You don’t need to live in the Caribbean, South America or Southeast Asia to enjoy a tropical-looking garden. With careful plant selection, even a British garden can be transformed into a lush, exotic retreat filled with bold foliage, vibrant flowers and dramatic architectural shapes.

The secret to creating a successful tropical garden is combining plants with large leaves, vivid flowers and unusual forms to create the illusion of a jungle paradise.

Many of the plants featured below are surprisingly hardy, while others can be grown in containers and overwintered in a frost-free greenhouse, conservatory or bright room.

Whether you have a large garden or a small patio, these tropical and exotic plants can add colour, drama and a genuine holiday atmosphere throughout the summer months.

What Makes a Garden Look Tropical?

A tropical-style garden isn’t necessarily about growing true tropical plants.

The look can be achieved by combining:

Large-leaved plants
Architectural foliage
Brightly coloured flowers
Bold textures
Vertical planting
Exotic-looking specimens

By mixing hardy and tender plants, you can create an impressive tropical display even in cooler parts of the UK.

Annual and Biennial Flowers for a Tropical Garden

These plants grow quickly and provide an instant splash of tropical colour.

Geranium ‘Pink Meteor’

Geraniums remain one of the most reliable bedding plants for creating a tropical display. Their vivid flowers bloom continuously throughout summer and combine beautifully with larger foliage plants.

Lavatera ‘Twins’

Often called Tree Mallow, Lavatera produces masses of hibiscus-like flowers that instantly evoke a Mediterranean or tropical atmosphere.

Amaranthus ‘Joseph’s Coat’

Grown primarily for its colourful foliage, this striking annual produces leaves in shades of red, orange, yellow and green. Perfect for adding dramatic colour contrasts.

Ammi visnaga

Its delicate lace-like flowers provide a valuable contrast to larger tropical foliage plants such as cannas and bananas.

Cleome spinosa ‘Colour Fountain Mixed’

Known as Spider Flower, Cleome produces exotic blooms held high above attractive foliage, creating movement and height in borders.

Echium fastuosum

A stunning architectural plant producing spires of blue flowers highly attractive to pollinators.

Eremurus ‘Cathedral Mixed’

Commonly called Foxtail Lilies, Eremurus creates spectacular flower spikes that can reach over 2 metres in height.

Gazania ‘Talent Mixed’

These sun-loving flowers provide dazzling tropical colours in shades of orange, gold and crimson.

Mina lobata

The Spanish Flag Plant is one of the most striking annual climbers available, producing flowers that change colour from red to yellow as they mature.

Mirabilis ‘Yellow and Red Marbles’

Also known as Marvel of Peru, this highly scented plant produces colourful flowers that open in the evening.

Ricinus ‘Impala’

Castor Oil Plant remains one of the best foliage plants for creating an instant jungle effect, with large bronze-purple leaves.

Tropical Perennials and Exotic Shrubs

These plants form the backbone of a tropical-style garden.

Dichondra argentea ‘Silver Falls’

One of the finest trailing plants for containers and hanging baskets. Its silver foliage provides a beautiful contrast against darker tropical leaves.

Echinacea ‘Double Decker’

An unusual coneflower variety with striking layered blooms that provide colour throughout summer.

Brugmansia (Angel’s Trumpet)

Perhaps the ultimate tropical flowering plant.

Large trumpet-shaped flowers hang from the branches and release an intoxicating fragrance in the evening.

Requires winter protection in most parts of the UK.

Datura metel

Closely related to Brugmansia but generally smaller and more compact. Produces dramatic trumpet flowers throughout summer.

Banana (Musa)

Few plants create a tropical effect as quickly as a banana plant. Their enormous leaves instantly transform a garden into a jungle-like retreat.

Many hardy varieties survive UK winters with protection.

Strelitzia (Bird of Paradise)

One of the most iconic tropical flowers in the world. Its spectacular blooms resemble the head of an exotic bird.

Usually grown as a conservatory plant in the UK.

Abutilon

Often called Flowering Maple, Abutilon produces lantern-shaped flowers continuously over a long season.

Agapanthus ‘Headbourne Hybrids’

Large globes of blue and white flowers make Agapanthus a superb choice for patios and tropical borders.

Agave

The dramatic sword-shaped foliage of Agaves adds strong architectural interest and complements tropical planting schemes.

Alstroemeria

Often known as Peruvian Lily, this long-flowering perennial provides exotic-looking blooms over many months.

Belamcanda (Leopard Lily)

Produces unusual spotted flowers that add an exotic touch to summer borders.

Cyperus papyrus

The true Papyrus plant creates a striking vertical feature around ponds or damp areas.

Feijoa sellowiana

An attractive evergreen shrub producing edible guava-flavoured fruit in mild areas.

Banksia hookeriana

An unusual Australian shrub producing spectacular nectar-rich flowers.

Lapageria rosea

Chile’s national flower. A beautiful climbing plant with elegant bell-shaped blooms.

Lobelia cardinalis ‘Queen Victoria’

Dark foliage and brilliant scarlet flowers make this one of the most dramatic border plants available.

Oenothera ‘Lemon Sunset’

A vibrant Evening Primrose producing cheerful yellow flowers over a long season.

Phormium ‘Rainbow Striped’

New Zealand Flax adds colour, structure and year-round architectural interest.

Canna indica

One of the most important tropical garden plants. Large leaves and brightly coloured flowers create instant impact.

Passion Flower (Passiflora)

Produces spectacular exotic blooms and can often be grown outdoors in sheltered UK gardens.

Sandersonia aurantiaca

Known as Chinese Lantern Lily, this unusual climber produces orange lantern-shaped flowers.

Tropaeolum speciosum

The Flame Flower produces brilliant scarlet blooms and is one of the most striking climbers for a sheltered garden.

Designing a Tropical Garden

To maximise the tropical effect:

Use Layered Planting

Position:

Tall bananas and cannas at the back
Mid-height flowering plants in the centre
Trailing plants at the front

Add Water

Even a small pond or water feature dramatically enhances a tropical atmosphere.

Include Bold Foliage

Foliage is often more important than flowers in tropical garden design.

Plant Densely

Tropical gardens look best when planting is abundant and lush.

Protecting Tropical Plants in Winter

Some of the plants listed above require winter protection.

Options include:

Moving containers into a greenhouse
Using horticultural fleece
Mulching roots heavily
Overwintering in a conservatory
Storing dormant tubers indoors

Tender plants are often worth the effort because they provide such dramatic summer displays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you create a tropical garden in the UK?

Yes. Many hardy and half-hardy plants create a tropical appearance even in cooler climates.

What is the easiest tropical plant to grow?

Cannas, Agapanthus and hardy Bananas are among the easiest exotic plants for beginners.

Which tropical plants survive UK winters?

Hardy bananas, certain Phormiums, Passion Flowers and some Cannas can survive outdoors with protection.

What plants create a jungle effect?

Bananas, Cannas, Ricinus, Phormiums and large-leaved shrubs are ideal for creating a jungle-style garden.

Do tropical plants need full sun?

Many tropical-style plants prefer full sun, though some appreciate partial shade during the hottest part of the day.

Can tropical plants be grown in pots?

Absolutely. Container growing is often the easiest way to cultivate exotic plants in the UK.