Learning To Care For Exotic Indoor Houseplants

By James Thomas


Greenery and living plants can bring any home to life. Depending on the style, they provide a sense of color, style, and in some cases an exotic flair. Exotic indoor houseplants produce amazing results and years of pleasure. When choosing them it is important to understand if they will be placed in direct sunlight, a dark room, or a dry environment.

Sago Palms enjoy extreme popularity. They grow very slowly and develop a thick base. The leaves may seem tough, but they are damaged easily. Water sparingly as these prefer a dryer soil because they grow in desert climates. They are also used to very bright environments, so plenty of light is needed. They will not need to be re-potted for years.

ZZ Plants are seeing an increase in their popularity. Since it is easy to grow, they are the choice of people without a green thumb. They are very forgiving if you forget to water them. They enjoy low light environments, making them great for apartment dwellers. Do not over water or you can easily kill this plant. Err on the side of less water.

For a plant with beautiful leaves, the Zebra plant is a great go-to option. The leaves are emerald and white striped color. The flower produced in the fall is a striking yellow that blooms for several weeks. They do not like direct sunlight but they enjoy a bright setting. Since they are typical in a rain forest, they are used to lots of water and humidity. The planter does need to have drainage holes to keep from over-saturating and causing root rot.

Elephant's ear is always a good addition. The leaf on this one are arrow-shaped and are dark green with silver veins. They thrive on humidity, so be sure to mist them regularly. In the winter the soil should be allowed to dry out between waterings. Too much water will lead to root rot on this plant.

The Crab Cactus is a nice option for low maintenance. This particular plant is a tropical cactus and desires a higher level of humidity than their desert cousins. The fall will bring beautiful multi-colored flowers. After the flowers are done, reduce the amount of water until the spring when new growth will appear. The soil should be moist but not wet.

Ponytail Palms are also called the Elephant Foot. They have a woody bulb shaped foot and are native to the desert. They can be watered every few weeks. It thrives in dry air, so there is no need to add humidity to the air. With little need for additional care, this plant makes an easy and exotic addition to any home.

Adding plants to the home is a great way to help purify the air and liven the place up. Many people fear caring for a plant because they do not know how much to water it. Some exotic plants require quite a bit of knowledge and care, but there are many that are low maintenance and very forgiving to forgetfulness. Desert palms are the best for those that want to try their hand but worry about not getting it just right.




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