Tropical Plants

I’ll be honest: calatheas are the divas of the houseplant world. They have the most stunning foliage of any indoor plant — intricate patterns that look hand-painted, leaves that literally move throughout the day — but they will punish you with crispy brown edges the moment your humidity drops. That said, once you crack the humidity code, they’re actually quite manageable. I killed my first two calatheas before figuring out that a $30 humidifier was all they needed. Now I have five thriving specimens and they’re some of my favorite plants. ...

Let’s get this out of the way: fiddle leaf figs have a reputation for being divas. And honestly? It’s somewhat deserved. They’ll drop leaves if you look at them funny, develop brown spots for seemingly no reason, and generally keep you on your toes. But here’s what I’ve learned after keeping one alive (and thriving!) for three years: fiddle leaf figs aren’t actually difficult. They’re just particular. They want consistent conditions and deeply resent change. Once you crack their code, they’re actually quite predictable. ...

The monstera deliciosa — the “swiss cheese plant” — has become the unofficial mascot of the houseplant world. Those dramatic split leaves show up on everything from throw pillows to tattoos, and for good reason: it’s a genuinely beautiful plant that’s surprisingly easy to grow indoors. I got my first monstera as a small, four-leaf plant and it’s now a beast pushing against my ceiling. That transformation happened in about two years with nothing more than a good window, a moss pole, and regular watering. If you give a monstera what it wants, it’ll reward you with impressive growth. ...

Your bathroom might be the best room in your house for growing plants — and you probably don’t even realize it. The steam from showers creates exactly the kind of warm, humid environment that tropical houseplants crave. Those plants struggling with crispy brown tips in your living room? They’d probably thrive in the bathroom. I’ve turned every bathroom I’ve had into a mini jungle. The combination of steam, indirect light, and daily moisture creates conditions that most tropical plants absolutely love. ...