19 South American Indoor Plants That Everyone Wants to Grow

Sherin Woods is a California-based DIY enthusiast and garden design aficionado. With a background in Environmental Science, she combines creativity and sustainability in all her projects. A Pinterest favorite, Sherin is committed to eco-friendly solutions and has contributed to various home and garden publications. Her areas of expertise include DIY project planning, sustainable garden design, and content creation.
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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

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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

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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.

Have a look at the best Types of Black Roses here

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