Houseplants - Caring for Tropical Plants

As the winter season claims the land, garden enthusiasts are left disappointed and patiently waiting for the next spring to arrive. However, there is a way to enjoy the hobby of gardening indoors.

Houseplants are a great way to keep that green thumb going while at the same time, adding color and interest to your home. One of the most popular choices for indoor gardening are the Tropical plant varieties. These beautiful plants come in a wide array of choices to choose from. The tropical plant species is very easy to care for as they are drought tolerant and require minimal care.

Several tropical plant species were derived from sandy soil conditions, so it is very important to ensure that your tropical plant has the proper drainage. The best soil for your tropical plant is a Loamy soil. This soil consists of tiny rocks that are in essence, embedded in the soil.

Another important item to consider for your tropical plant is a proper pot or container. It is crucial that the container have at least one to three holes on the bottom for the optimum amount of drainage. If the holes are too big, a lining of wire mesh can be affixed to the containers bottom to ensure less soil leakage. More importantly, it is essential to ensure that the wire mesh chosen is not too small, as it may cause an obstruction, leaving the drainage ability impaired.

The task of watering tropical plants could not be easier. These plants originated in a climate that consists of hot, dry weather with monsoons appearing for a few weeks once a year. Therefore, these plants can go as long as two months without watering during the winter season. The tropical plant, Sansevieria, actually prefers it when the soil becomes dry in between watering.

Tropical plants for the most part require little or no fertilizer. Before adding a fertilizer to the plants soil mixture, it is important to know, which nutrients your particular plant needs. All tropical plants do extremely well with a low nitrogen fertilizer as well as requiring Micro-Nutrients. These nutrients are essential in healthy plant growth, and are typically delivered to the plant in much smaller amounts.

Typically, fertilizer is a combination of Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K). However, the micro nutrients tropical plants need are made up of Manganese, Magnesium, Calcium and Copper. Each element in regular fertilizer serves a particular purpose. The growth of leaf and stem are assisted by the element Nitrogen. For healthy root growth, Phosphorus plays a very important role. Finally, Potassium enables plants to grow beautiful healthy, blooms and fruits.

Many people are unfamiliar with the relative amounts of typical fertilizer. In most cases, fertilizer will consist of 30-10-10. These numbers indicate a mixture made up of three times more nitrogen as phosphorus or potassium. The tropical plant variety, Hibiscus, does relatively well this particular mixture. However, other varieties of flowering tropical plants may require a mixture of 15-30-15. It is important to research which mixture will work best for your particular breed of plant.

It is not a surprise to discover that tropical plants enjoy lots of sunlight; however, it is important to note that too much exposure can create several problems. The smaller species of tropical plants can easily become overheated if placed by a window which offers intense sunlight. A window allows for certain wavelengths to enter, but does not allow others to escape. This can lead to overheated soil which can then cause root damage. This effect is often called the “Greenhouse” effect.

As the temperatures begin to become cooler, there are a few varieties of tropical plants that thrive in this kind of climate. The Spider Plant and the Peace Lily thrive well if left on a porch or a window sill that is prone to becoming chilly in the winter.

Another species of tropical plants that thrive in cold temperatures are the many varieties of the Ficus group. The Wintergreen and the Monique do very well in cooler temperatures. Keep in mind however, that these plants do tend to drop a few leaves during this time so a little clean up may be necessary.

There are also a few species that thrive in low light with plenty of warmth. The variety called Midnight is just one example. This plant has dark green leaves that grow in the upwards position which makes it the perfect addition to dark hallways in your home. Alternatively, the beautiful Bougainvillea requires constant amounts of bright, luminous sunlight.

Tropical plants make a colorful and interesting addition to any home. With so many varieties to choose from, you’re sure to find your perfect fit.

         

Indoor Houseplant Care