Tropicadabra :: Exotic Flora and Tropical Landscaping

Coleus

Thanks to: Southeast Africa/Malaysia

good for shade gardens / hanging baskets
if planting in beds, go for mass plantings
this annual becomes perennial the further into the tropics you go.
caterpillars like to eat

Passion Vine

Thanks to: Eastern U.S.

grows 20-30 ft. in season or 2
attracts butterflies and birds
can grow fruit
high drought tolerance

Sky Flower Vine/
Blue Trumpet

Thanks to: North India

can grow 50 ft. a year!
invasive? In Australia it's considered a weed.

Cordyline

Thanks to: Hawaii
This example:Ti plant (Fuscia ones are called "red sisters")

needs deep soil for long roots
if you're not in a tropical clime, confine to containers
high salt tolerance

Purple Waffle

low light causes leaf color to fade
hanging containers or ground cover

Hidden Lily

Thanks to: Malaysia/Thailand
this example:pink or Siam tulip

good for containers, but grow bigger in the ground

Caladium

Thanks to: South America

shady / no direct sun
goes dormant in winter

Hibiscus

Thanks to: Southeast Asia

a shrub
likes it hot and humid
tolerant of salt air

Golden Rain Tree

Thanks to: Southwest China

Amazonica

is an elephant ear
also called African Mask
goes dormant in winter

Tacca

Thanks to: Malaysia, India, Thailand

a.k.a. bat plant

Heliconia

Thanks to: Brazil

true tropical plants: need constant humidity
not drought tolerant

Canna

Thanks to: tropics
this example:tropicanna

plenty of moisture, full/almost full sun, protection from wind
green striped version is called "bengal tiger"
can grow to 5 ft. high
caterpillar attractor

Bird of
Paradise

Thanks to: South Africa

does well in containers
high drought tolerance
may reach 6 feet in height

Croton

Thanks to: Pacific Islands

more sun = more color
not drought tolerant (despite being used all over Florida)

Bromeliad

can be a ground cover
as water holders, they can be home to small creatures
pineapple is a bromeliad, as is spanish moss!
drought tolerant

Coontie

Thanks to: Florida native
this example:cardboard palm

cycads, not palms
as old as the dinosaurs!
roots used as flour by the native indians
slow growing; high drought and salt tolerance

Sago

Thanks to: Japan

cycads, not palms
as old as the dinosaurs!
slow growing; high drought and salt tolerance

Philodendron