12 Outdoor Tropical Plants That Thrive in the South

"Bamboo is considered a tropical plant," Alexander says. "There are several varieties of bamboo that you can use as hedges and as accent plants that are cold hardy." He shares that in Texas, graceful bamboo (textilis gracilis) is popular. If you live in an area that can freeze, bamboo is a pretty sure bet. The plant does well in zones seven and eight, which covers much of the South. "They usually make it every winter. It can get [down to] 19, 20 degrees and they're usually fine. Certain varieties of bamboo can give a gardener a tropical look if they select one that is cold-tolerant for their area," Alexander noted.

Hailing from South Africa, plumbago is a flowering shrub with periwinkle- and white- colored flowers that grow on vine-like branches. In the South, you can find it predominantly in Texas and Florida, as it is a zone nine to 11 plant. In the right climate, plumbago can grow up to 10 feet, and it is hardy. Deer avoid it and the plant is drought tolerant. Plus, it isn't prone to disease nor pests, making it relatively easy to care for.

Ferns are extremely versatile: There are many types to choose from, and they can thrive in zones four to eight. This means that ferns can withstand extreme cold—anywhere from -30 degrees (zone four) to 20 degrees (zone eight). Some types to consider include the hayscented fern, lady fern, Southern maidenhair fern, and South Carolina-native ebony spleenwort.

Bold, fun, and bright, pride of Barbados is the flower you want if you love color. "It's got really brilliant red, orange, and yellow flowers," Alexander says. "It loves the hot sun and the heat." In zone eight, pride of Barbados will come back as a perennial and in zone nine is a deciduous shrub. If you're in a truly tropical climate (hi, Florida), the plant can grow up to 20 feet tall and is absolutely dazzling.

Also known by the names "yellow bells" and "yellow alder," the esperanza produces golden, trumpet-shaped petals and can grow as a perennial or an annual depending on the climate. It does well in zones eight through 11, and the happy yellow flower clusters do indeed resemble bells. They're sure to add buoyancy to your garden and leave all your visitors walking away cheerfully.

Dramatic with a fiery orange mane, these tropical flowers, which resemble a crane, will thrive in zones nine through 11, meaning if you want to plant them in a colder region, you'll have to bring them inside when the temperatures start to drop. Birds of paradise is the epitome of a tropical plant and a must to bring an idyllic ambience to your garden. 

"Bougainvillea is considered semi-tropical," Alexander says. "If it gets too cold, they will die back to the ground." However, he also adds that bougainvillea can grow back, provided that the temperature doesn't take an extreme dive. "If we hit a certain point or certain cold temperature, the roots will get too cold and die. Each tropical plant has a specific tolerance and if the cold weather goes past that threshold, they will not come back," he shares. 

Alexander sings the praises of the sabal minor as a hardy, cold-tolerant plant that is virtually indestructible. "It's low-growing. It's bulletproof. It's pretty; it looks tropical and it's great. [Sabal minor is] a really good one that people should plant. It's as tough as can be. It can handle sun or shade. It's drought tolerant but grows well if you water it."

Crotons, which you'll often find in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America, fare best in similar climates. "They're used as hedges there," Alexander shares. "Here in Houston and Austin, as soon as we hit 31 degrees, they're going to be toast." He also notes that in the South, crotons are predominantly used in the fall because of their seasonal colors. "They're used in pots, around pumpkins, in pine straw, and all sorts of things to make your Halloween and fall vignette," he says.

Vines can make for a lovely entryway as they wrap around a gazebo, trellis, or arbor. Trumpet vines are a great choice for those living in zones four through nine, meaning that they have a higher cold tolerance. Bonus? They're absolutely delightful with swooping, abundant flowers in sherbet tones. Another option is the butterfly vine with its bright, sunny flowers and chartreuse-colored pods that resemble the insect. You might also consider the passion vine, which produces delicate purple flowers with exquisite centers.  

Mandevilla vines are stunners with delicate petals in a variety of colors. With names like Chilean jasmine, sun parasol crimson, and pink parfait (a unique, double-petaled variation), they're hard to resist. However, they have a low cold tolerance and are best suited for zones 10 and 11. If you live in Florida, this is the flower for you.

Ixora shrubs produce clusters of flowers in happy shades with velvety petals and glossy leaves. Think intense, tropical hues of red, pink, and orange—in the right climate, the ixora will easily become a hedge. Note that they do require a lot of watering and do best in zones nine through 11.