African House Plants (Everything You Need to Know)
Best African House Plants are: • Clivia • Wild Olive • Cape Ash • Karee • ZZ Plant • Snake Plant • Aloe Vera • Gloxinia • Lipstick Plant
African house plants give any interior space a touch of class while they express the biodiversity of the continent. The beauty, strength, and capabilities of survival are uncommunicated in various indoor settings by these plants. Whether you are an avid indoor plant person or are new to this area, varieties of African house plants will do well in your home. In this article, we will guide you through a variety of house plants from the African continent and how to care for and incorporate them best into your interior garden.
African House Plants
1. African Fig House Plant
The African fig house plant, Ficus lyrata, is the sweetheart of many indoor gardeners. It is a beautiful plant with big leaves shaped like violins that, of course, can make an excellent impression on any room. Being native to the tropical regions of Africa, this plant loves bright and indirect light combined with well-drained soil. The leaves will stay green and fresh with regular watering and occasional misting.
2. House Plants from South Africa
It is home to over 22,000 different species of plants, most of which can be grown indoors. Among the many popular house plants from South Africa are the following:
• Cape Primrose: With its beautiful flowers, this plant requires only moderate light with constant moisture.
• Clivia: With its ornamental orange or most of the time yellow flowers, it will bring colour into a room. It does prefer shade and low light, so it will do perfectly well in shady spots.
• African Milk Tree, Euphorbia trigona: A very striking succulent with erect columns and small leaves. It requires very little water, thus it works well for those in search of a low-maintenance plant.
My Experience
I like plants very much. I have 2 gardens, growing various plants there for 4 years now. Even inside my house I have planted many beautiful plants, on of them is African House Plants. I brought the plants suitable for my house from South Africa. I have verified this information from my own experience.
Best Trees to Plant Near House in South Africa
When it comes to landscaping in South Africa, selecting the right trees to plant near your house is essential. The best trees to plant near a house in South Africa are those that provide shade, enhance the aesthetic appeal of your property, and require minimal maintenance. Some top choices include:
- Wild Olive (Olea europaea subsp. africana): This small, evergreen tree is drought-tolerant and adds a touch of elegance to any garden.
- Cape Ash (Ekebergia capensis): With its attractive foliage and sweet-scented flowers, Cape Ash is a popular choice for residential landscapes.
- Karee (Searsia lancea): Known for its hardiness and adaptability, Karee is a great option for creating a lush, green canopy around your home.
House Plants Native to Africa
Africa boasts a wide variety of native house plants that are well-suited for indoor cultivation. Here are some house plants native to Africa that you can consider for your indoor garden:
• ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia): It boasts shiny, dark green leaves and performs well in low light. This is a low-maintenance plant that requires very little care and watering.
• Snake Plant (Sansevieria): This is another tough succulent that will survive in any light, also known as the “mother-in-law’s tongue.” It has tall, sword-shaped leaves, making it great for adding vertical interest to any room.
• Aloe Vera: Besides being one of the finest plants for your indoor garden, it has medicinal properties. It performs well under bright indirect light and is given very good, well-draining soil.
For more information on African houseplants, check out this article on the Top 10 Houseplants That Have Native Roots to Africa.
House Plants Related to African Violets
African violets are beloved for their delicate flowers and compact size. If you’re a fan of these charming plants, you might also enjoy some house plants related to African violets:
• Cape Primrose — Streptocarpus: This is a relative of the African violet and has similar growing conditions. The flowers are very colourful and make a nice colour spot in an indoor garden.
• Gloxinia — Sinningia: This plant is related to the African violet and has large, flared bell-shaped flowers. It likes bright but indirect light and regular watering.
• Lipstick Plant — Aeschynanthus: This plant has tendrils adorned with bright red flowers and is simply exquisite in hanging baskets or as a cascading accent in your indoor garden.
House Plants South Africa: Embracing Local Flora
South Africa is home to a rich variety of plant species, many of which can thrive indoors. Here are some popular house plants South Africa that you can incorporate into your home:
• Strelitzia (Bird of Paradise): Perhaps one of the most iconic plants of South Africa, it bears beautiful orange and blue flowers. It expresses a liking for vivid, indirect light with well-draining soil.
• Jade Plant (Crassula ovata): This is one of the most famous succulents; it has fleshy, oval-shaped leaves, making the interior more green. It thrives on a very bright light and requires minimal watering.
• Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata): Though called a palm, the ponytail palm is not a true palm but a member of the agave family. This is a very unusual and low-maintenance plant that will tolerate low light and infrequent watering.
To discover more options for your indoor garden, check out the 11+ Medium-Light Indoor Plants that are perfect for homes in South Africa.
Indoor House Plants South Africa: Creating a Green Oasis
Creating a green oasis in your home with indoor house plants South Africa is a rewarding experience. Here are some tips for selecting and caring for indoor houseplants:
• Start with plants appropriate to an environment: Select the type of plants considering your house’s interior lighting and temperature. Some plants need bright, indirect light, whereas others will tolerate low-light conditions.
• Proper Watering: Most houseplants like proper moistness, but overwatering may still cause root rot. Let the soil be a little dry on the surface before re-watering to assist in the growth of healthy roots.
• Fertilization of Indoor Plants regularly: The practice is to provide the plant with fertilizer at regular intervals as it grows or flowers. Provide balanced fertilizers during the growing season and apply at less frequent times during the winter months.
For those new to indoor gardening, here are some of The Best House Plants for Beginners to get you started.
Best House Plants in South Africa: Top Picks for Your Home
When it comes to the best house plants in South Africa, there are plenty of options to choose from. Here are some top picks for adding a touch of greenery to your home:
• Monstera Deliciosa: This is a plant with large, fenestrated leaves and is further very famous among the growers of an indoor garden. This level of light would work perfectly with it since it prefers bright, indirect light together with moderate watering.
• Peace Lily — Spathiphyllum: This dark green evergreen plant, with elegant white flowers and glossy green leaves, gives off an air of versatility since it does very well in different lighting conditions. It’s equally famous for its air-purifying capability.
• Philodendron: It’s a versatile plant that is available in many shapes and sizes, so it will fit any indoor garden. It needs bright, indirect light and moderate watering.
Conclusion
African house plants are, in essence, a powerful hint at lush green oases existing in some far-off parts of Africa. Truly, African house plants range far and wide to satisfy the taste of any indoor gardening enthusiast, from the iconic African fig house plant to the much-touted super-strong resilience of the snake plant. Indeed, whether you are an ardent plant lover or at the beginning of a plant collection, these house plants from Africa will no doubt add a touch of natural beauty to your indoor space.
