Best tropical plants – 15 expert picks to create your very own backyard paradise

Choosing the best tropical plants makes creating a lush backyard sanctuary achievable even in cooler climes. Large, bold leaves, rich colors and interesting silhouettes of blooms are the hallmarks of this style of planting.

There are a few easy rules to follow for making a tropical garden. Blend a mix of shapes and sizes to create a jungle feel, layering the foliage to achieve a luxuriant effect. Choose plants with flowers in bold, exotic colors, such as hot orange, purples and almost-black. This is all brought together by packing plants closely together to mimic how they grow in their native habitat. Restricting the space they grow in should mean that they will not overwhelm each other, too.

Not sure where to get started with selecting plants? Look no further. Our expert guide to tropical plants has leaves of all shapes and sizes, plants with contrasting colors, those suitable for container planting, and much more.

15 stunning tropical plants for gardens big or small

Many of these tropical plants work in cooler climes, as well as warmer US hardiness zones. You can also grow tropical indoor plants to bring a touch of paradise to your indoor garden.

1. Canna

With stunning flowers in hot colors, cannas are a top choice for the best tropical plants. Choose from sizzling orange, punchy pinks and red on huge architectural leaves. It grows best across US hardiness zone 9 to zone 10.

They add height (up to 5ft) and drama to garden borders, plus it's fairly easy to grow canna lilies. Plant the rhizomes in late spring (April or May) in a sunny, sheltered position and keep watered. They will then flower from June to September.

Cannas dislike the cold, so lift don't leave canna bulbs in the ground in winter. Lift the rhizomes and store somewhere dry and frost-free to then replant next year. In warmer regions, they can be left in the ground with a thick mulch of composted bark to keep them warm, however. You'll find more info on mulching in our guide.

Try Canna ‘Durban’ for hot orange blooms, and ‘Tropicanna Gold’ which has enormous black/bronze leaves and gold flowers. Explore other options among the wide range of cannas available at Nature Hills.

2. Fatsia Japonica

One of the simplest to grow of the best tropical plants, fatsia japonica is perfect for adding an instant jungle vibe to your small backyard layout ideas.

'You can grow this species down to US hardiness zone 7, and it can even be planted in deep shade,' says former professional gardener and Homes & Gardens Content Editor, Thom Rutter. 'I have found it to be a little unruly, and regular pruning is necessary to control its height and spread,' he adds.

These drought-tolerant shade plants are loved for their large shapely leaves which stay green all year round. They thrive in shady, sheltered spots and dry soil, though they will need to be watered once a week in the summer. They will also be happy in a pot if you're keen to include them in your container gardening ideas, but they can grow up to 13ft in height and width, so make sure it’s a roomy pot.

Find a fatsia japonica starter plant at Walmart.

Thom Rutter

Thom is a Content Editor within the Gardens Team at Homes and Gardens. He has been working as a gardener and garden writer for several years. Whilst completing his Horticultural Traineeship at the Garden Museum, London, he was able to gain experience at many of the UK's world-famous gardens, including Sissinghurst, Lowther Castle, and Iford Manor. Following this, he worked for two private estates in Tuscany, Italy.

3. Black Bamboo

The slim, polished black canes of Phyllostachys Nigra make a beautiful contrast with its fresh green leaves. Perfect for creating a living screen for garden privacy or for an impactful backdrop to backyard hosting. Bamboos also help to absorb sound from noisy roads and neighbors.

Black bamboo grows across US hardiness zones 7 to zone 11, and it doesn't necessarily require winter protection in warmer climes. Just plant in moist soil, in full sun or part shade, and water regularly until it is established. It does spread, but this is not as rampant as some varieties of bamboo.

There's more tips on how to grow bamboo in our dedicated bamboo care guide, including how to stop bamboo spreading.

Black bamboo plants are available at Walmart.

4. Tree Fern

If you love the tropical look, it does not get much better than a tree fern. They are more of an investment than other options on our list of best tropical plants and they do need special care and are only hardy down to zone 9, but you'll be rewarded with a stunning garden feature.

They are best planted in moist soil in sheltered, dappled shade, so they are also a good choice for shade garden ideas. Make sure you leave plenty of space, as the fronds can grow to 6.5ft long. Mist the crown and trunk regularly (with this plant mister from Amazon), and regularly add a diluted seaweed-based feed (from Amazon).

'I have cared for tree ferns in different gardens in London, and if you take time to winterize tree ferns and protect the crown with straw or cloth, they can prove to be resilient,' says Thom. 'In cooler regions, you might find they lose their fronds, but so long as the crown is kept frost-free, the plant will bounce back,' he adds.

Some gardeners add a thick layer of straw to cover the tree crown as an added measure in colder climates.

5. Banana palm

Exotic and dramatic, it's easy to see why this plant makes our list of the best tropical plants. They have huge, purple-green, paddle-shaped leaves on a sturdy stem and grow up to 8ft tall.

Although they look as if they would be tender, they can happily survive down to US hardiness zone 4 which is what makes growing a banana tree so popular. However, don't expect to see banana fruit if you aren't growing this plant in consistent temperatures between 75°F to 85°.

The foliage will die back after frosts, but you just need to cut the plant down to ground level and it should sprout again in late spring. For best results and to encourage healthy growth, feed monthly with an all-purpose soluble plant food.

6. Cordyline

With textural, spiky leaves in greens and purples, this palm-like small tree is evergreen, and it will thrive in a pot. Young ones may need some winter protection, so do bear this in mind during cooler spells of weather.

You can grow Hawaiian ti (cordyline) across US hardiness zone 9 and above. They typically grow up to 10ft tall, making them an ideal feature for contemporary courtyard gardens, or they look equally at home as a striking addition to modern deck ideas.

Cordyline plants can be purchased at Walmart.

7. Ginger Lily

Also known as Hedychium densiflorum, these large-leafed plants will produce tall spikes of fragrant flowers in exotic orange. They grow up to 6.5ft tall, doing best in US across hardiness zone 7 to zone 10.

In a border, plant in groups in moist soil to create a fabulous focal point. They will also thrive in garden planters, and this means you can easily move them to a sheltered spot after the first frosts. Don't forget to mulch over winter, too.

8. Aeonium 

Looking for something with a touch of drama among your tropical plants? Beautifully shaped rosettes of fleshy leaves on branching stems make aeoniums a great choice, particularly as some varieties are purple-black which gives them a really exotic appearance and makes them the perfect companion to shrubs with dark foliage for an impactful display.

They need a sunny spot to maintain the dark color, and should be planted in a gritty, well-drained soil type. If you aren't sure what type of soil you have in your yard, use this soil test kit from Amazon. It also identifies the pH and nutrient levels.

These are succulents you can grow outdoors across US hardiness zone 9 to zone 11, but they won't survive freezing temperatures. It's best to grow them in a pot, and move them inside for the winter months if you live in a cool climate. A north-facing kitchen window ledge or a conservatory is ideal for them. Allow the soil to dry out before watering in the colder months, or they may rot.

9. Bird of Paradise

When it comes to the best tropical plants, there can surely be few more stunning than the bird of paradise, also known as Strelitzia reginae. Native to South Africa, it has striking bright blue and vibrant orange flowers that resemble the profile of an exotic bird.

Grow bird of paradise in well-draining soil and provide plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures to guarantee the best blooms. They will do well when planted in garden borders in warmer climates such as US hardiness zone 9 to zone 12 (they will produce flowers all year in tropical or sub-tropical climates), but you can also try growing them outdoors in containers in slightly cooler zones over summer.

In these cooler areas, you will need to bring them indoors over fall and winter to protect them from the colder temperatures. Growing them in pots makes this an easier task as they can easily become part of your indoor garden ideas, too. Keep them indoors, ideally in a bright, light spot such as a south-facing room, until the risk of any frosts has completely passed.

Find a bird of paradise houseplant at The Sill.

10. Peacock Tiger Flower

The attention-grabbing Tigridia pavonia from Mexico is a striking option for the best tropical plants as it comes in bright shades that pop up on slender leaves from small bulbs.

The peacock tiger flower is an exotic Mexican corm with three-petalled summer blooms in bold, bright colors. In milder areas (US hardiness zone 8 to 10), it can stay in the ground all year; elsewhere it should be grown in a pot that’s overwintered indoors.

11. Byzantine Gladiolus

This is one of the most vibrant types of gladioli. Early summer sees spikes of elegant magenta flowers that will add interest to any space. Corms are inexpensive (from Amazon) and perfect for edging borders, but they work equally well when planted as part of a wildflower meadow.

These plants do best across US hardiness zone 6 to zone 10 and grow up to 23in in height.

12. Dwarf Fan Palm

This dwarf fan palm is a slow-growing species that can reach 6ft in height. It is hardy down to US hardiness zone 8 and is fairly bushy while young, forming a distinct trunk as it matures.

Tolerant of exposed plots, it will grow best in semi-shade. Just make sure you feed and water it well and cut off any spotty leaves. It's also important to take precautions to protect palms in winter, such as covering them with this horticultural fleece from Amazon.

13. Trumpet Vine

Trumpet vine, also known as Campsis radicans, is vigorous and self-clinging. This woody climber needs plenty of space to grow, so it's more suitable for including in large gardens across US hardiness zone 4 to zone 9.

Its standout feature is the numerous clusters of bright orange or red trumpet-shaped flowers (hence the common name trumpet vine), each over 3in long.

'This plant is popular with hungry pollinators and is a great plant for attracting hummingbirds,' says Thom Rutter. 'Be warned, however, that this vigorous climber produces a remarkable amount of growth each year and is considered an invasive climber in some US states. Always do your homework before planting to ascertain if this species is right for your location,' he advises.

Best grown against a sunny garden wall to offer it some protection from cold winds, it will happily cling to the brick or stone wall to aid its growth, but you should also take care to prune trumpet vine to maintain it.

Find a trumpet vine starter plant at Walmart.

14. Passion Flower

Passion flowers are one of the best climbing plants to grow up a house and will jazz up any wall or fence with exotic, eye-catching flowers from July to September. Orange fruits follow the flowers to give you added interest once the blooms have faded. Passiflora caerulea (from Walmart) is the variety most often found at retailers.

It's best grown across US hardiness zone 6 to zone 10 in a sheltered spot on a sunny wall, as this can be a delicate plant. It will equally thrive as a container plant.

Just make sure it has some protection from cold winds - you can even grow passion flowers indoors to uplift your indoor garden display.

15. Begonias

Tropical-looking begonias are super plants for hanging baskets, and with so many begonia varieties to choose from there really is one for every yard. They tend to grow best across US hardiness zone 6 to zone 11, but you can also grow begonias indoors as houseplants.

'Begonias require fertile, rich, moist soil with good porosity, and should be kept evenly moist,' advises horticulture expert, Chuck Pavlich from Terra Nova Nurseries.

While they prefer a brighter position, many begonia varieties are also tolerant of some shade.

Nature Hills' golden balcony begonia is a bright mix of yellow, red, and pink hues, bringing an instant touch of the tropics to your yard.

Chuck Pavlich

Educated at Washington State University, he has worked in the retail nursery business for 30 years. Chuck brings his passion for plants to TERRA NOVA®. As our Director of New Product Development, Chuck is responsible for new ideas for the breeders as well as overseeing the breeding process and shepherding our new products to the world perennial market. His current breeding projects include Begonia and Coleus.

FAQs

Which tropical plants are fast-growing? 

The Japanese banana plant (musa basjoo) is a rapid grower. A small plant can reach just under 10 feet tall in three years. These plants prefer moist, well-drained soil and full sun or part shade. When planting, dig in plenty of well-rotted compost to boost growth and feed them regularly.

Will tropical plants survive outdoors in winter? 

Tropical plants like tree ferns, cannas, and banana plants will need protection to survive cold, wet winters, but there are other hardy plants such as bamboo, which can happily survive unaided. The trick is to mix them up, so that looking after your tropical backyard is not too labour intensive.

If you like the idea of using plants to transport your yard somewhere warmer and sunnier, why not also take inspiration from our Mediterranean patio ideas? To achieve these looks you also need to take into account the type of pots, furniture, and features you're using - for example, you could try dressing up your outdoor furniture with botanical-patterned cushions (from Amazon) to enhance the tropical feel of your yard.