Little-known plants native to Singapore that make Great Indoor Plants

Having greenery in the home always makes the home more cosy, and keeps us connected to nature. In Singapore, there’s no shortage of different plants that can grow successfully in the tropical climate, indoor or outdoor.

But the most commonly recommended indoor plants online the likes of Monstera, pothos, snake plant, Chinese money plant etc. are actually originally native in areas like Africa, the Americas, and pacific islands. There are actually so many more options in South East Asia that are suitable home plants which hardly get the limelight (literally).

In this article I hope to share some wonderful species of plants suitable for indoor growing which are originally native to Singapore and surrounding Malesia islands. Don’t worry if you’re not from the tropics; your home could make a suitable habitat with a bit of setup. The best part is that some even are vulnerable in the wild which would get a second chance to thrive in your home.

Which plants are good for indoors?

There are over a thousand plants that can be found in Singapore, but obviously not all of them will survive indoors in a pot. So I filtered based on the following criteria:

• They do not require direct sunlight. Almost all plants in this list prefer bright, indirect light. Some can also live in shade (annotated accordingly)
• They should be relatively small (I’m not going to recommend trees here!)
• They require low, or moderate water levels to survive. This is to reduce maintenance needs.
• They should not emit smelly odor.
• And for this blog specifically, they need to be native to Singapore.

This article started off as a list of about 5 plants, which has then greatly expanded over time as more discoveries are made. I will likely come back to this page to update the list, the more I learn about these plants over time.

Singapore Native Hoya Plants

Photo by Yara on Unsplash

The Hoya genus consists of over 500 different species of humid-loving, waxy leaf ornamental plants. The most popular species in this genus is the Sweetheart Hoya and Hoya Carnosa, but Singapore has many other species you may not know about. They are known to come in many beautiful shapes, sizes, and colours, occasionally producing a stunning ball of small flowers. Overall, they are quite easy to take care of, and are quite forgiving if you forget to water them on time.

• Bright, indirect light all day
• water once every week. Or, when roots are completely dry to touch, then its ready to be watered again
• Hoyas like to climb, so having some climbing support is good to provide.

Hoya Latifoya (Dinner Plate Hoya)

NParks species profile

Hoya Diversifolia (Mangrove Wax plant)

This species is critically endangered in the wild

http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/plants/mangrove/hoya/hoya.htm

NParks species profile

Other native Hoya species

Hoya Verticillata

Hoya Lacunosa

Hoya Coronaria

Hoya Caudata

Hoya Campanulata

Singapore Native Orchid Plants

Orchidaceae is a very large family of plants that are prolific around the world. Unfortunately many of these species thrive in primary rainforest which is why you hardly see them in the wild, especially in Singapore. Many species of Orchids are relatively hard to cultivate commercially, and local Singapore farmers here are finding it difficult to sustain the orchid business. So if you can, do support your local orchid business and take home some of these species!

NParks also have some tips for caring for Orchids. Follow these guidelines to avoid misconceptions about Orchids, and you’ll find that Orchids make rather low-maintenance, easy plants to take care of!

There are so many orchids native to Singapore, that I shortened the below list to just 5 species which are easier to find commercially.

Other native Orchid species

• Bulbophyllum medusae
• Coelogyne rochyssenii - This species was previously thought to be extinct, but rediscovered in Central Catchment Reserve. Source
  
• Dendrobium crumenatum (Pigeon Orchid)
  
• Phalaenopsis cornu-cervi (Deer Antlered Phalaenopsis)
  
• Renanthera histrionica (Enchanting Renanthera)
  

Singapore Native Dischidia plants

The Dischidia genus is closely related to the aforementioned Hoya plants. The leaves and seeds are waxy, and is also a climber. Like Orchids, they are epiphytes that grow on tree branches and trunks in the wild. They are similarly easy to grow at home. Many of Singapore’s Dischidia species are listed as 'Nationally Extinct' or 'Critically Endangered' in the wild

• At least a half a day of bright, indirect light
• Water once every. Or, when roots are completely dry to touch, then its ready to be watered again
• Can be grown in pots or hanging baskets
• Growing tips for Dischidia plants [NParks]

Dischidia vidalii (Ant Plant)

Wild Singapore writeup

Dischidia nummularia (Button Orchid)

Also known as “Pebble beach”, and is not at all an orchid, despite its name.

NParks Species Profile

Other native dischidia species

Dischidia acutifolia

Dischidia major

Dischidia hirsuta

Dischidia bengalensis

Other Singapore native Climbers and Creepers

Rhaphidophora korthalsii

The Rhaphidophora korthalsii, also known as the Shingles plant, or Climbing Aroid, is a climbing plant that adds a touch of elegance to any room. This species is vulnerable in the wild - https://savvygardening.com/shingle-plant/

NParks Species Profile

Singapore Native Herbaceous Plants 

Procris repens

A sister species of the Pellionia repens, it's nickname is Trailing Watermelon Begonia. This species enjoys semi-shade or full shade, and is often sold in plant nurseries in hanging baskets. This species thrives best with the soil kept slightly moist at all times. Its flowers are small and white/pink, and grows in clusters.

Schismatoglottis calyptrata

The Schismatoglottis calyptrata, is a tropical plant that is native to China, south-east asia, and Pacific islands. It’s a highly prolific plant that’s easy to grow, and has ornamental leaves and flowers which are loved by birds. In the wild it is mostly not variegated, though certain nurseries will carry variegated species of them. The plant is rather big, so it won’t fit on your desk. But it will thrive if placed next to a decently bright window or under the foliage of taller plants in your garden

Final thoughts

I was really tired looking at the same Monsteras and Money plants, and got curious about what plants I can grow that are very native to Singapore. Turns out, there's many many options for this, even for beginners. I thoroughly recommend you to check out these plants, and even guides on how to grow your own Hoyas, Dischidias, Orchids, and the others mentioned in this article. Good luck, and share your plant babies with us!