5. Dieffenbachia (Dieffenbachia seguine)
Dieffenbachia is common as an indoor plant, so it’s easy to forget it’s also a true tropical plant. It has pointed, ovate leaves that come in a variety of combinations of cream, white, and green colors. A well-grown dieffenbachia can reach 10 feet, but if kept indoors, it won’t grow more than 3 to 5 feet.
Use a fast-draining potting mix to grow your tropical plant, and fertilize it with a 20-20-20 mix. Place it in a warm (over 60 degrees F) and draft-free spot. Dieffenbachia needs to be watered twice a week, but make sure you reduce watering during the winter months.
If you want to make it look more like a small palm with an arching canopy, remove the lower, weaker leaves as the plant grows.
