Tropical Plants Plants Care Guide
Plants native to tropical regions
Featured Tropical Plants
Adelonema wallisii
Adelonema wallisii is a compact perennial aroid plant native to the humid tropical forests of Venezuela, Colombia, and Panama at altitudes of 300-500 meters. It features elliptic to ovate-oblong leaves measuring 13-20 cm (5-8 inches) long on short stalks, displaying bright green foliage with distinctive marbled yellow patterns. The leathery leaves arch or recurve gracefully, creating a lush appearance as they grow in a tidy rosette from underground stems. Reaching 15-25 cm (6-10 inches) in height with a wide horizontal spread, this species is notable for its resemblance to Aglaonema and Dieffenbachia species, particularly Aglaonema pictum 'Tricolor' and Dieffenbachia 'Reflector', due to its similar leaf variegation. Its slow growth rate and adaptability to indoor conditions make it popular for desktops, terrariums, or shelves. Reclassified from Homalomena wallisii in 2016 after botanical research revealed distinct characteristics.
Aechmea chantinii
Aechmea chantinii is a striking bromeliad with broad, arching leaves arranged in a rosette formation. Its leathery leaves feature distinctive silvery-white horizontal bands contrasting against dark green surfaces, giving it a zebra-like appearance. The plant produces a tall, branched inflorescence with bright red or pink bracts that bear small purple or blue tubular flowers. As an epiphyte, it naturally grows on trees in rainforests but adapts well to container cultivation.
Aglaonema modestum
Aglaonema modestum is a tropical evergreen plant growing 30–90 cm (1–3 ft) tall and 60–120 cm (2–4 ft) wide, featuring lance-shaped leaves measuring 200 mm × 100 mm (8 in × 4 in) on 300 mm (12 in) stalks. It produces occasional white spathe-and-spadix flowers followed by oval-shaped reddish fruits 25–75 mm (1–3 in) long. The plant grows from a central rosette and is valued for its lush foliage, with leaves emerging directly from the soil in a dense clumping pattern. Its ability to thrive in low-light conditions makes it distinct among tropical foliage plants.
Alocasia infernalis
Alocasia infernalis, commonly called 'Black Magic' or 'Black Indo,' is a rare tropical plant prized for its dramatic nearly black foliage with purple veins and a metallic sheen that shows red iridescence in certain light. This compact perennial subshrub features heart-shaped, membranous peltate leaves where petioles attach centrally to the leaf blade. Native to Borneo's rainforests, it typically grows 20-30 cm tall with 15-20 cm wide leaves in cultivation, though can reach 2-4 feet indoors. Its striking dark coloration and glossy texture make it a collector's favorite.
Angraecum sesquipedale
Angraecum sesquipedale is a monopodial epiphytic orchid growing up to 1m (3.3ft) tall with dark green, leathery leaves measuring 20-40cm long. It features thick gray roots that strongly attach to tree bark and can extend several meters along trunks. The plant is renowned for its extremely long nectar spurs (27-43cm) and waxy, star-shaped flowers that transition from green to white with green tones before aging to yellow and brown. Its unique pollination relationship with a long-proboscis moth predicted by Charles Darwin makes it a celebrated example of coevolution.
Anthurium bakeri
A semi-epiphytic tropical plant with long, strappy leaves that grow in a rosette pattern. Features leathery, lance-shaped foliage with prominent midribs and slightly wavy margins. Produces bright red spathes surrounding a yellow or white spadix, characteristic of the Araceae family. Known for its ornamental appeal as a houseplant due to its striking flowers and epiphytic growth habit.
- LightBright, indirect light
- WaterRegular, keep soil moist
- Common IssuesBrown tips, low humidity
Recommended For:
Getting Started with Tropical Plants
Tropical plants bring the lush, vibrant energy of rainforests into your home with their dramatic foliage and sometimes spectacular flowers. Native to warm, humid regions near the equator, these plants have adapted to thrive in the filtered light beneath the rainforest canopy. Many popular houseplants—including monsteras, philodendrons, and calatheas—are tropical species valued for their striking leaf patterns, textures, and impressive size potential.
