Rainforest House Plants
- Ficus is native to the rainforests of South East Asia. In their native habitat, ficus are often shaded by the rainforest canopy. As a result, ficus can survive the low-light levels of many homes. The thick, waxy leaves of ficus can also survive a dry, centrally-heated home, although ficus do better under sunnier, more humid conditions. Water regularly. High humidity levels will result in a faster-growing ficus.
- A carnivorous plant from Malaysia and Indonesia, nepenthes are also known as tropical pitcher plants because of the way they capture prey. Nepenthes grow large, pitcher-like traps at the end of their thick, waxy leaves. Flies and other insects are attracted by the coloration of the traps, and fall into the opening of the trap. Nepenthes do best in sunny, humid environments, although they can tolerate drier conditions. Keep the soil moist and place the nepenthe in a bright window.
- A native of Malaysia, the South Pacific and northern Australia, croton plants are beautifully-colored, broad-leaved bushes that also thrive as house plants. Croton plants do well in a sunny, humid environment, although they can tolerate the drier conditions found inside houses. Place the croton in a sunny windowsill and water a few times a week to maintain moist soil.
- Bromeliads are a species of epiphyte that grows on the sides of rainforest trees, capturing moisture from the air around the tree. Many bromeliads require daily misting to give them the humidity they need, although some, like the Scarlet Star (Guzmania lingulata), are less demanding of high levels of humidity. Place your bromeliad in indirect light to partial shade.
