel in your home all year round.

Calatheas can be picky and prefer distilled or rain water. If you can't do this then at least let your tap water sit out over night before using it. If you use water straight from the tap these plants are prone to browning and crisping around the edges of the foliage.

They need plenty of diffused light however too much direct sunlight will burn the leaves and cause them to fade, losing their beautiful markings.

It can also be beneficial to increase the humidity around these types of plants. This can be done by sitting them on pebble trays, using a humidifier or even group plants together so they can form their own microclimate.

Here's a list of attractive Calatheas to get you started:

- Calathea Orbifolia
- Calathea Lancifolia (Rattlesnake plant)
- Calathea Roseopicta Medallion
- Maranta Leuconeura (Herringbone Plant)
- Calathea Zebrina (Zebra Plant)

## Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia Nicolai)

This architectural plant is sure to make a huge statement in any home with its large paddle shaped leaves. Be sure to place him where there's plenty of light, this one's not a fan of the shade.

Also goes by the names White Bird of Paradise or Wild Banana – however this is not a banana tree, it has this nickname due to the leaves closely resembling those of a banana tree.

If you're a fan of flowering plants you could opt for this ones relative, the Strelitzia Reginae which can produce a stunning orange flower.


Tropical House Plant Blog