Tropical Tips
Here are some general tips for growing tropicals indoors. Note that these are general tips and it is recommended that you ask qualified greenhouse staff for growing tips for any specific plants you may choose.
Temperature
Generally speaking, houseplants thrive in average room temperatures. Note that many will not tolerate cold drafts, so avoid cooler areas of the home. Many homes are quite dry in winter months, so supplement plants with humidity by misting or placing pots on pebble filled trays filled with water.
Light
Though some species of houseplants will tolerate low light levels (see list) many require brightly lit conditions. Keep in mind the farther from the window the plant is placed the lower the light levels will be. If you do not have a bright area in which to grow plants requiring bright light, you can supplement with artificial lighting. During the winter months, keep all tropicals as close to a window as possible, providing there are no drafts.
Watering
Crucial to houseplant success, determining the specific water needs of your plants is very important. Avoid over and under watering by checking often for water; check by poking your finger into the top 2-3 inches of soil. When the top 2-3”of soil starts to dry out, you should water. With smaller pots that are easily carried to a sink/tub, water until you see moisture start to seep out the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot.
Fertilizing
Though tropicals will slow their growth in the months of October to January, they will require consistent nutrients from February until September. Feed plants once every two weeks with an all purpose fertilizer such as Plant Prod 20-20-20 or Miracle Gro 24-8-16. If you prefer a foliar spray as opposed to a water soluble powder, choose AO Plant Grow.
Pests and Diseases
Insect pests can come from any number of sources but the key thing to keeping pests under control is frequent monitoring. Check on a regular basis for any signs of insect infestation i.e. chewed leaves, powdery or cottony residues on leaves, deformed, twisting growth, clear sticky film on the leaves, or yellow or dull leaves. If you suspect insects or disease, bring your greenhouse expert a sample of the affected plant for analysis.
Top Tropicals
Following are listings of tropicals that are the easiest to grow, as well as tropicals that will tolerate low light or humidity levels.
Easiest Tropicals
- Bromeliads
- Dracaena (Corn Plant/Ti Plant)
- Pothos
- Heart Leaf Philodendron
- Peperomia
- Snake Plant
- Tradescantia
- ZZ Plant
Tropicals for Low Light
- Chinese Evergreen
- Dieffenbachia
- Ferns
- Heart Leaf Philodendron
- Snake Plant
- Spider Plant
- ZZ Plant
Tropicals for Low Water/
Low Humidity
- Aloe
- Cactus
- Jade Plant
- Snake Plant
- Spider Plant
- ZZ Plant