The flora of the tropics is very special: it lives in places where humidity is always high, and where temperatures are generally mild, warmer the closer we get to the equator. Many of the plants that live in shade in the forests and rainforests of the world are grown indoors, although it is not always easy considering their demands.
And it is that inside a house the humidity is usually low, and also, in winter the temperature is not high enough for them to grow. Still, there is a wide variety of species that, with a little care, adapt well. But, What are tropical shade plants?
Asplenium nidus (Bird's nest fern)
Image - Wikimedia / Marija Gajić
El Asplenium nidus It is a fern native to the rainforests of Australia, where it grows mainly in Queensland and New South Wales. It has bright green fronds (leaves), with a very marked midrib, black or dark brown. It measures about 60 centimeters high by 70 centimeters wide.
It grows in the shade of trees and palm trees, making it a very interesting tropical plant to grow indoors or in patio areas where the sun does not reach directly. Does not like the coldHowever, if it is in a very sheltered area, it can withstand weak and short-term frosts of up to -1,5ºC.
Balantium antarcticum (dicksonia antarctica)
Image - Wikimedia / pere prlpz
La dicksonia antarctica is a tree fern native to Australia that reaches a height of 15 meters maximum. It has a thick rhizomatous stem, about 30 centimeters in diameter, and green fronds (leaves) that are up to 3 meters long.
It can be confused with the Cyathea Australis, but it differs from this one by having a thicker and shorter stem. What's more, it resists the cold somewhat better, down to -3ºC; On the other hand, if the temperatures exceed 30ºC, it is bad.
Calathea
Image - Wikimedia / PINKE
All the Calatheas They are native herbs especially from Brazil and Peru, which have colored leaves, very decorative. They reach a height of up to 50 centimeters by about the same width. They grow fast and are ideal for coloring a garden or interior of the home, such as a conservatory. Of course, they cannot stand the cold.
To always have them outside it is important that the climate is warm, with temperatures between 18 and 30ºC; otherwise they will not prosper.
Chamaedorea elegans (Living room palm)
Image - Wikimedia / David J. Stang
La Chamaedorea elegans it is a single slender trunk palm native to Mexico and Guatemala. It reaches a height of 2 meters, and has pinnate leaves up to 1 meter in length.. It is sold in pots with many specimens together to make them look more beautiful, although in the end there are several seedlings that die due to the competition that is created between them, both for space and for nutrients.
Needs shade and moderate watering. It is one of the few species of palm trees that can be grown in pots throughout its life, so it is interesting to have it at home. Of course, it is also possible to plant it in the garden as long as the lowest temperature is not below -2ºC.
Cyathea Australis (Rough tree fern)
Image - Wikimedia / Sardaka
La Cyathea Australis is a tree fern native to tropical Australia. It develops a thin stem, about 20 centimeters thick, from which fronds (leaves) up to 6 meters long sprout. The plant reaches 12 meters in height, although specimens that have reached 20 meters have been found.
It has a slow growth rate, but unlike the Balantium antarcticum (dicksonia antarctica) better tolerates the heat felt during the Spanish summer, when temperatures rise above 30ºC. As for frost, it supports up to -2ºC without being damaged.
Dieffenbachia
Image - Wikimedia / David J. Stang
All the diefenbachias They are plants that we find in Central and South America. There are about four varieties, which can reach between 3 and 20 meters in height, although the normal thing is that they do not exceed 4 meters. They have erect and very thin stems, from which sprout leaves that can be egg-shaped or spear-shaped.
They are very toxicThat is why we do not recommend growing them if there are small children and / or pets. The lowest temperature they support is 5ºC.
Fatsia japonica (aralia)
Image - Flickr / TANAKA Juuyoh (田中 十 洋)
La Aralia is an evergreen shrub native to and endemic to Japan that reaches a height of up to 5 meters by about 3-4 meters wide. It has palmate leaves, dark green in color and with yellowish-green veins. Its flowers are white and appear in autumn.
It is a plant that can bear the cold well, but if there is frost it is better to keep it indoors or in a greenhouse.
Monstera
Image - Wikimedia / David J. Stang
All the Monstera They are climbing plants that can reach heights of up to 20 meters. They are native to tropical America, where they grow on tree trunks and branches. Its leaves are large, up to 90 centimeters long by 50 centimeters wide, and may have holes (as the Monstera adansonii) or very divided lobes (as the Monstera delicious).
From my own experience I will tell you that its growth rate is fast. In fact, you have them in a pot, they may need a transplant every two years. They do not like cold or frost.
Acuminate muse
Image - Wikimedia / Miya.m
La Acuminate muse is a type of banana called the Malay plantain or Australasian native red plantain that reaches 7 meters in height. It develops a herbaceous and rhizomatous stem from whose base many suckers or suckers sprout throughout its life. It has green-glaucous leaves, arranged in a spiral, which can measure 3 meters in length by 60 centimeters in width. These usually have a red spot, more or less dark, on the beam.
It is very delicate: prefers sun although tolerates shade as long as there is a lot of light; That is to say: it can be in a conservatory without problems, but not in a darkened room. The lowest temperature that it resists is 0 degrees if it is for a short time.
Plerandra elegantissima / Schefflera elegantissima (False aralia)
Image - Wikimedia / David J. Stang
La false aralia is a native tree of New Caledonia that in the wild reaches 15 meters in height, but that in cultivation it is difficult for it to become more than a small tree of 4-5 meters. Its leaves are dark green, composed of 7-11 leaflets which have serrated margins.
In temperate regions it should be kept in a room with a lot of light and humidity, since it does not support the cold. In fact, the lowest temperature it can withstand without damage is 13ºC.
Which of these tropical shade plants did you like the most?