6 Tropical Plants to Get the Jungle Look at Home

Palm trees are always an excellent choice when it comes to “tropicalizing” any space, and the majesty palm, as this plant is known more commonly, is as quintessential as they come. Native to the island of Madagascar, the Ravenea rivularis is characterized by its straight, slightly arched leaves. If you’re going for an immersive jungle experience, the plant can even reach heights of 65 feet—as long as it’s in rich soil and provided with abundant water. Like many tropical plants, it requires a minimum of four hours of direct light and partial shade the rest of the day.

Colocasia esculenta

A member of the Araceae family, Colocasia esculenta—commonly known as taro—comes from the subtropical areas of Asia and is, at times, under-appreciated in Western gardens. Taro is characterized by its oval-shaped leaves, which is why it’s often grouped with a number of ornamental species often referred to as “elephant ears.” Just remember to keep it in partial shade if it is outdoors during the summer months, and provide plenty of water. You’ll also want to make sure that the substrate never dries out completely.

Alocasia

If the name alocasia seems familiar, perhaps it’s because you’re still thinking about colocasias. However, it’s not just similar names that these plants have in common, they share many other characteristics too, such as their fragrant, extra large green leaves. Still, there are some notable difference: the “elephant ears” of alocasia plants face skyward, while those of their cousins point toward the ground. Alocasia—sometimes called giant taro—is also less tolerant of cold, so it may be a better choice if you live somewhere with a warmer climate. Also, if you don’t have much of a green thumb, alocasia may be a suitable choice as it’s an easy plant to care for.