Tropical plants are toughees
TIPS: SUCCULENTS OFTEN DO BETTER IN SEMI-SHADE
Gardeners frequently get these plants needs wrong.
Here are two misconceptions that gardeners hold onto; that all succulents need full sun and that tropical plants are tender and water hungry.
The reality is that many succulents do better in semi-shade while tropical plants are among the toughest around, provided they are not planted in the blazing sun. And, they are almost as water wise as succulents.
The misconceptions around tropical plants probably arises from their use as indoor plants, which implies the need for special care. As garden plants, they stand up to the extremes of rain interspersed with long, dry periods, because many are adapted to storing water in their fleshy stems or roots.
Tropical stalwarts include anthuriums, bromeliads, croton, delicious monster (Monstera deliciosa), dracaena, peperomia, philodendron, rubber plant (Ficus elastica) yucca and ZZ plant (Zamioculcas). What’s more, many tropical plants produce offshoots, which means that the mother plant can remain indoors while the youngsters can be planted outdoors.
Being originally forest plants, indoor tropicals cope with good indirect light, and some will even take low light, like the ZZ plant. They should not receive full sun. Also, don’t over-water.
Plants can survive an amazing amount of neglect. Let the soil dry out moderately between watering. A spritz of water on the leaves helps with humidity and removes dust. Give them a liquid feed once in spring and again in summer.
Outdoor needs
The ideal position for tropical plants is light dappled shade under trees, which means there is little or no direct sun but good light. Dig plenty of compost and leaf mould into the soil so that it is fertile and drains well, replicating their natural habitat. Competition from the tree roots means that plants will need feeding. Once established they will generally be able to survive just on available rainwater.
ZZ plant looks like a cross between a fern and a cycad but needs far less water. It will add interest to shadier areas of the garden or those with dappled sun. It can take more sun but needs to be acclimatised by first planting in semi-shade and later moving it into the sun.
Plant it in well composted, free draining soil. Keep the shine on the large, green leaves by hosing them down every now and then. Add colour by planting anthuriums as a border. They also have low water needs.
Delicious Monster comes in and out of fashion and once more its time is now. The huge, lobed leaves add drama and texture to the garden. With some support, plants even scramble up trees. They need the minimum of care, surviving on existing rainfall.
Again, they need shade or dappled sun, and space to show off their bold leaves. It will do well with a leafy mulch that imitates the floor of a tropical forest.
Peperomia is a small, colourful and textured foliage plant, originally from tropical Mexico, Central America and the West Indies.
In nature they are epiphytic, which means they will grow in shallow soil. To make the most of their rich colours, place plants in medium light but not direct sun. Keep the soil moist but don’t over water or let the soil become waterlogged. From spring to autumn, feed monthly with a liquid fertiliser to encourage new leaves.
The supplier of these indoor tropical plants, LGV Plants, was one of 10 growers worldwide to be nominated for International Grower of the Year for 2020. A major reason for their nomination is their commitment to green energy and reducing their carbon footprint. All the greenhouses are heated by solar power (collected onsite), water is harvested from a system of dams, and bicycles, instead of cars, are used to get around the 11 hectare estate. The other nominees are from China, Ecuador, Hong Kong, Israel, Kenya, the Netherlands and the UK. The award will be made at IPM Essen, the world’s leading horticultural trade fair in Germany in January next year.