67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (2024)

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (1)

The tropics are full of beauty, and we have 67 types of beautiful tropical flowers listed below. Whether you plan on visiting the tropics and want to have a scavenger hunt or if you just want to add some more tropical flowers to your garden, this list is sure to capture all you need.

Flamingo flowers, aloe vera, jasmine, jewel pagoda ginger, and birds of paradise are among the most beautiful and popular tropical flowers. Additionally, various species of orchids and lilies receive high praise, as do plants like the passion flower and lobster claw.

Below, I’ll go over 69 of the tropic’s most beautiful flowers, listing their origins and some interesting facts.

1. Flamingo Flower

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (2)

The Flamingo Flower goes by a few names — most commonly Anthurium Andraeanum and Painter’s Palette flower — and is from the species Araceae. This genus of flowers has about 1,000 other species, all flowering plants.

Here’s a YouTube video of the beautiful white Flamingo Flower:

This plant is native to Central America and South America. The Flamingo Flower is one of the most popular anthuriums because it blooms throughout the entire year. As you can see, it gets its name for its color and unique shape.

Additionally, its secondary nickname, painter’s pallet, is because of the pallet-like shape of its leaves.

2. Aglaonema Commutatum

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (3)

The Aglaonema Commutatum is more colloquially known as the Chinese or golden evergreen.

The Chinese evergreen is used in landscaping and flower arrangements because of its unusual, fine-textured leaves.

Another member of the family Araceae, it has extremely sculptural leaves that can grow to almost a foot long on large specimens.

The flowers are very distinctive in shape and color, with white stripes lining their green leaves.

3. Jasmine

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (4)

Another example of a beautiful tropical flower is the Jasmine. It’s also called “Jasminum” and the “Common Jasmine” and is a perennial flowering vine from Asia and Europe. However, you may not know that it’s actually part of the olive family.

It flowers during the warm summer months and is noted for its sweet fragrance. This plant also has multiple uses in herbal medicine, soaps, and perfumes.

In addition to its medical benefits, flowers from this plant are also used in cooking and home décor.

4. Naupaka

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (5)

The Naupaka flower grows in the Hawaiian Islands. It’s got an interesting legend behind it, too. This native of Oahu, Moloka’i, Lana’i, and Maui has small, star-like flowers that are white with five ruffled petals on each flower in a crown shape form.

Its name comes from the two words for “white” and “leaf.” The Naupaka grows close to the shoreline and around wetland areas throughout Hawai’i.

5. Bird of Paradise

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (6)

The Bird of Paradise flower is an exotic-looking arrangement with a wide range of colors, sizes, and shapes. Its binomial name is Strelitzia Reginae, also known as the crane flower. The Bird of Paradise is also the official flower of Los Angeles.

The Bird of Paradise flower has petals and leaves that grow in a specific pattern so pollinators are attracted to it.

Birds of Paradise can be found in subtropical or tropical regions, but they’re also popular in the US. They originate in southern Africa.

The Birds of Paradise plant is considered to be one of the most exotic and beautiful flowers in the world. There are five species of this flower.

Birds of Paradise are often considered to be one of the most popular tropical flowers.

6. Blue Passionflower

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (7)

Blue Passionflower, or Passiflora Caerulea, is a unique tropical plant known as the southern beauty, flower of the five wounds, and wild apricot. This flower looks like a small apricot at the start of its bloom, then bursts into a feather-like flower with white and blue colors.

7. Lobster Claw

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (8)

The Lobster Claw plant is named after what it looks like — a lobster claw! Its scientific name is Heliconia. It lives naturally in the Americas and also in the western Pacific.

A hardy lobster claw fruit grows from an underground corm, sending up large, pointed leaves adorned with glossy red and green leaves on each side.

8. Amaryllis

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (9)

Many people recognize the Amaryllis plant, but it’s actually only native to the Western Cape of South Africa. The beautiful tropical amaryllis flower symbolizes rebirth, which is why it is so popular as a Christmas decoration.

This tropical flower looks similar to the classic lily flower, but its gorgeous red petals make it stand out.

9. Showy Medinilla

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (10)

The Showy Medinilla plant is a shrub that grows in tropical forests. Some call it the Rose Grape or Philippine Orchard because of its appearance.

The shrub is native to the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries and can be found primarily on the forest floor.

The Showy Medinilla produces small flowers all year long in clusters of about five, which are white or pale pink in color. The blooms are less than an inch (2.54 cm) wide and have larger petals at their tips that grow smaller toward the center.

10. Chenille Plant

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (11)

The tropical showy Chenille Plant (Acalypha Hispid) is a beautiful, vine-like evergreen plant from tropical Eastern Asia. This is a gorgeous addition to any home, and it grows well when planted in a hanging basket so it can cascade freely over the edge of a patio or deck.

11. Bougainvillea

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (12)

Commonly called the Tropical Paperflower, the Bougainvillea has origins in South America. It features distinctive coloring and interesting but sharp thorns. It comes in the form of a vine, bush, and tree and spouts bright pink leaves that look just like flowers. The vines grow up to 20 feet (6.09 m) high, depending on their environment and location, with thick and leathery leaves.

The bougainvillea is often considered one of the most popular tropical flowers.

12. African Violet

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (13)

The African Violet (Saintpaulia) is a flowering plant with about ten different subspecies. They are common houseplants and are also sold as bedding plants.

They are native to South Africa, Tanzania, and Kenya, where they grow under shrubs in forests and grasslands. The leaves may be green or variegated, and violet flowers bloom approximately one inch (2.54 cm) above the foliage on single stalks.

13. Red Frangipani

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (14)

The Red Frangipani (Plumeria Rubra) is native to Mexico, Central America, and South America. This tropical flower is also known as the “temple tree”, as it can grow over 25 feet (7.62 m) tall and sprouts a beautiful pink flower.

As gorgeous as the Red Frangipani is, it’s mildly toxic to humans.

14. Bush Lily

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (15)

The tropical Bush Lily, or Vlivia, is native to South Africa and doesn’t occur naturally elsewhere besides Mexico. It grows from a bulb, creating beautiful flowers at any time of the year.

The vibrant flowers feature pink and white petals produced with a spike containing many small flowers. These blooms attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Bush lilies are also often used in landscaping.

15. Blood Lily

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (16)

The Blood Lily’s beautiful crimson-red colors, which come from pigments called anthocyanins, only develop once the petals release their scent. The scientific name for blood lilies is Haemanthus, and they’re of Southern African origin.

These tropical flowers do well in humid, wet environments and look gorgeous as an addition to any garden.

16. Aloe Vera

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (17)

Aloe Vera is a South African succulent. It has become a common houseplant in many other parts of the world, including North America and Europe.

The thick leaves contain an oily, sticky substance used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. In fact, it’s known as the “plant of immortality.” This soothing liquid can be used as an antiseptic salve for the following:

  • Cuts
  • Burns (especially sunburns)
  • Acne
  • Psoriasis
  • Other skin conditions

17. Caladium Bicolor

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (18)

Caladium Bicolor is a flowering plant in the arum family, commonly referred to as Jesus leaves or Elephant Ears. It’s native to Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, and Peru.

The Caladium bicolor has large, heart-shaped leaves with an attractive mottled pattern of white and green or pink on top.

The underside of the leaves is covered with small bumps that give it a rough texture. The white flowers with green centers open one at a time over several days.

18. Hibiscus

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (19)

The beautiful Hibiscus is a tropical flower with a gorgeous scent. It belongs to the mallow family. It’s quite diverse, with many species found only in tropical regions.

The best-known hibiscus is Hibiscus rosa-Sinensis, cultivated since ancient times and used extensively in landscaping throughout the tropics. The hibiscus is often considered one of the most popular tropical flowers.

19. Sacred Lotus

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (20)

The Sacred Lotus is a perennial plant grown in water, garden soil, or containers. It has a variety of uses and is related to the water lily and the lotus.

It’s native to Asia but has been cultivated for centuries for its ornamental value. The sacred lotus can be planted as an aquatic or terrestrial plant depending on your preference and whether you have room for such a large specimen at home.

20. Dieffenbachia Seguine

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (21)

Dieffenbachia Seguine is a perennial, herbaceous flowering plant that belongs to the arum family. It grows best in bright sunlight or partial shade and requires well-draining soil. These gorgeous plants have large, draping leaves that make them a popular choice as indoor plants.

21. Morning Glory

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (22)

The Morning Glory is a beautiful, bright flower that grows in tropical climates. It originates from Asia and grows wild in many parts of Central and South America.

The morning glory is closely related to two other types of flowers:

  • Tuberous begonias
  • Blue morning glories

Morning glories are pollinated by butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.

22. Sansevieria Trifasciata

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (23)

The Sansevieria Trifasciata, also known as the snake plant or mother-in-law’s tongue, is native to western Africa. This slow-growing succulent, hardy to drought and cold, makes an excellent addition to any landscape.

These plants can be used indoors or outdoors, left in their natural state, or pruned into interesting shapes. The leaves are thick and elastic; some varieties are variegated with white stripes or gray mottling, and others are solid green.

23. Begonia

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (24)

The Begonia is a perennial herbaceous plant that produces colorful flowers with a striking leaf shape. Its origins are in South America, where it grows wild in Brazil, Peru, and Venezuela. Its natural habitat includes tropical rainforests in warm climates.

24. ZZ Plant

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (25)

The ZZ plant is an easy-to-care-for succulent native to South Africa. It’s known for its long lifespan and can be used as a houseplant, garden plant, and air purifier. In addition to being one of the easiest plants to care for, the ZZ plant also thrives in low-light conditions. Legend says the ZZ plant brings good luck.

25. Yucca Elephantipes

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (26)

Yucca Elephantipes, commonly referred to as the yucca cane, is a plant that can remain potted or even grow into a tree. Most will call it the spineless yucca because of its appearance. This plant is naturally found in its habitat in Mexico and Central America.

26. Butterfly Orchid

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (27)

Psychopsis Pailio, most commonly known as the butterfly orchid, is a member of the bromeliad family, native to Brazil. It has long been recognized as one of the most beautiful flowers in the world, with its vibrant colors and delicate shape.

This tropical plant requires little maintenance and can even be grown indoors with artificial light.

27. Calliandra Haematocephala

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (28)

Calliandra Haematocephala is a flowering plant native to Florida and Texas in the United States and northeastern Mexico. The flowers are pink or white and bloom year-round. Its natural habitat is sandy soils along stream banks and coastal dunes.

28. Spider Ivy

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (29)

Chlorophytum Comosum, also known as the spider ivy or spider plant, is a perennial herb in the family Asparagaceae. It’s best known for its use as an ornamental plant with low attention needs. When grown, it can sprout pink or white flowers.

29. Florist’s Daisy

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (30)

The Florist’s Daisy resembles a mix between a Chrysanthemum and Grandiflorum. It’s an Asian native that thrives in full sun to part shade and moist but well-drained soil with a pH of 6-7.5.

When it comes to soil, it isn’t fussy and will thrive as long as the soil drains well. This plant can be invasive: Plant it where you want the flowers!

30. Taro

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (31)

Colocasia Esculenta, commonly known as Taro, is a tropical flowering plant. This plant is known for its uses in Asia and Africa. Its common name refers to the use of its root vegetable in many cultures around the world. Taro is often made into milk tea and has a distinctive sweet yet savory taste.

31. Ti

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (32)

Cordyline Fruticosa, or Ti, is a tropical plant in the Asparagaceae family. It’s native to Southeast Asia, eastern Australia, and some Pacific islands. It grows on forest margins and in gardens and is used in many religious ceremonies for the Austronesian and Papuan peoples.

32. Wild Cosmos

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (33)

Cosmos are beautiful flowers that grow in the shade of tropical forests. The origin of the tropical cosmos is Mexico; they’re usually white, red, or yellow in color but often turn red when they open up. The tropical cosmos goes well with other flowers as its leaves are showy and colorful.

33. Moth Orchid

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (34)

The interestingly-named moth orchid, also called the Phalaenopsis, is a type of orchid that has 70 other relatives in its family. The monopodial orchid comes in bright pink, white, orange, and deep purple colors.

It’s classified in the Aeridinae family, and its family is native to India, southern China, and Southeast Asia.

34. Slipper Orchid

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (35)

Slipper Orchids, scientifically known as the Cypripedioideae, are a type of orchid that grows on trees. They’re named for their distinctive flowers that resemble slippers. Slipper orchids are native to tropical regions worldwide and grow in areas with high humidity levels.

The Venus slipper orchid, or the Paphiopedilum Gratrixianum, is the most popular of all orchids. The plant grows in warm climates and needs bright light but not direct sunlight.

35. Vanda Orchid

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (36)

The Vanda Orchid is a species native to the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and New Guinea. This genus consists of around 35 orchid species belonging to the Orchidaceae family. These plants have large flowers with showy colors and have become popular among plant lovers worldwide.

36. Orchis

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (37)

The Orchis orchid is a small genus of orchids in the family Orchidaceae. They’re terrestrial and evergreen and grow in the ground. The flowers are produced from February to May and have a tubular shape with multiple petals. They have beautiful pink flowers and are found worldwide.

37. Boat Orchid

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (38)

The Boat Orchid is a perennial orchid that grows in the wild in Southeast Asia and Australia. It has a creamy white flower with orange spots but can come in various colors. Orchids are typically grown competitively and crossbred, and the shape of this one makes it a tough one to grow.

38. Bromeliads

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (39)

Bromeliads are members of the Bromeliaceae family and a group of flowers found mostly in the American subtropics and west Africa. They come in various colors and can be found anywhere from your local florist to an exotic flower shop. The species found in Africa is called Pitcairnia Feliciana.

39. Scarlet Sage

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (40)

The Scarlet Sage is a beautiful tropical flower with a red or orange color. It’s native to Brazil and grows up to 2 feet (60.96 cm) tall globally. It’s an annual or perennial plant that needs full sun or partial shade to thrive and is also known as Salvia Coccinea.

40. Star Flower

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (41)

This is one of the most unique tropical flowers due to its shape. Also known as the Lysimachia Borealis, it’s a species of flowering plant in the family Primulaceae that blooms in May and June. This wildflower can be found in parts of North America, growing low in woodlands.

41. King Protea

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (42)

Also known as Protea Cynaroides, this is a flowering tree that grows in South Africa. The protea is large, similar to that of a sunflower. The plant can be seen blooming from July to December, and it has flowers with varying shades of red, yellow, and orange. It’s also known as the honeypot or king sugar bush.

42. Tropical Milkweed

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (43)

Asclepias Curassavica is native to Central and South America but has been widely introduced throughout the tropics. It’s considered an invasive species in many places in the US because of how quickly it grows, so only plant the milkweed if you have the time and resources to prune it.

43. Indian Shot

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (44)

The Indian Shot has many names:

  • Canna indica flower
  • African arrowroot
  • Edible canna
  • Sierra Leona arrowroot
  • Purple arrowroot

Indigenous to Central and South America, the Indian shot flower is a type of terrestrial flowering plant growing up to 3 feet (91.44 cm) tall.

44. Christmas Cactus

Who says cacti only grow in the desert?

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (45)

The Christmas cactus, or schlumbergera x buckleyi, is a holiday favorite. As its name suggests, it’s a succulent plant and comes in many colors — from red to pink to white — and blooms in the late winter. It’s easy to grow and makes an excellent air purifier.

45. Damask Rose

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (46)

Damask roses have been used for centuries as an herbal remedy to treat various ailments and conditions, such as:

  • Respiratory problems
  • Acne
  • Coughs
  • Colds

The scientific name of the damask rose is Rosa x Damascena, Latin for damascene rose. This tropical flower also has many names, such as:

  • Bulgarian Rose
  • Turkish Rose
  • Arab Rose
  • Taif Rose

46. White Kukui Nut Flower

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (47)

This is probably one of the most recognizable tropical flowers of all time, though most people don’t know its actual name.

The White Kukui Nut Flower is often made into lei, and like its Hawaiian name, it’s rare and unique. Native to Hawaii, this hardy plant can survive on little water in strong wind and direct sunlight.

Each flower has five petals that open at night and close during the day to protect themselves from the elements. The kukui is often considered one of the most popular tropical flowers. This is primarily because of how often it’s been replicated as a symbol of the lei.

47. Persian Cyclamen

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (48)

The Persian Cyclamen is a perennial flower that originates from the Mediterranean region. It has fleshy leaves, long stems, and small white flowers with red or purple spots on the petals. True to its name, it originates in Persia, specifically the mountainous region just north of the Persian Gulf.

48. Angel’s Trumpet

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (49)

The Angel’s Trumpet, also known as Brugmansia, is a flowering plant native to South America. This is one of the most beautiful and popular flowers to see in a garden, though most don’t realize it’s of tropical origin.

The shape of this flower is what brings attention, rather than the size or color, which is what makes most people think of tropical flowers.

It has a thick, hairy stem with large white or pink flowers that open at night and close in the morning. The name “angel’s trumpet” comes from its shape, which looks like a trumpet.

49. Forest Gardenia

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (50)

The Forest Gardenia, also known as the Gardenia Thunbergia, is a beautiful tropical flower (though technically classified as a shrub) best grown in a warm environment with lots of natural light. This plant can be native to South Africa or the Eastern Cape, and it’s usually found in forests.

50. Allamanda

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (51)

Allamanda is native to the Americas, specifically in Mexico and Argentina. This flowering plant grows yellow and pink flowers.

The allamanda plant is a stunning example of its kind and an easy-to-grow plant that can thrive in almost any environment.

51. Wild Lantana

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (52)

The Wild Lantana is a beautiful flower that originated in Mexico and Central America. Lantana blooms from spring through fall, with relatively small flowers that grow at the end of long stems. In addition to being an attractive decorative plant, lantana can be harvested for its fruit if properly pruned.

52. Urn Plant

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (53)

The Urn Plant, or Aechmea Fasciatasa, is a species of flowering plant native to Brazil and Uruguay. The urn plant is a popular houseplant and an excellent filler for large containers. It’s frequently used as a low-maintenance, high-light plant for offices and homes.

53. Blanket Flowers

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (54)

The Gaillardia, or Blanket Flower, is a beautiful tropical flower native to Mexico and Central America. A species of this flower also grows in Arizona, southern Nevada, and Utah. The gaillardia produces a long, thin stem with multiple colorful flowers that appear to grow out of this stem.

These plants typically have a very short life span, so make sure you enjoy its beauty while it blooms.

54. Crassula Ovata (Jade)

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (55)

The Crassula Ovata, also known as jade or money tree, is a slow-growing succulent native to South Africa and parts of Tanzania. It grows easily in the ground or in containers and forms clusters of leaves that give it a lush, bushy appearance. The plant is drought tolerant and thrives when exposed to full sun and good drainage.

55. Mussaenda

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (56)

The Mussaenda has its origins in Southeast Asia and Africa. Its natural habitats include secondary rainforest, freshwater swamp forest, and open ground areas.

The scientific name for this plant is Mussaenda Erythrophylla or Mussaenda Glabra. It has many uses, such as:

  • Fruit
  • Herb
  • Spice
  • Ornamental flower

56. Crown Imperial

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (57)

This flower is definitely unique, and can’t be confused with any other.

Crown Imperial is native to the following areas:

  • Anatolian Plateau of Turkey
  • Iraq
  • Iran
  • Afghanistan
  • Pakistan
  • India

The plant has thick stems and large leaves opposite each other on the stem, with the flower part appearing upside down, giving it its name.

57. Freesia

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (58)

The Freesia plant is a fragrant flower that blooms in jewel tones. Though they’re an outdoor plant, they can be grown indoors and have been cultivated by many gardeners in various climates. Of course, the Freesia flowers grow in tropical and subtropical climates.

58. Canna Lily

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (59)

The bush lily and blood lily are recognizable tropical lilies, but have you heard of the Canna Lily?

The Canna Lily, also known as the Canna, is from Cannaceae. It has ten flower species in its family, including many that have been listed so far. The Indian shot and Canna Tuerckheimii are among the most famous of its family members.

Unlike every member of its family, the canna lily flower comes in many different varieties, including:

  • Tropicanna black
  • Brilliant
  • Cleopatra
  • City of Portland
  • Ambassador

59. Pentas

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (60)

The Pentas, also known as the Egyptian starflower, is native to:

  • Africa
  • Comoros
  • Madagascar
  • Arabia

Pentas is an entire genus of plants, and dozens of varieties of Pentas flowers exist.

These tropical flowers have gorgeous red blooms and love full, direct sunlight.

60. Canna Striata

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (61)

The Canna Striata is a gorgeous, large, orange plant that originated in South America. These plants do best outdoors due to their size. Their preference for moist environments also makes them great plants for bogs, water gardens, and ponds.

61. Cuphea David Verity

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (62)

The Cuphea David Verity, also known as the large Firecracker Plant or Cigar Plant, is a fast-growing plant often found in US gardens, though it has tropical origins. These flowers are also known for their nectar, which attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.

62. Golden Pothos

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (63)

If you’ve ever seen this plant, you might not have realized it has tropical origins. It’s become very popular in the US as a houseplant.

The Golden Pothos, also known as devil’s ivy or its scientific name Epipremnum Aureum, is a beautiful and popular houseplant that originated in the Solomon Islands.

In the wild, the Epipremnum Aureum can grow up to 80 ft (24.38 m) in height. Golden Pothos are great for beginners because they are fairly easy to take care of and survive well in low-light conditions.

63. Ficus

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (64)

The Ficus, or Ficus Benjamina, is a tropical tree often used as an indoor houseplant. It’s also known as the weeping or benjamin fig.

Originating in India and Australia, they usually grow up to 50 feet (15.24 m) tall. The Ficus likes moist soil but hates direct sunlight. They can thrive in parks, residential backyards, and other home gardens when planted outside their natural habitat.

64. Rubber Fig

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (65)

The Rubber Fig, scientific name Ficus Elastica, is a broadleaf plant native to Malaysia, Sumatra, and Java. Rubber figs grow best in humid, tropical conditions and have been known to reach 100 feet (30 meters) tall if left to grow in the wild.

65. Larkspur

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (66)

Larkspur is a beautiful tropical flower that’s a beloved part of North America’s natural flora. It’s native to:

  • Pennsylvania
  • Ohio
  • Alabama
  • Missouri

Aside from these places, they also grow in tropical regions of Africa.

66. Foxtail Agave

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (67)

The Foxtail Agave, or Agave Attenuata, is a majestic plant with large grass-like leaves that grow from the center of a dense, central stem. It’s native to the Mexican states of Jalisco and Colima, where it inhabits dry forests near the coast.

The foxtail agave has survived for thousands of years due to its ability to adjust to harsh weather conditions like droughts, which are common in its natural habitat.

67. Cotyledon Pendens

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (68)

The Cotyledon Pendens, also known as the cliff cotyledon, is a tropical flowering succulent that grows on cliffs. Its origins come from South Africa, where it grows naturally as an evergreen shrub or tree and can reach up to two feet (60.96 cm) tall at its peak.

Can Tropical Flowers Be Grown Anywhere?

All of these beautiful flowers may have inspired new garden and floral arrangements for your home, but take a breather before hitting the “Buy” button.

While tropical flowers are celebrated for their exotic beauty, it’s important to know that not all of them are suitable for all climates. Tropical flowers grow pretty well in the Southern US but may have trouble elsewhere.

Tropical flowers can be grown in controlled conditions but do not typically do well outside their environment in an outdoor setting. This is because tropical flowers are not hardy enough to survive the winter. They need warmth, humidity, and water to grow properly.

If you live in a cold climate, you can’t grow tropical plants outside your home because they cannot withstand the cold temperatures. Because of this, tropical flowers must be grown indoors or in greenhouses.

How To Grow Tropical Flowers

Whether you’re planning a tropical-themed wedding or just love the look of lush, vibrant flowers, tropical flowers take you far beyond the traditional bouquet to create a dramatic statement.

The good news is that it’s possible to grow many tropical plants in colder climates with a little advance planning and patience.

Each flower has unique preferences, so I suggest checking out the flowers you like and seeing what’s doable before purchasing seeds. In general, you’ll need to know that:

  • Humidity is your friend. Tropical plants grow in extremely humid environments, and the moisture supports their growth.
  • Tropical plants love water. Many tropical plants grow in rainforests or swamps where they have constant access to water even in the high heat.
  • Your tropical flower needs lots of sunlight. One of the characteristics of tropical plants is they’re likely to grow near the equator, where the sun is the hottest.
  • pH matters. The pH of your soil will affect the health of your tropical plants.

You don’t need to invest thousands of dollars in a greenhouse. Many orchid growers use controlled environments via small greenhouse tents they can set up near a window.

What Makes a Flower “Tropical”?

Tropical flowers are a wonderful addition to any garden. They add color, fragrance, and beauty, but what makes them “tropical?”

Tropical flowers are often associated with warmer climates, most located on the equator or in the southern hemisphere. Many tropical flowers grow in the world’s equatorial regions — places like Brazil and Kenya, where it never gets too cold, and there is plenty of rain all year long.

One common characteristic that all classically defined tropical plants share is they grow in hot and humid climates with plenty of water, such as rainforests or swamps. These conditions allow for rapid growth for most tropical flowers, so it’s no surprise that these environments are ideal.

Most people would agree that the term “tropical” refers to anything grown in regions near the equator. However, this isn’t always true. Tropical is also a word that depends on context.

Depending on how you define it, some tropical flowers can be grown in other places throughout the world during certain seasons without much difficulty.

To some, a tropical flower is defined as one that has evolved to be large and showy, a feature believed to have evolved to attract pollinators such as hummingbirds, bees, and bats. Tropical flowers typically boast bright colors and strong scents, which help them stand out from other plants in their environment.

Tropical Flowers FAQs

What are the most popular tropical flowers?

The most popular tropical flowers include the hibiscus, the bougainvillea, birds of paradise, anthurium, orchids, or kukui. When people ask about tropical flowers, these are typically the first ones that come to mind.

What flowers go in a tropical bouquet?

Some classic choices that never fail to impress are the elegant Phalaenopsis Orchids, the stunning Birds of Paradise, and the adorable Pin Cushion Protea. If you are looking for something a little more unique you might consider the bold Heliconia, the charming Oncidium Orchids, or the exotic Bromeliad.

What colours are tropical flowers?

Tropical flowers come in a wide range of beautiful colors including vibrant shades of red, orange, yellow, pink, purple, and blue. Some tropical flowers even come in unique colors like black, green, and white.

Final Thoughts

With all the beautiful tropical flowers to choose from, there are plenty of options for your planting project. Remember, if you choose to include one of the gorgeous plants on this list, you’ll need to ensure it has plenty of moisture and direct sunlight.

Other Articles You May Be Interested In

37 Yellow Flowers For Your Home Or Garden

46 Types Of Pink Flowers

44 Types Of Orange Flowers

59 Beautiful Types of Blue Flowers

67 Types Of Tropical Flowers & Plants (With Pictures) - FloraLiving (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Manual Maggio

Last Updated:

Views: 6291

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (69 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Manual Maggio

Birthday: 1998-01-20

Address: 359 Kelvin Stream, Lake Eldonview, MT 33517-1242

Phone: +577037762465

Job: Product Hospitality Supervisor

Hobby: Gardening, Web surfing, Video gaming, Amateur radio, Flag Football, Reading, Table tennis

Introduction: My name is Manual Maggio, I am a thankful, tender, adventurous, delightful, fantastic, proud, graceful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.