Extraordinary plants to grow indoors

Flower & Garden Magazine, Feb-March, 1995 by Jack Kramer

Heliconia psittacorum

Outdoor landscapes in southern Florida and California may include one of the more than 30 species of Heliconia. Indoor gardeners can enjoy the parrotlike flowers of H. psittacorum on a sunny windowsill.

This banana relative makes a fine container plant, provided it receives copious watering and is fed with a 10-30-20 plant food. The plant's handsome leaves are bright green and the orange flowers have birdlike petals. As with any tropical plant, this one should be protected from cold; it is hardy to about 45 degrees.

Curcuma inodora

This plant, a member of the ginger family, can grow to heights of 4 feet so give it a larger-than-average houseplant container. Although not well-suited for small spaces, Curcuma inodora is a shade-lover that does not require a sunny location. Keep the plant evenly moist, at temperatures 65 degrees or warmer, and you will be rewarded with spectacular flowers crowned with a tuft of pink petals.

Aporocactus flagelliformis

Its common name, rattail cactus, hardly does this chain-type cactus justice. Perfect as a hanging plant, Aporocactus flagelliformis grows a dense tangle of graceful, whiplike stems and blooms in late spring with a profusion of bright crimson flowers along the entire length of the 3- to 6-foot stems.

This plant, a native of Mexico, requires rich soil, strong sunshine and plentiful watering during its summer growth period after blooming is complete.

Ceropegia haygarthii

This plant belongs to the milkweed family and is native to tropical Africa. Generally classified as a succulent, Ceropegia is a twining, vining plant excellently suited for indoor growing. The unique-looking flowers are purplish brown and bloom in the summer months. Keep this plant evenly moist but feed scantily.

Tapeinochillis ananassae

Sometimes called Indonesian ginger, this plant is native to New Guinea and Indonesia. It will not bloom until it is well-established - about two years - but the wait is worth it when the plant exhibits a red flower crown atop a stem of spirally arranged leaves. Give Tapeinochillis ananassae a large container and ample moisture. It can be grown in semi-shade.

Strelitzia reginae

Popularly known by its common name, bird of paradise, this bananalike tropical is a popular tub plant in mild-climate home landscapes. It is well-suited for container growing but only mature plants with more than seven leaves will bloom with orange-and-blue birdlike flowers. Provide good light, keep the soil evenly moist and supply mild feedings.

The deciding factor in plant selection for many gardeners is the plant hardiness zone in which they live. Tropical plants grown outdoors are beyond the scope of all but residents of frost-free regions. However, some tropicals do well grown as houseplants, no matter where the house happens to be located.

Jack Kramer, author of 300 Extraordinary Plants (Abbeville Press, 1994, 228 pp., $45) recommends six uncommon, exotic plants especially suitable for indoor gardens. You may find that these frequently overlooked tropicals help to brighten your indoor environment throughout the year.

These six plants can be grown in standard packaged houseplant soil; be sure to provide sufficient drainage.

Editor's note: Sources for the plants mentioned in this article are listed on page 88.