Tropical Flowers and Plants

Groom an equatorial paradise in your own backyard with tropical flowers and palms that thrive in heat and humidity.

Related To:

Etlingera hemisphaerica var. Pink

Tropical Beauty

This tropical flower, Etlingera hemisphaerica var. Pink, is one of the beautiful specimens featured at the Hawaiian Tropical Botanical Gardens on the big island of Hawaii.

Photo by: Image courtesy of Sam Henderson

Image courtesy of Sam Henderson

Beat the heat this summer by relaxing in your own garden escape, stocked with tropical flowers and flamboyant foliage. Tropical plants sizzle with color as the temperature soars, and if you’re willing to keep soil moist, you can witness explosive growth. Tropical palms, banana plants, elephant ears—with the right foliage plant choices, you can cultivate the look of a tropical resort.

In most of the country, tropical flowers are one-season wonders, staging a stunning show all summer long and fading at the first fall frost. In the warmest regions these easy-growing beauties can hold their own through winter chill, but if temperatures take a nosedive below freezing, all bets are off. Tropical flowering plants grow best when summer heat and humidity arrive. The weather that sends you seeking shelter indoors makes tropical flowers grow like gangbusters.

One tropical flower that won’t disappoint is Chinese hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), with its calypso colors flowers. Hummingbirds and butterflies can’t resist these blooms, which last for a day. Look for standard or topiary types for a true vacation paradise feel. Princess flower (Tibouchina urvilleana) will quickly win your heart with its deep purple blossoms and striking foliage. This is another tropical flower that’s typically sold in containers as a standard. It’s worth every penny.

Take caution with some tropical flowers, because they do have poisonous qualities. Angel’s trumpet (Brugmansia spp.) can't be beat when it comes to fragrance and exotic appearance, with its elephant skin-trunk and dangling bell-shaped blossoms. All parts of the plant are poisonous if consumed, and some municipalities have banned it. Check with your local authorities to be sure you can grow it. These beauties are pricey (think $20 for a quart pot), but they grow fast. Start small and savor the show.

Oleander (Nerium oleander) is another tropical flower star with poisonous potential. All parts are poisonous if eaten. This plant can hold its own as a tropical hedge in a planting bed and also makes a striking potted plant. For vining beauty, consider mandevilla or bougainvillea. Both of these tropical flowers hail from rainforest locales and, thanks to plant breeding efforts, come in a variety of forms and blossom colors. Mandevilla is poisonous; bougainvillea is not, but some selections have spiney stems.

Include tropical palms in your south-of-the-border scene. Palm availability may vary by region, but seek out lady palm (Rhapis excelsa) and fishtail palm (Caryota spp.) for stunning foliage. Chinese windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei) and cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto) also bring classic tropical palm beauty to any backyard setting.

Tuck tropical flowers and palms into containers or planting beds. In more northerly regions, most tropical plants can withstand full sun. Afternoon shade may be necessary in southern, desert or high mountain locations. For best growth, provide abundant soil moisture.

Tropical flowers and plants typically have gigantic appetites. Adding well-rotted compost to soil can help alleviate the hunger, but you won’t go wrong top dressing with slow-release fertilizer around July 4. In containers, you might want to pair slow-release fertilizers with water-soluble ones, especially if foliage shows signs of nitrogen deficiency, such as yellowing.

Tropical palms need specific palm fertilizer that contains certain micronutrients. Do you homework on this one to avoid having problem-plagued palms, especially in the landscape. For tropical flowers, slip plants in pots a bloom booster fertilizer to keep blossoms coming all season long.

Next Up

How to Make Night-Blooming Cereus Bloom

Meet the original pajama party plant — and learn how to bring on the blooms.

All About Bird of Paradise Plant

Find out about growing conditions and plant care for exotic, beautiful bird of paradise.

How to Grow and Care for Polka Dot Plant

Add vibrant color indoors or to your containers with these tips for caring for polka dot plant.

Choosing the Right Crape Myrtle for Your Landscape

Follow these tips to help you choose the right crape myrtle varieties for your yard and learn how to care for them.

How to Grow Pineapple Plants From Tops, Seeds or Plants

Learn three methods of growing pineapples, including from grocery store fruit. Plus, get pineapple planting and growing tips for outdoors and indoors, in-ground and in containers.

Types of Winter Squash

Raise your culinary sights by growing different types of winter squash. These nutritious vegetables boast delicious flavor.

How to Grow and Care for Sago Palm

Our garden experts offer sago palm planting, growing and care tips for this ancient plant.

How to Choose the Best Indoor Lighting for Plants

Whether it's for your full-grown houseplants or starter seedlings, check out these grow light options for your indoor plants.

Lantana Care: Growing and Pruning Lantana

Add easy-care beauty to your yard by growing lantana—you won’t be disappointed.

Petunia Flowers: Planting and Caring for Petunias

Easy-care petunias can't get enough of the sun. Learn how to grow petunia flowers in pots, hanging baskets or beds for vibrant summer color and get tips on how to care for wilting petunias.

Go Shopping

Get product recommendations from HGTV editors, plus can’t-miss sales and deals.

On TV

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds.