Top 10 plants for a tropical garden

Even in the UK’s cool temperate climate, it’s easy to create a tropical paradise in your own back garden. The key lies in selecting lush and resilient plants that deliver a sense of scale and drama. If you’re looking for lavish plants that evoke the languid atmosphere of far warmer climes – this is the place to start.

Here are 10 of the best exotic plants, chosen by our horticultural team.

1. Hardy palm
2. Canna lily
3. Musa bajoo
4. Tree Fern
5. Coleus
6. Strelizia
7. Glory Lily
8. Fatsia
9. Tetrapanax papyrifer 'Rex'
10. Passion Flower

1. Hardy palm

This striking, evergreen palm has large, fan-like leaves
Image: Trachycarpus fortunei from T&M (© T&M)

With their architectural, fan-like foliage, hardy palms deliver all year round structure - the bare-bones of your planting scheme! Two of the hardiest varieties available include Tracycarpus fortunei and Chamaerops humilis, both of which remain evergreen and need very little upkeep.

2. Canna lily

Also known as the Indian Shot Plant, Canna ‘Tropicanna Black’ grows well in containers
Image: Canna ‘Tropicanna Black’ from T&M (© T&M)

Exotic, striped, paddle-shaped leaves deliver a luxuriant jungle feel – but it’s the bold blooms that really pack a punch! The tall flower stems rise majestically above the foliage, crowned with vibrant, fluttering petals in the brightest shades of orange, red, cream and pink. Try the sultry dark foliage of Canna ‘Tropicanna Black’ or pin-striped ‘Tropicanna’.

Despite their tropical looks, Cannas are surprisingly easy to grow. Lift and store the tubers in autumn for replanting next spring – or simply grow them in a pot and move them to the conservatory during the coldest months!

3. Musa basjoo

The large, lush green leaves of Musa basjoo are produced each year
Image: Musa basjoo from T&M

Imagine yourself on a desert island enjoying the warm touch of the sun and the rustle of swaying banana leaves above you. Luckily you don’t need to travel that far because banana plants, particularly Musa basjoo, can be grown in the UK if given winter protection from the cold.

These stately plants may look tree-like but they’re actually herbaceous perennials, and that upright trunk is formed from tightly curled leaves. Find a sheltered spot away from strong winds which can shred the colossal leaves.

4. Tree fern

The long, elegant fronds grow up to 1.5m long
Image: Australian Tree Fern from T&M (© Branded Garden Products)

Australian Tree Ferns (or Dicksonia antarctica) make a superb investment if you’re interested in adding a true jungle feel. Their enormous fronds unfurl each spring, reaching up to 1.5m long on mature plants. Although hardy to -5C (23F), these prehistoric beauties are best grown in a sheltered position. Simply wrap the crowns in a cosy layer of straw and garden fleece to protect them from the worst of the winter weather.

5. Coleus

The plants in this colourful coleus mixture grow up to 45cm high
Image: Coleus 'Wizard Mixed' seeds from T&M

Usually grown as an annual, Coleus is a tender perennial that’s quick to grow from seed so you can raise fresh plants every summer. If you don’t have space to bring on seedlings, simply order plugs or garden ready plants instead.

With funky foliage in every colour combo imaginable, coleus is perfect for adding some zing to the lower layers of your tropical scheme. Try Coleus Mix for eye-popping colour, or Coleus ‘Skeletal’ for its unusual fishbone-shaped leaves. These exotic-looking plants are versatile too, thriving in sun or shade – what more could you ask?

6. Strelizia

These magnificent flowers which resemble brightly coloured birds
Image: Strelitzia 'Bird of Paradise' from T&M

The bird-like flowers of this well-known evergreen perennial are instantly recognisable. Commonly seen in UK conservatories during the winter, Strelitzia reginae can be woven into an outdoor display during the warm summer months! The large leaves are grey-green, rising upwards on tall stems, and making the perfect backdrop for its extraordinary blooms.

Grow this plant in a pot that can be moved inside during the winter. It creates a thrilling focal point for a sunny spot.

7. Glory lily

This climbing plant has striking scarlet petals and unusual foliage
Image: Glory Lily from T&M (© Branded Garden Products)

The Glory Lily is an intriguing climber that’s perfect for meandering through your tropical planting scheme. Its leaves are tipped with curling tendrils that cling to other plants, or any other support that it can find. The exotic summer flowers boast flame-like, recurved petals that add unexpected dashes of colour to a lush and leafy backdrop.

With deep scarlet blooms, Gloriosa superba is the most commonly found variety, and arguably the most striking. But other varieties with paler blooms can be found. Whether you grow it from a tuber or from seed, you’ll need to start your plants off in warm, cosy conditions that mimic the tropical climate of their native homes in Asia and Africa.

8. Fatsia

Fatsia japonica has large, glossy palmate leaves that grow to 45cm wide
Image: Fatsia japonica from T&M

It may seem hard to believe that this lush-leaved, glossy shrub could withstand a hard frost – but you’ll find it exceptionally hardy and reliable! Also known as the Castor Oil plant, Fatsia japonica is perfect for adding a permanent evergreen understorey to your jungle garden.

As the years pass it will form a spectacular spreading shrub that makes a magnificent focal point. The spidery white blooms in summer add further interest to this architectural plant. If you’re a fan of variegated foliage, try the speckled variety Fatsia japonica ‘Spiders Web’.

9. Tetrapanax papyrifer 'Rex'

This large-leafed specimen plant has a distinctive jungle feel
Image: Tetrapanax papyrifer 'Rex' from T&M

Tetrapanax papyrifer 'Rex', also known as the Chinese Rice Paper plant, throws up long stems crowned with striking foliage that span almost 1m wide! Making a dramatic statement, the exotic scale of this lush plant lends a jungle feel to borders. It works equally well as a single focal point, or woven into a tropical planting scheme.

This hardy shrub prefers a sunny spot in a sheltered garden, but it’s more resilient than it looks, especially in coastal locations.

10. Passionflower

The pure white petals and purple filaments pop against the dark green glossy leaves
Image: Passiflora caerulea from T&M

Passiflora caerulea is a familiar climber in the UK. This exotic looking beauty is the perfect choice for covering walls, fences and unsightly sheds to give a truly tropical feel to your planting scheme. This vigorous climber produces a spectacular display of summer flowers followed by large, peachy-coloured fruits. It’s perfectly hardy so you can enjoy it year after year.

If you’re keen to eat your own passion fruits, then opt for Passiflora edulis 'Frederick' which has a much better flavour. This is a frost-tender variety, so it’s best grown in a heated greenhouse or conservatory where it provides a spectacular evergreen display.

We hope this has given you some helpful ideas for your tropical garden. For more information and advice on exotic plants, visit our dedicated hub page.