Have you ever been on a safari in Africa or gotten to know one of the fascinating countries on this continent while on vacation? The exotic variety of flowers certainly caught your eye. Many African flowers can also be cultivated in our latitudes, be it as attractive decoration for the room or even in the garden.
Which African flowers are suitable for balconies and rooms?
Popular African flowers for balconies and rooms include aloe vera, African violet, hibiscus, bird of paradise (Strelitzia), African lily and crown of fame. These exotic plants bring color and African flair to your home and are usually easy to care for and undemanding.
African flowers for balconies and rooms
| Plant | Care tips | Special features |
|---|---|---|
| Aloe Vera | Requires a warm, full sun location and sandy, well-drained substrate. Can be outdoors in summer, but must be kept frost-free over the winter. Water sparingly and make sure that the inside of the rosette does not get wet, as this will lead to rot. | Ancient medicinal plant that has a soothing effect on minor burns and sunburn, for example. Blooms every year. |
| African Violet | The overhanging shoots make it a very attractive hanging plant. Tolerates full sun and heat, but is not hardy. Water sparingly. | Can be cultivated outdoors in summer and throughout the year in a south-facing window or in the winter garden. |
| Hibiscus | Beautiful flowers in many different colors. Requires warm temperatures all year round and a consistent supply of water as well as regular fertilizer applications. | Can go outdoors in summer. If brought indoors in good time, the flowering period can be extended well into November. |
| Bird of paradise flower (Strelitzia) | Prefers a location in full sun and is very heat tolerant. Should be left outdoors during the summer to promote flower formation. Water carefully, as waterlogging quickly leads to root rot. Fertilize regularly. | A popular cut flower because of the interestingly shaped and colored flowers. When the plant blooms depends on the overwintering, which can be cool or warm. |
| African Lily | Full sunny location. Water regularly but dosedly in summer. Maintain even soil moisture even in cool winter quarters. The substrate (€12.00 on Amazon) should contain coarse grains, as the fleshy roots quickly begin to rot in compacted soil. | An attractive permanent bloomer in full sun. Only repot when the planter threatens to burst, this preserves the will to bloom. |
| Crown of Glory | Prefers a sheltered, warm place without direct midday sun. Keep evenly moist and fertilize regularly. | Overwinter rhizomes in a cool, dark place. Grow indoors in early spring. Supported by a climbing aid, the plant with its bizarre flowers can reach heights of over one meter. |
Many other garden plants from Africa have long since become native to our gardens, so the table above can only show a small selection.
African flowers for the room
The plants listed here not only impress with their unusual fruits, but also form pretty flowers in advance, which make them something very special.
| Plant | Care tips | Special features |
|---|---|---|
| Money Tree | Place in sunny to partial shade. Commercially available potting soil mixed with a little sand is suitable as a substrate. Water sparingly and only fertilize once a month with a little cactus fertilizer. | Very popular, easy-care houseplant. |
| Baobab | Requires nutrient-rich, well-drained substrate (cactus soil). Water sparingly, otherwise the roots will rot. Fertilize this ascetic only rarely, if at all. | It has become a symbol of Africa due to its striking growth. Can only go outdoors for a few weeks in very warm years. |
| Liver sausage tree | Should be in sunny to partially shaded conditions and can easily tolerate temperatures up to forty degrees. The substrate must be nutrient-rich and enriched with sand, perlite or clay granules. Water regularly, but avoid waterlogging at all costs. Supply once a week with a commercially available liquid fertilizer. | Very sensitive to frost, must be cultivated in the house or winter garden all year round. |
Here, too, we can only give a small excerpt of the variety of plants that have conquered our homes from Africa.
Tip
Many African flowers and plants require very little water and a minimum of care. This makes them ideal for people who can invest little time in caring for their green roommates.
