Tropical plants thrive in warm homes. In addition to lush foliage, many tropical flowering plants produce beautiful blooms indoors, some even have a pleasant fragrance. Some are a little more difficult to grow than others when it comes to water and light, but most are easy to care for. If you're just starting your houseplant collection, most of these varieties will provide you with colorful blooms without too much effort.
Here are some of the best tropical flower plants to grow and tips on keeping them healthy so you can enjoy their beautiful blooms for as long as possible.
African Violet
Marty Baldwin
A perennial favorite among tropical flower-loving parents, African Violet (Saintpaulia) produces velvety green leaves on short stalks. Clusters of single, semi-double or double flowers in white, pink, red, violet, purple, blue, lime green, pale yellow or bi-color. The petals of this tropical flowering houseplant can be wavy, rounded or edged.
Size: Up to 12 inches tall
Light: Bright to dim, indirect
Watering: Water when the soil feels dry to the touch. Be careful not to get water dripping on the leaves (this will damage them). Place the pot in a shallow dish with about an inch of water for 30 minutes so the roots can absorb the water from the bottom.
Anthurium
Marty Baldwin
A popular tropical houseplant, anthuriums come in a variety of spectacular, brightly colored blooms. These plants adapt to the low light and variable humidity of most homes and bloom almost continuously.
Size: Up to 20 inches tall
Light: Bright indirect light
Watering: Water when the soil is dry to the touch (Anthuriums do not like constantly wet soil)
Begonia
Marty Baldwin
Begonias are often used as annuals in gardens and outdoor potted plants, but they also make beautiful indoor plants, especially the fibrous and rhizomatous varieties. Many begonias produce clusters of small, colorful flowers and equally attractive foliage.
Size: Up to 18 inches
Light: Bright indirect light
Watering: Water when the soil feels dry to the touch. Be careful not to get water dripping on the leaves (this will damage them). Place the pot in a shallow dish with about an inch of water for 30 minutes so the roots can absorb the water from the bottom.
Bromeliaceae
Denny Schrock
Striking and unusual, Bromeliads are tropical flowering plants that flower only once and then slowly branch out before the main plant dies back. The offshoots can then be replanted as independent plants.
Size: Approx. 3 feet
Light: Medium to bright light
Watering: Pour a small amount of water into the cup-shaped leaves in the center of the plant to keep it moist. Drain and refill weekly to prevent stagnant water.
Kara
Courtesy of Pro Flowers
The graceful blooms of calla lilies (Zantedeschia) aren't really flowers at all; they're spathes (petal-like leaves) that wrap around rows of fragrant yellow flowers. Popular calla lilies for bouquets and floral arrangements include white, pink, yellow, orange and red.
Size: Up to 3 feet tall
Light: Bright indirect light
Watering: Keep the plant moist throughout flowering and dry out when it withers to encourage new growth.
Clivia
Robert Cardillo
This tropical plant produces numerous trumpet-shaped orange flowers set above dark green, leathery leaves. The flowers die back in late spring, followed by beautiful red berries. After you repot your clivia, it may take a few years for it to flower again.
Size: Up to 3 feet tall
Light: Bright indirect light
Watering: Water thoroughly between waterings to keep the soil slightly moist. Allow the plant to dry out slightly before watering again.
Goldfish Plants
Dean Scheppner
If you look closely at the reddish-orange flowers of Corumnea gloriosa, you'll see that they resemble tiny goldfish hiding among the tiny shiny leaves. This plant grows long stems, making it a great addition to a hanging basket.
Size: 18-24 inch
Light: Bright indirect light
Watering: Keep the soil slightly moist during summer and allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings in winter.
Gardenia
Marty Baldwin
Gardenias have large, glossy, dark green leaves and fragrant, creamy white flowers that bloom from spring through fall. However, as a tropical plant, it is difficult to grow indoors because it will not flower if nighttime temperatures exceed 65°F. It also requires high humidity and plenty of sunshine, so it is best grown in a cool greenhouse.
Size: Outdoors it can grow up to 8 feet, but indoors it usually only reaches 3 feet.
Light: Place in direct sunlight for at least half a day.
Watering: Water when the soil is dry to the touch.
Lipstick Plant
Lipstick Plant by Dean Scheppner
The Lipstick Plant's unusual flowers consist of deep purple tubular cups with crimson flower buds, which is where the plant gets its name. These tropical flowers may only bloom occasionally if grown as a tropical houseplant. However, during warmer months, you can bring your Lipstick Plant outdoors and expose it to more sunlight for more blooms.
Size: Up to 20 inches tall
Light: Medium light
Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist
Phalaenopsis
Peter Krumhardt
Phalaenopsis orchids are better known for their striking flowers than their leathery leaves. They're one of the easiest orchids to grow indoors and come in a wide variety of colors. They bloom once or twice a year, usually during the cool winter months.
Size: Up to 1 ft indoors
Light: Low to bright
Watering: Water about once a week, just before it feels completely dry to the touch.
Peace Lily
Blaine Moats
The distinctive peace lily flower has pure white bracts that curve softly as a backdrop to a central column of small, densely packed flowers (spades). Attractive dark green foliage and long-lasting flowers make this a popular tropical plant for indoor use.
Size: Up to 3 feet
Light: Bright to dim, indirect
Watering: Allow the soil to dry between watering.
Indoor plant care and decoration ideas
Once you've chosen your houseplants, whether they're tall and impressive or small and pretty, it helps to know how to care for them so you can enjoy them for a long time. Don't worry if the leaves turn yellow; there's a way to fix it. If your room is dark, a houseplant light can make a big difference in areas with little sunlight. Plant stands elevate your plants off the ground to make them more impactful in a room, while hanging plants accentuate the height of a room or add vertical design to low ceilings. To keep your plants at their healthiest and encourage growth, be sure to water and fertilize thoroughly based on your plant's needs.