It sounds like we are bluffing, right? Especially if you are one of those, who believe that tropical flowers cannot grow in cold locations.
Well, that is a fact that cannot be disputed. However, there are specific tropical flowers that are drought and frost tolerant.
In this article, we will be compiling for you sturdy tropical flowers that can be grown, as well as revealing the techniques you need to employ to maneuver unfavorable conditions for them to thrive almost anywhere.
Jump to:
- Tropical Flowers That Do Well Almost Everywhere
- 1. Jasmine ‘Jasminium spp.’
- 2. Passion Flower ‘Passiflora’
- 3. Cilia ‘Clivia Miniata’
- 4. Magnolia ‘Magnolia spp.’
- 5. Jelly Palm ‘Butia capitata’
- 6. Lotus ‘Nelumbo & Nymphaea’
- 7. Clumping Bamboo ‘Bambusa vulgaris’
- 8. Hibiscus ‘Hibiscus ssp.’
- 9. Chicago Hardy Fig Tree ‘Ficus Carica.’
- 10. Bromeliad ‘Bromeliaceae’
- 11. Hardy Fuchsia ‘Fuchsia magellanica’
- 12. Trumpet Vine ‘Campsis radicans’
- 13. Bird of Paradise ‘Strelitzia’
- 14. Caladium ‘Caladium’
- 15. African Lily ‘Agapanthus ssp.’
- 16. Calla ‘Zantedeschia’
- 17. Jumbo Elephant Ears ‘Colocasia esculenta.’
- 18. Toad Lily ‘Tricyrtis hirta’
- 19. Ginger ‘Zingiber’
- 20. Japanese Painted Fern ‘Anthyrium niponicum’
- 21. Windmill Palm ‘Trachycarpus fortunei‘
- 22. Hardy Japanese Banana ‘Musa basjoo’
- 23. Blanket Flowers ‘Gaillardia spp.’
- 24. Rose Grape ‘Medinilla Magnifica’
- 25. Curcuma ‘Curcuma longa’
- Conclusion
Tropical Flowers That Do Well Almost Everywhere
1. Jasmine ‘Jasminium spp.’
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9
Jasmines are long-flowering tropical plants native to the Arabians. They have vibrant and captivating foliage capable of infusing life into dull areas.
A feature worth mentioning about these easy-care plants is their pleasant, long-lasting scent that blesses the nostrils of anyone who comes across it.
- Soil Needs: Porous, well-drained soil
- Soil pH: 6.1 - 7.5 Light Requirements: Full sun (Six hours per day) - Light Shade
- Color Varieties: Mostly white. Others are yellow, pink, yellow, and white
2. Passion Flower ‘Passiflora’
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 - 10
This beautiful purple vine is sitting gallantly on the second spot on our list.
Experiment with the passion flower for your fences and trellises and relish in the glamorous visuals of its stunning flowers and gorgeous foliage.
Most of this plant’s species are native to South America and Mexico. Its name was derived from the initial flower shape that looks almost like the crown of thorns Jesus was forced to wear during the Passion.
Passionflower fruits can be eaten, and the plants are readily available for purchase and are quickly grown and maintained.
- Soil Needs: Not picky, thrives in most moist soil types
- pH Level: 6.1 - 7.5
- Light Requirements: Full sun (Six hours per day) - Light Shade
- Color Varieties: White, blue, yellow, pink, etc.
3. Cilia ‘Clivia Miniata’
USDA Hardiness Zones: 9 - 11
Cilia plants are native South African plants whose popularity has spread to different parts of the world.
The plant has short, red, bell-shaped flowers and slender, shiny leaves.
- Soil Requirements: Rich, well-drained potting mix
- Light Requirements: Part shade
- Color Varieties: Bright red, orange, and yellow.
4. Magnolia ‘Magnolia spp.’
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 - 9
The beauty of Magnolia flowers is that there are tall and dwarf varieties that suit your space needs.
Magnolias are beautiful plants with glossy leaves and sweetly scented flowers that spontaneously grow in unexpected parts of the world.
- Origin: Southeast Asia (Some species originated from different parts of America)
- Soil Needs: Any well-drained soil
- Light Requirements: Full sun (Six hours per day) - Light Shade
- Color Varieties: White, cream, pink, pinkish-purple
5. Jelly Palm ‘Butia capitata’
Some people know this plant by its nickname: the Pindo plant. They are compact trees that grow not more than 10ft in height bringing forth fruits in summer.
The fruits produced by this plant can be used for different purposes. However, most people consume them fresh or use them to make jam.
It would be best if you planted them in containers as they have a higher chance of thriving better there. However, growers in USDA zone 6 can have them planted in the ground.
Jelly palms are hardy to 10°F.
6. Lotus ‘Nelumbo & Nymphaea’
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 - 12 varying from specie to specie
The Lotus flower is trendy, especially among Buddhists. It is considered an important symbol of spiritualism in Buddhism and Hinduism.
This flower has a lot of positive sides; they are available in various brilliant colors, capable of growing even in water, and cultivars like ‘Lotus Pekinensis Rubra,’ ‘Lotus Thousand Petals’ and ‘Lotus Alba’ have been proven to thrive in icy regions.
- Soil Needs: Light, well-drained soil
- Light Requirements: Full sun (Six hours per day) - Light Shade
- Color Varieties: Cream, yellow, white, blue, purple, etc.
7. Clumping Bamboo ‘Bambusa vulgaris’
USDA Hardiness Zones 5 - 9
This plant belongs to the grass family and is one of the tallest, if not the tallest, specie there. They have an impressive height range of 8 - 25 feet!
You are better off going with the clumping variants as any other one might see you experience sporadic growth that might be too much of a hassle for you to handle.
8. Hibiscus ‘Hibiscus ssp.’
USDA Hardiness Zones: 9-11 for most species, Hardy species grow in Zone 5
A beautiful, easy-care plant with over 200 species to choose from. The Hibiscus flower is a must-have for adding a tropical feel to your space.
They can be grown as part of a hedge, a shrub, or a small tree.
The beautiful hibiscus spots huge, bright leaves and long pistils. They are prevalent and can readily be found for purchase.
- Soil Needs: Well-drained loamy or sandy loam soil
- Ideal Temperature: 60 - 90°F
- Light Requirements: Full sun (Six hours per day) - Light Shade
- Color Varieties: White, orange, red, pink, yellow, etc.
9. Chicago Hardy Fig Tree ‘Ficus Carica.’
As the name rightly implies, these plants are hardy enough to thrive even in the Midwest way up North, up to USDA Zone 5.
You heard right. Some species can withstand the cold and frost. Chicago Fig Tree would thrive seamlessly in well-drained soil under total sun exposure.
When these conditions are met, they can produce a yield of up to 100 pints of fruits in a year.
10. Bromeliad ‘Bromeliaceae’
USDA Hardiness Zones: 10 - 11
The growing popularity of the bromeliad plant the world over tells you that it is a plant worth growing.
Bromeliaceae is one giant family that houses over 3,000 species of epiphytes and lithophytes. They are very colorful flowers that constantly flower, whether grown indoors or outdoors.
- Soil Requirements: Rich, well-drained soil
- Light Requirements: Indirect Sunlight - Part shade
- Color Varieties: The seven colors of the rainbow
- Watering Needs: Consistent watering. Do not overwater or underwater
11. Hardy Fuchsia ‘Fuchsia magellanica’
USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 - 7
Zones 6-7 are where these flowering perennials grow at their best, but you can see them thrive too in colder areas if you adequately prepare the plant before winter.
Adequate preparation is adding up to six layers of mulch to the plant’s base before winter.
You will particularly love the Hardy Fuchsias pendant-like flowers that reach a height of 10ft creeping over branches.
Hardy Fuchsias love fertile and moist soil and must be shielded from the hot afternoon sun.
Bloom time is spring all through to frost.
12. Trumpet Vine ‘Campsis radicans’
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 - 9
A distinct feature of the tubular-shaped Trumpet vine plant is its ability to attract hummingbirds easily.
Due to how vigorously they grow, they are better prepared to succeed on trellises and pergolas.
A downside to this plant is its tendency to be overly invasive when grown in a not-so-favorable habitat.
13. Bird of Paradise ‘Strelitzia’
Birds of Paradise can be grown anywhere, even in warm regions. This exotic plant gives your garden a tropical and architectural touch.
Strelitzias are of African origin, but they have recently become popular as outdoor garden plants in California and other warm regions.
- Soil Requirements: Well-drained, fertile and nutrient-dense soil
- Light Requirements: Full sun - part shade
- Color Varieties: white, orange, and blue. You will find some with a combination of white and blue colors
14. Caladium ‘Caladium’
USDA Hardiness Zone: 9
Caladiums love the sun, no doubt, and are unlikely to endure all through frost, but you can find a way around this setback by digging out the bulbs in fall and have them stored in some place cool and dry all through winter.
You can have them replanted again when the weather improves.
- Soil Requirements: Well-drained, moist soil
- Color Varieties: Bright red and green
15. African Lily ‘Agapanthus ssp.’
USDA Hardiness Zones: 8 - 11
The African Lily exposes you to a wide range of exotic hybrids and cultivars.
The Agapanthus spots huge and round inflorescences that sprout out from long stems. They are versatile plants that can serve well as either border, garden plants, or even flower beds.
Their beautiful flower and leaves make them preferred to be used as decorative pieces.
- Soil Requirements: Rich, fertile and well-drained soil
- Light Requirement: 6/8 hours of sunlight, part shade in extremely hot regions
- Color Varieties: Blue, white, and violet
16. Calla ‘Zantedeschia’
USDA Hardiness Zones: 8 - 10
Botanists have this plant among the top popular tropical plants that abound.
The Zantedeschia is a unique easy-care native African plant with broad ornamental leaves. They look stunning when used as cut flowers.
- Soil Requirements: Porous, loose, and well-drained soil
- Light Requirements: Full sun but indirect sun to partial shade if grown indoors
- Color Varieties: White, pink, yellow, cream, etc.
Zantedeschias should be kept away from pets as they are toxic to them
17. Jumbo Elephant Ears ‘Colocasia esculenta.’
Just like the name goes, this plant has jumbo-sized leaves that give you a pretty visual show.
The plants are pretty sturdy and can thrive all year round through USDA Zone 7.
Plant enthusiasts residing in colder regions can have a slice of this magnificent plant, too, by growing them in pots that they can quickly transfer indoors when winter comes calling.
18. Toad Lily ‘Tricyrtis hirta’
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 - 9
Toad lilies are cold-tolerant perennials. You can easily see them safely through winter by adding a layer of mulch.
They are pretty beautiful plants that grace your space with radiant flowers of pink, blue, purple, and yellow.
- Soil Requirements: Rich, nutrient-dense
- Light Requirements: Part shade Bloom time: Late summer
19. Ginger ‘Zingiber’
USDA Hardiness Zones:7 - 10
People in the culinary world highly adore these plants as they offer lots of benefits in cooking.
Zingibers are shade-loving plants requiring a temperature level that goes no below 50% to thrive.
To keep it producing its instrumental roots, expose it occasionally too hot, humid conditions.
20. Japanese Painted Fern ‘Anthyrium niponicum’
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 - 8
Japanese Painted Fern is a worthy recipient of the Perennial Plant of the Year 2004.
They have got all the features that make planting easy and enjoyable.
They are slow-spreading plants that require minimal attention and bless your space with their stunning foliage and jewel-toned leaves.
21. Windmill Palm ‘Trachycarpus fortunei‘
USDA Hardiness Zone: 7
You can enjoy the windmill Palm and see it scale unscathed through the winter cold by planting them in containers and placing them in a spot where they can be shielded from the wind.
If the temperature drops below freezing, have the plants securely covered with burlap and sufficient mulch.
- Light Requirements: Full sun to partial sun
- Height Range: 10-20ft
22. Hardy Japanese Banana ‘Musa basjoo’
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5
You can achieve your own cold hardy Japanese Banana plant by taking necessary measures like cutting the tree down to a ground level as soon as the first frost is over.
After that, add sufficient layers of mulch to the stump in anticipation of winter. Bring the tropics to your space with this beautiful ornamental plant.
23. Blanket Flowers ‘Gaillardia spp.’
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 - 10
Grow this beautiful flower in pots or as small shrubs. They love well-drained soil and full sun and are available in different colors.
24. Rose Grape ‘Medinilla Magnifica’
USDA Hardiness Zones: 10-11
The beautiful grape-shaped inflorescences and huge oval leaves are the ones you want in your space.
It’s no wonder this native Philippines plant won the highly coveted RHS Garden Merit award in 2015.
Plant in a potting mix with good drainage and keep it shielded from direct sunlight.
25. Curcuma ‘Curcuma longa’
USDA Hardiness Zones: 8-12
This well-known Asian plant makes good decorative pieces.
Plant in rich, fertile loamy soil with the provision of sunlight in the morning and shade at noon.
Conclusion
There is no denying the unique tropical look of plants and flowers. Do not let your region or anything else deprive you of experiencing the robust foliage of these amazing flowers and enjoying their flamboyant blooms
Learn the tricks of maneuvering the restrictions they face in unfavorable conditions and enjoy the magnificence they offer anywhere you are!
