Ornamental Gardens

Do you live in a tropic or sub - tropical climate , and wonder what plants you could plant to create a tropic haven in your backyard ? Perhaps you just want to find some sensational tropicals to add to your houseplant assembling . Here , gardening expert Melissa Strauss introduces 17 of her favorite types of tropic plants and grant examples of some of the more popular varieties of each .

subject matter

tropical landscape plants

Tropical plants are a luxury that most of us only get to enjoy as houseplants , or if you ’re fortunate to have one , in a glasshouse to overwinter . But for some lucky nurseryman , a tropic landscape is fully attainable .

Tropical industrial plant have specific needs and attributes that have evolved allot to their aboriginal climates . Most of these plants choose warm conditions , well - draining territory , wad of pelting , and fairly in high spirits humidity .

A grand matter about these industrial plant is that most of them are evergreen . Using that word for a medallion Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree may seem funny , but they strike into this radical . Some of these tropical plant can be perennial in cool climates , and many can be grow as houseplants .

Close-up of a flowering Brugmansia plant in a sunny garden. The plant has large, hanging, elongated, funnel-shaped flowers pointing down. The flowers are a soft peach color. The leaves are large, ovoid in shape, have a smooth texture. They are arranged alternately along the stems and create an attractive foliage appearance.

Whether you live in a tropic or sub - tropical climate or want to create a tropic paradise inside your home , here aresome of our favourite tropical plantsthat will keep your space feeling like a holiday year - around !

Angel’s Trumpet

Botanical Name : Brugmansia

Angel ’s trumpet , or Brugmansia , is a arresting , night - blooming tropic plant . It is evergreen , retaining its bright greenish foliage year - round . This plant is typically grown as a little tree , although it can get through heights up to 30 ’ tall under the right conditions . The bloom are long and trumpet - form , in pink , yellow , and white shades .

Brugmansia flower in the eve , releasing a pleasing fragrance . It make a rattling plant close to an outdoor sit down area , where its beauty and essence can be enjoyed . The ‘ Cherub ’ variety is a stunning lulu and cream colour with a pale greenish Department of the Interior . Be deliberate about this plant around untried children and pets , as all parts of the plant are poisonous .

Close-up of a flowering Strelitzia plant, commonly known as bird of paradise. The plant is known for its unique and vibrant flowers that resemble the beak and plumage of a bird. The leaves are large, oar-shaped, fan-shaped. They are thick, leathery and glossy green in color. The flowers are composed of orange and blue petals forming a structure that resembles a bird in flight or a bird’s beak.

Bird-of-Paradise

Botanical Name : Strelitzia

This democratic industrial plant incur its vulgar name from the coming into court of its flowers . These exciting blooms resemble exotic birds in shades of jaundiced , orangish , downcast , and white . The genus is aboriginal to Africa and originate in the southeasterly tropical and semitropical climate zones . These plants like pot of light , but too much verbatim sunshine will cause leaf singe .

In tropic landscape , these plantsthrive upright under a brightly perch canopy . Light filtered through overhead plants is near . Bird - of - Paradise plant require mickle of water and humidity during their growing and blossom season . The most common mintage of Strelitzia is the classicS. reginae . This mintage has the brightest and most noteworthytropical flowers .

Close-up of a flowering Bougainvillea plant in the garden. The plant has spear-shaped leaves with a glossy, bright green texture. The flowers are small, tubular, creamy white with large, papery, bright pink bracts. Bracts are modified leaves that surround the flowers.

Bougainvillea

Botanical Name : Bougainvillea

Bougainvilleais a tropical , sun - loving , shrubby vine that looks amazing grown on the side of a structure or a trellis . This is the one if you are looking for a large works with major flower power . The thorny vine are woody , make a greatespalier , and can reach up to 30 ’ long , growing up to 3 ’ per year .

This plant has a typical , Mediterranean flavor , although it is aboriginal to South America . The portion of the flora that are think of as flowers are colourful bracts , papery leaflike structures . The blossom lie within the bracts and are pocket-sized , white-livered , and tubular .

Close-up of flowering plant Bromeliaceae. The plant is elongated, flat, xiphoid, with pointed ends, arranged in a rosette or spiral, forming a central cup-like structure known as a “tank”. The leaves are dark green with hints of bright red, yellow and orange.

The bract come in shades of orange , pinkish , ashen , scandalmongering , purple , and red . I am fond to the Sundown Orange River variety , as it served as the backdrop for my wedding picture , but there are so many gorgeous varieties it is difficult to choose a favorite .

Bromeliad

Botanical Name : Bromeliaceae

Bromeliads make decent houseplantsin non - tropical climate , adding a burst of coloring material when they flower and attractive foliation year - round . The wide , pointed leaves are palm tree - like and grow in a telescoping rosette . The different species vary widely in size and coloration , with the smallest being scantily more than an inch tall , to nigh three feet at the gravid .

These plants are typically epiphytic , preferring their illumination filter out through an overhead canopy . Bromeliads are leisurely to manage for and do n’t have any specialised pauperism . When approach the end of its lifecycle , a bromeliad will typically produce a orotund flower before dying . Not to worry , though ; they regularly air out start to replace the parent plant . Thepineapple plantis a penis of this genus that raise gratifying , toothsome fruit instead of bloom .

Close-up of a flowering Canna Lily plant in a sunny garden. The leaves of Canna Lily are large, broad and spatulate, usually growing alternately along the stems. They have noticeable veins and are dark green in color. The flowers are large, showy, reminiscent of bright tropical flowers. The petals of the flower are wide and rounded, forming an elegant shape. The flowers are bright orange.

Canna Lily

Botanical Name : Canna

These looker make a strong assertion in the garden . With their heavy , colourful leaves and intricate flowers , there are few competition for these relatives ofgingerandbanana plants .

The leaves are longsighted and resemble banana leaves , with many varieties bearing motley leafage . canna rise from rootstalk , so they procreate every year , and in a comparatively short time , a handful of plant can turn into a large , colourful grouping .

Close-up of an Antigonon leptopus flowering plant in a sunny garden. The plant is a highly flowering vine with large heart-shaped bright green leaves with serrated edges. Flowers grow in large groups, creating a stunning range of colors. The flowers are small, delicate and tightly clustered together. They are pink, tubular, with five petals.

Canna flush come in nuance of carmine , pink , yellow , coral , and white , as well as combination of these colors . They resemble lily , but they are not . Their flush bloom atop tall stem turn , flower honest in full Lord’s Day . The Chou Chou variety farm wonderful cream - discolor blush covered in pale peach lentigo and with a peach - colored throat .

Coral Vine

Botanical Name : Antigonon leptopus

Coral Vine goes by many names . Some call it Mexican Creeper ; others refer to it as Queen ’s Wreath . No matter what you call it , it ’s a must - have for any tropical garden . Long , fragile vine branch off and sport bright green heart - determine leaves . The vine is quite pretty on its own , resemble a tendergrapevine .

When in rosiness , Coral Vine is a sight to lay eyes on . Covered in clusters of the most wonderful , delicate pink efflorescence , this plant has a long blooming season . It is veryattractive to pollinatorsand , when in full flower , creates a delightful butterfly and bee - watch spot .

Close-up of Zingiber officinale plants in the garden. This perennial plant has long, lanceolate leaves arranged alternately on vertical stems. The rhizome is thick, knotty, pale yellowish in color, covered with a light brown skin.

It can become incursive , as it spreads by both seed and rootstalk . However , I had this in my M in South Florida for many years and never had trouble controlling the spread . Then again , I love the stuff and nonsense !

Ginger

Botanical Name : Zingiber officinale

This Asiatic indigen has become a staple in many of the most remarkable culinary circles . It has many wellness benefit as an ingredient , so growing it as an victuals make this an extra particular plant . powdered ginger plant develop from rhizomes , the edible destiny of the plant . The leaves are marvelous , flat , and ovate , and sometimes motley .

Ginger is more than just a kitchen helper , though . Many variety of ginger are quite beautiful and create big , colorful bloom .

Close-up of a flowering Anthurium plant in the garden. Anthurium leaves are large, glossy, heart-shaped. They are dark green in color with a leathery texture and a shiny appearance. The flowers are modified leaves called spathes. The spathe is waxy, shiny and brightly dyed red. The spathe surrounds a fleshy spike called the spadix, which is covered in tiny, densely-packed bright yellow flowers.

Shampoo ginger , also known as ‘ Awapuhi kuahiwi , is best be intimate for its large , red , pinecone - determine flowers that farm a angelic - smelling sap that can be used for wash hair’s-breadth .

Heliconia

Botanical Name : Heliconia

Heliconia , often call False Bird - of - Paradise , has flowers resemble the other genus . However , they are not intimately pertain .

Rather , they are relatives of the banana tree and pep families and are more similar to the Canna lily in structure . Heliconia has tall , flat leaves , and run to spread , make large clump .

Close-up of a flowering Mandevilla plant in a sunny garden. Mandevilla is a beautiful flowering vine with glossy, dark green, elongated, alternate leaves. The leaves have a smooth texture and a pointed tip. The flowers are large, funnel-shaped, bright pink, with a waxy texture.

This plant life isperfect for filling a space but can crowd out other plants if it does n’t have enough space . The flowers are red , orange , or chickenhearted and are tell to resemble a lobster ’s pincer . They will bloom throughout the warm month if commit proper precaution . They opt a fleck of shelter from verbatim sunlight , though , and do good with bright filtered brightness or light shade .

Laceleaf

Botanical Name : Anthurium

Laceleaf , or Anthurium , makes howling houseplants . They also arise outdoors in fond clime and are a stunning addition to the tropical landscape garden .

equal to of blooming year - daily round with the correct care , the blooms are leathery and glossy in shade of pinkish , white , and red . In addition to the byname Laceleaf , anthuriums are also unremarkably call flamingo heyday because of their appearance .

Close-up of a flowering orchid plant in a tropical garden. The leaves of the orchid are large, oval, glossy green in color, grow in the form of a rosette. The flowers are small, consist of three petals and three sepals of almost the same shape. Petals and sepals are bright pink with white edges.

To avoid leaf burn , anthuriums have particular vulnerability needs . They postulate burnished light , but it must be indirect or filtered to preserve the unity of the glossy leaves . Many species are epiphytic , growing on other objects like trees . Anthurium scherzerianum , or Painter ’s Palette , is a beautiful cultivar with white-hot bloom that are dusted on top and endorse with bright red .

Mandevilla

Botanical Name : Mandevilla

Mandevilla is an attractive and various flowering tropic plant . It is well suited to container gardening , so it can be successfully grow in nerveless mood as long as it is brought indoors in the winter . It is less picky about the sun , performing well in full sunshine and part shade . Some varieties are shrubby , while others tend to climb more .

Like most tropicals , it enjoys warm weather and lots of humidity . Grown indoors , it will likelyrequire some supplemental humidity . It is a operose eater and can be fertilise every two weeks without trauma . The Alice DuPont diverseness bring on gorgeous , deep pink blooming and grows up to 20 ’ marvelous .

Close-up of Ornamental Banana (Musaceae) flowering plant in the garden. The plant has lush foliage, unique fruits and stunning flowers. The leaves are bright green in color, large, wide and resemble the typical shape of a banana leaf. The fruits are shaped like miniature reddish-pink bananas. The flower is large, exotic, bright pink with long orange stamens.

Orchids

Botanical Name : Orchidaceae

There are so many awe-inspiring genus andspecies of orchidsthat it is difficult to reduce these plants to one category . These mostly epiphytic and predominantly tropic flowering plants have recover their way into a infinite of utmost popularity as houseplants .

However , if you ’re fortunate enough to survive in a tropical climate , you could produce them outside , on trees , the way they grow in the wild .

Close-up of Passiflora incarnata flowering plant in the garden. This perennial plant has lush foliage and charming flowers. The leaves of Passiflora incarnata are deeply lobed and palmate, with three to five pointed lobes. They are bright green and provide an attractive backdrop for showy flowers. The plant produces exquisite and intricate flowers. The flowers are large, have a unique structure with five sepals, five petals and a noticeable complex arrangement of filaments and stamens in the center. The petals are pale purple, and the threads are bright purple.

Orchids have specific needs , includinghigh humidity , bright , indirect sunlight , and good air circulation . These can be unmanageable to reduplicate in cool climates , so into the nursery they go . In tropic and subtropic climates , you could use a pair of nylons to tie an orchid to a tree diagram . By the time the rayon stocking deteriorate , the orchid will have rooted to the tree and will be happiest there .

If I had to prefer just one species of orchidaceous plant to keep , it would have to be the Cattleya orchid . This prominent and uncompromising type of orchidaceous plant can handle more Lord’s Day than most species and produces arresting , fragrant flowers that have clear them the nickname Corsage Orchids .

Ornamental Banana

Botanical Name : Musaceae

Most multitude think of banana plant as tree . However , they are actually the largest herbaceous perennial . While some varieties are grown for the toothsome and nutritious intellectual nourishment they bring about , others are turn simply because they are beautiful . These congener of the Ginger family producelarge , beautiful , profuse foliage that make a wonderful backdrop for the tropic garden .

They are alsohardy to zone 7 , where they will die back in the winter and reemerge as beautiful as ever in the leaping , bringing along offset in each young twelvemonth .

Close-up of a flowering Plumeria plant in a sunny garden. It is a tropical flowering tree with thick, fleshy branches covered with glossy, elongated leaves. The leaves have a leathery texture and are arranged in spiral tufts at the ends of the branches. They are dark green in color. The flowers are large, waxy yellow with white margins. The flowers are characteristically shaped with overlapping petals and a prominent tubular centre.

banana produce peak , which fare before the yield or cum seedcase . These flowers are often quite lovely . They like partial shade and need shelter from strong winds that can damage their liberal leafage . TheDwarf Cavendishis a very pop ornamental banana tree with eatable yield and pretty , crimson markings on its leaves .

Passion Vine

Botanical Name : Passiflora incarnata

Passionflower , or rage vine , is a tropic flowering vine that is woody in tropical and subtropical climate . It is a ascendant fearless perennial to zone 7 . Native to the Southeastern United States , this vine serves as a butterfly host plant and a food source for wildlife .

Passionflowers fall in shades of pink , purple , blue , red , green , yellow , and white . They are big and alien in visual aspect , with intricate design of stamen in the center , ring by uniform petals and sepals . Incarnata Alba is a variety with pure ashen flowers that is frigid hardy down to Zone 6 .

Close-up of a growing Calathea zebra plant in a sunny garden. The plant has large, elongated and oval patterned leaves. The leaves have bright zebra-like stripes that alternate between dark green and lighter shades of green. The leaves have a glossy texture.

Plumeria

Botanical Name : Plumeria

Also sleep with as Frangipani , Plumeriais a delightfully fragrant , flower small Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that gas the most common heyday used in making leis . They are a dazzling tree diagram for any subtropic or tropic landscape . Plumeria bloom are so fragrant that they are exceptionally popular among perfumers . Their redolence is wide used in cosmetic , candles , and other home scent products .

The long , fleshy short pants of the Plumeria tree diagram can store a band of wet , make them similar to succulents in that way . They flourish in hot , sandy land types and tolerate verbatim sun very well . Plumerias make out in many colouration and have many unlike , typical scents . ‘ Riviera Rainbow ’ is a charming , multicolored variety with pink , bloodless , and yellow pinwheel - shaped flowers .

Close-up of a flowering Protea plant in a sunny garden. The plant has distinct, lanceolate, dark green leaves with a waxy-glossy texture. The flowers are large, exotic, calyx-shaped, revealing a cluster of perianths and styles tipped with pollen. External sharp-looking petals are burgundy-red.

Prayer Plants

Botanical Name : Calathea

Calatheasare normally sell as houseplants , as they favor more temperate climate and do n’t like direct sun photo . However , they grow very well under a canopy in an outside tropic landscape . Commonly love as prayer plant , Calathea has a unique wont of raising their leave at night and depress them during the daytime to optimize their sun exposure .

Calathea plants do produce flowers when they are happy . Some gardener favour the plant put its energy into leaf development , though , so removing the flowers will aid the works to conserve vigour .

Close-up of a flowering plant Ravenala madagascariensis in a sunny garden. The plant has large fan-shaped leaves resembling a peacock’s tail. The plant produces bright creamy white flowers that emerge from boat-shaped structures.

They typically flower once per class , in the summer . There are many beautiful diverseness with attractive foliage . The Rose Painted Calathea is particularly outstanding , with thick empurpled undersurface to the leaves and patterns of several shade of gullible on top .

Protea

Botanical Name : Protea

Protea is a genus of over 1,000 species of bloom tropical plants . They tramp wide in size , from a humble 3 ’ to a tower 26 ’ tall . They like very well - drain land , flock of sun , and undecomposed line circulation . Proteas aretropical plants with decent cold margin . They can survive temperatures as low as 23 ° F , pretend them hardy to Zone 8 .

These plants are best known for their flowers . flowered designer covet these large , intricate peak . They have a long blooming cycle , open first to a cup flesh and then revealing a magnanimous clustering of floral envelope and styles angle with pollen .

The King Protea is named for its large flower that resemble a pennant . It is highly recognisable and has been identify thenational flower of South Africa .

Travelers Palm

Botanical Name : Ravenala Madagascariensis

The Travelers Palm is not an actual palm at all . Rather , it is a relative of banana plants and Birds - of - Paradise . It resembles the Bird - of - Paradise but is much larger , reaching up to 30 ’ at maturity . The leaves grow in giant fan - comparable formation that resemble a peacock ’s tail . These plants can grow very large , so they want plenty of space .

This native to Madagascar has very interesting flower . At roughly 5 years , the flora will create creamy , white flowers born by boat - like structures . These plant life produce an awe-inspiring amount of nectar and are pollenate in their aboriginal environment by lemur !

Final Thoughts

Each of these plants will all serve to make that holiday aesthetic , whether you ’re creating an outdoor tropic landscape or seeking out exotic houseplant . Even if you do n’t survive in a tropic climate , you’re able to still convey the Torrid Zone to your home . If you ’re lucky enough to live in this popular climate year - around , you could use these plants to create a personal tropical oasis !