Tropical Gift Plants

Orchids

• Orchids make gorgeous gifts and come in every color from pure white to the darkest indigo and two-tone hues. Orchids are very temperamental outdoors, unless you actually live in a tropical climate. They like indirect sunlight near a window, facing east is best. If you live in a very cold climate, you may need to place it in a window with southern exposure for warmth. You can also use artificial lighting 12 to 16 hours per day about 1/2 to 1 foot above the foliage. Tell your recipient never to let the growing medium dry completely. Orchids love moisture, but they should only be watered when nearly dry, which is about every two to three days in a hot, dry summer. Orchids like humidity, so place them in the bathroom, or group them together to raise the humidity in the immediate area. Though they require a bit of care, the blossoms last 80 to 120 days, so your recipient is rewarded generously for her care.

Amaryllis

• The amaryllis is a spectacular looking tropical plant to gift, especially if it's in bloom. The stalk is long and slender, with two or more large, trumpet-shaped blossoms on top. Flowers come in red, pink, orange and salmon. Look for large bulbs that produce larger flowers and new blossoms as soon as the old blossoms fade out. Your recipient can place the plant in light shade to encourage new growth, and he won't have to re-pot it for two years. When the blossoms are open, its owner should keep it away from direct sunlight.

Hibiscus

• Give a small hibiscus tree so your recipient can attract hummingbirds and butterflies to her porch or garden. Hibiscus needs 1 inch of water per week. It thrives when moist, but not wet. During the growing season, it needs fertilizer twice a month and pruning as needed to control growth, especially in its container. Hibiscus flowers are colorful and fragrant, growing up to 6 inches across.

Bougainvillea

• Bougainvillea's delicate, crape-like flowers come in colors ranging from soft pink to crimson and dark purple. Though it's grown outside in actual tropical climates, you can give a "container-friendly" sapling that stays indoors and should thrive, so long as it lives near a warm, very sunny window. For a variety that doesn't spread or vine too much, look for Vera Pink, Vera Purple and Firecracker Red for breathtaking blossoms. Your recipient can place the trees outdoors during the summer months and bring them indoors for the winter.