2. Philodendron Birkin – White Measure

Overview

Philodendron Birkin, also known as White Measure, is a variegated Philodendron variant that is both very popular and easy to care for, as long as the plant gets enough light. It is native to rainforests of Central and South Africa and tropical America.  It is called “White Measure” because of the white stripes on the leaves that almost resemble the lines on a measuring tape. The older a plant, the more stripes it usually gets.

Look

These beautiful tropical house plants have beautiful oval-shaped dark foliage with white stripes. It can grow up to 90cm (3 ft) in height and width, but most of them are 20-30cm (8-12 inches) when sold in stores and have a fairly slow growth.

Decoration

As Philodendron Birkins are sold at a smaller size, they make very good plants to have on your desk or table. I love Philodendron Birkin’s elegant look so much, and I think the stripes add an interesting look and texture to the interior. This plant loves sunlight, although direct sunlight has to be avoided, so putting this plant on a desk or a table near a window would be a great choice!

Care

Philodendron Birkin thrives best in light, but it is best to avoid direct sunlight for too long. Keep it away from the most intense sun in the summer months, as it might scorch the leaves and soil might stay dry for too long. In the autumn and winter, it can be placed near a south-facing window to get enough light. You can also use plant lights in autumn and winter. A White Measure is fond of being watered regularly, but make sure the soil dries out between waterings. Usually, it needs water once a week during summer and once every two weeks during winter. White Measure thrives at room temperatures from 15-30°C (60-86°F.)

The Fiddle Leaf Fig is a trendy and popular evergreen plant that originates from the tropical rainforests of western Africa. It belongs to the genus Ficus, which contains over 800 species of figs, including edible ones. As the name suggests, the Fiddle Leaf Fig belongs to the fig/mulberry family called Moraceae, although they are different species.

Look

Fiddle Leaf Fig has large, glossy, dark green leaves that can grow up to 18 inches long and 12 inches wide. The leaves have prominent veins and wavy edges, giving them a shape that resembles a fiddle(violin). The tropical house plant can grow even up to 3m (10 feet) but is usually in about 1m height range (3-4 feet) when sold in shops. You can control how much it can grow by the size of the pot you use for the plant. In its natural habitat, the Fiddle Leaf Fig can go up to 15m (50 feet) tall and 10m (35 feet) wide outdoors! I also included the Fiddle Leaf Fig as one of the tall house plants you can get in my blog post, you can read it here: Tall House Plants 2-5ft | Try These as Sustainable Decorations!

Decoration

There is something about Fiddle Leaf Fig that makes it look so fashionable. There are many high-end interior shops in Norway, and they usually have this beautiful tropical house plant as a display in their showroom. No wonder, because the Fiddle Leaf Fig is a stunning medium-tall plant that can make a statement and looks great in any room. You can place it in a large pot, a basket, or a planter. You can also use it as a focal point, a backdrop, or a screen for your space.

Care

Fiddle leaf fig is a little more difficult time take care of than other plants I introduced in this post, as it can be fussy about its environment. It needs bright, indirect light, moderate humidity, and well-drained soil. You should water it when the top inch of the soil feels dry but avoid overwatering or underwatering. You should also wipe the leaves with a damp cloth to remove dust and pests. You should fertilize it once a month during the growing season, and prune any dead or damaged leaves. You should repot it every year or two, using a potting mix that contains peat moss, perlite, and bark. Lastly, the temperature should be around 18-30°C (65-85°F) which is a quite warm environment. My home usually drops below 20°C (68°F) during the fall and winter seasons in Norway, so I gave up on getting this plant, but it could be a gorgeous tropical house plant for you!

4. ZZ Plant – Zanzibar Gem

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Overview

ZZ plant is a hardy and low-maintenance plant that comes from the dry regions of Eastern Africa. It belongs to the genus Zamioculcas, which contains only one species: Zamioculcas zamiifolia. The name ZZ plant is derived from the first letters of its scientific name. This plant is called “the money tree” in Korea and is thought to bring fortune to your home, making it a popular tropical house plant to get!

Look

ZZ plant has thick, fleshy stems and huge bulb-like roots like a potato that store water and nutrients. The stems are covered with glossy, dark green, oval-shaped leaflets that can grow up to 3 inches long and 1.5 inches wide. The plant can grow up to 1m (3 feet) tall and wide indoors, or up to 1.5m (5 feet) tall and wide outdoors. It can also produce small, yellow, cone-shaped flowers, but only rarely and under optimal conditions.

Decoration

ZZ plant is a versatile plant that can fit in any style and mood of your home. As it is a darker-colored plant and can tolerate low lights, it can be a great tropical house plant in a hallway or a basement. I’ve only had small ones that are about up to 50cm (1.5 feet) but I’ve seen a huge one at a store before, and they look so majestic when they are that big! If the ZZ plant you get is that big, it can be an amazing statement plant in a corner of a big space like a living room.

Care

ZZ plant is one of the easiest plants to care for, as it can survive and even thrive in low light, low humidity, and dry soil. You should water it sparingly, only when the soil feels completely dry. You should also avoid direct sunlight, as it can scorch the leaves. As a matter of fact, I usually tell people that it is best to leave this plant alone and don’t bother it so much. Don’t bother with watering it regularly or worrying if it is getting enough sunlight. Your ZZ plant will appreciate that treatment. During the colder season, you can even water it just once a month.

5. Coffee Plant

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Overview

Last but not least, I want to introduce the coffee plant! I love drinking coffee, but I had never seen a real coffee plant in my life until last year. I was at a plant shop and saw the coffee plant for the first time. It was so precious. The indoor coffee plants are usually the Coffea Arabica kind, which is native to Ethiopia. Its natural conditions are found on a tropical mountainside, and so this coffee plant loves to stay warm, unlike some other tropical plants that can tolerate cold temperatures.

Look

The coffee plant has elliptical-shaped, glossy, dark green leaves that are the size of fingers. The leaves have prominent veins and a shiny leathery texture. As tropical house plants, they are usually kept compact – from 60-120cm (2-4 ft) in height, but I’ve seen baby coffee plants that are 15cm (6 inches) in height. Although flowering is not common when grown indoors, it is possible for the coffee plants to produce small white flowers and bear red fruits – the coffee cherries!

Decoration

Considering that you are looking for tropical house plants and assume you would want to have a smaller tree, I think the coffee plants would look great in a kitchen with lots of lights from a window! Imagine watering and pruning your coffee tree as you are having your cup of coffee in the morning. Wouldn’t that be wonderful? And its glossy dark green leaves will be beautiful natural decorations for your home!

Care

This coffee plant is an easy plant to take care of if you are living in a warm climate. The plant needs to be at 18-26°C (65-80°F) ideally, which is a very difficult temperature to naturally get in Norway where I live. But once the tropical house plant can be at the ideal temperature, you can water it every 1 to 2 weeks when the soil dries out halfway and make sure the plant is getting enough indirect sunlight.

Summary of Tropical House Plants for Home

I hope you enjoyed this blog post and got the inspiration for the kind of tropical house plants for your home. I also hope you learned about a few tropical house plants you can have for cold climates from this post – I’ve learned the hard way to grow them at my home in Norway! It is a great idea to get tropical plants to give a tropical mood to your home. Plants are one of the best natural and sustainable home decorations to elevate your interior design. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. Happy gardening! 🌿

These tropical house plants would look great in a beautiful modern house. I wrote a blog post about decorating your home with bright warm beige in Scandinavian design. Read more here.

Decorating with Warm Beige Colors – Elegance and comfort

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