Top 10 Tropical Shrubs!

We want to help you put together that layered, dense and verdant landscape of your tropical dreams. We are sharing our top 10 shrubs that are definitely up for this challenge. All of these tropicals need well-drained soil to thrive. Some can take lower light than others, but most are going to do great beneath the canopy of shade trees you’ll be under. The water requirements vary some but many tropical plants want moist soil that is never wet. Head over to our blog to find our full list.

Our number 1 is a true stunner. Brazilian Cloak does incredibly well with Eastern exposure. It is very happy in partial sun. The glorious red spikes are actually bracts and within them is a small white flower. When you have a Cloak in your garden, you have rich color, bird visitors, and a gorgeous full, tall shrub of 6 feet or so that is so positively tropical.

Another showy tropical with very unique color and interest! The most abundant color is actually the flower bract and the flowers are little and star-shaped. Mussaenda can be planted in a container and should be watered well.

We love this plant because it is truly magnificent. The large dropping blooms are gorgeous and attractive to pollinators. The broad, ridged leaves are almost as lovely as the blooms. Medinilla loves high humidity and moist, well-draining soil. This plant can take deeper shade and can be planted in a container!

Another vibrant red beauty made our list! It’s no surprise because this is such an exciting plant that you will love watching. The red bloom that looks like a pinecone opens and reveals a flower within. These grow to 4 – 6 feet tall and like partial shade.

This shade-loving beauty with deep dark green foliage is one of our very favorite tropicals. The white blooms stand out in any garden, and are a great feature in a space you spend time in during the evenings. The many blooms can be long-lasting and the plant grows to around 5 feet.

We love Begonias for a tropical spot. There are so many to choose, from the Cane type to the Rex, but for the height we’re thinking about here, we have the Odorata, Big, Dragonwing, and even larger Cane Begonias that add a striking topical look.  Begonias like it on the dry side and prefer more shade but all Begonias can adapt to partial sun. The lovely Odorata (below, in white) is even fragrant!

They’re so versatile. They are beautiful indoors, on a patio in a container and in a shady spot in the garden. We love Anthurium for the shiny, heart-like flower and pretty leaves. These won’t grow more than 3 feet tall so as far as this list goes, these are lower-growing and can even be planted a layer in front of some of the taller options.

We love it because the lavender blue flowers are showy and attractive to Butterflies! It reminds us of the northern lilac, of course, but it’s so delightfully tropical.  And the leaves are fragrant! This shrub grows quickly and will be tall.

The vibrant colors of the flower bracts  and the abundant growth of Heliconias are trademark tropical. We carry several types and all are brilliant. They work well in containers, too. Most won’t grow over 3 feet tall.

We love these leaves that are like lily pads! People always ask about this plant because it’s unusual with the yellow flowers on thin stalks above those cool leaves. Farfugium grows in clumps and won’t grow too tall but will spread nicely. It can take deep shade.