There are many tropical looking plants that will thrive in U.S. Department of Agricultural hardiness zones 6 through 8.
Plants will adapt to the climate they are grown in. By using minimal winter protection, such as a cold frame, it is possible to raise the temperature around the plant and get it to survive the winter.
A cold frame is a box-like structure with a clear glass or plastic top.
Cold Hardy Palm Trees
You simply can’t get a plant that looks more tropical than a palm tree.
The good news is there are many palm trees that will easily survive temperatures below freezing.
In fact many palm trees will survive temperatures as low as 0 degrees Fahrenheit, making them ideal candidates for USDA hardiness zones 6 through 8.
Here are just a few of the cold hardy palm trees.
- Needle palm (Rhapidophyllum hystrix)
- blue needle palm (Trithrinax campestris)
- dwarf palmetto (Sabal minor)
- Florida coontie palm (Zamia pumila)
- saw palmetto (Serenoa repens)
- mazari palm (Nannorhops ritchiana)
- sago palm (Cycas revoluta)
- Chinese fan palm (Livistona chinensis)
- Chinese cycad (Cycas panzhihuaensis)
- dwarf bamboo palm (Chamaedorea radicalis)
- emperor sago (Cycas taitungensis)
- Chinese windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortune)
Broadleaved Evergreen Trees And Shrubs
Evergreen trees and shrubs are something that is rarely seen in the colder climates, but these beauties are indeed the heart and soul of tropical climates.
- Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
- Japanese aucuba (Aucuba japonica)
- cape jasmine (Gardenia jasminoides)
- cold hardy Camellias (Camellia japonica)
- winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum)
- several species of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus gunnii, Eucalyptus niphohila and Eucalyptus neglecta)
- trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata)
All of the plants mentioned above will thrive in USDA hardiness zones 6 through 8.
Deciduous Trees And Shrubs
Gardeners in USDA hardiness zones 6 through 8 are used to seeing deciduous trees and shrubs in the landscape during the winter months.
These are the plants that lose their leaves.
However, many tropical looking plants also lose their leaves during the winter.
Here is a listing of some of these plants.
- Crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)
- common fig (Ficus carica)
- silk tree (Albizia julibrissin)
- Franklin tree (Franklinia alatamaha)
- empress tree (Paulownia tomentosa)
Plus there are several varieties of oak trees will add a tropical look to the temperate landscape.
Cold Hardy Exotic Plants
The best way to create a true tropical looking garden is to plant cold-hardy exotic plants.
There is a large selection of bamboos and yuccas that are completely hardy in USDA hardiness zones 6 through 8.
Musa basjoo, the Japanese fiber banana, is also hardy in these zones.
Other banana plants that will survive, with winter protection, include:
- Musa sikkimensis
- Musa parasisiaca
- Musa lasiocarpa
- Musa mysore
- Musa acuminata Rajapuri
- Musa velutina
- Musa dwarf orinoco
Flowering Tropical Plants
How To Grow Tacca To Be A Successful Bloomer
The black flowers intrigued me, but the bat plant comes in many colors - brown, white and even green! Learn how to grow tacca from seed to bloom!
Amorphophallus Titanium: Life Cycle And Facts About The Corpse Flower
Learn about the life cycle of the Amorphophallus titanium as well as how to propagate it and some fun facts about this unique corpse flower.
Introducing Brugmansia: A Superior, Fragrant, Nocturnal Plant
Brugmansia trees are highly fragrant, night blooming plants with trumpet shaped flowers. Learn how to care for your brugmansia.
How To Care For Holiday Plants
Have you ever wondered how to care for holiday plants such as the Poinsettia or the Christmas Cactus? If so, then check out this holiday plant care guide
Zantedeschia aethiopica Green Goddess
Learn how easy it is to grow Zantedeschia althiopica Green Goddess from seed by using the damp paper towel method plus seed to bloom time.
How To Grow Heliconia
Learn how to grow Heliconia. Proper plant care is important to keeping your Heliconia healthy and thriving.
Plumeria: The Lei Flower Is A Fragrant, Easy To Grow Houseplant
Learn how to care for your Plumeria in ground and in containers. Because of the winter dormancy period it is ideal for summer containers.
Growing Tropical Plants
The key to successfully growing tropical plants is learning about them. Growing tropical plants is easy once you know their basic needs.
7 Sure Fire, Proven Steps For Successful Orchid Care
Successful orchid care is pretty easy once you understand the seven basic steps the plant needs to thrive in your home environment.
How To Grow Enormous Tropical Bulbs In Containers
Learn how to successfully grow tropical bulbs in containers. Regardless of where you live, there are reasons to grow in containers.
Easy Exotic Houseplants: Tropicals That Thrive Indoors in Containers
Tropical plants are the most beautiful, easy to grow indoor houseplants. Start growing exotic houseplants today that fruit and flower!
Coral Vine (Antigonon leptopus): A Beautiful Yet Invasive Climbing Vine
Explore the allure and challenges of Antigonon leptopus, a captivating climbing vine, and its impact on local ecosystems.
Suggested Reading: Two Great Books On Tropical Ornamentals
Learn about two books on tropical ornamentals. Breeding Ornamental Plants and Tropical Ornamentals are a must read for those who love plants.
How To Grow Beautiful, Delicate Tibouchina
Tibouchina are beautiful but delicate plants with gorgeous purple flowers and a velvet like foliage. They can be bushes or vines.
How To Grow Mallows
Learn how to grow mallows, a Malvaceae family which includes some of the most popular plants for the home garden, Hibiscus.
Ophrys
Ophrys are a rare group of terrestrial Orchids that grow in the wild and look like insects, especially bees, hence their common name.
Flowering Trees For Fragrance And Beauty
Flowering trees add beauty and fragrance to the garden. There are ones for tropical climates, cold climates and even indoor gardens.
Expert Advice On How To Grow Beautiful Allamandas
Allamandas come in a range of colors, are easy to grow and do well in containers. They also overwinter well indoors in cold climates.
Expert Advice On How To Grow Oleanders
Learn how to grow Oleanders as well as propagation methods. Learn about the toxicity of this plant as well.
Rafflesia Arnoldii
Rafflesia arnoldii produces the largest flower in the world yet this colorful, but strange plant is rare and grows on the rainforest floor.
Tropical Plants In Cold Climates: Overwinter Tropical Plants Or Start Over Each Year From Seed
Tropical plants grown in cold climates look great during the summer outside but many make great houseplants in the winter.
Celebrate Halloween With Night Blooming Plants
A cool way to decorate and celebrate Halloween is with night blooming plants! Create a spooky garden that glows in the dark this year!
How To Grow Tropical Plants
Growing tropical plants - also known as houseplants - indoors is fun and enjoyable plus many of them clean the indoor of pollutants.
It is easy to grow exotic looking plants that produce tropical fruit and colorful flowers in a pot in your living room or office.
Many of these plants are easy to start from seed and I share with you five plants that I recommend for indoor growing.
I also share with you why growing your own tropical fruit saves money.
In this video you will learn:
How to bring tropical plants indoors at the end of summer
How to grow tropical plants indoors
How to protect and overwinter tropical plants outdoors in cold climates
How to propagate tropical plants
How to water tropcial plants
How to grow topical plants in a greenhouse