11 Tropical Plants You Can Start Indoors This Spring

Spring is the perfect time to bring vibrant tropical plants into your home. As the days grow longer and warmer, many tropicals thrive indoors, benefiting from the increased sunlight and warmth. These plants, whether started from seeds, cuttings, or small nursery plants, can add lush greenery and stunning blooms to your space. With the right care, they’ll flourish and brighten up your home all season long.

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Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae)

Starting Bird of Paradise indoors during the spring months is ideal due to its love for warmth and bright light. As the days lengthen and temperatures rise, the plant can be placed near a sunny window where it can soak up the increasing light. This tropical plant is well-suited for containers, making it easy to start from seed or small nursery plants. With proper care, it will grow strong and eventually reward you with its signature bold flowers.

In addition to its striking appearance, the Bird of Paradise benefits from the spring’s gradual warmth, which encourages its growth. As an indoor plant, it can be kept in a pot and easily moved around to ensure it receives the best possible sunlight. Be sure to water it regularly and allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. With patience, you can watch this majestic plant reach its full potential indoors.

Monstera Deliciosa (Swiss Cheese Plant)

Monstera Deliciosa thrives indoors in the spring when the sunlight begins to increase, encouraging its signature split leaves to develop. This tropical beauty is ideal for container life and can be started from cuttings or nursery plants. As the temperatures warm, the Monstera will begin to establish its roots and grow vigorously, adding a lush, tropical touch to any indoor space. It is also a great plant for beginners due to its adaptability.

The increasing warmth of spring helps the Monstera bounce back from winter dormancy, and its need for indirect light is perfectly met indoors. Make sure to place it in a location with moderate light and keep it hydrated, but avoid overwatering. The plant’s hearty nature and the spring growth period make it a rewarding choice to grow indoors this season.

Philodendron

Philodendrons are known for their low-maintenance nature, making them a perfect tropical plant to start indoors in spring. These plants are fast-growing when given warmth and light, and the increasing spring sunlight helps encourage new growth. Philodendrons can be easily propagated from cuttings or grown from small plants, and they thrive in containers, making them well-suited for indoor gardening.

As the temperatures rise, the Philodendron will respond by producing lush, heart-shaped leaves. It is an excellent choice for beginners since it requires minimal attention. Just place it in a spot with indirect light and make sure the soil is consistently moist but not soggy, and the plant will flourish throughout the spring.

Calatheas

Calatheas, with their colorful foliage and dramatic patterns, make excellent indoor plants for the spring. As the days become longer and warmer, Calatheas will begin to thrive, producing vibrant, ornamental leaves. These plants grow well in containers and are easy to propagate from cuttings. They prefer indirect sunlight and consistent warmth, which makes them perfect for an indoor garden in the spring months.

The increase in sunlight encourages Calatheas to perk up after their winter dormancy. While they like a humid environment, they can be kept indoors with proper care. Regular misting and proper watering will help the plant establish itself as it responds to the boost in sunlight and warmth.

Citrus Trees (Lemon, Lime, Orange)

Spring is the perfect time to start citrus trees indoors, as they love warmth and bright sunlight. The increasing light during spring stimulates growth, and citrus trees thrive when provided with plenty of sun. These plants can be started from seeds or young nursery plants, and once established, they can be moved outdoors when the weather is warm enough.

Citrus trees require a lot of sunlight, so placing them near a south-facing window is ideal. They can be kept in containers and will grow well indoors throughout spring. Be sure to water them when the soil feels dry, but avoid overwatering. The gradual rise in temperatures will help them adjust after their winter dormancy and start producing lush green leaves.

Bromeliads

Bromeliads are unique tropical plants that love warmth and light, making them a great choice to start indoors in spring. As the sunlight becomes more abundant, these plants will thrive and develop their colorful blooms. Bromeliads are small and compact, making them perfect for container gardening. They are often grown from offsets or small plants that can be easily found at garden centers.

The increase in spring sunlight encourages the vibrant colors of the Bromeliad to shine. These plants do best in indirect sunlight and require minimal watering, as they are adapted to survive in humid, tropical environments. Just make sure to water the plant’s center, and it will do well as the days grow longer and warmer.

Ferns (Boston Fern, Bird’s Nest Fern)

Ferns are excellent indoor plants that benefit from the increased sunlight and warmth of spring. They thrive in high humidity, making them perfect for homes with consistently warm temperatures. Starting ferns indoors in spring gives them the right environment to recover from winter dormancy, and they do well in containers or hanging baskets.

With the lengthening days, ferns will respond to the warmth by unfurling new fronds. They thrive in indirect light and require consistent moisture. Be sure to keep the soil evenly moist and provide the ferns with high humidity for optimal growth. These plants will flourish throughout the spring as long as they are kept in a warm and humid environment.

Tropical Hibiscus

Tropical Hibiscus is a stunning plant that can be started indoors during spring. The increasing light levels trigger new growth, making it an ideal time to grow them from seeds or small plants. Hibiscus plants love warmth, and the gradual rise in temperatures throughout the spring season supports their vibrant growth. They are well-suited for container gardening, and you can move them outdoors once the weather becomes consistently warm.

As the plant grows, the spring sunlight encourages it to bloom and develop beautiful, large flowers. Be sure to place it in a sunny spot and water it regularly to keep the soil moist. The tropical Hibiscus will thrive and continue to produce blooms as long as it is kept in a warm, sunny environment.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Ginger plants thrive in the warmth of spring, making this an ideal time to start them indoors. They can be grown from rhizomes and will grow well in containers. As the sunlight increases, the ginger will begin to sprout and develop lush green foliage. The warmth of spring supports root growth, and it is the perfect season to encourage ginger plants to establish themselves indoors.

To start, simply place the ginger rhizomes in a container with well-draining soil and keep them in a warm spot with indirect light. Water the plant regularly to keep the soil moist, and ensure the pot has drainage to prevent waterlogging. Ginger plants will do well indoors and grow steadily as the spring season progresses.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is a resilient succulent that thrives in the increasing light of spring. This plant is perfect for indoor gardening, as it grows well in containers and needs little maintenance. Aloe Vera can be started from offsets or nursery plants, and as the spring season progresses, the plant will enjoy the longer days and the warmth that stimulates its growth.

Aloe Vera requires plenty of sunlight, so place it in a sunny spot indoors. Make sure to allow the soil to dry out between waterings, as overwatering can cause root rot. Aloe Vera is an excellent plant to grow in spring, offering both beauty and practical uses with its healing properties.

Anthurium

Anthuriums are tropical plants with bright, long-lasting flowers, and they thrive indoors when started in the spring. The increasing sunlight helps them produce new leaves and flowers, making it a great time to start them from small plants or cuttings. Anthuriums do well in containers and can be grown indoors, as they enjoy warmth and indirect light.

As the temperatures rise, Anthuriums will develop their signature glossy, heart-shaped leaves and vibrant spathes. Keep the soil moist but not soggy, and ensure the plant is in a location with bright, indirect light. These plants are perfect for creating a tropical atmosphere indoors, especially during the spring.

This article originally appeared on Avocadu.