Paradise, found! – Shopleaf Plant Studio

Delivery Lead Time: 1-3 days within Metro Manila | Same Day Pick-up Cutoff: 2:00 PM

Paradise, found!

Life indoors can look and feel like your favorite tropical destination with the help of these indoor plants. Paradise, found (at home!).
Summer is here and scorching hot. Were you aching to return to Boracay, teased by countless photos of silhouette palm trees against a pastel sunset? Maybe you longed to explore the tropical paradise of Siargao and see what all the hype is about. Or maybe you had a whole new adventure in mind, inspired by the countless travel vlogs you devoured in quarantine.

Whatever the case, the summer we had longed for might remain a day dream (for now). Yes, the four corners of our own home is a not-so-exciting alternative, but comfort and safety aren’t a bad trade-off for the freedom we hope to soon enjoy. So while you’re spending most of your time at home, why not bring the tropics to you? A picturesque destination with all the comforts of home, designed to inspire in you that sense of adventure and relaxation you’ve sorely missed. It can even boost your productivity and focus as you work from home!  

The allure of working remotely is that you can take your work with you anywhere around the world. Look up from your screen and the scene before you will inspire you—a calm lake with water glistening in the summer sun, surfers running into crashing waves on a beach, or a mountain range framing a pastel sunset. Inspiration beckons at every corner of the globe, and nothing is holding you back (except maybe a stable internet connection). Decorate your space with knick-knacks and nature that remind you of places you once explored, or dream of exploring soon.                                               

              

Read on to find out which of these tropical plants best suit your home and how you can recreate a tropical paradise with the help of a green friend (or two, maybe three?).

Philodendron Scandens

Create an indoor jungle inspired by the wilderness of Central America, with the dramatic and lush Philodendron Scandens. Nicknamed “sweetheart plants,” this indoor plant is distinguished by large, heart-shaped leaves. In the wild, you’ll find it sprawling out of tree trunks like a lush, green waterfall. At home, this fast-growing climber grows best on a moss pole (ours comes with it!) and works as an air purifier. Add it to a space that could use a little drama, beside a window or a space with enough indirect light to keep it healthy.

Troubleshooting Tips: 

  • Yellowing, brown, or burnt tips and edges on leaves suggest too much direct sunlight. Move it to a space with indirect sunlight and away from afternoon sun.
  • Long stems and small leaves or leggy plants suggest too little light exposure. Move it nearer a window a few times a week to get adequate amounts of medium, indirect light.
  • Drooping leaves suggest too little or too much water. Check the moisture of the soil to find out, and adjust accordingly. 

Pro Tip: An aqua meter helps monitor soil humidity, without getting your fingers dirty. Shop our award-winning Sustee Aquameter here.

Monstera deliciosa

Your Instagram and Pinterest feeds love the luscious and exotic Monstera plants. Tall, with large, perforated leaves that are speckled with Swiss cheese-like holes, the Monstera deliciosa adds an instant jungle vibe to any space. Inspiring scenes of its native jungle environment, this plant will turn any space into a tropical paradise worthy of the ‘gram. Make it the focal point of an indoor space that has bright, indirect light.

Troubleshooting Tips: 

  • Brown tips on leaves is a result of inconsistent or improper watering. Never let the soil dry out completely before you water again, and when you do water, make sure to water it enough so that there aren’t any dry patches of soil left!
  • Long stems and small leaves or leggy plants suggest too little light exposure. Move it nearer a window a few times a week to get adequate amounts of medium, indirect light.
  • Drooping or wilting leaves suggest your plant is either too wet or too dry. If the soil is too dry, give it a thorough watering right away. If the soil is wet, the wilting could be caused by root rot.

Pro Tip: Root rot is a plant disease caused by fungus-like organisms that thrive in overwatered soil or potting mix. Usually, pots without drainage holes cause root rot. You’ll need to take the plant out of the pot and repot it into fresh soil. Remove any rotten or dead roots, and as much of the old soil as you can before repotting. 

Dracaena Anita

If you don’t think you have much time and energy to care for plants, Dracaena Anita is the plant for you.  It’s beginner-friendly and low-maintenance. Native to Madagascar, the Dracaenas are an easy-going species that survive in a variety of lighting conditions. They’re happiest in well-lit spaces with bright, indirect light, but are also low-light tolerant (perfect for an office space with artificial lighting). They’re characterized by long leaves that grow upward and fall gracefully forward from a central stalk, adding a hint of the tropics and a touch of whimsical elegance to any space they occupy.  

Troubleshooting Tips: 

  • Brown tips on leaves are caused by under-watering. However, you need to wait until the top 75% or about two inches of the soil is dry before watering it thoroughly.
  • Yellowing leaves at the bottom of the plant is normal, especially if there’s new growth. Old leaves are shed to give energy to the new growth, it’s a natural cycle!
  • Drooping or eventual browning of leaf edges is caused by low humidity and dry soil. Mist around the plant with a fine mist spray to raise the humidity or use a pebble tray to increase humidity for a longer period of time.

Pro Tip: Like other plants, an unhealthy Dracaena is more susceptible to infestations. Even if it’s low maintenance, ensure adequate amounts of light and moisture for the plant to thrive. 

 Rubber Tree

Native to Southeast Asia and South America, the Rubber Tree grows in shades of deep green, rich burgundy, and chalky black. These colors contrast a bright space or compliment darker interiors, wooden, or more modern furniture so why not create your dream destination and add some lush potted greens to your workspace? Rubber trees add height to any space and will be a striking part of your home decor for many years to come. They grow slower indoors, and can be kept and shaped by trimming and pruning as needed. In the wild, the sap of these trees can be harvested after seven years to make rubber, and the trees themselves grow to 20 feet or more.

Troubleshooting Tips: 

  • Curling leaves on the entire plant are caused by uneven moisture. Remember that the rubber tree doesn’t require much water as it takes most of its moisture from the atmosphere.
  • Falling leaves happen when the plant tries to adjust to an unfamiliar environment, like beside a radiator, heater, or near an open window that could bring in a draft. Over watering or under watering can also cause falling leaves. 
  • Leaves pointing up is an indicator that the plant needs more sunlight. Move it to an area where it will receive bright, indirect light. 

Pro Tip: Maintain the natural gloss of the leaves by gently cleaning off any residue or dust with a soft cloth or sponge. They can grow to impressive heights within a few years, especially if you put the plants outside during the summer, and keeping them in small pots will restrict their growth. 

Peace Lily

Does this plant look familiar? The Peace Lily is a low-maintenance indoor plant that helps filter out toxins from the air, including acetone, alcohol, and even mold spores. They are tropical plants, native to rainforests of America, and grow on the forest floor. They’re a favorite among decorators who want to add a touch of home to a tropical resort or hostel space. Use a small-sized Peace Lily plant as an accent on a coffee table or a larger plant at the entrance of a room or your house to make you feel like you’ve entered a welcoming summer villa each time.

Troubleshooting Tips: 

  • Yellowing leaves on the lower part of the plant is an early sign of over watering. 
  • Wilting is caused by over watering and under watering. The latter can be quickly resolved by giving it a thorough watering and ensuring excess water is drained out properly. Over watering, on the other hand, can cause root rot.
  • Browning tips on leaves can also be caused by a lack of humidity or dry air. Spray around the plant with a fine mist spray or us a pebble tray for prolonged humidity. Keep the plant away from air vents.

Pro Tip: Maintaining the plant’s moisture without overwatering is key to keeping it happy and healthy. Aside from water, this plant loves sunlight. Keep it in a bright, well-lit area but away from direct afternoon and midday sun. An East-facing window would be best.  

Travelers Palm

The Travelers Palm could very well be one of the most stunning tropical plants you could add to your home. Native to Madagascar, this unique, two-dimensional tree can create a welcoming tropical paradise by decorating an entryway or any room with vertical space to fill. The Travelers Palm (not actually a palm, but closer to the family of Bird of Paradise) is named as such because of how it grows in a fanlike manner, aligned from east to west. A lost traveler can use this tree to gain a sense of direction, as a somewhat crude compass in the wild. 

Troubleshooting Tips: 

  • Splitting along the leaf edges is normal as the plant matures, especially if it is kept outdoors or near a window where it can catch a lot of wind. 
  • Curling leaves is mostly caused by under watering or excessive heat. A dry top layer of soil will confirm this. Water little by little until the water comes out of the pot’s drainage holes. Curling should stop in a couple of weeks. If you are growing your plant outdoors, you might also want to move it to a space shaded from heat in the afternoon. 
  • Shedding leaves at the ground level on young plants is a sign that the trunk will soon emerge to allow room for growth and is nothing to worry about. 

Pro Tip: If your plant is growing but isn’t fanning out, it might be because it’s not receiving enough sun. Transfer your plant to a space with direct sunlight or a south-facing window for a good dose of morning sun.  

Did you know that you can create your tropical paradise at home, from the comforts of your home? Get #NatureDelivered anywhere around the country to give you the freedom to shop and plant, worry-free. Plus, we’ll ensure you receive your plants in the best condition possible. 

 

Leave a comment