Looking to spruce up your indoor space? Why not go for a change of scenery by adding plants to your home? Plants can freshen up your surroundings while also providing a pop of colour. While improving the aesthetics of your space, it also purifies the air and improves the overall environment. They have also been shown to have a calming effect on people and can help reduce stress and anxiety.
Indoor plants may not be susceptible to outside forces being in a protected environment, but that does not mean they don’t need a fair bit of love and TLC. You need to emulate a natural setting for them to thrive indoors, especially with light and temperature. Water them without fail and feed them well so that they can acclimatize to the new surroundings. Once they get used to your space, you just need to maintain them for them to grow as happy plants.
India has an extensive variation in climate conditions and topography, so it is important to choose plants that fare well with the tropical climate.
Top 10 Choices for Tropical Indoor Plants Suited Well with Indian Climate
Dracaena Draco | Dracaena Dara Singh | Monstera | Monstera Obliqua | Philodendron Red Congo | Philodendron Moonshine | Philodendron Heartleaf | ZZ Plant | Bamboo Palm | Snake Plant | Planter Recommendations
1) Dracaena Draco
Dracaena Draco, also known as the dragon plant, is a species of tree native to Africa. It is known for its distinctive, sword-like leaves and its ability to tolerate a wide range of growing conditions.
Dracaena Draco grows slowly and can reach heights of up to six meters, but it would take more than ten to fifteen years to do so. It prefers bright, indirect light and well-draining soil. It should be watered regularly, but the soil should be allowed to dry out between watering.
This plant is relatively low maintenance and is well-suited to growing indoors. It is also known to be effective at removing toxins from the air, making it a popular choice for use in air-purifying plants.
If you do have pets in the household, be aware that this plant is toxic to animals, especially cats. But fret not, you have other choices that could suit your space!
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2) Dracaena Dara Singh
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Also known as the Dracaena Massangeana, this is a sturdy plant that can thrive indoors in the Indian climate. Its variegated leaves are a thing of beauty, arranged in rosettes around a stout tan stem.
It is mostly low maintenance, although a green thumb can be helpful in the initial stages. Watering once a week is usually enough, or whenever the topsoil feels dry to the touch.
It needs bright indirect light, so keep it next to a window that receives at least partial sunlight. Keeping this large beauty next to the window would also add to your aesthetic!
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3) Monstera
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A spectacular addition to your indoor space, the Monstera family is a fast-growing woody vine that can grow tall and wide, up to three meters in height. It is also known as the Swiss Cheese plant, owing to its shiny dark green leaves with natural holes.
It needs bright to medium indirect sunlight to develop the leaf holes. A moderate temperature is fine as it is a tropical plant.
Water the plant when the soil feels dry, and make sure that the planter has proper drain holes. Also, be careful to not overwater the plant (yellow leaves are usually a sign of overwatering).
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4) Monstera Obliqua
The Monstera Obliqua is distinguishable from other Monstera variants due to the fact that it has more holes than actual leaf tissue. It is not a very beginner-friendly plant, but once you get the hang of it, it is a plant that improves the aesthetic of any space. It does not need much water, but it requires good exposure to light (although not direct sunlight). It would not do well in a dark space or a dimly lit room. Warm and humid temperatures help this plant the most. If you don't have a humidifier, placing this plant in your bathroom next to the window would be your best option.
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5) Philodendron Red Congo
This dramatically colored plant is a stunning addition to a contemporary setting. It has large glossy leaves, that initially start out as bright red leaves, before maturing into dark green leaves, along with burgundy stems, making it a tropical beauty.
It is a beginner-friendly plant, needing infrequent watering. Check to see if the top soil is dry before watering. Keep it in a well-draining planter to avoid overwatering.
Since this is a tropical plant, it would do well in higher temperatures, away from cold air-conditioning. It also needs indirect sunlight. Harsh plant lights or direct sunlight can torch the leaves if left exposed for too long. However, keeping it in a shaded spot during humid summers can do wonders for the plant, as the plant thrives in high humidity.
Learn more about the special qualities of Philodendron Red Congo.
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6) Philodendron Moonshine
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A cheerful plant with bright green leaves, this plant is similar to the Philodendron Red Congo as the leaves unfurl from reddish skins, before turning green. They are known to filter out airborne toxins and can be a great addition to your indoor space.
Bright, indirect light will help the plant thrive, but very dim light can end up in smaller leaves. They require higher temperatures and would benefit from a room humidifier during dry winter months.
Similar to the other plants on this list, only water when the top soil feels dry, while kept in a well-draining planter. You can increase watering frequency during summer and spring months, but overwatering can cause root rot.
Find out more about Philodendron Moonshine's unique characteristics.
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7) Philodendron Heartleaf
Interestingly known as the sweetheart plant, this is a popular climbing houseplant with dark green leaves, which initially sprouts out being bronze-coloured.
It thrives well in higher temperatures as it is cold-sensitive. It is slow-growing but lives a long life if cared for properly.
By now you might have noticed that tropical plants only require indirect sunlight and infrequent watering. It's the same for the Philodendron Heartleaf. Keep it away from the windows during cold winter months.
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8) ZZ Plant
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If your thumb is anything but green, then this is the perfect houseplant for you! It requires very little care to look healthy. It needs indirect sunlight, but unlike the other tropical plants, the ZZ plant can grow even with low levels of light. So, if you are looking to spruce up your bathroom interiors with fresh greenery, then the ZZ plant is your best choice.
It does not need much water either, so even if you forget about the plant for a few days it would be fine. Overwatering would harm the plant, so treat it like how you would treat a cactus.
The ZZ plant grows long and graceful in a wand-like shape. It has fleshy, oval-shaped leaves that give off the look of feathery leaves. It is commonly mistaken to be an artificial plant as it is covered in a waxy, shiny coating.
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9) Bamboo Palm
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Another plant that is not too picky about light and water, is the Bamboo Palm. They grow to form tall, slender trunks, resembling a bamboo tree, hence the name.
They can grow well in shaded areas, making them the perfect houseplant. They do like being fed, so use a slow-release fertilizer, especially during the summer and spring months. Again, don't go overboard with it, once every three or so months is more than enough.
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10) Snake Plant
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A plant that looks good indoors and has air-purifying qualities is a plant that you need! This resilient succulent is easy to care for, needing little water and light. Use a well-draining planter as overwatering can be harmful to the plant. Its leaves grow upright, with no branches. It complements most styles of decor and is also ideal for small spaces. And there you have it! If you are looking for the best houseplants to accentuate the decor of your home this new year, have a look at our options right here. You may just find your perfect plant buddy.
Learn more about the special qualities of Snake Plant.
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