20 Types of Tropical Flowers Perfect for the Home

What types of tropical flowers are the best for a person’s home? This depends entirely on whether or not the person has a green thumb. Tropical plants that are typically grown in tropical regions usually do quite well inside the warmth of a person’s home. When well maintained, the lush leaves, and the gorgeous blooms while indoors add not just beauty to the home, but also have a few health benefits such as better oxygen flow in the air. Normally, tropical plants are easy enough to care for, but this also depends on how adept a person is with houseplants. Some have a knack to grow and care for the fussiest plants known to man while others are probably better off with plants made from plastic. As for the homes that prefer to have real plants instead of fakes, there are twenty types of tropical flowers that come to mind that could serve as the perfect addition to your home.

1. Anthurium Andraenum

Also known as Flamingo Flowers and Laceleaf Plants, the Anthurium is regarded for its beautiful bright flowers when they blossom out to richly reward its caregiver when it’s well looked after. These are not the easiest tropical flower plants to grow as they will need to be planted in loose, rich potting soil and the roots are not too moist. As a preference, this plant needs some sun, but not all day long. The flowers, when they bloom, are red with a yellow spadix. The Candide Gardening instructional video for the Anthurium tropical plant serves a clear picture of how to best care for it. Normally, this flowering plant grows as tall as about twenty inches and prefers to be watered only when the soil has just become dry.

2. Birds of Paradise (Strelitzia Reginae)

The large, beautifully distinctive flowers earned their name, Birds of Paradise, due to the resemblance it has with a beard’s head and beak. As an indoor plant, it is remarkably easy to grow. This is a vigorous tropical flower that should be fertilized each week and kept pot-bound. These beauties can grow as tall as six feet, but it needs at least three years of growth before the flowers begin to pop out. Normally, it won’t take longer than five years, assuming it’s kept in as much sun as possible and the soil is kept moist. Please don’t overwater it, though. When the flowers do bloom, expect to see the beautiful mix of blue, orange, and a hint of white.

3. African Violet (Saintpaulia)

This is consistently a classic favorite among plant enthusiasts that produces a single rosette of velvet-textured green leaves on short stalks. There are a number of flower color varieties African Violets are known to come in such as blue, lime green, pale yellow, pink, purple, red, violet, and white. They’ve also been known to come as a bicolor. The petals also vary from plant to plant between fringed, rounded and ruffled. The tallest these tropical flower plants grow is usually twelve inches and can be grown in lower light environments, but really do much better when in brighter rooms. However, not in the direct path of the light. Indirect works better. When watering the plant, be careful not to have any moisture come into contact with the leaves. This will damage them. These potted plants do best when the pot sits on a shallow dish that has approximately an inch of water for a good thirty minutes. This way, the roots can soak up the water from the bottom.

4. Begonia

There are a few different varieties of Begonia tropical flowering plants, namely the fibrous and rhizomatous varieties. These are the best for indoor growing. The attractive bright flowers are easy enough to obtain as this is an easy-to-grow plant. The more light they can receive in the way the better and typically grow as tall as eighteen inches as houseplants. Be careful to never overwater the Begonia as this is a vulnerable plant that prefers a drier environment. When the time comes to water, which is when the leaves begin to slightly droop, worry about just adding enough to moisturize the soil. Do not spritz water on the leaves as this will make the Begonia more prone to disease.

5. Bromeliads (Bromeliaceae)

As a tropical flowering plant, the Bromeliad is likely the easiest to grow and doesn’t really need that much sun. They easily adapt to growing in pots that have fast-draining potting soil, mixed with peat and sand, and have a higher tolerance level for neglect than most tropical plants. The color variety these come in is vast, as well as its textures. These can also be grown mounted to boards, logs, and even hung from the wall. When outdoors, the Bromeliads can grow as tall as eight feet. When indoors, it reaches as high as three feet. When it comes to watering this flowering plant, the best bet is to pour a tiny bit of water into the cup-shaped leaves at the center of the plant so that it maintains a healthy moisture level. Be sure to empty the water weekly, then refill it, so that it doesn’t become stagnant.

6. Orchids (Orchidaceae)

Of all the plant groups in existence, the orchids are the most varied. They’re grown in the desert, the woodlands, and the tropics. The most beloved of the bunch are the ones from the tropics and subtropics. The flowering orchid is the ultimate tropical plant, which requires bright, yet indirect sunlight, preferably in a warm and humid environment. The color varieties of the easy to care for orchids vary between orange, pink, purple, red, white, and yellow. Sometimes, they can also be variegated. Watering the orchid once a week without overwatering should keep the flowering tropical plant healthy and vibrant.

7. Calla (Zantedeschia)

The petal-like leafy flower from the Calla tropical flowering plant curls around a column of fragrant yellow true flowers. These make popular choices as bouquets and flower arrangements, which come in flowering colors of orange, pink, red, white, and yellow. Growing as tall as three feet, this plant will do well in bright, indirect light. When the flower is in bloom, keep it moist. When it begins to die, let it dry out so that it will allow new growth to replace the old.

8. Amaryllis (Hippeastrum)

One of the highlights of the Amaryllis is the reusability feature where the old dying flyers can grow back as stunning flowers. For as long as this tropical houseplant is kept in a reasonable amount of bright light and has the dirt kept moist during the timing of warmer weather

9. Clivia

When the large clusters of orange flowers fade in the late spring, they are replaced with ornamental red berries. When the flowers bloom again, it once again contrasts beautifully against the dark green leaves with their trumpet-like shape. Make a point not to re-pot the Clivia often as it will take years for the flowers to bloom afterward. These plants grow as tall as three feet and are at their best when kept in bright, indirect light. Make sure the soil is well-watered, but at the same time allow the plant to dry slightly before watering it again.

10. Columnea

There are over 150 different species of the Columnea tropical flowering plant. They can grow to a maximum height between eighteen to twenty-four inches for as long as they are kept in bright, indirect sunlight. The texture of these plants can range from smooth to hairy, as well as thin or thick and waxy. They are also referred to as the Goldfish Plant because of how the flowers are shaped, as well as the color variants between orange, red, and yellow.

11. Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus)

They’re known to grow as tall as twenty inches and require a medium amount of light. For as long as the soil is kept evenly moist, the Lipstick Plant will do well. The dark purple cups are tubular shaped and feature a scarlet flower bud at the end of the plant’s branches. When it blooms, it does so sporadically when used in the home as a tropical flower. The accent features dark green leaves. During warmer weather, this tropical flowering plant can sit outdoors and grow on the patio where it can soak up some extra sun.

12. Powder Puff (Calliandra Haematocephala )

Bright and fuzzy flowers are made up of stamens that grow about three inches in diameter. These long-lasting flowers will cover the tree throughout most of the year and it makes a beautiful tropical flowering plant for the home. With plenty of sunlight, warmth, and humidity, this plant can thrive well while inside. The best room in the house would be the sunroom or a greenhouse. If you want this plant to grow nice and tall, repot each spring one size larger. If you’d rather keep it smaller, keep it in the same pot and just top-dress each year. This evergreen perennial has its dark green two-inch leaves that fold up at night and then open up during the day. If one is into bonsai-style plants, this works.

13. Plumeria Rubra

The branches are thick and woody and have pointy leaves that grow up to one foot. The big clusters of fragrant flowers grow on the branch tips from early summer through fall like bouquets. Each of the frangipani flowers has five overlapping petals and the waxy blooms measure two inches wide. The colors vary between different shades of pink, red, white, and yellow. Sometimes, they’re combined. As far as tropical flowering plants go, the Plumeria )https://www.guide-to-houseplants.com/plumeria-care.html) are among the most fragrant.

14. Croton Plant (Codiaeum Variegatum Pictum)

These stiff, leathery-leafed Croton plants have bold colors of green, orange, pink, red, and yellow that make them one of the most beautiful and popular houseplants. Another well-known name for this tropical flowering plant is Joseph’s Coat. It loves to sit in a bright room, soaking up as much sun as possible. The room, however, must be warm and draft-free. The air needs to be humid and the soil moist. When the air and soil are too dry, the leaves will fall off. Keep the Croton happy and the flowery array of brilliant colors will hold its place as the most colorful accent in your home.

15. Rose Grape (Medinilla Magnifica)

One of the most elegant tropical flowering plants is the Rose Grape, which loves the warmth, light, and humidity. As long as this plant has these things, it will provide a remarkable display of clustered rosy pink flowers in the spring and summer. The glossy leaves perfectly cover up the stems and grow up to one foot long, and feature wavy edges that look like veins.

16. Tropical Cactus (Epiphyllum)

Is it an orchid or a cactus? Either way, it’s a beautiful tropical houseplant that has a relation to the winter-blooming Christmas cactus. The succulent trail of stems blooms the gorgeous cup-shaped flowers in the spring. This plant looks spectacular from a hanging basket as this allows the long stems to cascade itself over the pot. The stems are broad and flat with serrated edges and grow two feet long at two inches wide.

17. Walking Iris (Neomarica)

The Walking Iris is a rare tropical flowering houseplant that blooms faithfully from the late winter to early spring from the climbing fan of long, strappy leaves. The elegance of this plant is astounding, even when the flowers haven’t bloomed. When they do, the mix of blue and white that appear each year is truly magnificent. To add to it’s beauty, the fragrance in its wake is heavenly. When the flowers do bloom, there are three large petals that are held horizontally while three smaller petals that contrast in color come out curled. Sadly, the flowers are short-lived when they bloom, but the succession of the blooms when kept in optimal shape makes this one of the best tropical flower plants for the home.

18. Ginger Flowers (Zingiberaceae)

Flamboyancy at its best, this tropical flowering plant adds a Polynesian look to the home and grows well in containers. As long as they have lots of bright light and are properly watered without overdoing it, they will provide the brilliance of their blooms for several months, no problem.

19. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

The pure white bract forms a soft curve backdrop for the central column that holds a bunch of tiny, closely set flowers that are known among plant enthusiasts as a spadix. It’s one of the most favored indoor tropical flower plants due to the deep green foliage and distinctly beautiful, long-lasting blooms. These plants grow as tall as three feet and are at their best when kept in bright, indirect light. Between waterings, allow the soil to dry out first as this is one tropical houseplant that hates to be soggy.

20. Gardenia

Creamy white flowers with large glossy, dark green leaves are what makes Gardenia when in bloom from spring through fall, a beautiful, fragrant plant. It’s perfect for the home for as long as the plant’s humidity level remains high. It also requires lots of sunlight and fares best inside a cool greenhouse and should be watered only when the soil is dry to the touch. While indoors, the Gardenia can grow anywhere from three feet to as high as eight feet.