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Dreaming of creating a tropical oasis in your backyard, on your patio, balcony, or terrace? Adding a variety of colorful plants will bring that exotic vibe to your outdoor space. Exotic flora can turn your exterior into a vibrant sanctuary full of diverse and amazing beauty.
Scented blossoms, architectural shapes, bold colors, and large leaves create an eye-catching landscape that reminds one of a distant island paradise. Although you may not be able to walk on a sparkling white sandy beach every day or listen to the soothing sounds of turquoise ocean, you can bring a piece of that heaven straight to your backyard by growing tall, colorful tropical plants. With the right choice of plants, you can create a gorgeous outdoor garden even in cooler climates.
Growing Tips & Advice on How to Have A Lush Tropical Garden, Even in Colder Hardiness Zones
In this article, we will explore a variety of low-maintenance outdoor tropical plants that will fill your outdoor space with beautiful textures, scents and colors. To get you started, we have compiled planting guidelines for 10 varieties of plants, including colorful bird of paradise, large-leaved elephant’s Ear, breezy bamboo, striking banana trees, distinctive palms, and graceful Canna lilies.
You should check the USDA plant hardiness map for your area and then look closely at each plant you are considering to see if it is a good idea for your outdoor space. With the information provided in this post and in our earlier post about creating lush outdoor tropical landscapes, you will be able to create and grow a strikingly beautiful tropical escape, whether it is in garden beds, in pots, or a combination of both.
Which plants are considered tropical?
Plants typically native to the equatorial region of our planet are considered tropical. They thrive in warm climates with high humidity levels and receive an abundance of rainfall throughout the year. They often feature large, glossy leaves, blooms that make a statement, and forms that appear to be exaggerated. With their dramatic appearances, they can quickly become a statement plant in any garden environment.
10 Low-Maintenance Tropical Plants for Outdoor
Choosing which tropical plants to grow in your garden beds or pots outside depends on what you want to achieve, your personal taste, and the available space. Here are 10 botanical species that are fairly easy to maintain. With proper care which includes bringing them inside for winter when necessary, you can enjoy these magnificent additions to your home, even if you live in hardiness zones below 11.
1. Elephant’s Ear
Photo credit: Longfield gardens
- Botanical name: Alocasia, Colocasia
- Light: Full or partial sun exposure
- Soil type: Moist, organically rich
- Soil pH: 5.5-7.0
- Watering: Keep moist
- Size: up to 4 ft wide and 6 ft tall
- Hardiness zones: 8 – 11
- Companions: Caladium, Begonias, Canna
Elephant’s ear (Alocasia, Colocasia) is a great choice for backyards or spacious patios. It has oversized heart-shaped foliage with deep veins. It provides large splashes of green, sometimes with hints of purple, with bold textures and can grow to an impressive size. These are a great addition to your outdoor space and because they are an automatic focal point. They can survive in zones 7 and higher if you move them to a warm and dry place for the winter. When growing these in large pots, keep in mind that they can become very heavy which is a factor to consider when needing to move them.
2. Impatiens (Touch-Me-Not)
Image credit: Bell Horticultural Co via HGTV
- Botanical name: Impatiens spp.
- Light: Partial sun and shade
- Soil type: Moist, fertile, rich
- Soil pH: 5.5-6.5
- Watering:
- Size: 1 to 3 ft
- Hardiness zones:
- Companions: Asparagus fern, Columbine, Banana tree
Impatiens are low-maintenance, blooming plants that are good for mixed beds and containers. They come in a wide variety of colors (orange, pink, purple, red, white, yellow) with green/blue foliage and are excellent for mixing in with other plants to create a lot of visual interest. Most of the country treats these as annuals, however, in hardiness zones 10 and 11 they are considered perennials as they can recover after winter. In the south and desert regions, they do need protection from the hot sun.
3. Bamboo
Image credit: Cacti Landscapes
- Botanical name: Bambusa vulgaris
- Light: Full and partial sun
- Soil type: Well-drained, sandy, but moist
- Soil pH: Acidic (5.0-6.5)
- Watering: Deeply and regularly
- Size: Mature: 15 – 60 ft
- Hardiness zones: 9-12
- Companions: Strelitzia, Aspidistra, Ti
Bamboo typically grows in running or clumping formations. It is a versatile plant that can be used in many different ways to bring the tropics to your yard. It creates an excellent screen for privacy. You can also use bamboo sticks, poles and thatching to make tropical accents which be used in tiki bars, as tiki torches, or as thatch umbrellas. Bamboo can also be used to create planter borders and edging, privacy fencing, and canopies and palapas. It can even be used to create bridges in pool areas and to create an outdoor jungle-style shower! There really are a lot of creative uses for bamboo!
Even if you don’t live in warm or hot climates, you can still grow bamboo. Several varieties which do grow in warmer clients can tolerate occasional winter temperatures into the teens. Other varieties are truly cold tolerant including giant cane or river cane (Arundinaria gigantea). In fact, these occur naturally in zones 5 to 9.
NOTE: Be aware that many bamboo species are "running" and can be very invasive. They must be controlled.
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4. Bird Of Paradise
Photo credit: Ntdanai via Garden Know How
- Botanical name: Strelitzia reginae
- Light: Bright, indirect sun
- Soil type: rich, well-drained, loamy
- Soil pH: 5.5. – 7.5
- Watering: Keep moist but not soggy
- Size: 3 – 5 ft wide, 6 – 30 ft
- Hardiness zones: 10 – 11
- Companions: Kangaroo Paw, Sago Palm, Daylily
With their large, bright green leaves and spiky blooms resembling bird’s wings, this exotic flower will take central stage in your garden. It’s native to tropical and subtropical areas and the flowers appear in a striking combination of colors including orange, yellow, white, and blue. They need to reach a certain size before they begin to bloom and this can take several years of growth. If you live in cooler climates, be sure to move them indoors during temperatures colder than 40 degrees as they do not tolerate colder temperatures.
5. Banana Trees
Image credit: Trees South Africa
- Botanical name: Musa paradisiaca
- Light: Direct or partial sunlight
- Soil type: Well-drained, rich, loamy
- Soil pH: 5.5. – 6.5
- Watering: Evenly moist
- Size: 1 – 15 ft. wide, 2 – 30 ft. tall,
- Hardiness zones: 9 – 11
- Companions: Papaya trees, Colocasia
These are very easy to grow when given optimal conditions such as a lot of light, regular watering, and fertile soil. In the right conditions, it may bear fruit in about 18 months, after which it dies back to the ground. Another plant will sprout from the same roots. These are great for beginner gardeners! Just know that these too must be moved indoors during winter because they cannot tolerate freezing temperatures.
6. Canna Lilly
Image credit: Tesselaar
- Botanical names: Canna
- Light: Partial or full Sun
- Soil type: Well-fertilized, moist soil
- Soil pH: 6.5 – 7
- Watering: Deep water weekly
- Size: 1-6 ft wide, 2 - 8 ft tall
- Hardiness zones: 7 – 11
- Companions: Ornamental grass, ferns, Acalypha herzogiana
Canna lily is a versatile flower that can be used in various ways in the garden to create a jungle vibe. You can use canna lilies to fill in areas between other plants, as a living backdrop in layered landscaping, or solo as a focal point. It is a fantastic choice for adding height to your landscape, as they can grow quite tall. Smaller or dwarf varieties are also available to grow in pots and containers.
7. Papyrus (Paper Plant)
Image credit: Lowe’s
- Botanical name: Cyperus papyrus
- Light: Partial or full sun
- Soil type: Fertile
- Soil pH: 6 – 8.5
- Watering: Ample moisture
- Size: 1 – 6 ft wide, 1 – 8 ft tall
- Hardiness zones: 10 - 11
- Companions: Caladium, Daisy, Juniper
Papyrus is easy to care for and grows vigorously if you give it the right conditions. You can plant it in soil, near ponds, bogs, or directly in shallow water, as it thrives in lots of moisture. Papyrus can add a dramatic and dynamic visual appeal to your tropical garden landscape due to its height and texture. To ensure healthy and continual growth, prune it regularly by removing dead stalks.
8. Crocosmia (Coppertips)
Photo credit: The Middle-Sized Garden
- Botanical name: Crocosmia aurea
- Light: Partial to full sun
- Soil type: Humus-rich, moist
- Soil pH: 7.0
- Watering: Regular and even
- Size: 12 – 30 in
- Hardiness zones: 5 – 9
- Companions: Helenium, greenery, ornamental grass
This colorful tropical plant brings a splash of color all summer long. It pairs well with large-leaf greenery and ornamental grasses. If you live in an area with low temperatures and frost, make sure you plant them in containers and bring them inside during fall and winter. There are several varieties, including “Lucifer” which has vivid red flowers that attract pollinators and hummingbirds, “Golden Fleece” with yellow flowers, and “Dixter Flame” with red-orange blooms.
9. Tropical Hibiscus (Chinese Hibiscus)
Image credit: Hidden Valley Hibiscus
- Botanical name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
- Light: Full sun
- Soil type: Organically rich
- Soil pH: 6.00 - 7.0
- Watering: Daily during hot weather, otherwise regularly and moderately
- Size: 4 – 8 ft wide, 8 – 15 ft tall
- Hardiness zones: 9 – 11
- Companions: Jasmine, Passion flower, Plumeria
Hibiscus is a highly versatile flower that you can use it for various purposes in your garden. It provides a true tropical touch to any space! As a large bush, it is great for slopes and hillsides, as shrub borders, and as foundational plants which are accented by other tropicals planted close by. To achieve the look of a distant island paradise, plant Hibiscus near the pool along with palms, alocasias, and birds of paradise. Bring containers and pots indoors in cold weather.
10. Cordyline (Ti plant, Cabbage palm)
Image credit: Sugar Creek Gardens
- Botanical name: Cordyline spp.
- Light: Partial to full sun
- Soil type: Rich, well-draining
- Soil pH: 6 – 6.5
- Watering: Slightly moist at all times
- Size: 2 – 4 ft, 2 – 20 ft
- Hardiness zones: 9 - 11
- Companions: Canna lilies, Dahlias, Crocosmia
With its vibrant hues of reds and pinks, Cordyline commands immediate attention. Its brightly colored foliage is reminiscent of tropical island as it is used extensively in locations from Miami to the South Pacific. Using Cordyline is a great way to bring the feel of magnificent tropical resorts such as those found in Fiji and Tahiti to your home.
Where To Buy
Wondering where to purchase gorgeous greenery? Luckily, there’s no shortage of garden centers, nurseries, plant stores, and online shops. If you want to indulge your green thumb with tropical foliage, there are many places to shop: California Tropicals, Cherry Lake Tree Farm, Tropical Palms of Florida, Lowe’s, Aloha Tropicals, Walmart, Costco, and many, many others.
How To Choose Which Plants To Grow
When deciding on which tropical plants to add to your garden, think of the following:
- Soil conditions – Make sure your plant will thrive in your soil conditions.
- Sun exposure - Pick plants that will get the right amount of sunlight in your backyard’s conditions.
- Color scheme – For a more colorful tropical garden, imagine the color scape you would like to see and go for that when choosing flowing plants.
- Safety for kids and pets – If you have children or pets, keep them safe by avoiding plants that may be harmful to them. You can check your preferred selections online to make sure they are safe to have around.
How To Incorporate Tropical Flora Into Your Landscape Design
In order to highlight your garden’s features and add lots of interest and colors, consider these ideas:
- Decorate your pergola by adding climbing plants or hanging planters
- Plant around the fountain to create a mesmerizing focal point
- Add plants around the pool to create a resort-like feel
- Soften patio and hardscape edges with bedding plants and grasses to create visual perfection!
Growing Tips
After you have assessed the conditions in your garden and planted accordingly, it is time to care for them so you can ensure they grow their best.
Here’s a few tips on how to grow them successfully:
Irrigation
Proper watering is one of the most important aspect of plant care. In the beginning, you might need to water a but more than normal as your plants adjust to their new conditions. After that, follow the instructions provided by the nursery, making sure the soil is moist, but not soggy (unless otherwise specified).
Fertilizing
Throughout growing season, fertilize as needed per instructions. You will need to fertilize more often during warmer and wetter weather and less often during the winter. Whenever possible, choose high quality fertilizer which is suited specifically for your tropicals.
Pruning and Trimming
Pruning and trimming are essential parts of care. It is vital to remove dead or dying parts so you can help to produce healthy growth. However, to do this properly, certain guidelines should be followed:
- Most plants require pruning in late winter or early spring, prior to new growth and flowering. Some plants require pruning in the fall and winter.
- Clean and sterilize pruning equipment with rubbing alcohol before use to avoid the transfer of any diseases.
- Regularly inspect your plants to check for overall health.
- Prune overgrown areas by 25%
- To create more plants for free (who doesn't like that!), propagate leafy cuttings when possible. Many cuttings can be place in water to start new roots while others can be planted directly in a small pot to being rooting.
Weed and Disease Control
Whether you have an indoor tropical oasis or an outdoor paradise filled with exotic specimens, plant health must be your priority. Some diseases and pests are hard to detect when they first begin so as mentioned above, regular inspections are a must. Some of the most common pests can seemingly show up out of nowhere and you need to be prepared to fight them off. Aphids, whiteflies, spider mites, snails and some caterpillars are very common pests while diseases such as bacterial blight, fungus, and root rot are very common. Carefully research the most effective ways to battle pests and diseases so you can choose the best methods for your personal environments. By regularly inspecting your plants and acting quickly when an issue arises, you can prevent major problems in the future. Plants can be expensive to replace so give them the attention they need.
Benefits of Tropical Gardening
The advantages of tropical gardening go beyond the mesmerizing beauty of a lovely garden. Just being around plants offers a lot of health and environmental benefits including:
- Improved air quality
- Absorption of noise
- Natural shade and cooler surroundings
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Lower blood pressure and heart rates
- Boosted positivity and creativity
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I keep tropical plants alive during winter?
Since tropical plants cannot survive freezing temperatures, you have to bring them inside during colder months unless you live in Zones 10 – 11. Before bringing them in, hose them down, and inspect them for pests. Water them as needed and keep the away from drafts and vents which provide heating and air conditioning. Prior to moving them back outside, cut them back as needed to promote new growth.
2. Can tropical plants really be grown both indoors or outdoors?
Even though many of plants originate from tropical climates, they can grow very well both indoors and outdoors if the conditions they require are met. Most tropicals can survive temperatures into the 50s with some surviving into the 40's for short periods of time. Anything colder than that means they must either be kept covered and warm outside or they must be brought inside to hang out with you.
3. What temperature is too cold for my outdoor tropical plants?
This depends on the actual species of plant but in general, you need to keep a close eye on them when temperatures dip below 50 degrees during the day or not. If you suspect damage is occurring, bring them inside.
