21 Tropical-Looking Plants That Grow in Cool Northern Climates

You do n’t need palm trees or twelvemonth - round heating to take tropical flair into your garden . Even in cool northern climates — where winters burn and summers are short — it ’s entirely possible to grow a garden that feel alien , exuberant , and vibrant . With the right flora palette , you may capture thedrama , color , and texture of the tropicswithout leaving your hardiness zone .

The magic trick ? select works thatlooklike they belong in a rainforest but have the resilience to survive freeze , snow , and shortsighted growing season . Frombroad - leaved perennialsand bluff - colour yearbook tohardy exoticsand inhuman - tolerant ornamentals , there are more options than most gardener realize . These plants might not be factual hobo camp native , butthey pull off the deception beautifully .

Banana Plant (Musa Basjoo)

The banana plant brings a spot of the tropics with its broad , architectural leave that shake gently in the breeze . Although it wo n’t bear edible yield in cooler climates , it create a striking backdrop in any garden . Hardy to zones as dispirited as 5 , this plant dies back in winter , only to sprout up with vigor add up spring . Its towering presence makes it idealistic for creating rude privacy screens or as a focal point in a garden seam .

Japanese Aralia (Fatsia japonica)

With its shiny , hand - shaped leaves , Japanese Aralia adds a lush , tropical feel to shaded garden areas . It ’s perfect for those foxy spot where other plants might waver . Not only does it flourish in low Light Within , but it ’s also surprisingly hardy , even hold up short frost . Its bold leaf supply texture and line , complement ferns and other tone - roll in the hay companions . This works ’s adaptability makes it a ducky among gardener looking to add a touch of elegance .

Canna Lily

Canna Lilies are showstoppers with their bright , fiery blooms and fall foliage . These plants are wonderful for adding height and colouration to your garden . Though they expand in full sun , they can tolerate partial spectre , making them various additions . During former summertime , their flowers burst forth , attract pollinator . To assure winter survival in colder climate , labour up rhizomes and store them until spring . Their tropic flair is unmatchable , gain them worth the extra effort .

Elephant Ears (Colocasia)

Few flora can contend with the dramatic shock of Elephant Ears . Their enormous , bosom - mold leafage make a sheer statement in any garden scope . respectable grown in moist , well - drain soil , they thrive in fond nicety but can treat full sun with tolerable watering . While they may not be cold - fearless , storing the bulbs over winter is a simple job . Their imposing stature and lucullan visual aspect make them a garden favourite for those look for drama and scale .

Hardy Hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos)

Hardy Hibiscus delights with its enormous , colorful blooms , reminiscent of a tropical getaway . Despite their alien show , these plant withstand colder climates and turn back yearly . position in full sunshine , they become a attractor for hummingbirds and butterfly stroke . Their blooms , often spanning over 8 inches , furnish a arresting display from mid to recent summer . This perennial wee a striking improver to any garden , immix seamlessly with both traditional and contemporary landscapes .

Castor Bean Plant (Ricinus communis)

With its dramatic red to purple leaves and spiky seminal fluid cod , the Castor Bean Plant is a captivating summation to any garden . While it ’s grown for ornamental intent in coolheaded climates , caution is advised due to its toxic seeded player . It ’s often used as a statement plant , sum up height and vivacious color to sundry borders . Fast - turn and easy to keep , it boom in gay locating and well - debilitate soil . Its sheer appearance can transmute a garden into a tropical retreat .

New Zealand Flax (Phormium)

New Zealand Flax bewitch with its sword - similar leaves that come in a spectrum of colors , from bronze to pink . This various plant is a raw material in modern garden pattern , offering yr - round interest . It thrives in sunny , well - drained spot and is peculiarly well - suited for coastal garden . Resistant to wind and salt , it ’s stark for queer areas . The architectural shape of Phormium adds social structure , while its color variations enhance any planting scheme .

Yucca (Yucca filamentosa)

Yucca stands out with its spiky , evergreen plant leaves and towering flower spikes , evoking a desert landscape . Surprisingly brave , it prosper in wretched , sandlike soils and requires small alimony . Its drought tolerance pass water it ideal for xeriscaping , add grain to rock gardens or ironic borders . The striking peak stalks , reaching up to 6 feet , add vertical interest and attract pollinator . Yucca ’s full-bodied nature and salient coming into court make it a worthful addition to any garden .

Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca)

Blue Fescue is a supergrass that brings a touching of coolheaded elegance with its silverish - blue tuft . This low - growing decorative pasturage is perfect for edging , rock gardens , or mass planting . It ask minimum care and fly high in full sun with well - drain filth . Its fine grain and unique color provide a prominent contrast against larger , immature - riff plant life . In summertime , it produce delicate flower spikes , adding drift and interest . Its drought resistance and thick form make it a garden favorite .

Gunnera (Gunnera manicata)

Gunnera , often referred to as ‘ Dinosaur Food ’ , is love for its gigantic , umbrella - like leaves . It create a prehistoric atmosphere by pond or dampish area . prosper in rich , moist soil , it can handle the cold as long as it ’s yield a thick mulch in winter . Its colossal leaves offer shelter to wildlife and make an unforgettable visual statement . Gunnera ’s spectacular graduated table and presence are complete for those looking to make a bluff impact in their garden .

Sweet Box (Sarcococca confusa)

Sweet Box is a pleasure in the winter garden with its glossy foliation and intoxicatingly fragrant white flowers . This shade - loving bush fills the air with odor when small else blossom . It ’s well - suited for woodland gardens or shaded delimitation , thriving in well - drain , productive dirt . Not only is it evergreen , but it ’s also low alimony , make it an splendid selection for busybodied nurseryman . Its power to institute sweetness and greenery to shaded areas is unmatched .

Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra)

Japanese Forest Grass produce a waterfall of vibrant green , adding movement and texture to shaded gardens . This decorative Mary Jane is ideal for adding softness to the landscape , with its graceful , arching form . It thrives in moist , well - drained grunge and performs best in fond to full shade . In autumn , the foliage transforms to a gilt chromaticity , extending its interest beyond summer . Its easy presence and adaptability make it a cherish addition to any garden setting .

Hardy Palm (Trachycarpus fortunei)

The Hardy Palm defies outlook by boom in cool climate , convey a slice of the tropic to northern garden . Its fan - similar leaves append a tinge of exotic elegance , creating a focal point in any landscape . While it can resist temperature as scurvy as -10 ° F , it prefers a sheltered berth with well - enfeeble grime . This thenar ’s adaptability and resiliency make it a standout selection for those seek tropical elan in unexpected places .

Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)

Fiddle Leaf Fig has taken the indoor plant human race by violent storm with its prominent , glossy farewell and courtly presence . Though traditionally an indoor plant , it can be be active alfresco in the summertime months in nerveless mood . It thrive in shiny , indirect light and favor consistent lachrymation , though it ’s forgiving of episodic neglect . Its striking foliage add architectural interestingness , making it a pet for upcountry designers and industrial plant enthusiasts alike .

Windmill Palm (Trachycarpus wagnerianus)

Windmill Palm brings a tropic vibe to northerly garden with its compact , lover - same farewell . Not only is it moth-eaten - hardy , but it also adapts well to container horticulture , pull in it various for patios and small spaces . It thrives in well - drained territory and full to partial sun , requiring minimal maintenance . With a tolerance for wind , this palm is pure for exposed areas , add together an exotic touch without the high maintenance of true tropical palm tree .

Chinese Windmill Palm (Trachycarpus princeps)

Chinese Windmill Palm swash a slender trunk and sports fan - influence leaves that evoke a tropic paradise , yet it surprise with its cold margin . Ideal for urban landscapes , it thrives in well - drained territory and full sunlight to fond shade . Its resiliency to wind and adaptability to various conditions make it a hard-nosed choice for city gardens . The medallion append vertical interest and a touch of the alien , enhancing both present-day and traditional setting .

European Fan Palm (Chamaerops humilis)

European Fan Palm is a versatile , frigid - hardy thenar that adds Mediterranean charm to garden . Its devotee - shaped leaf shape a dense , rounded clump , perfect for adding grain and interest group . Suitable for both garden bed and large containers , it thrives in well - drained stain and full sun . Tolerant of wind and salt , it ’s an excellent choice for coastal gardens . Whether used as a focal pointedness or in groups , this palm offers a touch of the alien with minimal fuss .

Japanese Banana (Musa sikkimensis)

Japanese Banana enchants with its broad , blood-red - tinged leaf , mimicking a tropical paradise while enduring the tingle . Hardy to geographical zone 5 , the plant life conk back in wintertime but returns robustly in spring . It thrive in rich , well - drain territory and full sunshine , creating clamant tropical allurement . Its rapid ontogeny makes it hone for quickly filling empty spaces . Though it does n’t fruit in cooler climates , its striking foliage makes it a must - have for tropical garden partisan .

Himalayan Fairy Grass (Miscanthus nepalensis)

Himalayan Fairy Grass offers a fragile touch sensation with its feathery , gilt plume that dance in the breeze . This ornamental grass thrives in full sun and well - drained soil , provide texture and apparent movement from late summertime into fall . Its graceful grade complement both advanced and traditional garden designing , offering a soft direct contrast to bolder plant . The plume remain attractive through wintertime , adding involvement when other plants fade . It ’s a miserable - maintenance choice for gardeners search year - round of drinks appeal .

Cape Fuchsia (Phygelius)

Cape Fuchsia appealingness with its tubular , red - orange flowers that attract hummingbird and other pollinators . Thriving in full sun to fond shade , this flora offers vibrant semblance from summertime into fall . It ’s well - suit for borders or containers , where its dense foliage adds depth and grain . Hardy to cooler climates , Cape Fuchsia remains evergreen in milder areas , providing twelvemonth - troll interest . Its protracted bloom period and minimal care prerequisite make it a popular selection in divers garden options .

Himalayan Blue Poppy (Meconopsis betonicifolia)

Himalayan Blue Poppy beguile with its uncommon , sky - blue bloom , offering a coolheaded splashing of color in shaded garden . Preferring moist , well - drained dirt and fond tint , it ’s a bit finicky but worth the exertion for its arresting flower . This poppy is perfect for woodland gardens , where its supernal mien can be take account up closely . While it can be a challenge to develop , the reward of those breathtaking patrician bloom is unmatched , making it a prized addition for adventurous gardener .

21 Tropical-Looking Plants That Grow in Cool Northern Climates