Of all the garden biomes and styles gardeners attempt to create, tropical is certainly one of the most popular. Who doesn’t want to feel like they are on a warm tropical holiday in their own backyard?
If you want to create the look of a tropical forest in your garden, try these tropical garden ideas!
1. Opt for large and leafy plants
One of the most vital components of the topical garden look is leaves. The tropics are packed with large and leafy plants that command attention and fill up space. Think about tropical banana trees or the classic monstera with its interesting leaf patterns.
When building the base of a tropical garden, pick a few statement plants with larger-than-life leaves that can become focal points. Even if the rest of the filler plants aren’t quite adding to the tropical look, the overall image will be one of lush and green abundance.
2. Choose flowering plants with bright colors
When you think about color in tropical gardens, green will be the first thing to come to mind. But beyond the foliage, what colors remind you of the tropics? You likely pictured vibrant and captivating warm colors like orange, yellow and pink that warm up the hues and remind us of sunny tropical days, even when there are clouds overhead.
If you are picking a few flowering plants, choose warmer colors that will complement this look. Hibiscus is a great example, with plenty of bright and eye-catching colors to choose from.
3. Choose your tropical garden position carefully
Choosing the plants is the fun part of designing a tropical garden. However, care is also vital if you want your tropical plants to last more than one season.
Make sure you choose an area with nutrient-rich and moisture-retaining soil. High humidity is also helpful to recreate the conditions these plants prefer. Avoid dry and sandy areas that will require consistent watering to keep the plants happy.
Also consider building layers to your garden – choosing full sun trees and shade-loving plants below – to create the ideal environment for each plant. This will make any area you choose instantly look like a natural tropical jungle.
4. Start small to allow the plants to fill out
You may want the tropical paradise look in an instant, but your plants will take a while to settle in.
Rather than packing hundreds of plants in a small space which will undoubtedly lead to competition and the demise of several plants, plant carefully and leave space for the plants to grow. This will make the entire tropical garden look more natural and lush rather than too busy and overcrowded.
5. Pair tropical plants with natural hardscaping and furnishings
The surroundings of your tropical garden are just as important as the plants you put in it.
If you have any seating areas, use tables made of natural materials like wood to blend in with the surroundings. Take soft furnishings as an opportunity to add pops of bright color like yellow or red that can be easily swapped out if you get tired of the overall look.
For pathways or fencing, also use natural materials like wood or stone to blend seamlessly with the plants.
6. Use water wisely
Tropical gardens usually appear close to water sources where humidity is higher and there is always moisture available to the plants. You may not have a pond or river in your backyard to help out, but a small water feature can also have the same effect without taking up too much space.
The sound of running water adds an essential calming element to tropical gardens that not only make them look like an outdoor paradise but sound like one too.
7. If you don’t have enough space, try containers
Tropical gardens aren’t out of reach for those with limited backyard space. The same feeling can be recreated in containers, pairing compatible leafy planting with a bright or natural container.
You can even try this if you have no outdoor space at all. Most houseplants originate from the tropics and enjoy the same conditions as our homes year-round. Turn your indoor space into a tropical jungle with a couple of houseplants and meticulous care.
8. Use the vertical space in your garden
One of the best benefits of tropical gardens is that they draw you into the space and transport you to another world. The towering plants and lush growth, along with a few pops of color, really fill out garden spaces well.
The best way to truly surround yourself with tropical plants is to use the vertical space in your garden. Attach tropical plants to walls or pergolas and up tree trucks for a full look. The more greenery you surround yourself with, the more tropical it will feel.
FAQs about tropical garden ideas
Does climate contribute to having a tropical garden?
Climate is a major factor in determining what types of plants can grow in a garden. A tropical garden typically refers to a garden that features plants native to tropical regions, which are characterized by warm temperatures, high humidity, and heavy rainfall. These conditions are necessary for many tropical plants to thrive, and a tropical climate is therefore well-suited for a tropical garden. However, it is possible to create a tropical garden in a non-tropical climate, but this would require additional effort in replicating the proper conditions, such as by using artificial heating, humidifiers, and other equipment to maintain the environment necessary for tropical plants to survive or replicating the plants to survive and adapt to the difficult climates.
Are tropical gardens common?
Tropical gardens are not as common as gardens featuring plants native to temperate or Mediterranean climates, which are more well-suited to the conditions found in many parts of the world. However, tropical gardens can be found in some regions that have tropical climates, such as in tropical coastal areas, or in regions with a sub-tropical climate, like certain areas in Florida, Hawaii, and Southern California, where the conditions are more favorable for tropical plants.
Tropical gardens can also be found in botanical gardens and zoos, which often have greenhouses or other controlled environments that allow them to grow tropical plants. Additionally, many tropical plants can also be grown indoors as houseplants, which allows people to enjoy them even in non-tropical climates.
Can you have a tropical garden in Canada?
Having a tropical garden in Canada can be challenging because of the cooler climate in most regions of the country. Most of Canada has a temperate climate, with cold winters and cool summers, and this is not well-suited for tropical plants, which need warm temperatures, high humidity, and heavy rainfall to thrive.
However, it is still possible to have a tropical garden in Canada, but it would require additional effort in replicating the proper conditions. This would involve using artificial heating, humidifiers, and other equipment to maintain the environment necessary for tropical plants to survive. Additionally, tropical plants will need to be protected from the cold during the winter and may need to be brought indoors or stored in a greenhouse.
Additionally, In southern regions of Canada, specially near the US border, like Southern Ontario, and south coast of British Columbia, where temperatures are milder and less extreme, a tropical garden is more possible, but still require protection during the winter months.
It’s worth to mention, that some tropical plants could be grown as annuals, which means that they will die in the fall with the first frost, and will need to be replanted again next year.
Before you go…
You can learn about different plants that will last in your best climate here! If you’re looking for more ideas about vegetables that you can add to your tropical garden, click here.
References
- University of Bristol: Tropical zone
- University of Montana: UC GARDENS
- Western University: Green Space
