Here’s What Your Favorite Houseplants Look Like in the Wild

Philodendron is among the most popular houseplants because it is extremely tolerant and durable in a variety of environments. Its "roots," however, lie in the tropical jungles of the Americas and West Indies, where its leaves can grow incredibly large. While philodendron will tolerate low light as a houseplant, it prefers medium light, and it loves humidity. Regularly spritz the leaves with water, and the plant will grow lush, shiny foliage.

Wild orchids are most commonly found in rainforest environments, where they don’t typically grow in the ground, but rather attach themselves to the roots and bark of trees. An orchid in the home also requires a loosely packed medium, such as bark chips or stones, so its roots can get the oxygen the plant needs to keep healthy. While orchids are often described as fussy and difficult to grow, there are many rugged varieties that make excellent houseplants. Once you buy or receive one, you may get hopelessly hooked on their gracefully slender stems and elegant blooms.

Begonia has long been a favored houseplant, with some varieties boasting spectacular foliage, and others, showy blooms. They are native to Asia, South Africa, and Central and South America, and more than 1,000 varieties grow in the wild. Whatever variety of begonia you choose to bring home, give it plenty of indirect light and mist the leaves daily during dry winters, as it needs humidity to flourish.

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Kalanchoe is a low-maintenance flowering succulent and a staple of the holiday florist trade, along with the poinsettia and the Christmas cactus. Originating in Africa, Southeast Asia, and China, the plant will brighten any winter windowsill with colors from bright oranges and yellows to pinks, reds, and even white. If you receive a kalanchoe during the holiday season, place it in a sunny window and water it sparingly. It will reward you with cheerful blooms through a cold and dreary winter.

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Everyone knows the cheerful, red poinsettia, which shows up in churches and homes during the holidays. In actuality, the poinsettia is a small tropical tree that can reach a height of up to 12 feet in the wild. Native to southern Mexico, it was used by the Aztecs to dye fabric and control fevers. You can keep your poinsettia happy by placing it near a sunny window without drafts and watering it thoroughly when the surface soil is dry to the touch.

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