Have a look at the best South American Indoor Plants that everyone wants to grow, and include one in your home to add an appeal!
The tropical rain forests of South America hold a treasure when it comes to plants that are beautiful, exotic, and can make for great houseplants. Have a look at the most amazing South American Indoor Plants you can grow!
Here are America’s most popular houseplants!
Best South American Indoor Plants
1. Begonia
Botanical Name: Begonia
Native Areas: Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, and Uruguay
Native to South Africa, Asia, Central, and South America, begonia is the most popular plant for shady spots due to its colorful foliage and ornamental flowers.
Here are the most amazing Begonias you can grow
2. Creeping Inch Plant
Botanical Name: Callisia repens
Native Areas: Argentina
This charming houseplant is native to Central and South America. It’s quite easy to maintain and looks great with the tiny green leaves splashed in purple.
3. Bromeliads
Botanical Name: Bromeliaceae
Native Areas: Argentina, Bolivia
Bromeliads are indigenous to North and South America; they are an excellent choice as a houseplant. The majority of species can withstand low-light conditions and do well indoors.
Check out the best bromeliad varieties here
4. Orchid
Botanical Name: Orchidaceae
Native Areas: Columbia
Orchids are the national flower of Columbia. South American countries have the largest number of orchids in the world, having 4000 different species.
Have a look at the most amazing orchid types here
5. Arrowhead Plant
Botanical Name: Syngonium
Native Areas: South America
This easy-to-grow, air-purifying houseplant is native to the regions of South America. It stays green throughout the year and grows well in bright, indirect sunlight. You can grow it in both soil and water.
Check out our article on growing Syngonium indoors here
6. Christmas Cactus
Botanical Name: Schlumbergera bridgesii
Country: South-Eastern Brazil
This beautiful festive cactus belongs to South America and produces flat, small rounded stem segments with small notches on both sides.
Here’s how you can make Christmas Cactus bloom!
7. Red Burst
Botanical Name: Cryptbergia ‘Red Burst’
Native Areas: South America
This intergeneric bromeliad hybrid originated in South America. If you want to add more colors to your plant collection, this plant is a great choice with red/bronze foliage!
8. Echeveria
Botanical Name: Echeveria
Native Areas: South America
When it comes to succulents, no one can miss echeveria. At least twenty of its species are from this region.
Check out the best echeveria varieties here
9. Moon Cactus
Botanical Name: Gymnocalycium mihanovichii
Native Areas: Argentina, Paraguay
The colorful top part of the famous moon cactus comes from South American countries like Argentina and Paraguay.
10. Air Plants
Botanical Name: Tillandsia
Native Areas: Brazil
Many tillandsia species come from the deserts, forests, and mountains of central and south America. The low-maintenance epiphytes grow without any soil, which is unbelievable!
Here are the most beautiful Air Plants you can grow
11. Lacy Tree Philodendron
Botanical Name: Philodendron bipennifolium
Native Areas: Bolivia, Argentina, and Paraguay to the rainforest of South Brazil
If you want to create a statement, this is one of the best tall houseplants you should grow.
Check out our article on the best types of Philodendrons here
12. Peacock Plant
Botanical Name: Calathea makoyana
Native Areas: Brazil
Native to the parts of Eastern Brazil, this beautiful variety showcases deep green to purple foliage with peacock markings. It loves high humidity, bright and indirect sunlight.
Here are the most beautiful Calatheas you can ever grow
13. Caladium
Botanical Name: Caladium
Native Areas: Brazil, Guyana
If caladium is your favorite plant, you should THANK South America because this is where it originated. While it grows best in the shade outdoors, you can also try it indoors.
Check out the best caladium varieties here
14. Purple Oxalis
Botanical Name: Oxalis triangularis
Native Areas: Brazil
Originated in Brazil, oxalis plants can be a colorful addition to your houseplant home. The pinwheel purple leaves and starry blooms look stunning in any decor.
15. Passion Flower
Botanical Name: Passiflora
Native Areas: Southern Brazil through Paraguay
The majority of Passiflora species are native to South America. This warm climate vine can thrive in a balcony and even indoors if you’ve got a sunny window.
16. Staghorn Fern
Botanical Name: Platycerium
Native Areas: Peru, Bolivia,
If you ever wondered where this epiphytic fern came from–The answer is the rainforest of Peru and Bolivia. If you can provide it similar conditions, it’s not difficult to grow.
Here’s everything you need to know about growing Staghorn Fern
17. Fuchsia
Botanical Name: Fuchsia
Native Areas: Tropical and subtropical regions of Central and South America
Fuchsia can be a great houseplant and is available in a range of shades with bell-like blooms. Major species of fuchsia are indigenous to the tropical and subtropical regions of Central and South America.
A Tip: It prefers bright light and rich, well-draining soil.
18. Ripple Peperomia
Botanical Name: Peperomia caperata
Native Areas: Tropical and subtropical regions of Central and South America
Also known as a radiator plant, this compact houseplant features interesting round, thick foliage. It can survive in a range of conditions.
Have a look at the best types of Peperomias here
19. Mistletoe Cactus
Botanical Name: Rhipsalis spp
Native Areas: Northern Regions of South America
This slow-growing cascading cactus has thin, long, intertwined stems. It also looks amazing in hanging baskets. Keep it where it can get partial to full shade.
