9 Plants that make your garden a Tropical Paradise

August 10, 2022

There is nothing wrong with a traditional styled garden, they are classic but Tropical plants just pack a punch in the garden. There are so many tropical plant combinations that make you feel like your on vacation as soon as you step outside your door.

This blog post may contain affiliate links. Which means if you click on a link and go on to buy the product I recommend, I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Tropical gardens are all about creating a lush, vibrant, and exotic oasis in your own backyard. They are perfect for people who want to escape the everyday and transport themselves to a sun-drenched paradise.

Many of us in colder growing zones can only have these plants for a season and would either need to bring them indoors or, compost them or give them away. Those in warm zones can grow them outdoors year round! Here are my favorite tropical plants that pack a punch in the garden.

Table of Contents hide

1 Plants that turn your garden into a Tropical Paradise

1.8 Posts You May Be interested in!

1.9 Caladium

1.10 Cordyline

1.11 The Thrifted Planter

Plants that turn your garden into a Tropical Paradise

Banana Trees

Banana trees are grown as annual and perennial plants depending on your gardening zone. You can grow them in ground or in pots and their big leaves have a way of making you feel like your on a tropical vacation when you step outside your door!

While we call them banana “trees,” they’re technically not trees at all! These herbaceous giants are actually the largest flowering plants on Earth, boasting impressive heights and producing the delicious fruit we all know and love.

Read How to find your garden zone and why it’s important to know

banana trees near a metal railing
tropical plants
tropical garden plants

Hibiscus

There are several types of Hibiscus and all are gorgeous! They have big beautiful blooms that come in different colors. Did you know Hibiscus is often used for tea?

Hibiscus plants are known for their showy flowers, which come in a wide range of colors, including red, pink, orange, yellow, and purple.

They can be single or double blooms, and some varieties even have variegated flowers.

yellow and red hibiscus flower on plant box

Elephant Ears

Elephant Ear plants are so gorgeous and boost big leaves that are shaped similar to you guessed it Elephant Ears. Elephant Ears is a common name for a group of tropical perennial plants grown for their large, heart-shaped leaves.

The leaves can be green, purple, or even variegated. Some varieties can grow up to 9 feet tall and 4 feet wide!

Learn how to grow your own Elephant Ear Plants here!

Coleus

Coleus come in so many shapes and colors! They add that bright pop of tropical colors to the garden and are so easy to propagate.

Coleus, is also known as painted nettle or poor man’s croton, is a genus of flowering plants in the Lamiaceae family, native to Southeast Asia and the Indo-Malayan region.

They are popular ornamental plants, prized for their colorful and vibrantly-hued foliage.

Coleus leaves come in a wide range of colors, including green, red, pink, purple, yellow, and orange, often with intricate patterns and variegation.

Canna Lilies

Gorgeous Canna Lily plants come in different sizes and colors there’s a perfect one or two for your garden.

With their vibrant blooms and dramatic foliage, are a surefire way to add a touch of the tropics to your garden.

But beyond their beauty, they’re also surprisingly easy to grow and care for, making them a favorite among gardeners of all levels.

Learn how to grow Canna Lilies here!

green leaves of a canna plant on close up shot

Ferns

Ferns are so beautiful! They have the frilly foliage and looks so beautiful when it blows in the wind. Ferns are some of the oldest and most fascinating plants on Earth, with a fossil record dating back over 300 million years!

They’re not only incredibly diverse, with over 10,500 known species, but they also possess unique characteristics that set them apart from their flowering plant counterparts.

My favorite ferns to have in the garden are Ostrich Ferns. They grow so beautiful and lush and will easily propagate on their own. So If you plant two one year you’ll have 5-6 the next year!

Palm

Palms are so stunning in the garden and are available at any garden centers from spring through fall. They look amazing in the garden and add height to any space.

Palm trees come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from the towering majesty of the coconut palm to the delicate grace of the lady palm.

Their fronds can be fan-shaped, feather-shaped, or even circular, and they come in a range of colors, from green to blue to gold. Some palms even have spiky fronds!

Posts You May Be interested in!

Caladium

Caladium are like miniature Elephant Ear Plants but in more colors! There’s one for every garden!

Caladium leaves are typically heart-shaped or arrow-shaped, with smooth or ruffled edges. The leaf veins are often prominent and colored differently from the rest of the leaf.

The leaves can be up to 12 inches wide and 18 inches long.

Cordyline

Cordylines also known as a TI plant have long, strap-like leaves that come in a variety of colors, including green, red, purple, pink, and yellow.

Some varieties have variegated leaves with stripes or margins of contrasting colors. The leaves are typically leathery and sword-shaped, growing from a cane-like stem.

If you live in a cold zone like I do many of these plants can be brought indoors over the winter months.

Which tropical plants are your favorite to grow in your garden?

Happy Gardening

Want More?

Houseplants are gorgeous living home decor. It is worthwhile learning how to properly care for them.

IF YOU LIKE THIS POST

The Thrifted Planter

Ciearra is a gardener and houseplant enthusiast of over 10 years! She has been growing indoors and outdoors. Supplying food for her family and beautifying her home with annuals, perennials and houseplants! Ciearra is passionate about sharing her knowledge of plant care with anyone who needs help or a quick plant growth tip! When she’s not blogging you can find her tending to her chickens, dogs and hanging out with her family

Learn More