Tropical Trees at Nature Hills!
Tropical Trees from Nature Hills Nursery add an exotic touch to your plant life. Whether you're creating an outdoor garden in one of the warmer climates or you're looking for an indoor potted plant for your northern home, our inventory brings you lots of great choices.
What Makes a Tree Tropical?
What determines a Tropical Tree? If a tree grows near either side of the equator, it is considered a tropical tree. Although some of these can survive in much cooler climates, most Tropical Trees thrive in Hardiness Zones 9 to 11, and some up to zone 12. These plants can handle more humidity and warm, balmy nights, increased rainfall at certain times of the year, or occasional drought and soaring temperatures.
These trees can have either deciduous or broadleaf evergreen leaves, and make beautiful landscape plants for a yard, especially if they are not exposed to the winter's chill. However, some tropical trees are hardy and can survive months of cold weather in USDA zones 7 and 8.
Nature Hills Tropical Tree selection is quite diverse and includes species that are well-adapted to being kept as patio or indoor container plants!
Fruit-Bearing Tropical Trees
We love edible landscaping trees that both look great and add curb appeal, but also put food on the table!
Tropical Citrus fruit trees include:
- Kumquat
- Orange Trees, Calamondin, Tangerines, Tangelo, and Mandarin
- Lemon & Lime Trees including Finger Limes
- Grapefruit Trees and Pummelo Trees
- Buddha Hand Fruit
These trees do their very best when completely protected from frost and prolonged chill.
Other Non-Citrus Fruiting Tropical Trees include:
These gorgeous trees can be effective landscaping choices as they are both flavorful as they are beautiful!
- Guava Trees - Zone 8 & up
- Papaya Trees
- Olive Trees - Zone 8 & up
- Banana Plants - Zone 9 & up
- Mango Fruit Trees - Zone 9 & up
- Barbados Cherry Tree - Zone 9 & up
- Jackfruit trees - Zone 9 & up
- Noni Tree - Zone 10 & up
- Loquat Trees - Zone 8 & up
- Achacha Tree - Zone 10 & up
- Cherimoyas/Custard Apple - Zone 9 & up
- Jaboticaba Restinga - Zone 9 & up
- Sapote
More unusual Tropical Fruit include these Zone 10 and up options:
These lovely plants offer glossy green or even variegated leaves, strikingly beautiful, healthy, and colorful fruit, as well as gorgeous fragrant flowers!
Adding companion plants to any grouping can increase the beauty, architecture, and color of your yard. Don't forget to mix in a few Dragons Fruit and Passion Fruit Vines to add unique beauty to your Tropical orchard!
Landscaping with Tropical Trees
Creating a beautiful landscape is the goal of many gardeners, so there are design elements to consider. First, the species of tropical plants you choose must be able to survive in your area.
You can plant different layers with taller species in the background and smaller ones in front to create a distinct appearance.
Ornamental Tropical Tree options include:
- Palm Trees (Windmill Palm best down to Zone 8, but others zones 10 and up)
- Banana Plants
- Australian Tree Ferns
- Podocarpus - (Zone 7-9)
- Japanese Blueberry Tree
Mix in some Tropical shrubs, which usually have showy and fragrant flowers, into your Tropical landscape for something blooming at all times throughout your year-round growing season!
Caring For Tropical Trees
The key to planting tropical plants is to do your homework. Make sure you have the right growing conditions such as plenty of water, sunshine, warmth, and protection from cold. Most fruiting Tropical Trees will need full sun to have the most blooms and therefore the best harvest.
Plant in well-drained soil that maintains low moisture levels as with Citrus, or consistent moisture as with some other more Rainforest-type Tropical trees. Research for yourself or check out the Nature Hills Plant Highlights section that lists each plant's particular needs!
Large shrubby tropicals can be transformed into small trees if carefully pruned and used for shade, windbreaks, and year-round foliage. When to prune will vary depending on each individual type of plant and its growth cycle and will be listed in the #ProPlantTips For Care section for each plant.
Tropical Trees in Pots
Some Tropical trees are small enough (or can be pruned and maintained small enough) for a container and create a lovely accent for a yard or patio! Especially wonderful for northern growers, once the winter arrives, you can welcome tropical trees into your home by planting them in containers that can be moved around.
If your home climate includes winter temps that dip below freezing, you can enjoy a potted tropical plant on your patio or balcony in the summer, then bring it indoors for the cold season.
Choose Tropical Trees that grow slowly or prune easily for years of beauty. Many Tropical Tree varieties thrive in a container or do well on Patios!
Buy Tropical Trees Today!
Shop the great selection of Tropical Trees and tropical fruit trees at Nature Hills Nursery! These trees will help you create a tropical paradise in your own backyard! Call (402) 934-8116 today for assistance choosing which will be best for your landscape's individual needs!