Florida’s warm climate is perfect for creating a lush, tropical paradise right in your backyard. Cannas, bananas, and elephant ears bring bold color and dramatic leaves that instantly transform any garden.
I’ve gathered 10 fun ideas I love for arranging these tropical favorites to make your outdoor space feel like a mini getaway.
With a few simple touches, your garden can become a vibrant, exotic escape all season long!
1. Cannas Border
Create a stunning border along walkways or property lines with colorful cannas. Their vibrant blooms in red, orange, and yellow add a tropical punch to Florida gardens while providing structure.
The tall stalks reach 3-6 feet, creating natural privacy screens. Florida gardeners love how cannas bloom repeatedly from spring through fall with minimal maintenance.
2. Banana Container Garden
Grow dwarf banana varieties in large containers for portable tropical flair. These compact plants deliver big impact with their broad leaves yet can be moved to protected areas during Florida’s occasional cold snaps.
Place containers on patios or around pool areas for instant resort vibes. The Sunshine State’s humidity helps these moisture-loving plants thrive with regular watering.
3. Elephant Ear Water Feature
Plant elephant ears around water features where their massive leaves create dramatic reflections. Their feet-wide foliage in green, purple, or variegated patterns makes a bold statement beside ponds or fountains.
The splashing sounds complement their jungle-like appearance perfectly. Throughout Florida, gardeners appreciate how these plants thrive in the moist soil conditions near water elements.
4. Layered Plant Groupings
Arrange these tropical giants in height-graduated groupings for maximum visual impact. Place tall bananas at the back, medium cannas in the middle, and shorter elephant ear varieties in front.
This creates a lush, multi-dimensional jungle effect in any Florida garden space. The varying leaf shapes, sizes, and textures create natural interest while maintaining a cohesive tropical theme.
5. Shade Garden Oasis
Transform shady areas into tropical retreats using shade-tolerant elephant ears and some canna varieties. Their broad leaves thrive even with limited sun exposure, bringing life to otherwise challenging garden spots.
Many Florida homeowners use these plants under tree canopies to create cool, inviting outdoor living spaces. The large foliage provides a sense of enclosure and privacy even in partial shade.
6. Tropical Rain Garden
Design a functional rain garden using moisture-loving cannas and elephant ears to absorb excess water during Florida’s heavy downpours. These plants thrive in temporarily wet conditions while adding tropical beauty to problem areas.
Their extensive root systems help prevent erosion and manage runoff. Many Florida communities now encourage these eco-friendly garden solutions that combine practical water management with exotic aesthetics.
7. Edible Landscape
Incorporate edible banana varieties and ornamental cannas with edible rhizomes into your tropical garden design. Beyond beautiful foliage, these plants offer harvesting opportunities that connect garden to table.
Florida’s long growing season allows bananas to potentially produce fruit, while canna roots can be prepared similarly to potatoes. This dual-purpose approach maximizes garden space while celebrating the state’s food-growing potential.
8. Tropical Privacy Screen
Create natural living walls using tall banana plants and giant elephant ears to block unwanted views and increase privacy. Their massive leaves form dense barriers between properties or street-facing areas while adding tropical ambiance.
Many Florida neighborhoods feature these green screens as alternatives to fencing. The bonus is seasonal change as plants grow, flower, and produce new leaves, making each privacy screen uniquely alive.
9. Container Trio Display
Arrange one specimen each of canna, banana, and elephant ear in coordinating containers for a portable tropical grouping. This space-efficient approach works beautifully on Florida patios, balconies, or small yards where in-ground planting isn’t possible.
The contrasting leaf shapes create instant visual interest. Container gardening also allows control over soil conditions, helping these tropical beauties thrive even in challenging Florida locations.
10. Tropical Entryway
Frame your home’s entrance with statement-making tropical foliage that creates an exotic welcome. Flank doorways or pathways with matched pairs of cannas or elephant ears for symmetrical elegance with tropical flair.
Many Florida homeowners use these impressive plants to establish a distinctive sense of place. Their bold scale and dramatic leaves immediately signal to visitors they’ve entered a special tropical environment unique to the Sunshine State.