Transform your space into an exotic green oasis with these tropical rainforest plants that any beginner can grow indoors!
Looking to add a touch of the rainforest to your home? Check out these tropical plants, perfect for beginners. They offer greenery with an exotic feel and minimal care. These plants can thrive indoors and bring a fresh, natural ambiance to your living space.
Tropical Rainforest Plants a Beginner Can Grow
1. Philodendrons
Botanical Name: Philodendron
Philodendrons are a versatile group of tropical plants with oval, spear, and heart-shaped leaves with many other variations, depending on the type. Varieties such as Philodendron gloriosum belong to a wide range of regions across Central and South America. Another one is Philodendron bipinnatifidum from the rainforests of Brazil, Argentina, and Bolivia.
It is often seen as a climber in native places while growing indoors; place it in a spot with moderate humidity and bright light. They can adapt to various indoor conditions with ease.
2. Christmas Cactus
Botanical Name: Schlumbergera
The Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) is native to Brazil, where it grows as an epiphyte in rainforests. Unlike desert cacti, it loves humid environments and indirect light. The beautiful flowers bloom in winter and bring holiday color indoors.
To care for it, keep the soil slightly moist and place it in a bright spot without direct sun. You can grow a Christmas cactus in water as well.
3. Fishbone Prayer Plant
Botanical Name: Ctenanthe Burle-Marxii
Native to Brazil, the common name is derived because of alternate stripes on pale green, oval leaves.
Grow it in an area with bright, indirect light and keep the soil slightly moist. Being a tropical plant, it enjoys humid conditions (50-60 percent), which makes it a fantastic option for large open terrariums.
TIP: If growing in pots, mist the plant regularly or place it near a humidifier, or put the pot on a tray filled with water and pebbles to maintain the humidity.
4. Mistletoe Cactus
Botanical Name: Rhipsalis Baccifera
Also known as spaghetti cactus, this epiphytic plant is found in tropical and subtropical rainforests in shaded canopies of trees in Central and South America, majorly in the Caribbean and Florida.
This plant features bright green, cylindrical stems that can reach up to 10 feet long in ideal conditions.
It grows well in bright, indirect light, high humidity, and acidic, moist, well-drained soil. Remember that too much direct sunlight can scorch the appearance of this plant.
TIP: This beautiful plant is an excellent option for hanging baskets; a 6 to 8 inches basket will be perfect for a young mistletoe cactus.
5. Velvet Cardboard Anthurium
Botanical Name: Anthurium Clarinervium
Native to southern Mexico, the Anthurium Clarinervium has forest green-hued leaves with a velvety surface and reticulate venation. What makes this fanciest anthurium variety different from other species of this genus is the intricate venation on heart-shaped, deep green leaves.
It grows well in bright, filtered light and enjoys high humidity like other anthuriums.
6. Homalomena Emerald Gem
Botanical Name: Homalomena ‘Emerald Gem’
This rainforest plant is from Southeast Asia and South America, particularly in Malaysia, Borneo, and the Philippines. It displays waxy, heart-shaped, deep green, glossy foliage.
‘Emerald Gem’ can reach up to 12-30 inches in height, so growing it on top of a plant stand or table is a good idea to enjoy its beauty.
It prefers full to partial shade and well-draining, moist but not soggy soil. This plant can handle average household humidity. You can keep it in the living room or bedroom, slightly away from the window, in bright, indirect daylight.
7. Forest Cactus
Botanical Name: Lepismium Bolivianum
This epiphytic cactus belongs to South America, mainly Bolivia, where it grows on tree trunks and branches in humid environments. It produces vine-like, long, thin, branching stems that drop-down beautifully.
Grow this cactus in a well-draining potting mix and water when the topsoil is dry to the touch. Make sure the pot has proper drainage. Also, keep this plant away from intense direct sunlight as it can scorch the foliage.
8. Stromanthe
Botanical Name: Stromanthe Sanguinea ‘Triostar’
Stromanthe Sanguinea ‘Triostar’ is native to Brazil; this tropical plant from the maranta or prayer plant family (Marantaceae) features dramatic, tricolor leaves.
‘Triostar’ is a beautiful variety with thick, variegated green and creamy-white leaves. You can grow it indoors easily in warm and humid conditions; follow the guide for tips here.
9. Arrowhead Plant
Botanical Name: Syngonium
This easy-to-grow houseplant is from wide regions of Latin America, Mexico, and Bolivia but it grows everywhere as popular houseplant due to its easy growing nature, it features arrow-shaped green leaves with soft stems.
You can grow it in both soil and water. The ideal humidity for a Syngonium plant is above 50%, which is available in most homes. They are probably the easiest rainforest indoor plants on this list!
Arrowhead plants not only look beautiful but are also excellent air purifiers and feng shui plants. Read more about their benefits in this post.
