Tropical looking plants can completely change the feeling of a garden. Big leaves, bold flowers, strong architectural shapes, glossy foliage, and climbing vines can make a patio, courtyard, poolside area, front entrance, or sunny deck feel lush and inviting. In Metro Vancouver and the Pacific Northwest, we may not have a truly tropical climate, but we can still grow many plants outdoors that create a tropical effect.
The trick is understanding the difference between tropical looking and truly tropical. Some plants look tropical but are hardy enough to grow outdoors in our mild coastal climate. Windmill palms, Fatsia, some jasmines, some Phormiums, and certain Eucalyptus can often remain outdoors in the right location. Other plants, such as Bougainvillea, Mandevilla, Tropical Hibiscus, Lemon Trees, and many Banana Plants, are best grown in containers so they can be moved indoors or into a frost free space before winter.
Metro Vancouver gardens are usually mild compared with much of Canada, but we still get winter frost, cold snaps, wet soil, and occasional snow. Many tropical looking plants dislike the combination of cold and wet. A plant that might survive a brief dip below freezing in dry soil may fail if its roots sit in cold, soggy ground for weeks. That is why drainage, shelter, and winter protection are so important.
These plants are especially useful around patios, decks, fences, entryways, pools, hot tubs, outdoor dining areas, and sheltered courtyards. They pair beautifully with simple containers, gravel, stone, water features, modern furniture, and bold foliage perennials. Even one large specimen, such as a Windmill Palm or Banana Plant, can create a strong focal point.
The following are some of our favourite tropical looking plants for outdoor use in our area. Some are hardy landscape plants. Some are tender plants that should be treated as summer patio plants and brought indoors before frost. The list is sorted alphabetically.
Before You Plant Tropical Looking Plants
Start by choosing the warmest and most protected location you have. South and west facing exposures are usually warmer than north facing sites. A wall, fence, hedge, or building can help protect plants from cold wind. Paved areas and stone walls can also hold a little heat, which can help borderline plants through cool nights.
Drainage is just as important as temperature. Many tropical looking plants dislike wet winter soil. If your soil is heavy clay or stays soggy, consider planting in raised beds, mounded soil, or large containers. Containers are also helpful because they allow you to move tender plants indoors before frost.
For the best tropical look, combine different leaf shapes. Use large leaves, upright sword shaped leaves, fine textured foliage, glossy evergreen leaves, and climbing vines together. A garden with several foliage shapes often looks more tropical than a garden that relies only on flowers.
Our Favourite Tropical Looking Plants
Banana Plants
Musa spp., including hardy types such as Musa basjoo
Banana Plants are among the boldest tropical looking plants for the garden. Their huge paddle shaped leaves create instant drama and movement. In our area, they are usually grown for foliage rather than fruit. Some types, such as Musa basjoo, are grown as hardy bananas in mild regions, but even hardy bananas benefit from winter protection. Plant them in full sun to part shade with rich, moist, well drained soil. They grow quickly in warm weather and appreciate regular watering and feeding during the growing season. In winter, protect the crown and stem with mulch and breathable wrapping, or grow smaller plants in containers and move them to a frost free space.
Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea spp.
Bougainvillea is famous for intense colour and a sunny Mediterranean or tropical feeling. The bright display comes from colourful bracts surrounding small flowers. In Metro Vancouver, Bougainvillea is best treated as a summer patio plant in a container. It needs full sun, warmth, and excellent drainage to flower well. A south facing patio, hot balcony, or sheltered courtyard is ideal during summer. It is not hardy outdoors here and must be brought indoors before frost. Overwinter it in a bright, frost free location, water sparingly, and expect slower growth through winter. Move it back outdoors gradually once nights are reliably warm.
Canna Lilies
Canna spp.
Canna Lilies bring large tropical leaves and bright summer flowers in shades of red, orange, yellow, pink, and cream. Some varieties also have burgundy, bronze, striped, or variegated foliage. Cannas grow best in full sun with rich, moist, well drained soil. They are excellent in containers, tropical style beds, and around patios. In mild sheltered gardens, they may overwinter outdoors with a thick mulch, but they are safer if the rhizomes are lifted and stored in a frost free place after frost blackens the foliage. Container grown plants can also be moved into a protected frost free area for winter.
Elephant Ears
Colocasia spp.
Elephant Ears are grown for huge heart shaped or shield shaped leaves that instantly create a tropical mood. Depending on the variety, foliage may be green, black, purple, or variegated. Colocasia prefers warmth, moisture, and rich soil. It can grow well in large containers, near water features, or in moist garden beds during summer. In our area, most Colocasia should be considered tender. Before frost, either move container plants indoors to a bright warm location or lift the tubers and store them dry in a frost free place. Protect plants from strong wind, as the large leaves can tear.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus spp., often Eucalyptus gunnii in gardens
Eucalyptus adds a unique look with aromatic foliage, blue green colour, and a clean modern form. It is not tropical, but it gives an exotic feel in the landscape. Some species, such as Eucalyptus gunnii, are among the more commonly grown hardy types in cool temperate gardens. Eucalyptus needs full sun and well drained soil. It can grow quickly and may become large, so choose the variety and location carefully. In smaller gardens, it can be pruned, coppiced, or pollarded to manage size and encourage attractive juvenile foliage. Young plants and container plants are more vulnerable to cold and may need winter protection during severe weather.
Fatsia
Fatsia japonica
Fatsia is one of the best hardy evergreen shrubs for a tropical look in shade. Its large glossy hand shaped leaves look bold and exotic, yet the plant is well suited to many mild coastal gardens. Fatsia prefers part shade to full shade and moist, humus rich, well drained soil. It is useful near shaded entrances, under trees, in courtyards, beside water features, or in large containers. It can tolerate some drought once established, but it looks best with consistent moisture. Avoid hot exposed sites, as strong sun and wind can damage the foliage. In colder inland locations, plant it in a sheltered position.
Gardenias
Gardenia jasminoides
Gardenias are loved for glossy evergreen leaves and intensely fragrant white flowers. They create a tropical feeling even when grown in containers. In Metro Vancouver, gardenias are best in a warm, sheltered site with morning sun or bright filtered light, acidic soil, good drainage, and consistent moisture. Some cold hardy selections may be grown outdoors in protected gardens, but gardenias are still more demanding than many shrubs. Container growing is often the easiest option because pots can be moved to a sheltered frost free spot during cold snaps. Avoid wet winter soil and protect plants from drying wind and severe frost.
Jasmine
Jasminum officinale and selected hardy or tender jasmine types
Jasmine brings fragrance, climbing growth, and a romantic tropical feeling to sunny walls, trellises, arbours, and containers. The key is choosing the right type. Common Jasmine, Jasminum officinale, is one of the hardier jasmine options and can be grown outdoors in protected sites. Tender jasmines, such as Jasminum polyanthum, are better treated as patio or conservatory plants and should be brought indoors before cold nights. Most jasmines prefer sun to part shade, well drained soil, and support for climbing. Prune after flowering to control size and encourage tidy growth.
Lemon Trees
Citrus limon and related citrus
Lemon Trees are excellent container plants for a sunny patio, deck, or greenhouse. They offer glossy evergreen leaves, fragrant flowers, and decorative fruit. In Metro Vancouver, lemons should be grown in containers so they can be protected in winter. They need full sun outdoors in summer and a bright, cool, frost free location indoors during winter. Use a well drained potting mix and a container with drainage holes. Water deeply, then allow the mix to partially dry before watering again. Do not leave citrus sitting in water. Watch for indoor pests such as scale, aphids, and spider mites during winter.
Mandevilla
Mandevilla spp.
Mandevilla is a showy flowering vine with glossy foliage and trumpet shaped flowers in shades of pink, red, white, and sometimes yellow. It is excellent for sunny patios, containers, trellises, and summer displays. Mandevilla grows best in full sun to part shade with moist, well drained potting soil. It is tropical and not hardy outdoors in our winters. Bring it indoors before frost and overwinter it in a bright, warm room. Growth will slow in winter, so reduce watering and stop fertilizing until active growth resumes. Prune leggy stems before moving it back outdoors in spring after nights are warm.
Passionflower Vine
Passiflora spp., often Passiflora caerulea
Passionflower Vine has some of the most unusual and tropical looking flowers of any climbing plant. Blue Passionflower, Passiflora caerulea, is one of the hardier types and can be grown outdoors in mild protected gardens. Give it full sun to part shade, well drained soil, and a sturdy trellis, fence, or arbour. It can be vigorous in a good site, so allow room for growth and prune as needed. In colder gardens, grow it in a container or plant it against a warm wall. A loose winter mulch over the root zone and protection during cold snaps can improve its chances outdoors.
Phormiums
Phormium spp., New Zealand Flax
Phormiums bring strong architectural foliage to sunny gardens and containers. Their upright sword shaped leaves may be green, bronze, burgundy, yellow, pink, cream, or striped depending on the variety. They are excellent in modern gardens, coastal inspired plantings, large containers, and tropical style combinations. Phormiums prefer full sun to part shade and free draining soil. They can suffer in wet winter soil and may need protection during hard frost. In colder spots, grow them in containers that can be moved to shelter, or mulch the base and use breathable frost protection during severe cold.
Tropical Hibiscus
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
Tropical Hibiscus offers large colourful flowers and glossy foliage through the warm season. It is a classic tropical patio plant, but it is not hardy outdoors in Metro Vancouver winters. Grow it in a container and place it in a warm sunny spot outdoors for summer. It appreciates consistent moisture, good drainage, regular feeding during active growth, and protection from strong wind. Bring it indoors before frost to a bright location. It may drop some leaves or buds when moved, as hibiscus can react to changes in light and temperature. Water less in winter, but do not let the root ball dry completely.
Windmill Palm
Trachycarpus fortunei
Windmill Palm is one of the best palms for a tropical look in Pacific Northwest gardens. It has fan shaped leaves and a fibrous trunk that gives a strong palm tree effect while being much hardier than most palms. In Metro Vancouver, established Windmill Palms can often be grown outdoors year round in well drained soil and a sheltered site. They prefer sun to part shade and protection from severe winter wind. Young palms and container grown palms are more vulnerable to cold, so protect them during unusual cold snaps. Avoid planting in soggy soil, as wet roots in winter can be a problem.
Bringing Tender Plants Indoors Before Frost
Many tropical looking plants are best enjoyed outdoors in summer and protected indoors in winter. This includes Bougainvillea, Mandevilla, Tropical Hibiscus, Lemon Trees, many Gardenias, tender Jasmine, and smaller Banana Plants or Elephant Ears in containers.
Move tender plants before frost, not after damage has already happened. In Metro Vancouver, this usually means watching night temperatures carefully in fall. When nights become consistently cool, start preparing plants for the move. Check leaves, stems, and soil for pests before bringing plants indoors. Aphids, scale, whiteflies, mealybugs, and spider mites are easier to manage before plants are inside.
Choose the brightest indoor location available. A sunny window, cool bright room, heated greenhouse, sunroom, or enclosed porch can work depending on the plant. Citrus, Bougainvillea, Hibiscus, and Mandevilla all need as much light as possible indoors. Growth will slow in winter, so reduce watering and avoid heavy fertilizing. Indoor plants usually need less water in winter than they did outdoors in summer.
Some plants may drop leaves after moving indoors. This can happen because light, humidity, and temperature change quickly. Do not panic if a plant sheds some leaves. Keep it bright, avoid overwatering, and wait for new growth when conditions improve in spring.
Protecting Plants Outdoors During Winter
Some tropical looking plants can stay outdoors if they are hardy enough and planted in the right location. Windmill Palm, Fatsia, some Phormiums, hardy Jasmine, Blue Passionflower, some Eucalyptus, and protected hardy Banana Plants may remain outdoors in many mild gardens.
Winter protection works best when it is done before severe cold arrives. Use breathable materials such as burlap, frost cloth, horticultural fleece, straw, or leaves. Avoid wrapping plants tightly in plastic, as plastic can trap moisture and cause damage. For bananas, the main goal is to protect the stem and crown. For Phormiums and palms, protect the growing point and reduce cold wind exposure. For borderline vines, protect the root zone with mulch and cover top growth during cold snaps if possible.
Containers need extra attention because roots in pots are colder than roots in the ground. Move containers against a sheltered wall, group pots together, raise them off freezing surfaces if needed, and wrap the pots during cold weather. A plant that is hardy in the ground may be much less hardy in a container.
Do not rush spring cleanup. If a plant looks damaged after winter, wait until new growth begins before pruning heavily. Some plants regrow from lower stems or from the crown even when the top growth looks poor.
Design Tips for a Tropical Look
Use large containers to create instant impact. A Lemon Tree, Mandevilla, Bougainvillea, Tropical Hibiscus, or Banana Plant in a large pot can transform a patio for summer. Containers also make it easier to move tender plants indoors before frost.
Repeat bold foliage. One large leaf plant looks interesting, but several bold foliage plants placed through a garden create a stronger theme. Try pairing Banana Plants, Fatsia, Elephant Ears, Phormiums, and Windmill Palm with lower plants around the base.
Use vines for height. Jasmine, Mandevilla, Passionflower, and Bougainvillea can soften fences, trellises, arbours, and pergolas. They help create the enclosed, lush feeling that many tropical gardens have.
Mix hardy structure with tender colour. For example, use Windmill Palm, Fatsia, Phormiums, and Eucalyptus as outdoor structure, then add containers of Mandevilla, Hibiscus, Bougainvillea, or Lemon Trees for summer colour.
Choose sheltered microclimates. A protected courtyard, south facing wall, or sunny deck can be much warmer than an open exposed garden bed. These small differences can decide whether a borderline plant thrives or struggles.
Summary
Tropical looking plants can be grown successfully outdoors in Metro Vancouver when they are matched to the right location and given the right winter care. Some, such as Windmill Palm, Fatsia, hardy Jasmine, selected Phormiums, Passionflower Vine, and some Eucalyptus, can often grow outdoors in sheltered gardens. Others, such as Bougainvillea, Mandevilla, Tropical Hibiscus, Lemon Trees, many Gardenias, tender Banana Plants, and Elephant Ears, are best grown in containers and protected before frost.
The most important success factors are sun, shelter, drainage, and winter planning. Many of these plants love warm summer conditions but dislike cold wet roots in winter. Plant hardy choices in protected, well drained sites. Grow tender plants in containers so they can be moved indoors or into a frost free space.
With the right combination of hardy structure and summer patio colour, gardeners in the Pacific Northwest can create a lush tropical feeling without living in a tropical climate. A few bold leaves, fragrant flowers, climbing vines, and well placed containers can turn an ordinary outdoor space into a warm and inviting garden retreat.