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Tropical Plants for the Home

While tropical plants exist naturally in rainforests, their fragrant flowers and vibrant leaves make them wonderful houseplants as well. You can purchase tropical plants in a variety of locations, including home improvement stores, garden centers and online.

Tropical House Plants

Tropical plants require constant care to maintain their beauty. Tropical plants should get diffused light rather than direct sunlight. For the best possible fragrant flowers, place your tropical houseplant by a south-facing window, preferably one without curtains. Three to four hours of indirect sunlight a day is generally sufficient. Also, rotate a tropical plant about twice a month to ensure that every part of the plant is getting equal light.

Because most tropical houseplants are rainforest natives, warm humid environments are ideal. If you don't live in a naturally humid area, spray your tropical plant with mist once a day. However, if the temperature gets too high, a tropical houseplant will grow too large, unable to sustain life where the light is too sparse. During the winter, tropical plants may get damaged at night as temperatures get too cold.

While tropical houseplants generally have the same soil needs as other houseplants, their watering needs can be a bit trickier. The amount of water a tropical plant needs depends on the room temperature, humidity, evaporation rate, type of soil and type of container used. The only rule of thumb that applies to all tropical houseplants is to mist the plant with lukewarm water in addition to its usual watering needs.

Types of Tropical Plants

Some common tropical houseplants, along with their care requirements are:

hibiscus: Tropical hibiscus flowers need full sun for a large percentage of the day. They require just enough water to get the soil wet while also allowing it to dry between waterings. Hibiscus flowers flourish in the spring and summer. Even with ideal light, temperature and humidity, they grow and bloom less during the winter.

palm trees: Palm trees, found in warmer regions like Mexico and California, are medium-sized trees that typically grow well close to water. The most important necessity for a palm tree is proper soil that allows the tree to fully absorb nutrients. Palms often require special fertilizers.

ginger palms: Although ginger palms require bright light, they should not be placed in the hot sun. Ginger flourishes in well-drained soil that's allowed to dry between waterings. The aromatic oils of the ginger plant are used in making perfumes and medicines, especially stimulants.
banana tree: Like ginger palms, the banana plant should be placed in full light while remaining protected from the hot sun. A mature banana tree produces fruit about fifteen to eighteen months after being planted.

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