Puerto Rico’s El Yunque National Forest in the Luquillo Mountains is a beauty – full of an amazing diversity of tropical plants. There are 150 fern species and 240 tree species in this tropical rainforest.
Not surprisingly, I recognized some of the plants growing in the forest as those sold as houseplants in the continental U.S. It interests me greatly to find these plants in their native habitats. The photos below are a quick tour of some of the more interesting plants I saw in the El Yunque forest that have been cultivated by florists and gardeners.
Impatiens and Begonias
Check these forest beauties out!
Hibiscus
This beauty has leaves with a maroon margin. I love this beautiful red flower. I just wish I had seen a hummingbird visit it.
Bromeliads
Bromeliads were everywhere – covering the branches and trunks of many of the trees. The blooms of these plants are so conspicuous with their bright colors that they stick out in the forest.
As houseplants, I have found bromeliads require a little more care than other plants. They prefer a humid environment, so must be misted with water regularly or you can use a humidity tray. Do not overwater – this is a common mistake.
Heliconia
