Tropical plants are the perfect increase to brighten up a Florida landscape . However , for plant life to prosper in Florida ’s tropic climate , they take to withstand the red-hot , humid , and coastal air in the southeastern United States . In addition , the multifariousness of climate between North Florida and South Florida can make it take exception to find plants that thrive throughout the entire Sunshine State .
The Best Florida Tropical Plants — Overview
The best tropical plant for growing in Florida are worthy for USDA zones 9 to 11 . model of excellent tropical Florida plants include cape honeysuckle , cape jasmine , bougainvillea , and Bolivian sunset . ThesetropicalFlorida flowering shrubshave striking blooms , tolerate drought , and prosper in all areas from the panhandle to the Florida Keys .
Tropical Flowering Shrubs for Landscaping Florida Gardens
The bestflowering tropical shrubs for Floridaare bougainvillea , hibiscus , Ixora , cape jasmine , and bird of paradise . These flowering shrubs are heat - loving , drought - broad plantsrequiring piddling maintenance and fly high in changeless sunlight and eminent humidity . In addition , they also withstand the salty air of Florida ’s coastal regions .
Tropical Foliage Plants for Landscaping Florida Gardens
The better tropic Florida leaf plant for hot , humid climates are begonias , caladiums , red aglaonema , and crotons . These tropic plants are known for their coloured foliage and vivacious leave-taking . Additionally , some of theseplantsalso thrive well in the shade — a vital consideration for the hottest constituent of South Florida .
Low Maintenance Tropical Landscape Plants
The best down - maintenance plant for a tropic landscape should require minimal lacrimation and pruning , even in hot gay conditions . One of the best low upkeep tropical landscaping plants with colorful foliage is caladium . Other depleted maintenance tropical plants for Florida gardens are croton plants , begonias , and ornamental grasses .
What are the best tropic plants for a Florida landscape ? This clause lean the top anthesis and foliage bush , bushes , and flora that thrive in humid , sunny weather .
Growing Zones in Florida
It ’s vital to consider the plants ’ growing zone to ensure your Florida garden can sustain the shrubs , ornamental bushes , and plants you want to grow . For example , some works for zone 10 and 11 will struggle in the cooler winters of northerly Florida . However , cold - hardy shrubs wo n’t perform well in southern Florida .
Here are descriptions of Florida ’s develop zones according to USDA data :
Florida USDA Zone 8 — northerly region of Florida butt against Alabama and Georgia . The minimum wintertime temperature is 20 ° F ( -6.6 ° snow ) . urban center in zone 8 include Panama City , Tallahassee , Pensacola , and the Panhandle .
Florida USDA Zone 9 — Central Florida from the west to the east coast . The minimum wintertime temperature is 25 ° F ( -3.8 ° carbon ) . city in Florida ’s zona 9 let in Jacksonville , Tampa , and Orlando .
Florida USDA Zone 10 — Most parts of southerly Florida south of Lake Okeechobee . The minimal wintertime temperature is 30 ° F to 35 ° F ( -1.1 ° C – 1.7 ° ascorbic acid ) . Cities in zona 10 include Cape Coral , Naples , and Fort Lauderdale .
Florida USDA Zone 11 — The hottest part of Florida at its southernmost level . This includes the Florida Keys . Minimum winter temperatures are 40 ° F to 45 ° F ( 4.4 ° C – 7.2 ° C ) .
Tropical Florida Plants (With Pictures and Names) – Identification Guide
Tropical industrial plant are sunlight - loving , heating - large-minded shrub , decorative flowers , and evergreen plant plants that add together people of colour and visual appeal to a southern landscape painting . What are the best industrial plant to add a tropic accent to your garden ? Please read on to find out .
Cape Honeysuckle (Tecoma capensis)
The evergreen blossom cape meeting house shrub can be get as aliving fencein Florida gardens
Cape honeysuckle is a striking tropical efflorescence shrub with a fan out habit for Florida garden . The flowers on this tropical bushy industrial plant are orangish or reddish - orange thermionic valve - shaped blossom that are 3 ” ( 7.5 cm ) long and grow in small clusters . The attractive shrub is a must in any tropic landscape and grow 7 to 10 foot . ( 2 – 3 m ) high and all-inclusive .
In a tropical or subtropic garden , ness honeysuckle is ideal for acquire as a large courtly hedge , ground cover , or as an espalier plant ( training offset to grow horizontally ) . Cape coast banksia is suitable for all Florida growing zones .
Marsh Hibiscus (Hibiscus coccineus) — Tropical Plant With Large, Showy Flowers
Hibiscus coccineus is a native Florida blossom found in marshes and swamps in the Southeastern U.S.
Marsh hibiscus is an evergreen perennial shrub with showy tropic heyday that bloom almost incessantly in southerly Florida . Thishibiscus varietyisnative to Florida . It is famous for its striking five - petaled flower 6 ” ( 15 centimeter ) broad with vibrant blood-red , deep pink , or brilliant bloodless colour .
Marsh hibiscus thrives in USDA zone 6 through 11 and spring up between 3 and 6 foot . ( 1 – 1.8 m ) tall and up to 3 ft . ( 1 m ) wide . In northern Florida , thetropical perennial hibiscusmay die back in wintertime and then return in springiness .
Tropical Florida Flowering Plants (With Pictures)
anthesis plant for tropic landscape are perfect for adding a splash of vividness to a garden . Additionally , plushy , glossy unripe leafage improves the aspect of sundry beds , driveway edge , and borders . Or you may grow climbing bloom plants to decorate treillage , hide garden eyesores , or low - farm plants forfoundation plantings .
Bougainvillea — Tropical Flowering Plant
Bougainvillea is a flowering vine that come in various coloring and is suitable to grow in south Florida
Bougainvillea is a tropic flowering shrub with stunning carmine , orangish , pink orpurple flowersthat thrives in garden landscape of southern Florida . It ’s a tall , evergreen shrub with creeping , woodsy vines that get 3 to 40 ft . ( 1 to 12 m ) tall and broad . Bougainvillea is a sun - hump bush that performs exceedingly well in high humidity .
Bougainvillea thrives in Florida ’s growing zones 10 and 11 . you may plant theornamental tropical shrubto produce over walls , decorate treillage , and use it as a creeping vine .
Egyptian Star Flower (Pentas lanceolata) – Low Maintenance Tropical Landscape Plant
The Egyptian star is a depleted mature flower plant that is grown as a perennial in south Florida
The Egyptian starflower is a low - maintenance tropical repeated plant for southerly Florida landscape painting . Also anticipate Egyptian starcluster , the feature of this sun - loving tropical bushy industrial plant are clustering of pink , red or clean superstar - shape flowers . The tropic blossom on this evergreen plant life add a pop of color throughout the twelvemonth in tropical gardens .
Egyptian starcluster is suitable for USDA zones 10 and 11 . Only growing 1 to 2 foot . ( 0.3 – 0.6 m ) tall , the flower tropical flora isperfect for ground coverin full sun , fundament plantings , or a mixed bed .
Canna Lily (Canna indica)
Canna lily flowers grow best in full sunlight but can suffer part shade and are desirable forall zones in Florida
Canna lily industrial plant have spectacular funnel - same ornamental efflorescence and attractive leaves to heighten a tropical landscape . Canna lilies thrive throughout all zone in Florida . The foliage plants are known for their arresting red , orangish , or golden yellow showy flowers that bloom during summertime and fall . Thetall tropic plantsgrow 2 to 3 foot . ( 0.6 – 1 chiliad ) tall .
Canna lily are suited for USDA zona 8 through 11 and are excellentfull sun Florida plantsthat can also grow in partial shade . The attractive leaves measure up to 24 ” ( 60 curium ) tenacious and 8 ” ( 20 atomic number 96 ) astray .
Bolivian Sunset (Gloxinia sylvatica)
Bolivian sunset flowering plant grow well in permeate sunlight or dappled spectre
Bolivian sunset is a low - grow flowering shrub that produces clusters ofred - orange tubular efflorescence . The shade - tolerant leafy works feature glowering green lance - work leaves and cluster of attractive flower growing on red base . Bolivian sunset is useful as aground natural covering flora for shadeor foundation planting on a north side of a building .
Bolivian sundown thrives in all area of Florida , and the winter - flowering tropical industrial plant grows 24 ” ( 60 atomic number 96 ) tall and broad .
Pinwheel Jasmine (Gardenia jasminoides‘Pinwheel’)
pinwheel wind collector jasmine is an attractive Florida flowering shrub for fond shade
Aeonium haworthii jasmine is a sensational Florida plant to heighten the aesthetics of a tropical landscape . The bush istolerant of tincture and thrives in Florida ’s cooler wintersin the magnetic north and the blistering , humid climate of the Keys . Pinwheel jasmine is identified by its white pinwheel aromatic bloom , glossy green lancelike leave of absence , and a bushy show .
originate tropic pinwheel jasmine plants as a inflorescence hedge , back of the bed shrub , foundation planting , or container plant . In geographical zone 6 to 11 , the plant originate 4 foot . ( 1.2 m ) tall and wide .
Flame of the Woods (Ixora coccinea)
Ixora is a compact sun - loving bush that can be prune as a hedge in south Florida
flame of the woods is a tropical unfolding plant with rounded clustering of 4 - petaled , ace - shaped crimson , pink , jaundiced or orange blossom and fizgig - work , glossy green leaves . Tropical Ixora bush bloom throughout the year in southerly Florida . The shrubby plant is idealistic as an evergreen hedgerow , privacy screen , or border plant life . The improbable evergreen plant shrub uprise 4 to 6 foot . ( 1.2 – 1.8 m ) improbable .
Also named hobo camp geranium , hobo camp flaming , or iron tree diagram , the shaggy-coated tropic plant thrives in USDA zones 10 and 11 . In northerly Florida , you’re able to grow the plant in a container for a tropical touch to a garden landscape .
Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia)
Mountain Arthur Stanley Jefferson Laurel bush can tolerate some tone in northerly Florida gardens
wad laurel is a low maintenance efflorescence plant worthy for growing in North Florida . The shade - know multi - stemmed deciduous shrub peak with stunning pale pinkish clump of urn - shaped peak . These brilliant flowers contrast with the flora ’s leathery greenish leaves . peck laurel is suited for mature in a cottage garden , shrub border , or as a specimen plant life .
stack Arthur Stanley Jefferson Laurel perform best in fond sun in USDA zones 4 through 9 . The shrubby plant grow between 5 and 15 ft . ( 1.5 – 4.5 m ) improbable .
Viburnum — Flowering Tropical Shrub with Huge Flowers
Viburnum Snowball Bush has showy round white flowers and grows between 10 and 12 ft . ( 3 – 3.6 m ) tall
Viburnum shrubs are low - maintenance tropic plants that grow as large shrub . The rounded leafy shrub blooms with large globose , conelike , or domed clusters of white flowers . nanus viburnum shrubs are excellent for most of Florida tropic landscapes where they do n’t grow taller than 5 foot . ( 1.5 m ) .
Viburnum mostly grows in central or northern Florida . However , you could find some heat - loving cultivars that do well in full Sunday in zona 10 .
Further version : Types of Viburnum : Shrubs , Trees and Hedges .
Allamanda Bush (Allamanda schottii)
Allamanda bushes are tropical flowering shrub that bestow promising coloring to central and south Florida landscape
The allamanda bush is a flowering evergreen shrub suitable for growing in central and southerly Florida . The sunlight - roll in the hay bushy tropical landscape painting plant life blooms with spectacular trumpet - shaped tropic yellow flowers . The bush ’s broadleaf evergreen plant foliage consists of leathery leaves growing in whorls of three to five foliage . Allamanda bushy shrub grow 3 to 4 foot . ( 1 – 1.2 m ) tall and full .
The allamanda bush does n’t tolerate moth-eaten and is ideal for growing in Florida ’s hot mood . farm the bush as an evergreen florescence hedge , specimen plant , foundation plant , or corner accent .
Cape Jasmine (Gardenia jasminoides)
The white blossom of cape jasmine bush add beauty and fragrance to Florida landscape
Cape jasmine is a native Florida shrub with spectacularbrilliant white fragrant flowersand thick leathery farewell . The bushy evergreen plant shrub is desirable for all of Florida ’s grow zones . The dumbly grow , mound bush has medium growth and require plenty of summer tearing .
mantle jasmine adds brilliant colour to a tropical landscape and grow 4 to 8 ft . ( 1.2 – 2.4 m ) high and wide of the mark . This attractive shrub is suitable for USDA zones 8 through 11 .
Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia) with Spectacular Flowers
The razz of paradise is tropic plant that is sometimes erroneously forebode “ banana tree tree diagram ” because its large leaf resemble the I of banana tree plant
Thebird of paradiseis a big foliage tropical plant thathas stunning flowers that search like a shuttle ’s head . Also key out the crane blossom plant , this perennial evergreen plant has large leaves like a banana plant withunusual flowersgrowing at the end of long stems .
Typically , bird of Eden flowers grow 6.5 to 11 ft . ( 2 – 3.5 MB ) magniloquent . In addition , their huge folio grow up to 6.5 foot . ( 2 m ) foresighted and 2.6 ft . ( 0.8 m ) broad . In an outdoors tropic garden , the bird of paradise thrive in USDA zones 10 through 12 .
Tropical Florida Foliage Plants (With Pictures)
Plants with colourful leaves are ideal for growing in Florida landscapes . The besttropical leafage plantsadd a puncher of color to tropic and semitropical gardens and are more interesting than ferns and oriental grasses .
Croton Plants With Colorful Foliage
Croton plants include many cultivar with beautiful colored foliation to lend interestto Central and South Florida landscaped garden
Croton plantsare some of the most colourful leafage outside tropic plants to grow in a Florida landscape painting . The tropical leafy industrial plant have leathery multicolored leave that are shades of green , orange , yellow , and cherry . to boot , species of croton plants have slim , violin - shaped , oval , oblong , egg - shape , or lanceolate leaves .
Croton plants perform best in freeze - devoid climates , making them ideal for growing in Central and South Florida . you may constitute Croton tiglium plants to brighten a tropical landscapegrowing along a property ’s foundation line , in a mixed bed , or as an accent plant in an evergreen hedgerow .
Red Aglaonema
flushed aglaonema cultivars . Clockwise from top leave : ‘ Siam Aurora ’ , ‘ Lady Valentine ’ , ‘ Red Anjamani ’ and ‘ Super Red Star ’
Red aglaonemais a mathematical group of outside tropic foliage flora that append striking red color to southerly Florida gardens . The exotic plants have lanceolate or heart - shaped leaf in various shades of red with unripened accents . Some aglaonema varieties have vibrant red farewell with unripened margins , and others have green parting with red speckles and pinkish edges .
Heliconia
Heliconia exotic metal money are suitable for South Florida gardens
Heliconia is a group of tropical flowering plants , identified by their attractive reddish flower and big leaves like those growing on banana tree works . The expectant foliation tropical plants thrive outdoors in Florida garden and add a splash of bright oranges and reds . The exotic flowers of heliconia plants look similar to a shuttlecock ’s beak .
bet on the species , heliconia tropic plants grow between 1.5 and 15 foot . ( 0.5 – 4.5 m ) tall . Related to canna lily , banana plant , and doll of paradise , heliconia works prosper in Florida zones 10 and 11 .
Calathea — Tropical Plants with Decorative Leaves
Calathea tropical plants include many varieties with unlike leaf patterns that can be grown out of doors in South Florida
Calathea is a genus of tropical plantsfamous for their alien foliage that adds stake to tropical landscapes . The parting of calathea plants are characterise by their oculus - get intricate patterns . These patterns can be pinstriped , zebra - like , or resemble a peacock ’s tooshie . In addition , calathea plants have motley leaves in spook of green and livid .
Related to prayer plants , calathea only uprise alfresco in tropic mood . There are around 60 coinage of calathea , so it is n’t easy to pin down their leaf shape , size , and pattern . However , most people keep calathea asattractive tropical houseplantsindoors .
Begonias
Rex begonia have attractive leaf color convention
Begonias are excellentshade industrial plant for a tropical Florida landscape . The low - growing foliage plants have leaves in attractive shapes and color patterns . However , begonias are also flowering tropic plant life that blossom with clusters of pink , red , orange , or whitened flowers . Typically , begonia do n’t grow marvelous than 24 ” ( 60 centimeter ) wide .
Severalspecies of begoniasare suited for spring up in Florida gardens . These admit rhizomatous begonias , cane begonias , and wax begonias . you’re able to implant begonia plant in all regions of Florida .
Caladiums
Caladiums are down in the mouth light tropical plants with colourful leaves suitable for Central and South Florida
Caladiums are bulbous tropical foliageplants that flourish in shaded conditions in central and southerly Florida . Also call angel wings , caladium plants have stunning foliage , lie in of pink , white , red , and dark-green gist - shaped leaves . For good results , it ’s safe to farm caladium plant life in mottled sunlight or partial shade .
tropic foliation plants in theCaladiumgenus acquire between 0.5 ” and 2 ft . ( 15 – 60 centimeter ) improbable . colourful cultivars have either heart - shaped or lance - mould leaves . However , alltypes of caladiumsare characterize by spectacular exotic leafage .
Variegated Ginger (Alpinia zerumbet‘Variegata’)
variegate ginger is anornamental peppiness plantthat tolerates fond tincture and can be grown outdoors in South Florida
variegate ginger is a tropical foliage plant with attractive green lanceolate leave-taking and sensationalistic streaks . The low - grow shade plant performs well in shaded region in southern Florida climates . As well as arresting leaves , variegated ginger produces cluster of funnel - shaped blank flowers growing in little capitulum .
Also called shell ginger , the just clumping tropical ornamental plant develop 8 to 10 foot . ( 2.4 – 3 m ) tall . you could farm variegate ginger as a specimen plant , foundation planting , or in mickle as a bright background to stress other florescence plants . you could embed motley powdered ginger in most regions of Florida in full sun or fond shade .
Arikury Palm (Syagrus schizophylla)
Arikury medal is a tropic gnome tree worthy for small gardens in Central and South Florida in zones 9b – 11
The arikury palm is aperfect small accent decoration , ideal for compact Florida landscapes . The long fronds mensurate 4 to 6 ft . ( 1.2 – 1.8 m ) long and have an arching and swag habit .
The attractive arikury decoration grow up to 6 foot . ( 1.8 m ) high with a spreadhead of 10 ft . ( 3 m ) . The identify feature of this Florida palm is its distinctive toothed petioles . Unlike otherornamental medallion in Florida , the arikury medallion lacks a placid crest - slam .
Other characteristics of the arikury palm tree are 2 to 3 ft . ( 0.6 – 1 m ) anthesis halt with golden yellowed bloom , chickenhearted or orange fruits mensurate 1 ” ( 2.5 cm ) long , and a bushy - look trunk .
Tropical Flowering Trees For Florida (With Pictures)
Geiger Tree (Cordia sebestena)
Geiger Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree is atropicalflowering minuscule treenative to Florida and thrives in Florida Keys
The Geiger tree is an evergreen tropical shrub - like belittled tree that thrive in southern Florida . The tropical tree ’s attractive flower are vivid orange clusters consisting of blossom that are made up of six fused papery flower petal . The beautiful tube-shaped flowers measure 2 ” ( 5 cm ) wide and efflorescence throughout the year , specially in summertime .
The Geiger Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree is native to Florida and thrives in the Florida Keys . The tropic tree is named after a Key West wrecker John Geiger . Gieger trees mature between 25 and 30 ft . ( 8 – 9 thousand ) tall and boast a vase - shaped crown and drooping branch .
Plumeria Tree (Frangipani)
Plumeria tree is also call frangipani
Plumeria is a group of little trees or shrubsthat are famous for extremely perfumed , exotic and jazzy heyday . The whiz determine Plumiera flowers make out in ghost of white , yellow , pink , red , and multi - color . Plumeria trees are also known for their large , leathery leaves that decorate the attractive ornamental tree from spring until fall .
The tropic trees are classed as deciduous or semi - evergreen tree diagram or bush . The spectacular florescence trees prosper in USDA zones 9 through 12 . Plumeria Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree commonly grow in Florida , the Caribbean , the Pacific islands , Mexico , and Central America .
Frangipani Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree are moderate to tight - growing plants that can produce up to 20 foot . ( 6 m ) tall . However , in most tropical and subtropical garden landscape painting , the alien Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree reach between 6 and 8 ft . ( 1.8 – 2.4 grand ) tall .
Discover the most spectacularyellow anthesis tree diagram in Florida .
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