Places where indoor plants grow in the wild and their types (+29 photos)

Flowers

The vast majority of houseplants we're accustomed to seeing on our windowsills originate from countries with different climates and may struggle with our cold temperatures and insufficient sunlight during certain months. To help them adapt and create the right conditions, we need to understand where our houseplants naturally live and what they need to thrive.

Types of flowers and their natural habitats

Most often, indoor pets come from exotic countries and continents, such as Africa, South America, Australia, and oceanic islands. Each has its own unique characteristics: temperature, soil conditions, and so on.

Cacti and succulents

Cacti and succulents, a popular group of plants, thrive in areas with at least occasional moisture deficits, as well as dry winds and high temperatures. And this isn't limited to African lands. It also includes what is now Mexico and Colombia.

Because cacti require a rainy season to accumulate moisture, these plants are not found in deserts. Only a few species, resembling dried, thorny trunks, grow there. The specimens we're interested in inhabit humid areas.

Tall columnar cacti and prickly pears can be found in the Andes valleys, the Mexican plateau, and Baja California. These conditions are quite favorable, allowing these giants to store hundreds of liters of water.

The presence of such vegetation does not indicate a lack of rainfall, but rather its uneven distribution throughout the seasons. Succulents have this structure precisely because they are able to absorb maximum water quickly, like a pump, and release it very slowly.

Higher in the mountainous areas other species grow: Mammillaria, Sulcorebutia, Rebutia, Lobivia.

The steppes and savannas of Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina are rich in spherical cacti, which love the proximity of tall cereal grasses, which shade them from the scorching sun.

Gymnocalyciums, notocactuses, and echinopsis are slow-growing and not particularly large due to drier conditions. In the humid atmosphere of tropical forests, epiphytic species that live on or near trees are common.

Rhipsalis and Rhipsalidopsis are accustomed to more uniform humidity and stable temperature.

The sandy terrain and rocks have given us young and sedum – unusually tolerant and non-competitive species that grow here for precisely these reasons.

Having observed the native habitats of various succulents and cacti, we can draw general conclusions about their undemanding nature, hardiness, and resistance to wind, sun, and drought. Obviously, excessive moisture will kill them, so when growing cacti indoors, don't overwater them.

Aquatic plants

There is a large group of houseplants that, on the contrary, are so moisture-loving that they should be sought in nature in literally swampy areas.

Water hyacinth, or Eichhornia, is a native of the American tropics. It's interesting because it purifies water and absorbs harmful substances. In our climate, it's often grown in aquariums or ponds, but is brought indoors for the winter. It's not related to our garden hyacinth, but its flowers are somewhat similar.

Cyperus is known to many for its palm-like herbaceous stems. Interestingly, it belongs to the Cyperaceae family and grows in tropical African swamps. In an apartment, it is planted in the ground and the pot placed on a tray that should be constantly moistened.

Sweet flag is a rather unremarkable plant in appearance, but has a fascinating tangerine scent. It's a native of India, Japan, and China. It's used in pond arrangements, complementing other plants.

Calla lilies, native to the swampy subtropics of South America, are one of the most popular indoor aquatic plants thanks to their large, exotic blooms, or rather, their spathes.

Bamboo has recently become very popular as a houseplant. It can be trained, which gives it an exotic look. But its main advantages are its evergreen nature and rapid growth. There are many varieties, allowing you to choose the height and water requirements that best suit your needs. In the wild, it grows in the tropics and subtropics, where it's humid, warm, and free of hot winds.

Some varieties, if grown correctly, can even survive the winter at -20 degrees.

Aquatic plants in an apartment are not only beautiful but also useful, especially in winter, when heating can dry out the air. Evaporation from the water tray of such a plant significantly increases humidity levels in the home.

Climbing plants and vines

Vines are attractive for decorating walls and arches. Let's look at the most popular ones.

A variety of ivy varieties with variegated and solid colors and decorative leaf shapes. Some are frost-hardy. They generally thrive in the mild climates of the Northern Hemisphere and Australia.

Cissus, commonly known as "birch," resembles a miniature grapevine. It's not winter-hardy, as it's native to the tropics and subtropics. It grows quickly and is easy-to-grow.

Scindapsus is native to the shady tropical forests of Asia, so it tolerates low light and grows readily there, loving humidity.

The Monstera is a giant, its sheer size betokening the warm, humid climate of its native equatorial forests. It's there that it can grow to its full potential, receiving ample nutrition, light, and warmth.

Tradescantia is a familiar vine to us, but it originated in the tropics and temperate zones of America. Therefore, it is undemanding and rewarding.

We are so accustomed to many of these vines and creepers that it is surprising to even consider them exotic.

Ornamental foliage

This group of indoor plants is distinguished by attractive foliage of various shapes and colors, often large and juicy.

Alocasia and dieffenbachia originated in South America. They can reach gigantic sizes in their native lands. They are more modest in apartments.

The Tropicana Dracaena is native to Africa, but some believe it originated in the Canary Islands and Cameroon forests. It impresses with its abundance of shades and greenery combinations, and can brighten up a corner without the help of other plants, just with its abundant foliage.

Chlorophytum is a tropical and subtropical favorite. It's found naturally in forests and riverbanks in Asia, South America, Africa, and Madagascar, making it quite shade-tolerant. It's exceptionally resilient and purifies indoor air of harmful substances.

Large foliage plants of ornamental foliage species thrive in the diffused light and humidity found in tropical forests, and these flowers will thrive in apartments where similar conditions are recreated.

Blooming

This group of plants can be considered the most challenging, as it's difficult to find the right climate for them. They often require greenhouse cultivation to achieve full flowering.

True jasmine is a rare guest in apartments, as it is very capricious. It requires ideal humidity and specific time and conditions for its dormant period.

Anthuriums will refuse to bloom if they don't have enough moisture and will be relegated to the decorative foliage category due to their large, vibrant leaves. But the flowers are usually worth the effort, and their owners are often quite happy with them. They came to us from the lush tropical regions of America.

Hibiscus impresses with its large flowers, up to 20 cm in diameter, and with the right home environment, it can bloom all year round. This Asian plant is very generous in its petal color variety.

The African violet, despite its name hinting at its origins, tolerates the apartment climate of our latitudes quite well and even blooms prolifically. The key is to provide it with a balance of light and moisture.

Phalaenopsis is a famous orchid, an epiphyte plant native to Australia, Asia and the Philippines.

It requires special soil, as in nature it grows on trees, clinging to branches with aerial roots and catching nutrients from the air and water.

For the sake of blooming tropics in your apartment, it is sometimes worth starting a greenhouse to enjoy the exotic.

Is it possible to grow a wild plant at home?

All indoor plants were once wildflowers. As we can see, many have successfully migrated into our homes and are thriving. So what's needed for this? Simply study the climate of the plant's native habitat thoroughly.

You can start right away with the soil. It can be fertile, sandy, rocky, acidic, or alkaline. Virtually any type can be recreated at home or purchased ready-made.

Lighting requirements depend on the location and surrounding environment of the desired flower. It may be located on bare rocks, thus enduring the scorching sun, or, conversely, at the foot of forest trees, catching the rare rays of sunlight. Based on these results, the plant is placed indoors in a south-facing window or shaded.

Remember!

Air humidity and precipitation are also crucial for watering. Sometimes this is the most critical aspect of the conditions, and deviations can lead to the death of the flower. Some exotic plants require a separate box, like a personal greenhouse.

It's also worth checking whether the plant has a dormant period; this is often necessary for future flowering. Sometimes this means shorter daylight hours, lower temperatures, or reduced watering.

All this is quite different from the usual apartment conditions, it is worth carefully considering whether there is the possibility and desire to change any area of the house for the comfort of the new resident.

Frequently Asked Questions

Anything new raises many questions. Here are some answers that can help you make a decision.

Can a houseplant be planted in the garden?

In summer, it's perfectly fine. It's often even more comfortable there than in a pot on a windowsill, provided the garden provides comfortable living conditions. For example, in the sparse shade of a bush, free of drafts, with good drainage. But most flowers are native to warmer climates, so when the cold weather sets in, they need to be moved to a warm place for the winter until the frosts pass.

Do aquatic plants need a pond?

No, there are quite tolerant specimens that can thrive simply with ample watering, a constant supply of water in the tray, which can be absorbed and recovered through evaporation. In nature, droughts also occur when water runs out, so plants are genetically prepared for minor changes in their habitat.

How long can you go without watering a cactus?

A cactus is a water vessel, soaking up water whenever possible and slowly evaporating it through its spines. But we're not putting on a survival show for our plant; we even want to see it bloom. Therefore, going long without watering a cactus isn't a good idea. It should be watered at least once a week. But don't overdo it; overwatering is the flower's worst enemy.

What diseases can tropical plants get in an apartment?

Plants are susceptible to various fungal diseases if not maintained in the right microclimate, balancing various conditions. For example, high humidity and low temperatures are very dangerous. Viral and bacterial infections also occur, affecting weakened plants. Sometimes the plant cannot be saved, but in most cases, it recovers after treatment with chemicals and correcting its care.

The amazing possibilities of science and the practical experience of flower growers have given us the opportunity to experience the alluring world of exotic plants in uncharted lands. Many collectors and enthusiasts seize this opportunity, but the key is to prepare theoretically and practically.