15 Best Tropical Plants for Florida Landscapes

1. Cat Palm — $25.99

The Cat Palm is Florida's most popular indoor-outdoor palm. Its cascading, feathery fronds create instant tropical ambiance on patios, lanais, and in shaded garden beds. Extremely low maintenance and cold-hardy to 25°F.

2. Hibiscus Bush — from $26.99

Tropical Hibiscus produce dinner-plate-sized blooms in red, yellow, orange, pink, and multicolor. Plant in full sun for non-stop flowers from spring through fall. The Hollywood and Tradewinds series offer exotic color combinations.

3. Bougainvillea — from $26.99

Bougainvillea is a drought-tolerant powerhouse that covers fences, walls, and arbors in cascading color. Barbara Karst (red) and Elizabeth Angus (purple) are the most popular varieties in NE Florida.

4. Majesty Palm — $25.99

The Majesty Palm adds elegant, arching fronds to any landscape. Perfect for framing entryways or creating a tropical backdrop. Performs best in filtered light with regular water.

5. Mandevilla — from $21.99

Mandevilla vines produce stunning trumpet-shaped flowers all season. Available in scarlet, pink, white, and bicolor. Perfect for trellises, mailbox posts, and hanging baskets.

6. Macho Fern — $17.99

The Macho Fern is the boldest fern for Florida landscapes. Its massive, arching fronds create a lush tropical feel in shaded areas. Virtually indestructible in Florida's climate.

7. Muhly Grass — $24.99

Muhly Grass puts on a spectacular show of cotton-candy pink plumes in fall. Drought-tolerant, salt-tolerant, and native to Florida. Mass plant for maximum impact.

8. Alocasia (Elephant Ear) — from $26.99

Alocasia brings dramatic, oversized foliage to shaded garden areas. The Regal Shields variety has dark, velvety leaves that create an instant jungle feel.

9. Philodendron Monstera — $34.99

The Monstera is the iconic tropical plant with its distinctive split leaves. In NE Florida, it grows as a dramatic outdoor landscape plant in filtered shade.

10. Gardenia — from $49.99

Gardenias produce the most intoxicating fragrance of any Florida shrub. Plant near windows, patios, and walkways where you can enjoy the scent. Blooms heaviest in spring and early summer.

11. Confederate Jasmine — $24.99

Confederate Jasmine is the classic Florida vine for fences and arbors. Its star-shaped white flowers release an incredible sweet fragrance in spring. Evergreen and low maintenance.

12. Ixora — from $44.99

Ixora Maui produces clusters of brilliant red, yellow, or orange flowers year-round. Compact growth habit makes it perfect for borders, foundation plantings, and mass plantings.

13. Clusia — $21.99

Clusia Small Leaf is Florida's premier privacy hedge plant. Dense, salt-tolerant, and virtually pest-free. Creates an impenetrable green screen when planted 3 feet apart.

14. Pygmy Date Palm — $27.99

The Phoenix Roebelenii (Pygmy Date Palm) is a compact, elegant palm perfect for smaller spaces. Multi-trunk specimens create stunning focal points in foundation beds and courtyard gardens.

15. Canna Lily — $17.99

Canna Lilies bring bold, tropical drama with large paddle-shaped leaves and showy flower spikes. Available in Pretoria (striped leaves), Pink President, and Red Velvet varieties.