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

Ferns have been living and thriving since before the dinosaurs walked the earth. If you've ever taken a hike through the woods, you've no doubt seen them spreading gracefully alongside the trail. There are thousands of fern varieties growing in all types of environments, from moist and shady forest floors to dry, desert rock faces. Many species do well as easy-to-care-for houseplants, which makes them a popular choice for designers and homeowners alike.

Related: Everywhere Ferns: Choosing the Right Variety for Your Garden

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.

Native to India, China, Japan, Australia, and Indonesia, pothos grows well as a houseplant if it's given the right care. Pothos is a vining plant with marbleized leaves, which are its chief beauty. In the wild, it attaches itself to trees and branches through aerial roots. In the home, however, it will happily live in cactus potting mix. You’ll know it has outgrown its pot when it sends those aerial roots out in search of more soil. Keep the plant in partial shade, and water it when the top inch of soil has become dry.

Related: 11 Signs of an Unhappy Houseplant (and How You Can Help)

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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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.

There are more than 2,800 species of bromeliad, many of which can be found growing in the wild in Central and South America. Belgian traders began the domestication of the bromeliad when they brought a variety of plants back to Europe in the 1700s. There are so many varieties of bromeliad available, in every color, that you should easily be able to find one that suits your taste.

Related: Quick Tip: This Simple Trick Helps Plants Water Themselves

The common houseplant monstera is also known as Swiss cheese plant because of its large, perforated leaves. In its native habitat in the tropical rainforests of southern Mexico, it is capable of growing between 60 and 70 feet tall. As a houseplant, however, it remains much smaller and is relatively easy to care for. It can still reach up to 10 feet tall indoors, making it a lovely, dramatic addition to an atrium or grand foyer.

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