Tropical plants add drama to containers
Bring a tropical feel to your patio, porch or deck with bold tropical plants in containers. Whether you love dramatic foliage, vibrant flowers or a mix of both, tropical container gardens create lush, eye-catching displays all season long.
Even better, many tender tropical plants can be overwintered in colder climates, making them a smart investment year after year. Get inspired with our favorite tropical plant combinations for containers below, and learn how to create stunning, tropical-style arrangements for your own outdoor space.
Tropical plants make a spectacular focal point in full sun
Nothing says “Wow” like a showstopping tropical plant used as a specimen in a container, either by itself or with other supporting players. Here, a red Abyssinian banana does just that. But its pot-mates are pretty, too, and provide just enough color and filler to show the banana off to its best advantage. Formal in its composition, this planter could serve as a striking focal point in an informal setting as well with a change of container.
Let these plants dry a touch between waterings, but give them a good soaking when you do water. Keep reading to learn how to take care of bananas and other tropical plants through winter.
Container plant list (number to plant)
A) Red Abyssinian banana Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurelii’ (1)
B) Canna Canna ‘America’ (4)
C) Geranium Pelargonium Caliente® Mix (24)
D) Creeping Jenny Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’ (4)
Container is 36 in. square
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Add a touch of purple to cool down tropical plants
Cool and refreshing, this combination of purple and yellow-green would give off a tranquil feeling even if it wasn’t next to water. Relax and enjoy the soft flowing verbena draping over the edge of the container, knowing you don’t have to work hard at all to take care of it. Just snip off spent blooms to keep the plant full and floriferous.
Container plant list (number to plant)
A) Canna Canna ‘Bengal Tiger’ (1)
B) Licorice vine Helichrysum petiolare ‘Lemon Licorice’ (2)
C) Euphorbia Euphorbia hypericifolia ‘Hip Hop’ (2)
D) Verbena Verbena canadensis ‘Homestead Purple’ (4)
Container is 18 in. square
3 ways to overwinter tropical plants
Tropical plants can stay outside until night temperatures get below 50 degrees F. Here is how to care for them once you bring them indoors.
1. Keep it as a house plant
Place plants like crotons (Codiaeum spp.), sprengeri fern (Asparagus sprengerii), ivy (Hedera helix) and ficus (Ficus spp.) in a sunny south-facing window with plenty of humidity.
2. Let it go dormant
A container-grown plant, such as banana (Musa hybrids), can be cared for like a house plant if you have the space. Or cut the stems back to 6 in. tall, place the pot in a cool, dark location and let it dry out. In late winter, start watering and new growth will begin in a few weeks.
3. Dig it up and overwinter tender bulbs
Cut elephant ear (Colocasia hybrids), caladium (Codiaeum hybrids) and canna (Canna hybrids) back after frost has killed the foliage. Dig bulbs or tubers, and let them dry for up to a week, then store them in slightly damp peat moss in a cool (45 degrees F), dry location.
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Little tropical container, big impact!
A bold container doesn’t have to be big — just look at this eye-catching arrangement. It grabs your attention with tropical colors and patterned foliage. Guests will be drawn to this gorgeous container; use it to lead them to a patio seating area for lively conversation.
Though lantana is drought tolerant, croton and New Guinea impatiens are thirsty, so check the soil and water when it is just dry to the touch and before foliage wilts. Terra-cotta containers are breathable and will dry out faster than glazed ceramic or plastic pots, so keep an eye on it every day in the summer.
Container plant list (number to plant)
A) Croton Codiaeum variegatum pictum ‘Petra’ (1)
B) New Guinea impatiens Impatiens hawkeri (2)
C) Lantana Lantana camara Little Lucky™ Orange (1)
Container is 12 in. in diameter
Fast-growing container planting bursting with color for part shade
This simple container has all the elements for a great container planting that uses the classic "thriller, filler, spiller" recipe. And vigorous growers like the sweet potato vine, elephant ear, impatiens and asparagus fern here fill up a container fast — perfect for spots you want to call attention to all season.
But don’t put this in too much sun —‘Tricolor’ sweet potato vine’s white variegation can burn in hot midday heat, so keep it in a partly shady spot.
Container plant list (number to plant)
A) Elephant ear Colocasia esculenta ‘Mojito’ (1)
B) Asparagus fern Asparagus densiflorus ‘Sprengeri’ (1)
C) New Guinea impatiens Impatiens Devine™ Blue Pearl (4)
D) Begonia Begonia Dragon Wing® Pink (1)
E) Sweet potato vine Ipomoea batatas ‘Tricolor’ (2)
Container is 20 in. square
