Houseplants That Make Your Home Feel Like a Tropical Paradise

With island vacations on hold for many of us, we can try for the next best thing: tweak your decor to bring the feeling of a tropical paradise into your home. Bring in the soft colors of sand, sky and water, and add lush greenery to complete the vibe of a relaxed island vacation.

Tropical houseplants are having a moment right now, says Calvin Owen, Jr., owner of Tennessee Tropicals in Springfield, Tennessee. Plants with large leaves, bold foliage, unusual shapes and sensuous textures are collectible commodities to show off in striking Instagram photos. Young adults working from home are especially interested in tropicals these days, Owen says. “People who live in apartments, don’t have a yard to work in – they want to bring the garden inside." And design influencers like the Jungalow's Justina Blakeney, with her tropical vibe, have also shaped this trend.

Tropical Houseplant Stars

The group of plants called aroids — plants that bear tiny flowers within a leaflike bract called a spathe — are trending right now, Owen says. Favored species in that group include anthuriums, large monsteras and a range of curiously shaped and lobed philodendrons.

Variegation is also a sought-after look. “Variegated monstera is the number one tropical plant here. And any of the plants with trailing, hanging foliage,” says Owen.

Calvin Owen's Top Tropicals

Monstera

A favorite with interior designers to use as a houseplant or a cut stem, monstera is sometimes called Swiss cheese plant because of the holes in its broad leaves.

Philodendron

Different species of philodendron hail from Central and South America — specifically, P. gloriosum, with velvety heart-shaped leaves and pale white veins; and P. pastazanum, with large, textured heart-shaped leaves. There is also a variegated version.

Alocacia

Also known as elephant ears, there are several types of upright varieties. Jewel alocacia is typically a smaller variety. “The small ones are collectible right now,” Owen says.

Anthurium

Anthuriums are known for their colorful spathes, but now fancier foliage varieties are in demand. ‘Queen’ anthuriums have long, deep-dark green, heart-shaped leaves with striking white veins; ‘Silver Dragon’ foliage has contrasting shades of light and dark green.

Paradise at Home

If you’re turning your place into a tropical paradise, the plants will stand out against a beachy backdrop. “Look at color palettes that invite that feeling — sand, water, sky,” says interior designer Heather Kellow, chair of ASID-Tennessee’s Nashville chapter and owner of Four Spaces Design Studio in Brentwood, Tennessee.

“Think about the lighting, too. Not only the fixtures, but the warmth or the coolness of the actual lighting itself,” Kellow suggests. “That can bring the feeling of the sun, or provide that tropical warmth.”

Add other elements that invoke a paradise vibe. “It doesn’t have to be literal, or to look like you’re in a Polynesian hotel,” she says. “You don’t need tiki torches!” But small touches — tropical-themed textiles, brightly colored accent pieces, teak or bamboo accessories can add just enough to tie it all together.

Keep Tropical Houseplants Healthy

As decorative as they may be, remember that houseplants are living things that need specific care — although many tropicals are safe even in the hands of beginners. Owen offers these tips for keeping plants healthy:

• Water. The plant’s need for watering depends on the weather, the time of year and the length of days. “It might need to be watered every two weeks, or once a week. Typically, just let the top two of inches of soil get dry, then soak the plant,” Owen suggests. “That will save you from overwatering or underwatering.”
• Humidity. Tropical plants do best when the humidity level is 50 – 60 percent or higher. You may need to rely on humidifiers to create the environment they need.
• Light. Bright indirect light is best. “Plants that would like to be in more sun do not do well unless you have supplemental lighting, or can place them in a south or west-facing window.”
• Pots and potting mix. “I recommend plain terra cotta, unglazed pots, which allow aeration,” Owen says. “And I recommend a fairly chunky potting mix that includes orchid bark, medium to large perlite, and horticultural charcoal.” New plants shouldn’t be disturbed by repotting right away. And when they do need to be repotted, don’t wait until fall. “Typically, I tell people that if you haven’t repotted by September, don’t do it.”

If possible, find a place to let tropical houseplants spend summer outdoors, where they benefit from the heat, humidity and light. Find a shady space out of direct sun. Take them out when nighttime temperatures are at 50 or above; bring them back inside before night temperatures drop into the 40s.