Turn your backyard into a sun-kissed sanctuary with bold, breezy plants that bring serious beach resort energy. With tropical and tropical-looking beauties, easy-care design tricks, and laid-back landscaping tips, you can create a lush escape that feels more like the coast of Maui than your own ZIP code.
Summer’s cranking up the heat, and your outdoor space should too! If you're dreaming of a lush island oasis, want to jazz up your poolside with bold foliage, or just need to fake a fabulous garden without breaking a sweat, then Nature Hills has got you covered!
It doesn't have to be just about the Palm Trees to get that tropical vibe! We’re serving up a staycation-ready roundup of sizzling plant picks, statement containers, and lazy gardener secrets that make your yard feel like a private paradise. These summer-loving stunners thrive with sunshine, sips of water, and your good vibes only!
Bring The Tropics Home: Plants That Scream Staycation!
Why spend thousands on a beach getaway when you can recreate those lush, island vibes right in your own backyard? These bold beauties love the heat, ooze tropical flair, and make your space feel like a five-star resort!
Here's our Top 10 Tropical-Looking Plants from NatureHills.com that wow without the work!
1. Japanese Aralia (Fatsia japonica)
A true tropical-style stunner for warm temperate gardens, Japanese Aralia shows off glossy, palmate leaves up to 12 inches wide that instantly bring bold, exotic texture to shady spaces. This evergreen plant forms a lush, rounded shrub and thrives in protected areas where its oversized foliage can shine.
- Hardy in USDA Zones 8-11
Matures to 5-8 feet tall and wide
Thrives in part to full shade and is low-maintenance once established
Perfect for layering, pairing with finer-textured foliage for a rich, dimensional display, or outstanding specimen plantings.
2. Banana Plants
Paddle-shaped leaves scream "island life"! Banana Plants bring instant tropical vibes. At Nature Hills, try the 'Dwarf Cavendish' for compact, container-friendly tropical flair and sweet fruit; the 'Dwarf Nam Wah', known for its fast growth and occasionally forming small, creamy bananas; or the 'Gold Finger Banana', prized for its cold tolerance and non-browning, dessert-quality fruit when mature in winter-free climates.
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Fast-growing, large foliage, and architectural
- Best in pots in cooler climates
- Loves humidity and regular watering for fastest growth
3. Elephant Ears (Colocasia & Alocasia)
Elephant Ears make a bold, tropical statement with their massive, heart- or shield-shaped leaves in striking shades of green, near-black, deep purple, and even variegated patterns. Their dramatic foliage creates an instant jungle atmosphere, swaying gently in the breeze and adding bold texture to beds, borders, and containers.
- Moist soil is a must, and it stays happiest with regular watering
- Some varieties reach 6 feet!
- Adds texture and movement while thriving in warm, humid conditions
These moisture-loving plants thrive in warm weather and are especially stunning near ponds, patios, rain gardens, or shady corners that need a lush lift.
4. Caladiums
Caladiums bring vibrant, tropical color to the garden with their dramatic, heart-shaped leaves in striking shades of pink, red, white, and green. These foliage-first plants light up shady beds, containers, and borders with bold patterns and color, no blooms needed!
- Grown from bulbs
- Excellent shade foliage ornamental for under trees or in mixed containers
- Dig up and store bulbs in the fall in cold zones
- Minimal care in summer. Just protect from hot sun and keep soil moist
Grown from bulbs (technically tubers), Caladiums are heat-sensitive and will go dormant during extreme heat or cool weather, especially in colder climates. In USDA zones below 9, they'll need to be lifted and stored indoors over winter to return the next season.
5. Variegated Shell Ginger (Alpinia zerumbet 'Variegata')
Variegated Shell Ginger is a true showstopper, with its lush, lance-shaped leaves boldly striped in creamy yellow and green, bringing instant tropical luxury to garden beds, patios, and containers. Its graceful, arching stems are topped in summer with clusters of pearl-like pink buds that open to reveal golden, orchid-like flowers with a soft fragrance. This plant's vibrant foliage shines even when not in bloom, making it a favorite for adding movement, color, and texture to any tropical-inspired landscape.
- Hardy in USDA Zones 8-11
- Overwinter indoors in cooler zones
- Thrives in part shade to full sun with moist, well-drained soil
- Perfect for poolside beds, bold container displays, and lush backdrop plantings
Variegated Shell Ginger brings bold foliage and tropical flair to every setting, no beach required!
6. Pineapple Lily (Eucomis)
Pineapple Lilies bring a unique tropical flair to garden beds and containers with their strappy, lance-shaped leaves and quirky flower spikes that resemble tiny pineapples topped with a tuft of green bracts. Blooming from mid to late summer, their waxy, star-like flowers come in shades of white, pink, or purple and rise boldly above the foliage. Try Meguru with its fragrant white blooms, lavender centers, and yellow stamen, or Oakhurst, which features burgundy foliage and pink-purple star-shaped blooms.
- Hardy in USDA Zones 6-9; lift bulbs in colder zones or grow in containers
- Thrives in well-drained soil and sun. Water when the soil dries out
- Leave bulbs in the ground where hardy
- Unique ornamental flower spikes
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Deer-resistant and long-blooming
These bulb-grown beauties are real conversation starters and attract bees, butterflies, and curious glances alike. Their compact, upright form makes them ideal for tropical-themed borders, rock gardens, or as striking container specimens.
7. Canna Lilies
Canna Lilies are the ultimate warm-season showstoppers, flaunting large, banana-like leaves and fiery blooms in shades of red, orange, yellow, and pink. Their bold, upright growth habit brings instant vertical drama to beds, borders, and containers, while their exotic foliage, often striped, bronze, burgundy, near-black, or deep green, plus plenty of variegated forms in between. They add lush texture even when not in bloom. Cannas thrive in heat and humidity, making them perfect for poolside plantings, tropical-themed gardens, and sunny patios.
- Loves full sun and moist soil
- Great in beds, groupings, or as container thrillers
- Attracts pollinators and compliments alike
- Feed with a slow-release fertilizer and deadhead to keep blooms coming
8. Tropical Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)
Tropical Hibiscus brings a burst of exotic beauty to gardens and patios with its huge, vividly colored blooms in shades of red, orange, yellow, pink, and even multi-tones. These glossy-leaved shrubs or small trees bloom repeatedly in warm weather, creating an island feel wherever they're planted. Perfect for containers, poolside accents, or sunny patios, Tropical Hibiscus delivers big floral impact and a lush, vacation-ready vibe all summer long.
- Best in USDA Zones 9-11
- Grow in containers and overwinter indoors in cooler zones
- Great for borders, patios, or focal points
- Prefers regular watering and full sun; blooms best when not rootbound
9. Gardenia Bushes
Gardenia is the epitome of southern elegance and tropical romance, with its creamy white, rose-like blooms, waxy dark green leaves, and a heavenly fragrance that’s long been prized in perfumes. These evergreen shrubs bring timeless charm to patios, entryways, and tropical-inspired gardens, especially when planted near seating areas where their scent can be fully enjoyed.
- Hardy in USDA Zones 7-10, or grow in containers in cooler climates
- Prefers acidic, well-drained soil and bright, indirect sun
- Needs consistent moisture and mulch to retain humidity around roots
- Perfect for foundation plantings, containers, and scented tropical beds
10. Tropical-Looking Bulbs That Wow
You don’t need tropical weather to grow show-stopping, exotic-looking blooms. These bulb-grown beauties add wild form, fiery color, and bold height to temperate gardens, bringing instant jungle energy with their unique shapes and vibrant petals.
Lycoris Lilies (Spider Lilies)
- Hardy in Zones 6–10
- Late summer blooms with curled petals and no foliage
- Radiata (red) and Aurea (gold) add fiery color to borders
- Easy to grow in full sun with well-drained soil
Fritillaria (Lutea, Rubra, Persica)
- Hardy in Zones 5–9
- Tall, bell-shaped blooms on bold stalks
- Exotic form for mixed beds or focal points
- Plant bulbs in fall and let them naturalize in sunny or lightly shaded spots
Cleopatra Foxtail Lily
- Hardy in Zones 5-9
- Towering orange spikes with strappy leaves
- Perfect for bold vertical drama
- Needs well-drained soil, loves sun, and sandy soil
- Minimal care once established
These exotic-looking bulbs are the perfect finishing touch for mock-tropical gardens, delivering bold color, dramatic form, and surprise blooms that feel straight out of the tropics.
Vines & Climbers That Climb To Paradise
Create a tropical wall of blooms and fragrance with these easy-care climbing plants. Train them up arbors, fences, trellises, or even porch railings for a lush, layered look.
1. Mandevilla Vines
Mandevilla is a showy tropical vine that turns up the elegance with its glossy, deep green leaves and bold trumpet-shaped blooms in shades of pink, red, or white. Fast-growing and perfect for containers, trellises, or hanging baskets, it adds vertical interest and exotic color all summer long. Mandevilla thrives in warm weather and delivers instant resort-style flair to patios, porches, and poolside spaces.
- Loves full sun to part shade and regular watering
- Best in Zones 9-11, or grow as an annual or overwinter indoors
- Perfect for trellises, obelisks, or spilling from large containers
- Blooms nonstop with regular watering and light feeding
Try Sun Parasol® brand Pretty Pretty Pink and Parasol White for some vivid variety.
2. Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum & Jasminum spp.)
Jasmine enchants with starry white blooms and an intoxicating fragrance that lingers in the evening air, making it a must for moon gardens, patios, and entryways. This elegant vine or shrub adds an air of old-world charm and tropical romance, climbing trellises or cascading from containers with ease.
- Thrives in full sun to part shade, depending on the variety
- Evergreen or semi-evergreen. Hardy in Zones 7-10
- Grow in containers in colder regions
- Ideal for trellises, fences, or containers near windows or walkways
- Low-maintenance and drought-tolerant once established
Its glossy green foliage provides a lush backdrop to the delicate, sweet-scented flowers that bloom from spring through summer.
3. Elizabeth Angus Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea is a vibrant, sun-loving climber that delivers a tropical explosion of purple-violet color. Other varieties come in brilliant magenta, red, purple, orange, or even white bracts, which surround tiny, understated flowers. This fast-growing vine adds instant drama to walls, fences, trellises, and even large hanging baskets or containers. Its papery blooms appear in waves through warm months, creating a cascading curtain of color that feels right out of the Mediterranean or Caribbean.
- Thrives in full sun and well-drained soil
- Just provide sun, use minimal fertilizer, and enjoy repeat waves of color
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Best in zones 9-11 or grown as a seasonal houseplant in cooler climates
- Drought-tolerant and blooms more with lean soil and light pruning
Fake The Tropics: Cold-Hardy Plants That Look Exotic
No Palm tree weather? No problem! You don't have to live in a tropical zone to enjoy that lush, island-inspired garden. These hardy perennials, shrubs, and small trees look like they belong in the rainforest, but thrive in zones with chilly winters. Perfect for northern gardeners chasing that paradise aesthetic!
1. Lucifer Crocosmia (Crocosmia 'Lucifer')
Crocosmia are bulb-like perennials that bring bold, tropical drama to temperate and warm gardens alike. With arching, tropical, sword-like foliage and blazing scarlet-red blooms that look straight out of a tropical escape, they add instant movement and color. Upright leaves provide structure, while fiery flower spikes draw in hummingbirds all summer long.
- Grows from corms and spreads over time
- Attracts hummingbirds and adds vibrant, upright texture
- Heat-tolerant, deer-resistant, and hardy in Zones 5-9
- Minimal care once planted. Divide clumps every few years for best performance
Easy to grow, they're perfect for borders, containers, and tropical-themed beds.
2. Cold-Hardy Banana (Musa basjoo 'Northern Wonder Banana')
Northern Wonder™ is a fast-growing, cold-hardy type that survives winters in zones 5-10 with mulch. Typically non-fruiting, this variety delivers bold foliage for poolside or patio flair in colder temps.
- Cold-hardy to zone 5 with protection, perfect for northern gardens
- Fast-growing with huge, tropical-looking leaves for instant impact
- Non-fruiting variety, grown for bold foliage and lush, exotic style
- Mulch well and water deeply in summer to keep leaves lush
Just give it a deep mulched bed in a protected area for the winter or bring it indoors.
3. Hardy Hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos)
Related to Tropical Hibiscus, Hardy Hibiscus delivers jaw-dropping, dinner-plate-sized blooms in bold shades of red, pink, white, and bicolor blends that look like they belong on a tropical island, but this tough perennial is right at home in colder climates. Its lush, broad foliage and towering stems create a bold presence in the garden, while the blooms, often 8-12 inches wide, add pure wow-factor from mid to late summer.
- Loves the sun and moist soil
- Water deeply and often in summer for the biggest blooms.
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Deadhead to extend flowering
- Perfect near patios or ponds
- Huge blooms and exotic color. A butterfly and hummingbird magnet
Dying back to the ground in winter, these act like perennials but come back year after year, bigger and better each time. The pollinators and hummingbirds go ga-ga for these blooms!
4. Sunflare™ Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra 'HABsf1007')
brings elegant, tropical flair with its cascading, bamboo-like blades in glowing shades of gold to chartreuse with pops of burgundy. This graceful ornamental grass sways with the breeze, softening edges and adding movement to shady or part-sun spaces, perfect for creating that serene, resort-style feel without leaving your hardiness zone.
- Hardy in USDA Zones 5-9. Ideal for cooler climates that crave a tropical look.
- Grows in soft mounds, 12-18 inches tall
- Provides flowing texture, bright color, and movement
- Cold-hardy and low-maintenance
- Tolerates drought once established and thrives with light shade and mulch
Its texture and color instantly elevate any garden with a touch of island calm.
5. Bronze Peacock Rodgersia (Rodgersia pinnata 'Bronze Peacock')
Bronze Peacock features large, deeply lobed, leathery leaves that emerge in bronzy-purple tones and mature to deep green with bold burgundy veins and stems. In spring, frothy bi-color pink flower plumes rise above the foliage, adding to its lush, tropical appeal.
- Cold-hardy down to Zone 5
- A bold choice for damp, shady beds
- Adds dramatic foliage texture
- Loves consistently moist, rich soil and part shade. Very low maintenance otherwise
Perfect for part shade and moist, rich soil, this bold perennial brings exotic flair to shaded gardens and water's edge plantings.
6. Little Rocket Leopard Plant (Ligularia stenocephala 'Little Rocket')
Leopard Plants bring a lush, jungle-like vibe to shady gardens with their massive, glossy leaves that feel straight out of a rainforest. The bold foliage, often deep green or tinged with purple, creates dramatic ground-level texture, while golden-yellow, torch-like blooms rise in mid to late summer. Thriving in damp shade, they're perfect for exotic-style borders, pond edges, or woodland beds.
- Large leaves and tropical coarse foliage
- Prefers moist soil and partial shade
- Attracts pollinators!
- Hardy in zones 4-8. Easy-care perennial, just water regularly and watch it thrive
Try fantastic varieties like 'Othello', with rich purple-backed leaves, or 'Pandora', which stays compact but still delivers big drama. Perfect for borders, pond edges, or woodland gardens where bold foliage steals the show.
7. Sun King Aralia (Aralia cordata 'Sun King')
A standout in any mock-exotic garden, Sun King flaunts massive, golden compound leaves that radiate tropical energy and brighten shady garden corners. Its bold, chartreuse foliage forms a lush mound that feels right at home alongside other jungle-look plants.
- Hardy to zone 4-9. Just needs occasional watering
- Grows 3–6 feet tall
- Provides bold foliage contrast in woodland gardens or mixed beds
Also known as Spikenard, this easy-care perennial adds height, texture, and that golden glow that transforms temperate gardens into tropical escapes.
8. Ragin Cajin Indian Pinks (Spigelia marilandica)
With their vivid red tubular flowers topped with yellow starbursts, Indian Pinks fake the tropical look like they belong in a rainforest, but are native and cold-hardy. These showy blooms rise above glossy green foliage and thrive in part shade, making them perfect for woodland borders or tropical-inspired shade beds.
- Blooms in late spring to early summer
- Attracts hummingbirds and pollinators
- Hardy in USDA zones 5-9, in part shade, and thrives in moist, rich soil
- Little maintenance is needed once established.
Go bold with Proven Winners® Little Redhead Indian Pink!
9. Tiger Eyes® Cutleaf Sumac (Rhus typhina 'Bailtiger')
Tiger Eyes Sumac adds bold texture and brilliant color to gardens with its deeply cut, fern-like foliage that emerges in chartreuse, matures to gold, and finishes the season in blazing shades of orange, red, and scarlet. Though native and hardy, its exotic leaf shape and vibrant hues give it a tropical, almost jungle-like appearance. The upright, open form adds architectural interest, while its drought tolerance and low-maintenance nature make it a standout in any landscape.
- Hardy in USDA zones 4-8
- Thrives in full sun and well-drained soil
- Great for slopes, specimen plantings, or adding tropical flair to temperate gardens
- Low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and pest-resistant once mature
This small ornamental tree or large shrub offers the feel of an exotic landscape with the resilience of a native. Perfect for mock-tropical designs in cooler climates.
10. Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina)
Nandina isn’t a true Bamboo, but its upright canes and finely divided, airy foliage give it that same graceful, exotic look, making it a favorite for tropical-style gardens in cooler zones. This versatile shrub offers changing color through the seasons, from spring blushes to vibrant green summer leaves, fiery fall hues, and bright winter berries.
- Hardy in USDA zones 6-10, drought-tolerant once established
- Colorful year-round tropical-looking foliage
- Red winter berries for birds and multi-season appeal
- Very easy to care for! Just plant in sun to part shade and water during dry spells
Try 'Firepower' for compact size and blazing red fall foliage, 'Compact Heavenly Bamboo' for dense growth and deep red new leaves, or 'Lemon Lime' for bright, tropical chartreuse tones without the berries. These are low-maintenance, deer-resistant, and fit beautifully in borders, containers, or as a semi-to-fully broadleaf evergreen accent.
Lazy Gardener Secrets: Easy Tropical Garden Care
Whether in the ground or in containers, these tropical-looking plants need a little TLC to truly thrive through the hottest months.
In-Ground Care Tips
- Soil prep is key! Use compost and well-drained mixes for the best root growth.
- Use arborist mulch around the base to retain moisture and block weeds. Learn more about how and why to mulch your plants.
- Fertilize regularly with a balanced or bloom-boosting formula.
- Water deeply and consistently. Use the Finger Test to make sure the soil stays damp but not soggy.
