12 Tropical Houseplants to Bring Vacation Vibes to Your Home
Take your pick of large varieties, low-light species and more for indoors.
Never underestimate the power of a houseplant. They have a host of health benefits—for starters, they can improve your home's air quality and give you a major mood boost. And, if you're looking to inject some jungle vibes into your home, consider tropical houseplants.
As the name might suggest, this type of foliage thrives in warm, humid conditions—you know, similar to the shrubs and trees you'd expect to see dotted along the Amazon River. Depending on where you live, tropical plants might be perfect thing to take care of during the dog days of summer.
However, with so many options to explore, choosing the right tropical houseplant is not always easy. To help, we're sharing the very best tropical houseplants for just about every green thumb. Plus, to make picking the perfect plant even easier, we've broken down the basics such as level of difficulty as well as light and watering requirements.
Monstera Deliciosa
For a tropical plant that makes a statement, you can't go wrong with Monstera Deliciosa, which is best known for its Swiss cheese-like leaves.
"The Deliciosa grows well as a houseplant, providing a dramatic focal point in your home due to its large size and interesting leaves," says Alison Futeral, founder and buyer of Crimson Horticultural Rarities in Oakland, California. "The young leaves of the Deliciosa may appear first without splits — these fast-growing climbers will soon grow into fenestrated giants."
All you need is a little bit of light, adequate water and lots of humidity—and your monstera will thrive.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Lighting Preferences: Bright, indirect light
Watering Requirement: Water regularly. Soil should be moist, not soggy.
Average Height: 6 to 10 feet
Climate: Monsteras love warm, humid climates. Rooms that are between 65 and 85°F are ideal, and be sure to pack on the moisture!
Care Tips: Monstera plants love to climb, so support them with a moss pole or trellis.
Aglaonema
If you're looking to bring a pop of color to your collection of leafy greens, Lisa Eldred Steinkopf of the Houseplant Guru waxes poetic about aglaonema. "In years past, it was a plain green plant seen in every mall and office suite," she says. "Though those green ones have their place, they have been hybridized to have colorful leaves in all shades of pink, red, peach, green and more."That said, aglaonema has a lot more to offer than good looks.
As Steinkopf points out, they're low-maintenance, too. "Because it has slightly succulent stems, it is a bit drought-tolerant," she says. "The colorful leaves don’t need full sun to keep their beautiful colors."
Difficulty: Easy
Lighting Preferences: Bright, indirect sunlight
Watering Requirement: Water when soil is completely dry.
Average Height: 2-3 feet
Climate: Grow best in 65 to 75°F. Since they love humidity, you might want to mist them every so often.
Care Tips: These plants do best in well-drained soil and benefit from occasional fertilizer.
Peace Lily
Lush greenery or pretty flowers? Thanks to the Peace Lily, it's possible to get the best of both worlds. This delicate plant is actually a tropical aroid, which means it's actually related to humid-loving plants like monsteras and anthurium.
While it's hard for this precious plant to survive over the cold, dry winter, the pretty white blooms this option produces will be a lovely addition to your home's summertime foliage.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Lighting Preferences: Bright, indirect light
Watering Requirement: Peace lilies enjoy moist soil, but they can survive if you miss a watering session.
Average Height: 2-3 feet
Climate: They live for warm, humid climates! For the ultimate setup, consider placing one in your kitchen or bathroom.
Care Tips: Peace lilies are mildly toxic, so keep them far away from pets and children.
Sansevieria
Prepare for the sansevieria to slither into your horticultural heart. Nicknamed the snake plant, this option has curvy leaves that mimic a wiggle rattlesnake. Sure, snake plants are incredibly popular, but do you know they also work well in tropical climates?
What makes these plants beloved by both established green thumbs and beginners is its versatility. Since it's drought resistant and can tolerate low lighting conditions, it's incredibly easy to care for.
Difficulty: Easy
Lighting Preferences: They prefer bright, indirect sunlight, but can tolerate in low-light conditions.
Watering Requirement: They're drought-tolerant, so you
Average Height: 2-4 feet
Climate: Love a warm, humid climate, but can do well in 50°F, too. (See? We told you they're versatile.)
Care Tips: Over-fertilizing can harm your snake plant, so keep the liquid fertilizer to a minimum.
Bromeliads
Enjoy the magic of Mother Nature with a bromeliad (Bromeliaceae) plant. This can't-miss pick is known for its floppy leaves as well as a stiff, angular flower that blooms in the center. With flowers in a bunch of statement-making colors like pink, orange and red, bromeliads look like they were plucked from a Caribbean jungle.
The catch? While they're easy to care for, they have a shorter lifespan. In fact, bromeliads only bloom once before they die, so you won't want to miss this grand finale.
Difficulty: Easy
Lighting Preferences: Bright, indirect light
Watering Requirement: Water weekly, but make sure you water the center of the plant instead of the soil
Average Height: 2-3 feet tall
Climate: While they can accommodate a range of temperatures, bromeliads love humidity.
Care Tips: Bromeliads are typically non-toxic, which making them great for homes with plants and kids.
Phalaenopsis
Once upon a time, moth orchids (Phalaenopsis) were like the caviar of houseplants: Hard-to-find an incredibly expensive. However, Steinkopf says that the rise of tissue culture has made it possible for these fancy flowers to be grown in a lab.
"They became attainable for anyone and they can be found in any garden center or grocery store," she explains.
Though moth orchids can be a little picky—for example, they require well-draining soil and should never be left in standing water—they're relatively easy to care for. Oh, and did we mention they produce gorgeous results? "These plants can be in flower for a year if well cared for, and have beautiful flowers," she says.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Lighting Preferences: Bright, indirect light
Watering Requirement: Use tepid water once a week.
Average Height: 10 inches to 3 feet
Climate: Prefer climates between 66-86°F and with at least 50 percent humidity.
Care Tips: "Every other year, the plant will need to be repotted with fresh potting mix, removing all the old mix and pruning off any dead roots," Steinkopf says.
Asplenium Nidus
Steinkopf calls ferns her "favorite plant group"—and for good reason. "They seem delicate, and their intricate fronds add softness to the room," she explains. Ferns might be known for their dainty beauty, but they have a reputation of being tough to take care of. The reality? They're just a little thirsty.
"The key is water and never letting them dry out, and not placing them in a dark corner," she says. "If kept consistently moist, ferns aren’t as difficult as everyone makes them out to be."
Ease into the world of ferns with a bird’s nest fern (Asplenium Nidus), which has ribbon-like fronds and are relatively low-maintenance.
Difficulty: Moderate
Lighting Preferences: Bright, indirect light
Watering Requirement: Should be consistently moist, but shouldn't be waterlogged.
Average Height: 1-2 feet
Climate: They love humid rooms that are 60-80°F. Come winter, you might want to use a humidifier for a moisture boost.
Care Tips: Plant in well-draining soil and liquid fertilizer every two to four weeks.
Hoya
Think of hoya plants as a happy medium between a leafy green and flowered option. Technically, this tropical plant is a semi-succulent: Though they have thick, waxy leaves, they need to be watered more frequently than a typical succulent.
"I often recommend them because I find them super interesting and easy to care for," Futeral says. "The blooms are super cool and smell amazing."
Difficulty: Moderate
Lighting Preferences: Bright, indirect light
Watering Requirement: Water every two to four weeks
Average Height: 2-4 feet
Climate: These plants don't do well in cold climates, so place them somewhere warm and humid!
Care Tips: Prune hoya plants after they produce flowers.
Aloe Vera
Similar to a cactus plant, aloe vera admittedly doesn't love humidity as much as the other choices on this list. That said, it loves warm climates and can deal with some humidity. If you're looking to shake up your tropical plant collection, aloe vera is well worth considering. Not only does this option have plump-yet-prickly leaves that stick out, but this plant is also filled with a clear gel that can help soothe burns and other skin irritations.
Difficulty: Easy
Lighting Preferences: Bright light
Watering Requirement: Drought-tolerate! Water your aloe when its leaves feel less plump.
Average Height: Up to 3 feet
Climate: Loves hot, dry conditions, but they can do well in slightly humid conditions.
Care Tips: Can be toxic to plants
Birds of Paradise
Though birds of paradise (Strelitzia Reginae) are relatively easy-going plants, they do require particular conditions like plenty of sun and ample moisture—but not too soggy!
However, once you get the hang of this, birds of paradise are a worthy addition to your plant assortment. The large leaves and multicolored flowers will certainly be an eye-catching option.
Difficulty: Easy
Lighting Preferences: Bright, indirect sunlight
Watering Requirement: Let the top inch of soil dry out between waterings.
Average Height: 3.5-6 feet
Climate: Birds of paradise enjoy warm, humid climates—and can
Care Tips: Toxic to pets, so please keep away from your fuzzy friends.
Anthurium
Give your home a trendy touch with anthuriums. This tropical plant reached cool-girl status with its waxy, heart-shaped flowers. Not only do these blooms come in a bunch of pretty colors, but the flowers are also long-lasting.
Some plant parents say anthuriums can be a little tricky to care for, but if you're looking for a marvelous option that loves moist, humid climates? Well, this one is tough to beat.
Difficulty: Moderate
Lighting Preferences: Bright, indirect
Watering Requirement: Water once a week
Average Height: 2-3 feet
Climate: A fan of warm, humid climates, this plant prefers rooms between 65 and 85°F.
Care Tips: Keep your anthuriums moist by misting them.
Fiddle Leaves
Of course, no conversation about tropical houseplants is complete without mentioning the fiddle leaf (Ficus Lyrata). Decked out with huge, lush leaves, this upright plant can get very tall—allowing your plant collection to defy gravity in the process.
Like most of the other plants listed here, fiddle leaves are relatively low-maintenance, which is what makes them such an excellent houseplant. Simply put it in bright, indirect sunlight, give it plenty of water, mist occasionally, and you'll be able to watch this plant grow before your eyes.
Difficulty: Easy
Lighting Preferences: Bright, indirect sunlight
Watering Requirement: Appreciates consistent watering
Average Height: Can grow up to 50 feet
Climate: They love climates between 65 and 75°F, and can be misted regularly.
Care Tips: These plants do best in well-drained soil
Kelsey Mulvey is a freelance lifestyle journalist, who covers shopping and deals for Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, and ELLE Decor, among others. Her hobbies include themed spinning classes, Netflix, and nachos.
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