7 Most Popular Exotic Flowers to Brighten Your Home
By Ben Matthiesen|Published on September 3, 2022|Updated on January 23, 2025
Looking to add a little “wow” factor to your home or garden? Exotic flowers are the perfect way to bring a touch of the tropics right to your doorstep. Whether you’re looking for a bold statement piece for your backyard or a vibrant new roommate for your windowsill, these popular exotic beauties are sure to impress.
[[plants]]
++Hibiscus (Hibiscus)
While the Hibiscus originally hails from tropical regions, it actually does surprisingly well in our neck of the woods! It grows as a lush shrub and produces absolutely stunning, oversized blooms during its flowering season. You might even recognize these flowers in their dried form—in many parts of the world, they’re steeped in hot water to create a delicious, tart herbal tea with a gorgeous, deep red color.
++Lily (Lilium)
If you’re looking for pure elegance, you can’t go wrong with the Lily. These sophisticated beauties work perfectly whether you’re growing Lilies as houseplants or planting them out in the garden. They come in a huge variety of colors, but they all share that signature “showstopper” look. Even though we see them everywhere today, these bulbs actually have exotic roots—some varieties even originate from the high altitudes of the Himalayas!
++Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos)
With a name like “Kangaroo Paw,” you know you’re getting something unique! These Australian natives have fuzzy, tubular flowers that really do look like little paws. To keep them happy, give them a bright, sunny spot with plenty of warmth. They’re a bit sensitive to cold drafts and definitely don’t like “wet feet,” so avoid overwatering. Pro tip: use filtered water or rainwater if you can, and they’ll reward you with blooms for a long time.
++Flamingo Flower (Anthurium)
--500x333.jpg" alt="Flamingo Flower" width="500" height="333" class="alignnone size-medium-large wp-image-40702" srcset="https://guterboden.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Flamingoblume--500x333.jpg 500w, https://guterboden.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Flamingoblume--300x200.jpg 300w, https://guterboden.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Flamingoblume--1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://guterboden.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Flamingoblume--768x512.jpg 768w, https://guterboden.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Flamingoblume--1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://guterboden.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Flamingoblume--2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://guterboden.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Flamingoblume--488x325.jpg 488w, https://guterboden.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Flamingoblume--308x205.jpg 308w, https://guterboden.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Flamingoblume--234x156.jpg 234w, https://guterboden.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Flamingoblume--138x92.jpg 138w, https://guterboden.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Flamingoblume--350x233.jpg 350w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" />
The Anthurium, or Flamingo Flower, is a total classic in the world of exotic houseplants. What looks like a waxy petal is actually a specialized leaf (a spathe) that surrounds the actual tiny flowers. If you give them the right soil and a little TLC, these plants can actually bloom year-round—which is a huge plus for any indoor gardener! Plus, those glossy, heart-shaped leaves look great even when the plant isn’t flowering.
++Bromeliad (Bromeliaceae)
Bromeliads are like living pieces of art. Their architectural shape and vibrant, long-lasting flower spikes make them a favorite for modern interiors. As long as you find the right spot for them (they love humidity!), they are surprisingly low-maintenance. There are so many different species and colors to choose from, so you can easily find one that matches your home decor perfectly.
++Passion Flower (Passiflora)
The Passion Flower bloom is truly a wonder of nature, even if it only lasts for a single day. These intricate, alien-looking flowers are native to the tropical regions of the Americas but make fantastic houseplants for us. They love a sunny windowsill and loamy soil. Trust me, when that first flower opens up, all the effort of caring for it will feel totally worth it!
++Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae)
The Bird of Paradise is the ultimate superstar of exotic plants. It’s not just the name that’s tropical—the flower itself looks exactly like the head of a colorful crane or bird of paradise, complete with an orange “beak.” You can grow these as large, dramatic floor plants in your home, or look for the cut flowers to add some serious flair to a floral arrangement.
%%Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
You might be surprised to find this one on the list! While most of us know ginger as a spicy root in the kitchen, the plant actually produces beautiful, vibrant flowers. If you want to try growing your own ginger, it’s actually pretty easy—you can even start with a fresh piece of ginger root from the grocery store!