🌴 Tropical Plants to Grow in Pots on Your Patio

Dreaming of a vacation vibe without leaving home? Tropical potted plants are perfect for turning your patio, balcony, or poolside into a lush, exotic retreat. With their vibrant foliage and stunning blooms, they’re surprisingly easy to grow in summer—just give them warmth, sunlight, and good drainage.

Here are our top picks for tropical plants that thrive in containers outdoors:

🌺 Tropical Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)

A classic must-have for any tropical setting. These large, colorful blooms (in red, orange, pink, or yellow) pop all summer long. Hibiscus thrives in full sun, needs regular watering, and loves a well-draining soil mix.

🌴 Majesty Palm (Ravenea rivularis)

This palm brings instant jungle vibes. It prefers a bright spot, but not direct scorching sun all day. It loves high humidity, so give it the occasional misting to keep it happy.

🌿 Jasmine (Jasminum officinale)

Famous for its heavenly fragrance, jasmine adds a romantic touch to your evenings. It grows well in a pot with a small trellis to climb, and thrives in sunny conditions with slightly moist soil. Bring it indoors before the first frost to enjoy it year-round.

🌸 Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.)

Talk about a burst of color! This Mediterranean beauty thrives in intense sunlight and well-drained soil. Once established, it tolerates drought well. Give it a light trim to keep it compact in a container.

🍌 Ornamental Banana (Musa spp.)

Nothing says “tropical” like the dramatic giant leaves of a banana plant. It loves sun, heat, and moisture. Water generously, and consider bringing it inside for winter if you have the space. Some varieties, like Musa basjoo, are cold-tolerant to a degree.

🌱 Mandevilla (Dipladenia spp.)

A climbing beauty with generous blooms, mandevilla is perfect for trellises, pillars, or hanging baskets. It flowers continuously throughout the summer with plenty of sunlight and a rich, well-fed soil.

🍍 Ornamental Pineapple (Ananas comosus ‘Champaca’)

Fun, funky, and totally tropical! With its striking rosette of leaves and tiny pineapple in the center, it’s a conversation starter. Loves heat and sun—just make sure to bring it indoors before cooler nights set in.

🌞 Variegated Shell Ginger (Alpinia zerumbet ‘Variegata’)

For a touch of the unexpected, this tropical ginger features stunning striped foliage in green and creamy yellow. It thrives in warm, humid conditions and brings a soft elegance to any container garden.

🌡️ Tips for Thriving Tropical Container Gardens

• Drainage is key: Use pots with drainage holes and a light, well-draining soil mix.
• Fertilize regularly: Every two weeks with a balanced fertilizer (e.g., 20-20-20).
• Protect from frost: These are not frost-tolerant—bring them indoors once nights drop below 50°F (10 °C).
• Water wisely: Keep soil moist but never soggy; adjust for heat and sun exposure.

💡 Want that resort-style wow factor? Combine several tropical plants of different heights and textures in bold containers for a lush, layered look.

Need help building your dream patio jungle? Stop by the store—our team loves talking tropicals (and we might be dreaming of palm trees too 🌿).