Resorting to Tropicals In their native lands, these tropical plants have jobs to do. Here, they're beautiful houseplants. By Susan Morgan, HGTV.com
When it's cold and dreary outside, it's fun to dream of spending a vacation in an exotic locale. If you can't actually make the trip, though, bring the tropics to your home.The plants listed below make beautiful houseplants. In their native settings, indigenous people use them for additional benefits--clothing, shelter, food and medicine. Pineapple
(Ananas comosus)
A popular citrus fruit native to South America, pineapple (figure A) is sure to be a conversation starter when grown as a houseplant. This bromeliad has silvery-green, spiky foliage and a striking rosy-pink to red flower. From this flower comes the fruit that has come to symbolize hospitality and welcome. High in vitamin C, the fruit contains an enzyme called bromelain that's used as an anti-inflammatory and as a meat tenderizer. The leaves contain strong fibers used in making textiles and fishing nets.Pineapple requires bright light and a moist soil. You can start your own plant from a fresh pineapple purchased at the grocery store. To propagate your own, cut off the leafy top of the pineapple fruit, leaving enough of the fruit to hold the leaves together at the base. Allow this wound to cure for about a week or two. Plant the base of the leafy section approximately one inch deep in a soil mix designed for cacti and succulents. Water well and provide plant with additional humidity. It may take several years for a plant to produce fruit, and even then, it likely won't taste as sweet as ones purchased at the store. For a variegated selection, use A. comosus 'Variegatus'. USDA Zones 10 to 11. Begonia
This popular genus offers a wide array of flower and foliage colors. The leaf petioles of one species, Begonia glabra, are used by indigenous peoples of South America, including Ecuador and French Guyana, to treat stomach aches. Crushed leaves have been used to soothe the gums of teething babies. Rex (figure B), angel wing and tuberous begonias all make excellent houseplants and, if properly maintained, will bloom almost all year long.In general, begonias prefer moderate to bright light and adequate moisture (be careful not to overwater). Keep plants away from drafts. Try Rex begonias such as 'Escargot' or 'Raspberry Crush' for foliage interest and angel-wing begonias such as 'Looking Glass' for both foliage and flowers. Read more about begonias. Zones 10 to 12, depending on cultivar. Caladium
(Caladium bicolor)
According to Francisca Coelho, director of glasshouses at New York Botanical Garden, caladium (figure C) is used in making love potions and amulets, and it's also used to treat fevers. Although this tropical rhizomatous plant is excellent for outdoor shade gardens, it also makes a great houseplant. The heart-shaped leaves come in a variety of colors including white, pink, red, green and a mixture of all of the above. Caladiums are great to enliven and brighten up the interior of your home with its vibrant colors. Parts of this plant are poisonous, so keep away from nibblers. To force rhizomes indoors, place on bottom heat (caladium needs temperatures of about 75 degrees F to break dormancy) and provide with adequate moisture and bright, indirect light (for maximum color). Choice selections, including 'Aaron', are available. USDA Zones 10 to 11.
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