How to Create a Tropical Oasis
Having a space for yourself where you can truly relax is important. While this space may not be identified as a tropical oasis for some, it certainly is for me (and I’m sure for any other Florida transplant). So, whether you moved to the tropics and are building the perfect backyard or are stuck in winter weather dying to feel the sun on your skin, let’s talk about how to create your perfect tropical space.
Get to Know Your Space
Before you start piecing together your tropical hideaway, take a second to get to your blank canvas. Is the space indoors or outdoors? What is the lowest temperature the room will see? What are the lighting conditions? If indoors what directions are the windows? If outdoors is the area covered, open to full sun, partially shaded? These are critical questions that will make or break your space. You are trying to create a relaxing environment, so the last thing you want is to buy plants that don’t match your conditions and end up dying.
Let's Talk Tropicals
Now that you’ve gotten to know your space a little better, let’s identify the perfect plants for the job. Of course, the bigger the leaves the better when aiming to create a tropical oasis, but depending on your location that may not be an option. Lets go over plants for a few different cases below, all assuming you can provide an average temperature of around 70 to 80F.
Indoor, Lowlight
You have a space, maybe it has a window, but it does not give you much light. Your best candidates would be low light plants and/or succulents such as the ZZ Plant, Chinese money plant, sansevieria plants, bird of paradise plants. Depending on the lighting you may be able to sneak a monstera, selloum, lyrata, or sago palm in there, but know they may grow slowly and not exactly thrive.
Indoor, Bright Indirect
If these are your conditions, you hit the jackpot! Want big leaves, palm trees, and a cool breeze (that will have to be fan provided)? You can have it. Recommended plants for these conditions would be: monstera, philodendron selloum, ficus lyrata, alocasia varieties, fern varieties, sago palm, chinese fan palm, majesty palm, bird of paradise, hawaiian ti, kalanchoe, and if you really have good light, banana trees. Note that a lot of plants on that list call for bright, indirect light. If you do have direct sunlight you could dip into flowering plants, and just be careful to avoid giving most of those listed too much direct sun as their leaves may burn.
Outdoor, Partially Shaded
This list will be similar to those just listed under bright, indirect light for indoors. A partially shaded outdoor situation would yield similar to that of the rainforest floor. Think monstera, philodendron selloum, ferns. For the slightly sunnier spots think palms, bird of paradise, and alocasia varieties. For the fully shaded spots sansevieria would be an excellent choice, along with any of those on the lowlight list.
Outdoor, Direct Sun
With direct, outdoor sunlight, we are now entering new territory. You can add flowering plants into the mix. Hibiscus plants are a perfect island feel tropical flower. Canna lilies sport thick foliage leaves and delicate flowers. Activate your sense of smell with jasmine and citronella plants. Cover a trellis in flowers with mandevilla plants. Get some colorful foliage with crotons. You can also build a layered approach, using the plants that like direct sun to provide shade to those who don’t. The tropical world truly is your oyster.
Features
Any oasis, is of course going to have special features. They don’t have to be expensive or complicated, just something for you in this space. Is this where you will practice yoga? Would a hanging or rattan chair fit the vibe? Maybe you want a table and chairs, or maybe you want a hammock.
Furniture aside, a feature that may help relax you and help your plants thrive is a water feature. A fountain, waterfall, or pond all would add extra humidity that tropical plants love, while providing some background noise.
We’ve talked about lighting for the plants, but what about mood lighting for you. Some string lights would make any space extra magical. Or maybe you’re into glow in the dark features that can only be seen on the walls at night.
Engage your sense of smell by lighting some tropical scented candles. This can also be achieved by getting a special flowering plant, such as jasmine or gardenia, where the flowers sport a fragrance.
