Do you need a vacation? Make your home a tropical escape with beautiful plants! Lush and colorful tropical plants are an easy way to help you relax and recharge after a long day. Take some time for yourself and destress at home with your new island oasis. Unsure of where to start? Here are 7 fantastic plants to help bring the tropics home.
1: TROPICAL HIBISCUS
Tropical Hibiscus is an ideal selection for your oasis. These amazing blooms have bright and bold color that will easily transform your garden and home into a tropical haven. Native to Asia, Tropical Hibiscus produce flowers constantly. This plant is fast growing and long lasting.
Available in shades of orange, red, yellow, and pink, you can create a vibrant display that is reminiscent of a vacation in the tropics. Tropical Hibiscus enjoys full sunlight with partial shade throughout the day. If your plant is not producing buds and flowers regularly, try moving it to an area with a little more sunlight. Tropical Hibiscus likes moisture and thrives best with at least 1 to 2 inches of water per day. Depending on the heat outside, your plant may even need to be watered twice a day. Make sure to use a well-draining soil like Calloway’s Premium Container Potting Soil to avoid root rot and plant in a container with a drain hole.
2: CALADIUMS
Caladiums are lovely heart-shaped leaves that provide mounds of colorful beauty to flowerbeds and containers. They can be easily grown as a bulb, but also make for great transplants.
At Calloway’s and Cornelius, we have a vast selection of Heart to Heart™ Caladiums by Proven Winners®! These lush tropical plants can truly add that “vacation vibe” to your patios, flowerbeds, and even inside your home!
Caladiums originated from South America. They thrive in warm weather and love filtered sunlight and shade. Caladiums need a well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter like Calloway’s Organic Container Potting Soil. To keep your plants happy and healthy, water regularly and keep the soil slightly moist. You can also retain soil moisture and conserve water by applying a layer of Calloway’s Premium Organic Mulch.
3: MANDEVILLA
Mandevilla, also known as Dipladenia, is a vining tropical plant. It has become a common accent to many patios and porches. It is popular because of the brightly colored flowers that add an instant tropical flair. Full of lush blooms and gorgeous foliage, Mandevilla can grow to be about 10 feet tall in maturity. This is a climbing vine, and it needs extra support to help train it to grow upwards. Try using a trellis or plant near a fence or landscape structure with Calloway’s Premium Flowerbed Garden Soil.
Available in red and white blooms, Mandevilla vines need full sunlight to thrive. Proper sun exposure is essential to helping your plant flower well. However, it can tolerate partial shade. Water regularly and keep the soil evenly moist. Mandevilla are highly tolerant of urban pollution and can thrive in inner city environments.
4: NEANTHE BELLA PALM
A tropical palm is a must for your island oasis. Try the Neanthe Bella Palm! This adorable plant provides a dynamic texture to your home. Also known as a Parlor Palm, this plant is ideal for the indoors and it is easy to care for. Neanthe Bella Palms can also thrive on covered patios and are a great addition to your tabletops.
Neanthe Bella Palms can tolerate low light and dry conditions, making it a very low maintenance option for your home. Avoid direct sunlight as it may burn the plant’s delicate leaves. While it can be drought tolerant, watering is important. Water when the top 1-2 inches of the soil is dry and be careful not to overwater. These palms enjoy humidity and will thrive in those conditions. If the air is too dry, try misting your plant a few times a week to prevent the leaves from drying out.
5: BROMELIAD
Bromeliads are a unique and colorful tropical plant. They are an epiphyte which means they naturally grow on trees for support. They are not parasitic, but the roots use structures like branches to cling to while they gather sun and moisture. Bromeliads thrive indoors, but they can make a beautiful addition to your patios.
Bromeliad leaves are wide and shaped like a sword. They grow around the central “cup”. The cup of the plant is what catches water in its natural habitat, and it is the ideal location for watering your Bromeliads at home. Fill the cup at the base of the plant with water on a weekly basis and remove any stagnant water.
These vibrant plants need medium to bright indirect light to thrive. Originating from the rainforest, Bromeliads love humidity. Try placing the container in a saucer with gravel and water to create a moist atmosphere. Be careful and make sure the roots are not submerged in the water as this might invite rot.
6: BOUGAINVILLEA
Bougainvillea is a bright vine with bursts of pretty blooms. In fact, it offers gorgeous green foliage year-round! They are summer bloomers with pink, orange, and purple hues. These blooms are actually bracts and surround the small, white flowers that develop this time of year.
This tropical plant is extremely drought-resistant and thrives in a well-draining soil like Calloway’s Premium Flowerbed Garden Soil. Place in a sunny location for optimal growing conditions. Water when the soil is dry, or the plant starts to wilt.
6: ELEPHANT EARS
Add drama and dimension to your patio or landscape with Elephant Ears. This bold tropical plant is preferred for its large foliage that are reminiscent of Elephant Ears. These plants can be used as the focal point in your garden or even along walkways or patio enclosures.
Elephant Ears thrive in shade to partial shade and once established, they require little attention. Water regularly during dry spells outdoors and when grown in containers. Elephant Ears are cousins to Caladiums. The main differences are the size of their leaves and the colorful designs. Elephant Ears are big and bold with vibrant green foliage.
TROPICAL PLANT CARE TIPS
Feed your plants as directed with Calloway’s Premium Tropical Plant Food and enjoy more beautiful foliage and blooms! Our 15-5-10 special formula contains a controlled release nitrogen, Fx Iron®, calcium, and other key components to help your tropical plants have healthier growth.
SHOP WITH EASE
At Calloway’s and Cornelius, we have everything you need to create your tropical oasis! Shop our neighborhood stores or shop online for Curbside Pickup or Delivery!
Stop by today and explore our entire selection of premium tropical plants, soils, and more! Have questions? Ask our Texas Certified Nursery Professionals; they are here to help!
