Tropical vibes can transform any backyard into a relaxing paradise you never want to leave. These 15 plants bring lush color, bold leaves, and a touch of the exotic right to your doorstep.
I’ve handpicked favorites that thrive and make your outdoor space feel like a getaway. Imagine stepping into your own slice of tropical heaven every day.
Ready to turn your yard into paradise? These plants will get you there!
1. Bird of Paradise
Known for its stunning orange and blue flowers that resemble exotic birds in flight. These dramatic blooms make a bold statement in any garden, especially when planted in groups.
They thrive in warm climates with plenty of sunshine, though they can also work as container plants in cooler regions. Just bring them indoors during winter months to protect them from frost.
2. Hibiscus
Nothing says tropical quite like the bold, trumpet-shaped flowers of hibiscus plants. Available in a rainbow of colors from bright yellows to deep reds, these beauties bloom throughout the warm season.
Hardy varieties can survive in zones 5-9, while tropical types need protection from cold. Regular pruning keeps them bushy and full of those eye-catching blooms that attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
3. Banana Plant
Want instant tropical vibes? The banana plant delivers with its massive, paddle-shaped leaves that can grow several feet long. Even in regions where they won’t produce fruit, they create dramatic visual impact.
Fast-growing and sun-loving, these plants can reach impressive heights in just one season. Some cold-hardy varieties like Musa basjoo can survive winter in zones as cool as 5 with proper mulching.
4. Canna Lily
Gardeners love canna lilies for their show-stopping combination of colorful flowers and bold foliage. Some varieties feature striped or burgundy leaves that look stunning even before the blooms appear.
These easy-growing plants thrive in moist soil and full sun. After frost in colder regions, simply dig up the rhizomes, store them in a cool, dry place, and replant next spring for years of tropical beauty.
5. Elephant Ear
The name says it all – these plants feature enormous heart-shaped leaves that create instant drama in any landscape. Varieties range from bright green to nearly black, with some reaching three feet across!
Plant them in rich, moist soil where they’ll receive morning sun but afternoon shade. Their massive foliage creates a cooling effect in garden spaces and pairs beautifully with smaller, flowering tropical plants.
6. Plumeria
Famous for their intensely fragrant flowers used in Hawaiian leis, plumerias bring the true essence of the tropics. Their pinwheel-shaped blooms come in whites, yellows, pinks, and sunset combinations that perfume the air.
Grow them in containers in cooler climates so you can bring them indoors for winter. They prefer well-draining soil and can tolerate some drought once established, making them surprisingly low-maintenance tropical treasures.
7. Croton
Looking for a color explosion? Crotons feature some of the most vividly painted leaves in the plant kingdom. Their foliage showcases splashes of yellow, orange, red, and purple that brighten any space.
These living rainbows prefer humid conditions and bright, indirect light. Use them as container specimens or as colorful accents in tropical beds where their fiery colors can play off green foliage plants.
8. Bromeliads
With their architectural shapes and brilliant colors, bromeliads bring exotic flair to any garden. Many varieties hold water in their central “cup,” creating mini-ecosystems that add interest beyond just their looks.
These adaptable plants grow well in containers or mounted on trees. Most bloom just once in their lifetime, but the flowers often last for months, and the mother plant produces “pups” that will grow and eventually bloom themselves.
9. Palm Trees
Nothing says “paradise” quite like the silhouette of palm fronds against the sky. Smaller varieties like parlor palms and ponytail palms work well in containers, while larger types create dramatic focal points.
Many palms are surprisingly cold-hardy, with some varieties surviving temperatures down to 10°F. Windmill palms, needle palms, and European fan palms are good choices for cooler climate gardeners wanting that tropical look.
10. Ginger Plants
Ornamental gingers bring tropical drama with their unusual flowers and lush foliage. Shell ginger features striking variegated leaves, while butterfly ginger fills the air with sweet perfume on summer evenings.
Many varieties go dormant in winter, making them perfect for gardeners in zones 7-8. Plant them where you can enjoy their fragrance near patios or windows, and divide the rhizomes every few years to keep them vigorous.
11. Monstera
Made famous by interior designers, the Swiss cheese plant brings its iconic split leaves to outdoor spaces too. Their dramatic, hole-punched foliage creates interesting shadows and tropical texture in partially shaded areas.
In warm climates, these climbing plants can reach impressive sizes outdoors. Give them something to climb on, like a moss pole or trellis, and watch as their leaves grow larger and develop more distinctive splits with maturity.
12. Bougainvillea
These showstoppers explode with paper-like bracts in vibrant pinks, purples, reds, and oranges. Though often thought of as flowers, the colorful parts are actually modified leaves surrounding tiny white blooms.
Drought-tolerant once established, bougainvilleas thrive in hot, sunny spots. Train them as climbers on trellises, prune them as shrubs, or let them cascade from containers for a waterfall of tropical color.
13. Ti Plant
Sacred in Hawaiian culture, ti plants feature glossy, sword-shaped leaves in spectacular colors – from deep burgundy to bright pink stripes. They create vertical interest and vibrant color even without flowers.
These versatile plants work in containers or landscapes in zones 9-11. Place them where their brilliant foliage can catch the light – the colors become even more vivid when sun shines through the leaves.
14. Mandevilla
For vertical tropical beauty, few plants can match mandevilla vines with their glossy leaves and trumpet-shaped flowers. The blooms appear continuously from spring through fall in shades of pink, red, and white.
They climb beautifully on trellises or in hanging baskets where their flowers can cascade downward. In cooler zones, grow them as annuals or bring potted specimens indoors before frost to enjoy again next season.
15. Caladium
Heart-shaped leaves splashed with white, pink, red and green make caladiums perfect for brightening shady spots. Their paper-thin foliage seems to glow, especially in dappled light under trees.
These tubers burst forth in warm weather and add tropical flair to containers or borders. In zones 8 and below, dig up the tubers before frost, store them in a cool, dry place, and replant after danger of frost has passed.