#TROPICALTUESDAY
Indoor Tropical Plants
Tropical plants are native to tropical regions of the world, meaning most plants require warmer temperatures and lots of light year-round in our British Columbia climate. Hunters Garden Centre carries a broad selection of tropical plants that you can use as indoor houseplants.
Our Vancouver store carries an extensive selection of unique and rare tropical plants as well! Many tropical plants are also pet-friendly & non-toxic.
See below for the best tropical plants for low and high light, as well as detailed information on how to best take care of them.
Best Tropical Plants for Low Light
These indoor tropical plants will survive in low light conditions and are low maintenance. If you’re looking for a list of indoor houseplants that don’t require a lot of care, this is it!
Snake Plant
Also known as the mother-in-law’s tongue, Snake Plants are one of the most popular houseplants. They are hardy and resilient with stiff leaves that point upright.
Zamioculcas plant (ZZ Plant)
A low maintenance plant with shiny, oval shaped leaves that grow upwards.
Spider Plant
A popular houseplant due to its low maintenance and hardy attributes. It has graceful trailing leaves that work great in a hanging basket.
Calathea
Characterized by its beautiful, lush foliage with unique leaf patterns resembling brushstrokes.
Nerve Plant
Stunning leaves with prominent veins in shades including white, green, red, and pink.
Pothos
Pothos is a trailing, tropical vine that is one of the easiest houseplants to grow. The leaves are heart-shaped and are often green with touches of gold, yellow or white.
Ferns
Tropical ferns add a pop of colour and freshness to a room as they help purify the air.
Philodendron
These plants truly have beautiful foliage with large, shiny, green leaves that can survive in low light conditions. Philodendrons truly add a tropical touch of jungle to your home.
Peace Lily
Peace Lilies have beautiful white flowers against shiny green leaves. The plant also symbolizes hope, sympathy and purity.
Best Tropical Plants for High Light
These indoor tropical plants will thrive in bright, well-lit environments. Place near a window for best results.
Croton
Striking foliage with bold splashes of colours including red, orange, yellow, burgundy and pink. With the right light and humidity conditions, these beautiful plants can thrive for years.
Rubber Plant
A unique tropical with woody stems and large, sturdy, leaves that are a rich emerald green colour. Rubber plants do not stay small, they grow upwards quickly.
Bird of Paradise
Behold the ‘queen’ of the indoor tropical plant world. Bird of Paradise have large, upright banana-shaped leaves that can adapt to a number of light conditions yet prefer sunny locations.
Alocasia
Also known as the Elephant Ear, this attention-grabbing plant has broad leaves in the shape of an arrowhead. There are many different varieties to choose from.
Ficus
An elegant houseplant with woody, sleek branches that boast veined, evergreen leaves. Can shed its leaves easily when not taken care of properly - yet very rewarding when thriving!
TAKING CARE OF TROPICALS
How to Care for Your Indoor Tropical Plants
Light
Tropical plants prefer lots of light but not all types can live in direct sunlight. Most prefer bright indirect light, while some can tolerate lower light. Light from a north or east window is generally fine while light from a south or west facing window should be filtered through sheer type curtains. If you do not have enough light it can be supplemented with a full-spectrum light bulb or “Grow light”.
Temperature
Tropical temperatures range between 18 to 27 C (65 to 80 F) degrees. So your home should be ideal for most tropical plants. However, be sure to keep them away from cold draughts or hot blasts from furnace vents. This can cause them to loose leaves.
Moisture
Mother Nature provides tropical plants with warm humid air which is not common in our homes. We need to mimic these conditions by misting them to provide moisture, watering with warm (tepid) water, and planting them in soil that drains quickly.
The frequency with which you should water your house plants depends on; the size of the plant, the size of the pot, the temperature in your home, and the humidity of the air. This makes it almost impossible to “schedule” your watering. During the winter plants consume less water due to lower levels of light and lower temperatures. During the summer they consume more water due to higher levels of light and warmer temperatures.
You should check the soil frequently (at least twice a week) to determine the need for water. You should water when the top ½ inch of soil has become dry. The water should be warm (tepid) and not straight out of the tap as our tap-water contains chlorine. Fill your watering can and allow it to sit overnight so that the chlorine can evaporate. Be sure not to overwater as soggy soil can smother the roots. You should also never leave excess water in the saucer.
Fertilizer
The easiest way to fertilize your house plants is with a water soluble fertilizer. These are dissolved into the water when you water your plants. We carry a selection of water soluble fertilizers including Schultz, Plant Prod 20-20-20, and Miracle Gro. We also carry an organic fertilizer, Raingro 4-2-3. Be sure to follow the directions on the fertilizer containers as to the mixing ratio. Mixing the fertilizer too strong could harm the plants.
Insects and Other Problems
Be sure to watch for insects and diseases which may attack your plants. When you are checking to see if your plants need water be sure to look for any insects or other diseases that may be harming your plants. If you notice a problem pick a few leaves off, seal them in a bag, and bring them in to our store so that one of our staff can help you properly identify the problem and recommend the best solution.
Cleaning
You can improve the appearance of many indoor plants by periodically cleaning the leaves with a damp cloth. You should avoid any soap or other cleaning products as they may harm the plants leaves.
Pruning
Some plants benefit from light pruning to encourage new leaves. If you need to prune a branch to remove it prune just above a leave joint. Pruning you plants can help to produce a bushier plant. If your plant begins to develop yellow leaves it is generally best to remove them as it is unlikely that they will revert back to being green.
Transplanting
You should not have to re-pot your house plants very frequently. Most house plants can live for several years in the same pot. Only when plants have become root-bound will you need to repot them. You can determine if they are root-bound by removing the plant from the pot and looking at the roots. A plant is root-bound when more than half of the pot is filled with roots.
To re-pot a plant moisten the soil first, remove the pot by turning it on its side or upside down, place into the new larger pot, fill around the root ball with a sterile potting soil, and press the soil firmly into place. After the plant has been transplanted water well and feed with a fertilizer.
TAKING CARE OF TROPICALS
How to Care for Your Indoor Tropical Plants
Light
Tropical plants prefer lots of light but not all types can live in direct sunlight. Most prefer bright indirect light, while some can tolerate lower light. Light from a north or east window is generally fine while light from a south or west facing window should be filtered through sheer type curtains. If you do not have enough light it can be supplemented with a full-spectrum light bulb or “Grow light”.
Temperature
Tropical temperatures range between 18 to 27 C (65 to 80 F) degrees. So your home should be ideal for most tropical plants. However, be sure to keep them away from cold draughts or hot blasts from furnace vents. This can cause them to loose leaves.
Moisture
Mother Nature provides tropical plants with warm humid air which is not common in our homes. We need to mimic these conditions by misting them to provide moisture, watering with warm (tepid) water, and planting them in soil that drains quickly.
The frequency with which you should water your house plants depends on; the size of the plant, the size of the pot, the temperature in your home, and the humidity of the air. This makes it almost impossible to “schedule” your watering. During the winter plants consume less water due to lower levels of light and lower temperatures. During the summer they consume more water due to higher levels of light and warmer temperatures.
You should check the soil frequently (at least twice a week) to determine the need for water. You should water when the top ½ inch of soil has become dry. The water should be warm (tepid) and not straight out of the tap as our tap-water contains chlorine. Fill your watering can and allow it to sit overnight so that the chlorine can evaporate. Be sure not to overwater as soggy soil can smother the roots. You should also never leave excess water in the saucer.
Fertilizer
The easiest way to fertilize your house plants is with a water soluble fertilizer. These are dissolved into the water when you water your plants. We carry a selection of water soluble fertilizers including Schultz, Plant Prod 20-20-20, and Miracle Gro. We also carry an organic fertilizer, Raingro 4-2-3. Be sure to follow the directions on the fertilizer containers as to the mixing ratio. Mixing the fertilizer too strong could harm the plants.
Insects and Other Problems
Be sure to watch for insects and diseases which may attack your plants. When you are checking to see if your plants need water be sure to look for any insects or other diseases that may be harming your plants. If you notice a problem pick a few leaves off, seal them in a bag, and bring them in to our store so that one of our staff can help you properly identify the problem and recommend the best solution.
Cleaning
You can improve the appearance of many indoor plants by periodically cleaning the leaves with a damp cloth. You should avoid any soap or other cleaning products as they may harm the plants leaves.
Pruning
Some plants benefit from light pruning to encourage new leaves. If you need to prune a branch to remove it prune just above a leave joint. Pruning you plants can help to produce a bushier plant. If your plant begins to develop yellow leaves it is generally best to remove them as it is unlikely that they will revert back to being green.
Transplanting
You should not have to re-pot your house plants very frequently. Most house plants can live for several years in the same pot. Only when plants have become root-bound will you need to repot them. You can determine if they are root-bound by removing the plant from the pot and looking at the roots. A plant is root-bound when more than half of the pot is filled with roots.
To re-pot a plant moisten the soil first, remove the pot by turning it on its side or upside down, place into the new larger pot, fill around the root ball with a sterile potting soil, and press the soil firmly into place. After the plant has been transplanted water well and feed with a fertilizer.
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