27 Tropical Plants That Thrive Indoors

I don’t know about you, but I love a good tropical vacation. Having grown up in Zone 11, creating my own tropical paradise in the backyard was a cinch. Here in Zone 9, however, things are a little more complicated, and our winters aren’t all that cold. But it does freeze here, and many plants only last one season in the ground.

The bad news is that most of the lush and leafy tropical plants we know and love don’t grow in climates that experience freezing weather. The good news is that many warm-climate beauties grow very well inside the home. With the right light and extra humidity, you can grow your vacation paradise right in your living room. 

The most important factor in supporting tropical plants is keeping them warm. Temperatures between 65°-85°F (18-29°C) are good for most of them. Most of them need slightly higher humidity than the average in the home. You can supplement humidity by using a humidifier, a pebble tray, misting in some cases, or by placing your tropicals in a bathroom window. 

Make sure to feed your exotic houseplants. Many of them have specific nutrient needs. Provide them with a high-quality potting mix made for this type of plant, and establish a good watering schedule. Here are some of my favorite, beautiful tropical plants that work well in the home. 

Peace Lily

Peace lilies are beautiful plants with glossy, dramatic foliage. For a plant with such large foliage and flowers, it grows surprisingly well in low-light conditions. Place your peace lily in a space with bright indirect light or filtered sun. That means near a brightly lit window but out of the direct rays. 

Peace lilies produce showy, white flowers. They are not true lilies but are related to anthuriums. The flowers are similar, with a single spathe surrounding a prominent spadix. They are an elegant cultivar that prefers a humidity level of 50% or higher. 

Give your peace lily soil that holds some moisture but drains well. They like soil that is consistently moist but not soggy. A balanced fertilizer quarterly will give this plant all the nutrients it needs to produce beautiful foliage. 

Flamingo Flower

This stunning understory plant is a relative of the peace lily. Its flowers are similar in form, with a single, prominent spathe and spadix combination. The flowers are lipstick red and have a shiny surface. 

The Flamingo flower makes a great beginner plant. It’s easy to care for and can thrive in lower light conditions. It has attractive, heart-shaped leaves that grow atop slender stems, similar to colocasia, another close relative. It’s also a winner of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.

The flamingo flower plant does an excellent job of air purification. Give this plant loose, loamy soil with some coarse sand mixed in to improve drainage. This one needs to dry slightly between waterings to avoid rotting the delicate roots. Fertilize every two to four weeks in spring and summer with a balanced formula. 

ZZ Plant

Another close relative of the peace lily and flamingo flower, the ZZ plant is a great beginner plant. It’s very low-maintenance and tolerates a wide range of care situations. Basically, it’s hard to kill. Like its cousins, the ZZ plant can flower, but it rarely does indoors.

ZZ plant grows well in medium to bright, indirect light conditions. It’s flexible in that way. The small, waxy leaves grow to either side of tall, straight stems, making this a fun and unique texture to add to the home plant collection. It is drought-tolerant and only needs water every two to three weeks. 

The ideal soil type for ZZ is well-draining with a slightly acidic pH. Standard potting mix amended with perlite or coarse sand will work well. Fertilize only once every six months with a balanced fertilizer. This one doesn’t need an overabundance of nutrients to thrive. 

Hawaiian Ti

Hawaiian ti is a wonderful addition to the home if you’re looking to add color and height. It is a treelike tropical with striking, spiky leaves that range from green to yellow and even red or purple. Over time, as the plant grows taller, it takes on a palm tree appearance. 

Hawaiian ti prefers partial sun but does best without too much direct sunlight in the afternoon. Green-leaved varieties can tolerate more sun. Varieties with red and purple leaves will be happiest in indirect light. Plant your Hawaiian ti in a container with good drainage and rich, high-quality potting mix.

Hawaiian ti likes a lot of humidity; a bathroom window is the perfect spot for it. Don’t place it near a draft. Water it when the top inch of the soil is dry, allowing the water to run out of the bottom of the container. Only fertilize once, in the spring, with a slow-release fertilizer. A balanced formula is best. 

Monstera

Monsteras are popular for their towering stature and impressive, fenestrated leaves. They are fast-growing and make a major statement in the home. A wide range of varieties exist, with rarer varieties often running well over $100 for a small specimen. But the more common Monstera deliciosa is more affordable. 

Monsteras are easy to care for. They are thirsty plants that will use up a surprising amount of water, especially as they get large. I’m always shocked at how quickly mine dries out during the growing season. This beauty can put on up to two feet of height per year. 

Give your monstera plenty of indirect or filtered light. It will grow towards the light and needs rotation for even growth. Apply a high-nitrogen fertilizer every two to three weeks. They are heavy feeders. 

African Violet

With their sweet, velvety leaves and year-round blooming ability, it’s no wonder that African violets are so popular. These tropical understory plants are simply delightful. With the right light exposure, your African violets will bloom continuously. They also multiply quickly, so you can share them or add them to every windowsill. Their small size makes them very versatile. 

Most sources will say to keep African violets a foot from a brightly lit window. I find that my violets prefer more sun. They flower best when they get a few hours of direct sun. If you notice leaves turning yellow or pale, your violet may be getting too much sun. 

Plant your African violet in a loose, nutrient-rich soil mixture. Water from below or at the surface of the soil; they don’t like wet leaves. Keep the soil lightly moist and fertilize regularly with a high-phosphorus fertilizer. Fertilizers made specifically for African violets work very well. 

Golden Pothos

Golden pothos is the ultimate tropical beginner plant. Its reputation for being exceptionally easy to care for makes pothos incredibly popular. In its native habitat, you’ll often see this leafy wonder climbing tall trees. In the home, it’s usually kept in hanging pots. The vines can grow up to 20 feet long.

If you like to propagate, golden pothos are fabulous for the task. Simply clip a few stems, strip the leaves off, and immerse a node or two in water. Give your pothos standard potting soil. Good drainage is best, but it tolerates wet soil better than most. 

Golden pothos is versatile when it comes to light. It will grow in low-light situations, although partial sun or bright indirect light will produce the most growth. A bit of high-nitrogen fertilizer during the growing season will give your plant a boost. Pothos make good use of nutrients, so they don’t need fertilizer often. 

Philodendron

Philodendrons are another popular tropical houseplant with attractive foliage and a relatively easygoing nature. I find them a bit more complex than pothos, but in general, they are low-maintenance. Depending on the variety, philodendrons can climb or trail. 

Give your philodendron a well-draining potting mix; they don’t like wet feet. Wait until the top inch of the soil is dry before watering. They like high humidity and make great bathroom or kitchen decor. 

Philodendrons prefer bright light but not direct sun. Their leaves are sensitive to direct light. Dust your leaves to keep these tropical plants healthy and produce enough chlorophyll. Variegated types will need more sun than those with solid green leaves. 

Maranta Prayer Plant

There are a few different plants that are referred to as prayer plants. Maranta is one of these and is so-called because of the habit of its leaves changing position at night. Marantas raise their leaves up in the evening, resembling praying hands. They have highly decorative leaves and are fairly easygoing in terms of their care needs. 

Marantas are moisture lovers. They like well-drained but moist soil and plenty of humidity. Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. I find that they don’t do well with tap water. The chemicals turn the ends of leaves brown, so I water mine with distilled water.

They are heavy feeders, but make sure to dilute your fertilizer so it doesn’t burn the roots. In spring and summer, give a balanced fertilizer every two to three weeks. Marantas like bright light but not a lot of direct sun. 

African Milk Tree

African milk trees like a lot of sun, so I move mine outdoors in the summer. If you have a brightly lit window that gets direct sun, you can keep it in the house year-round. Be careful about where you place this plant; it has sharp spines. You’ll want to keep it out of the path of children and pets. 

Over time, this warm-climate succulent can grow up to nine feet tall. Place it in a spot that gets lots of light, but watch for signs of stress. Too much sun or cold will turn your African milk tree purple. It can be pretty, so some folks do this intentionally. 

African milk tree is succulent, so it prefers very well-drained soil. Water sparingly, allowing the soil to dry between waterings. Apply a balanced cactus fertilizer once per month in spring and summer, but hold back on fertilizer and water very sparingly in winter. 

Phalaenopsis Orchid

There are a few species of orchid that make good houseplants, but none so much as phalaenopsis orchids. Their tolerance for more moderate humidity levels makes them ideal for growing in the home. Most orchids need a lot of humidity. Once you get the hang of these, they are easy to care for. 

Phalaenopsis orchids need bright light, but it’s best to give them indirect or filtered light. Mine are very happy in my bathroom window with privacy glass. This disperses the light and protects the orchid’s sensitive leaves. Direct sun will cause sunburn.

Orchids need very good drainage. They are epiphytes growing on trees in their native environment. Water thoroughly once per week, allowing the water to drain completely. Fertilize weekly to every other week in spring and summer. Plant your orchid in a bark mix rather than soil.

Rubber Tree

Rubber trees are elegant plants that thrive in the home with just a few considerations. Their broad, glossy leaves come in a few different color combinations. Some are variegated, and most have red undertones. They have an attractive shape and can grow up to ten feet tall indoors if they have a large enough container. 

Don’t plant it immediately in a large pot because rubber trees prefer to be pot-bound. Gradually move up in container size as your tree grows. Well-drained soil is best; you can add a bit of perlite to a standard potting mix for a good medium. 

Rubber trees need a significant amount of light. Brighter light will help them grow larger and faster. If you don’t have a brightly lit window, they’ll survive in lower light. Keep the soil moist but not soggy, and wipe dust from the large leaves regularly to maximize photosynthesis. 

Bromeliad

Bromeliads have a fun look and are easy to care for. They resemble the top of a pineapple, except that instead of a pineapple, they produce brightly colored flowers. These rainforest epiphytes need rich soil with excellent drainage. 

High humidity is important for bromeliads. They can grow on other plants without soil, but in a container, they will need a mix of soil and bark. They like fertile soil and frequent watering, but they will not tolerate wet roots. 

Full sun is the right exposure condition for bromeliads in the Guzmania species. They thrive in conditions similar to their natural environment.  

Dumb Canes

Dumb canes are gorgeous tropicals with highly decorative, variegated leaves. Their exposure needs vary by season, needing more light in winter and filtered sun in summer. The leaves are susceptible to sunburn when they are young. 

Fertile, moist, well-drained soil is ideal for dumb canes. They prefer consistently moist soil, but soggy soil can lead to root rot. Water more in summer during active growth and less in winter. 

A lack of humidity will show up as brown edges on your dumb cane’s leaves. Pruning your plant will make it fuller and shrubbier. Fertilize with a balanced formula once every month or two. Less in winter and more in summer.

Dracaena

Dracenas are lovely small trees with attractive, variegated foliage. With the right conditions, they can reach heights of 20 feet tall with woody trunks. Keep this plant in a space that receives partial sun exposure or at least very bright exposure. More light will intensify colors and make variegation more striking. 

Give your dracena well-draining soil, and allow the top to dry to the touch between waterings. Don’t allow the soil to dry completely, though, or you will end up with brown leaf tips.

Dracenas like high humidity; levels above 60% are best. Fertilize once a month using an all-purpose, balanced fertilizer. This small tree takes well to pruning. You can cut the top off and propagate a new plant. The old plant will continue to grow as usual. 

Alocasia

Alocasias are a wide-ranging genus of tropical evergreens. If you plant them outdoors, they will act as perennials in zones 8 and 9, but indoors, they won’t lose their leaves. Their foliage is large and heart-shaped, earning the larger species of the genus the nickname ‘Elephant Ears.’

Their care is also wide-ranging. I’ve found that some alocasias are almost carefree, while others are highly particular about their environment. Retailers know this and price them accordingly. If you pay a lot for a rare one, expect that it will need a lot of attention. Keep this one in bright but indirect sun; direct sun can burn the sensitive leaves.

Alocasias are prone to root rot. For this reason, give this one good drainage and loose soil. They are also heavy feeders but are very sensitive to the buildup of salts in the soil. Fertilize once a month with a diluted liquid fertilizer. Stop fertilizing in the winter. If possible, use rainwater or distilled water on this one. 

Money Tree

Money trees are very popular housewarming gifts, as they symbolize wealth, prosperity, good luck, and positive energy. They are also lovely and easy to care for. As long as they get the right amount of light and water, your money tree can grow into an impressive houseplant. They get there quickly, as well. These trees can grow up to two feet per year. 

Give your money tree a pot that is slightly larger than its root ball, a pot that’s about two inches larger is typically a good rule to follow. The container should have drainage holes, as you should allow the water to run through. Water once every one to two weeks, depending on the size of the tree. Larger trees will take in more. 

Medium to bright light works well for money trees. They can grow well with eight to ten hours of fluorescent light, so you can technically grow this plant in an office setting. It isn’t likely to grow as large, though. 

Maidenhair Fern

I used to have a cat that loved to eat any maidenhair fern she could get to. She would scale any heights to get to them. So, keep that in mind if you have cats. These are tasty little morsels. That said, they are beautiful plants with delicate foliage on slender, jaunty stems. Any slight breeze will set this plant to dancing. 

Maidenhair ferns are slow growers indoors, but they mature much faster outdoors. If you want to give your fern a boost, move it outdoors in the summer. Make sure to get the light right. These ferns like filtered or dappled sun. More than a few hours of direct sun can leave you with dry, brown leaves. 

They also like high humidity and moist soil. Be careful not to overwater, though. It will lead to root rot. Allow the water to run out the bottom of the pot and not pool in a saucer. Fertilize once a month using a balanced formula made for houseplants. 

Creeping Fig

This tiny member of the ficus family makes a lovely hanging houseplant. It has a creeping or trailing habit, and in true ficus fashion, it’s easy to care for. Creeping figs also grow nicely on a moss poll; you can create a small topiary with them. 

As a true tropical, the creeping fig prefers a warm, humid location. Give this one a spot near a window but out of direct sunlight. Filtered light is perfect. Creeping figs like moist soil, so water weekly. Just don’t let the soil get soggy, or you risk fungus and root rot. 

Creeping figs won’t require fertilizer often, but they won’t turn it down either. Fertilize monthly in spring, summer, and fall, then give it a break in winter. Repot every two to three years in a slightly larger container. 

Airplant

If you’re looking for low-maintenance, air plants are wonderful little additions to the collection. I keep one in my shower window and run it under the water once a month. A humid bathroom will support this one with little other care. There are many different types of air plants in different sizes. They can be as small as two inches or as tall as one foot indoors. 

Bright light is best for this little epiphyte. They don’t need a growing substrate, but if you must, bark mix is best. You can wire these to a piece of wood to mimic the way they grow in their natural environment. If you want to see your little plant bloom, mist it with fertilizer once a month. 

Fiddle Leaf Fig

Fiddle-leaf fig trees have become highly popular as houseplants for their striking, large foliage. They are statement-makers, but they can be a bit fussy, mostly when it comes to exposure. These trees need a lot of light, but direct sun will scorch the leaves. Place this tree near your brightest window, out of the direct rays.

Once you get the hang of it, fiddle leaf is easygoing and fast-growing. In their native environment, these trees can grow to 60 feet tall. Indoors, they might get to ten feet if given enough space. Water deeply when the surface of the soil is dry. This tree likes water, but soggy roots will result in root rot. 

Moderate to high humidity will keep your fiddle leaf fig looking healthy with perky, shiny leaves. Wipe the leaves occasionally to remove any dust that could interfere with photosynthesis. A healthy tree will have progressively larger leaves toward the top.

Calathea

Calatheas are in the same family as marantas and are also considered prayer plants. They have the same habit of lifting their leaves at night and lowering them during the day. They have similar decorative leaves and come in a variety of colors and leaf patterns. They bloom, but not as frequently indoors. I have one that blooms yearly and one that never has. 

These tropical beauties like indirect sun, but they like a lot of it. They will survive in medium light, but they won’t live up to their full potential. Calatheas are sensitive to chemicals in tap water. Your specific water will determine their sensitivity. If you see the leaves turning brown at the tips, it’s probably the water. Distilled or rainwater is best.

I fertilize these plants once or twice a month with a formula made for tropical plants. They are sensitive to salts, so use clean water to flush the soil between applications. Some branching calatheas make wonderful hanging plants, as they have a trailing habit. These are lovely tropicals, and I love them for their beautiful leaves. 

String of Hearts

String of hearts is a beautiful, trailing evergreen. Its name comes from the shape of its leaves. Small and dainty, the hearts grow on delicate stems that can either trail or be trained to grow on a moss pole. Usually variegated with white markings, the leaves can also include shades of pink. 

The spot where my string of hearts is happiest in filtered, direct sun. If you don’t have this light situation, opt for bright, indirect sun. In order to bloom, the string of hearts needs a fair amount of sun. It flowers in the summer, but the flowers are not the prettiest. Grow this one for its attractive foliage, not the blooms. 

Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. String of hearts will dry faster in the spring and summer, which is when it grows the most. You’ll want to slow down watering in the winter when the plant is dormant to avoid root rot.  Use a balanced fertilizer every one to two months, skipping a winter application.

Silver Satin Pothos

This pothos is not a real pothos at all, but it behaves similarly. Silver satin pothos is a member of the Scindapsus genus. It is a vining plant with heart-shaped foliage and is known for the gorgeous silvery markings on the leaves. Different varieties have varying amounts of this reflective variegation. 

This is genuinely one of my favorite houseplants. It’s very low maintenance and sturdy. If you forget to water it, it will droop, but it bounces back quickly, even from very dry soil. It prefers moist soil. It likes humidity but will be fine at normal household levels as long as it gets enough moisture in the soil.

A sunny window with very little direct sun is the ideal situation for silver satin pothos. It will trail but is also known to do a bit of climbing. I have one that decided to climb the wall, and it’s really lovely. It will be a challenge to repot, though, so stay tuned! Fertilize once per month with a balanced formula. 

Begonia

Begonias are a varied group of plants with stunning foliage and pretty little flowers in shades of pink, red, and white. Some types prefer full sun, and these grow the best outdoors. Others are happiest in partial sun or indirect sun. Tuberous begonias tend to prefer some shade and do very well indoors. 

Rex begonias are my favorite because of their spectacular whirling leaves in shades of red, purple, green, and white. These plants like moisture but need drainage. Keep the soil moist, but make sure your container drains properly to avoid root rot. 

You may have to move this plant around a bit to discover the right light conditions. A sunny window is ideal for most. Fertilize monthly using a higher phosphorus and lower nitrogen formula. This will make your plant produce more blooms. If you are more concerned with new foliage, a balanced formula is best. 

Hoya

Hoyas are sometimes referred to as wax flower plants. They produce umbels of small, waxy flowers, many of which are fragrant. They are easy to care for and prefer a bit of neglect. These plants are epiphytes, so use a combination of orchid bark and potting soil to give them proper air circulation around the roots. 

Their roots are susceptible to fungus, so air circulation is important. They also prefer high humidity and lots of bright but indirect sun. Hoyas will flower indoors and can flower almost any time of year. They are vining plants and can be trained to climb, as well.

Prune your plant after blooming to keep it looking full and happy. These plants do well with monthly fertilizing with a balanced formula. A liquid-soluble fertilizer works well for these with their coarse potting medium. 

Flame Violet

This South American native is a stunning little plant that thrives in warm, humid climates. It makes a great bathroom window plant and requires similar care to an African violet. The foliage is showy, in shades of green, red, and white, with a slight metallic sheen. It has a covering of fine hairs that gives it a velvety texture. 

Flame violets also flower well indoors. Their flowers bloom in warm shades and are funnel-shaped with a flared end. They bloom consistently when they get the right amount of light, heat, and humidity. They also have a slight trailing habit, so they make wonderful hanging plants. 

Give your flame violet a spot with plenty of sun, but not direct. Well-draining, acidic soil will keep your violet happy. Fertilize your plant every four to six weeks in spring, summer, and fall using a balanced liquid fertilizer. Pause fertilizing in winter and cut back on water at this time, too.