Tropical House

Sunlight is a coveted resource in tropical environments where trees grow tall and the canopy is thick. Some plants boast oversized leaves to reach the sun. Others have leaves with intricate holes that allow them to spread out over greater areas without expending excessive energy and nutrients. Vining plants elegantly climb tree trunks to reach closer to the light above. Higher up in the canopy, epiphytes such as orchids and bromeliads thrive, utilizing aerial roots that survive by attaching to tree branches.

Native to South East Asia and the South Pacific, the banana tree is not a true tree, but categorized as an herb because it does not have bark or woody growth.

The Cavendish Dwarf Banana does not produce seeds and propagates itself by sending shoots up from the rhizome’s growth below the ground. Due to this propagation method, there is little genetic diversity within the banana species.

Torch ginger grows quickly in warm and humid conditions. Native to Thailand, Malaysia, and New Guinea. The plant can take up as much as 15 feet of space, aggressively spreading its seeds and rhizomes, i.e., tuberous roots. Because of this tendency, they are considered invasive in some parts of the world, like Hawaii, Costa Rica, and China.

Due to their gorgeous look, people often use them as cut flowers in floral arrangements. But in Southeast Asia, various parts of the plant, like the stem, the fruit, and especially the buds, are often used as a cooking ingredient.

A small evergreen tree native to Ethiopia. Small white flowers will appear in the spring followed by green berries which will turn a dark red when ripe. The pulp on these berries is edible however they are mostly harvested, stripped of all pulp, and roasted for the coffee bean. 

Coffee Arabica is known for producing 60% of the world’s coffee.