Dreaming of a lush, exotic garden but living in a region with chilly winters? You don’t have to sacrifice those tropical vibes just because temperatures drop. Thankfully, several cold-hardy tropical plants can survive frost and cooler climates while still delivering the bold foliage, vibrant blooms, and dramatic flair you’d expect from a rainforest paradise. Whether you’re after towering palms, striking perennials, or exotic blooms, these 10 stunning cold-hardy tropical plants will bring a touch of the tropics to your garden year-round.
1. Hardy Banana (Musa basjoo)
One of the most popular cold-hardy tropical plants, the Hardy Banana (Musa basjoo) brings instant jungle vibes with its enormous, paddle-shaped leaves. Native to Japan, this striking plant can withstand temperatures as low as -10°F when properly mulched in winter. It grows quickly, often reaching up to 12 feet tall in a single season. While it rarely produces edible fruit in cooler regions, its lush foliage alone makes it a statement piece for any tropical-themed garden or patio.
2. Canna Lily (Canna indica)
Cannas offer bold, banana-like leaves and flamboyant flowers in shades of red, orange, yellow, and pink, making them an essential addition to cold-hardy tropical landscapes. These heat-loving plants can tolerate cooler temperatures down to USDA Zone 6 with proper winter care, such as mulching or digging up rhizomes in harsh winters. Cannas grow best in full sun and moist, fertile soil, where they add drama to borders, poolside plantings, and tropical-inspired container gardens.
3. Windmill Palm (Trachycarpus fortunei)
One of the most cold-tolerant palms available, the Windmill Palm can endure temperatures as low as 5°F. Its elegant, fan-shaped fronds and slender, shaggy trunk make it a striking focal point in any landscape. Native to parts of China, this palm grows slowly to heights of up to 20-30 feet in ideal conditions. It thrives in well-drained soil and full to partial sun, bringing a touch of the tropics to gardens in cooler climates.
4. Elephant Ears (Colocasia esculenta)
Known for their enormous, heart-shaped leaves, Elephant Ears instantly give any garden a lush, tropical feel. Many varieties, including Colocasia ‘Black Magic’ and Colocasia ‘Illustris,’ can tolerate cooler climates, especially in Zones 7 and above with some winter protection. These moisture-loving plants prefer rich, well-drained soil and partial shade. In colder regions, you can lift and store their tubers indoors over winter, ensuring they return bigger and bolder the next growing season.
5. Japanese Fiber Banana (Musa sikimensis)
A close cousin to the Hardy Banana, the Japanese Fiber Banana is slightly hardier and just as showy, with striking green leaves streaked with maroon. It can survive temperatures down to 5°F with proper mulching. This fast-growing banana species adds texture and tropical flair to any garden bed or patio display. While it may not bear edible fruit in cooler regions, its dramatic foliage alone is enough to transport your landscape to the tropics.
6. Hardy Hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos)
Hardy Hibiscus brings bold, tropical-looking blooms to northern gardens with its dinner-plate-sized flowers in shades of red, pink, white, and lavender. Despite their delicate appearance, these plants are tough, tolerating temperatures as low as -20°F. Native to wetlands in the U.S., they thrive in full sun and consistently moist soil. Blooming from midsummer to early fall, Hardy Hibiscus makes a stunning backdrop for flower beds, borders, and water gardens.
7. Fatsia japonica (Japanese Aralia)
If you’re after bold foliage that thrives in shade, Fatsia japonica is a must-have. This evergreen shrub features large, glossy, hand-shaped leaves that provide year-round tropical texture. Hardy down to about 10°F, it’s ideal for sheltered outdoor spaces or shaded garden corners. It also produces small, white, starry flowers in fall. Fatsia is a fantastic choice for woodland gardens, patio containers, or indoor-outdoor transitions where its architectural foliage can truly shine.
8. Castor Bean Plant (Ricinus communis)
With massive, star-shaped leaves and rapid growth, the Castor Bean plant delivers instant tropical drama to any garden. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, growing up to 10 feet in a single season. While typically grown as an annual in colder regions, it can survive light frost with protection. Note that all parts of this plant are toxic if ingested, so plant with care. Its ornamental seed pods and bold foliage make it a standout in mixed borders and exotic-themed gardens.
9. Chinese Yellow Banana (Musella lasiocarpa)
A unique, compact banana species native to China, the Chinese Yellow Banana is cold-hardy down to around 10°F. It’s prized for its bright yellow, lotus-like flower heads that can last for months, along with its bold, upright leaves. This drought-tolerant, sun-loving plant adds a distinctive exotic touch to gardens, patios, and container plantings. In colder regions, it benefits from mulching at its base during winter or moving potted specimens indoors.
10. Ligularia (Ligularia dentata)
Ligularia combines dramatic foliage with bright, daisy-like flowers that bloom in late summer. Its large, rounded, and sometimes purple-tinged leaves bring a tropical look to shady, moist areas. Hardy down to USDA Zone 4, it’s perfect for gardeners in cooler climates who still want a lush, exotic aesthetic. Ligularia’s yellow-orange flowers attract pollinators, while its foliage creates bold texture in mixed borders, alongside water features, or in woodland gardens.