Happy Urban Dirt

There are times when our attention is drawn to “special” plants, ones that make us think of them as exotic. They can be kept indoors because their natural environment may more closely resemble the conditions we provide for them. We are talking about potted tropical plants.

Have you ever thought about having one? Not sure which one would be best if you are a beginner or have some conditions or other? Don’t worry, we have made a list of ones that can be at home and require a few special features.

Monstera

In this case you have several options: adansonii, obliqua, deliciosa… They are all very similar in terms of care and also prices. The only one that would get away with this is Monstera obliqua, which, because it is very uncommon, has a fairly high price (the original, sometimes you can find adansonii in stores that sell it as obliqua).

When it comes to care, mainly it will need a lot of indirect featherlight, Water frequently, especially to keep the soil humid and maintain a constant temperature between 18 and 27ºC, it can tolerate even more but this will leisurely its growth.

Areca

Another tropical houseplant that you can have that will add a touch of exoticism to your home is the areca tree, also known as the bamboo palm. It has an oxygenating effect because it absorbs toxins in the environment, making the air cleaner.

When it comes to its care, it is essential to know that it likes partial shade and needs a very loose substrate so as not to compact. It is necessary to water it every two or three days in spring and summer, and every two weeks in winter.

weeping fig tree

Ficus is a plant that has been with us for many years. And you may no longer consider it exotic. But the truth is that there are species that are not yet well known, such as the so-called weeping fig or the braided fig.

This plant is actually a diminutive tree with a twisted trunk. It has greenish leaves that droop downwards and therefore resembles a weeping willow.

It likes a toasty climate and requires weekly watering (several times in summer and only once in winter).

Alocasia Polly

Alocasias are often considered to be complicated plants to care for. But the truth is that this is not the case, quite the opposite. All you need is to understand your plant perfectly so that you can treat it the way it deserves. and thus it gives you those unusual leaves which it has and which are the most striking of them.

Of the many that are, we have chosen Alocasia polly, a bulbous plant whose most characteristic will be its obscure green leaves with lime-green veining that runs through the entire leaf. In fact, They look like plastic, but if you touch them you will be surprised.

If they are lucky, they can grow to be up to a metre high and two metres wide.

And your care? Well, for starters, they need little featherlight. You need to know that the soil is always humid and that there is high humidity (60% and more).

Bird of paradise

You definitely know this plant. And you may have thought that you can only have it outside, but the truth is that It is one of the tropical houseplants that adapts perfectly to interiors.

What do you need to do? Well, to start with, place it in a spot where it gets a lot of featherlight (a few hours of direct featherlight, the rest indirect featherlight). Avoid drafts, especially chilly onesbecause it does not tolerate them well. In fact, its ideal temperature is between 12 and 25ºC.

Finally, hydration. It is not a plant that requires a lot of water, but if you keep the soil humid (if it is loose and well-nourished), the plant will thank you with a greater chance of flowering, and this is precisely why it is worth looking, because its flowers are the most pretty of all.

Persian shield

Have you ever heard of this? This is Strobilanthes dyerianus, the purple plant. This plant comes from the jungle of Myanmar and needs high humidity and warmth, and the soil must always be humid.

The most pretty feature of this plant is undoubtedly its leaves, which as they grow, take on various shades, up to purple. If we add to this that they are quite gigantic, about 20 centimetersand which produces a lot, you will have a plant that attracts attention in itself. And also, if you are lucky, it will flower, and the flower will have bluish tones.

Aglaonema

Aglaonema plants come from China and are considered evergreen trees. They are characterized by the fact that they need little featherlight, but plenty of watering and a constant temperature of 20 degrees.

But The best feature of these tropical houseplants is their foliage, as they have plastic-like leaves that are harder than normal ones, and in different colors, even in mixtures or combinations that make one stand out from the other. In fact, these leaves can measure over 30 centimeters long (and 10 wide).

bat flower

Also known as the devil’s flower, Tacca chantriedri is not your typical houseplant. There is no doubt that this is one of the most original tropical plants you can have at home.

This name comes from the shape of the flower resembling a bat. And if you find it and like it (because the plant produces black flowers), know that it needs a lot of moisture and watering. You will need to place it in a toasty place with a little featherlight.

Of course there is a problem, namely: it may emit such an unpleasant odor that it attracts insects. Be careful if you have a more developed sense of smell.

embarrassing mimosa

To end, We would also like to recommend this exotic plant to you. It has the special feature that when you touch the leaves, they close, which protects them from damage (although we do not recommend this because the plant gets stressed easily and it can end up with disease).

Mimosa is a plant that needs little watering, but plenty of moisture and diffused featherlight. When the plant is sold as a diminutive plant, many people place it inside domes to control the humidity and thus give the room the appearance of a natural environment.

As you see, There are many tropical plants that you can have at home. Maybe you already have some. Do you recommend any others?