Tropical garden landscape designs

10 Tropical Garden Ideas for a Resort-Like Landscape

Ideas for creating a tropical garden that evokes the beauty and serenity of far-off destinations By Justine Guidry Published 8/26/2022

Dreaming of tropical gardens evokes thoughts of vibrant flowers and large foliage in colors ranging from vibrant lime green to deep forest green—and gardeners who don’t live in warm, humid climates often assume that this type of look is out of reach for them. The good news is that even if your climate doesn’t allow you to grow every plant you’d seen in Hawaii, for example, you can still get a tropical garden aesthetic in your own backyard.

TROPICAL GARDEN IDEAS

1. Choose Tropical Garden Plants:

So, what type of plants are in a tropical garden? Rather than limiting yourself to plants typically found in hot locations, focus on plants with the visual qualities of tropical plants. When used in the right combinations, you’d be surprised at how some plants that are hardy down to even Zone 4 (hello, hostas!) can contribute to creating a resort-style look.

With the right combination of plants, you can give any garden—anywhere—a tropical feel. At this garden in Portland, OR, (Zone 8b) Lauren Hall-Behrens created a calm retreat with a tropical feel using plants such as hardy Musa basjoo (Japanese banana), and sweeps of Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’. See more of this garden here.

Here are some characteristics to keep an eye out for:

Large leaves
Vibrant blooms
Colorful foliage

When choosing spots for each of your plants, make sure to put plants with similar water, sun, and soil needs together. See specific plant suggestions here.

2. Make the Most of Your Space:

Limited on outdoor space? That’s okay—you can still get a tropical vibe in a small garden! Even a few coordinating containers can create an eye-catching vignette. Consider creating a combination of multiple plants in a larger container first. Then, feature some of the plants you used in that container on their own in smaller containers. Place those around the larger display to create cohesion.

This vivid container is a self-watering AquaPot that includes: Toucan® Yellow canna lily, Superbells® Yellow calibrachoa, Supertunia Mini Vista® Hot Pink petunia, and Supertunia® Lovie Dovie™ petunia (get the container recipe). Photo by Proven Winners.

If you either don’t have the room or you’re just looking to dabble in tropical design, try your hand at planting just one large container with the right combination of big foliage and vibrant colors. Bonus: you can overwinter the container to make it last longer. Get ideas for more tropical container combinations.

Love containers but not a fan of having to remember to water them? Try AquaPots!

3. Transform a Corner:

Whether you have a corner of your garden or patio that needs an update or you just want to freshen up your backyard, a tropical makeover is a great solution. Use containers to add plants that fit in with the scene, and don’t forget to include a piece of outdoor furniture to provide a spot to lounge and enjoy the scenery.

Large-leafed plants against the house and a variety of leafy plants with vibrant foliage in AquaPot containers make this corner feel like a mini retreat. Photo by Proven Winners.

4. Give Your Pool Area a Resort-Like Feel:

If you have a pool, including tropical plants in and around your pool area can completely alter the appearance and feeling of the space. Swimming or lounging in the water and looking out to see lush greenery and bright blooms can make it feel like you’re on a getaway at a resort. Having planter beds that surround your pool area is not required, either. Grouping pots around your pool deck is a simple solution if you don’t have in-ground planting area. Choose plants in varying heights and colors for the best effect and to create a secluded feeling.

See how this pool got a lush, tropical makeover. Photo: Lewis Aqüi.

5. Be Strategic About Colors & Patterns:

Sometimes all it takes is a few elements in the right color or pattern to pull everything together. On a patio, for example, the right outdoor pillows next to a container garden with just a subtle tropical vibe does the trick. An outdoor blanket, lounge chair, or cushions in vibrant colors or appropriate patterns are other items that work to liven things up.

Colors typically used for tropical gardens:

Vibrant lime green
Oranges
Pinks
Reds
Yellows

Tip: Don’t overdo the tropical patterns. Just a few splashes of it here and there will suffice!

The green pitcher and glasses, pillows with a palm leaf pattern, and Graceful Grasses® Prince Tut™ jutting from the center of the green ceramic pot all work together to create a tropical look on this patio. In addition to the grasses, the container includes Goldilocks Rocks® bidens, Superbells® Coralina calibrachoa, and Supertunia® Royal Velvet® (get the container recipe). Photo by Proven Winners.

6. Dote on the Details:

Teak, rattan, and wicker are furniture materials that contribute nicely to a tropical scheme. So does soft lighting via lanterns or uplighting on focal-point plants. Thoughtfully considering how the features of each new piece works together with your existing space makes a huge impact.

Teak furniture and romantic lighting make this dreamy spot reminiscent of an exotic retreat. A container combination completes the scene with Proven Accents® Sweet Caroline Bewitched After Midnight™ sweet potato and vibrant red Supertunia® Black Cherry® petunias. Photo by Proven Winners.

7. Repeat Plants to Attract Attention:

Group plants of the same species together to create a large mass of stunning foliage or eye-catching blooms (or both!). Using this technique with tropical plants is a surefire way to create visual interest.

This square planting bed includes masses of three plants: bright-green Lemon Coral® sedum, deep burgundy ColorBlaze® Wicked Witch™ coleus, and prolifically blooming SunPatiens® Compact Orange impatiens. At center, a majesty palm stands tall. Get the landscape recipe. Photo by Proven Winners.

8. Use a Backdrop for Visual & Physical Support:

A small backdrop such as a wooden fence or wrought-iron trellis provides a spot for plants to lean on, and it also contributes to the scene by introducing a new material. Have a garden bed that feels incomplete? Add a backdrop and plant a tropical flower garden in front of it.

Here, three plants shine in front of a small wooden fence. From front: Supertunia® Royal Velvet® petunia, Golden Butterfly® Argyranthemum, and Toucan® scarlet canna. Get the landscape recipe. Photo by Proven Winners.

9. Add Whimsical Elements:

Find garden art in the form of fountains, statues, containers, and more, that fit into your tropical theme. For tropical gardens, gardeners use everything from vintage boats as planters, to seashells interspersed with decorative rock, to metal sea turtles as wall décor.

This Easter Island statue that also serves as a planter for string of beans fits in perfectly with waxy red anthurium blooms. Photo by Joshua Reddekopp on Unsplash.

10. Incorporate a Water Feature:

The finishing touch for every tropical escape? Water. Adding a water feature to a tropical garden is a must. And it doesn’t have to be huge! Even just the sound of water from a small electric fountain can make a big difference. The trickle of water adds tranquility and contributes to the overall theme of the space.

Surrounded by a variety of palm and banana species, this large water feature transforms this conservatory into an exotic escape. Tatiana Rodriguez on Unsplash.

What Is Tropical Landscaping?

Tropical landscapes are lush, colorful, and pulsing with life. There aren't many places in the United States where tropical climate conditions are common: mainly these consist of island territories including American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, the U. S. Virgin Islands, the U.S. Minor Outlying Islands, and the islands that make up the state of Hawaii. But in the summer months, some of our states can have conditions that feel tropical due to extreme heat and humidity. particularly the Southeastern states of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Tropical landscaping, therefore, can be attainable even if you don't live in an island paradise.

History of Tropical Landscaping

There has long been a fascination with the aesthetic of a tropical garden in Europe. Partly this is due to a romanticizing of the concept of Eden, and other idyllic locations from literature such as Shangri-la or the Avalon of King Arthur. But it's also a result of centuries of exploration tied to European colonialism, and there's a long tradition of portraying Europeans in tropical locations in novels and films, such as Evelyn Waugh's "A Handful of Dust." Interest in tropical plants led to efforts by collectors and travelers to bring specimens back to Europe for study, and this eventually encouraged the creation of horticultural collections in museums and botanical gardens where such plants can be enjoyed by visitors.

Tropical Paving Styles

Since tropical gardens tend to be located in areas with large amounts of rainfall, and since they need a lot of water, paving styles are chosen to withstand weather and moisture. Using gravel around pavers allows for quick drainage, and mulch retains moisture to keep gardens well-hydrated. Since weeds can quickly get out of control, a wider walkway is a good idea, as is a heavy application of mulch that is refreshed periodically as needed. Cedar mulch can help cut down on insects as well, without resorting to chemicals.

This tropical garden in southern California has an attractive walkway made solely of concrete pavers and gravel, featuring a real simplicity of design and ease of maintenance. Robert Sarkisian / Flickr / CC BY 2.0 Simple paving stones and a heavy layer of mulch define the paths in this tropical garden space gypsy woman1 /Flickr / CC BY 2.0 This small tropical garden area at Kew Gardens in London shows how a simple tightly fitted stone walkway and bench provide a stunning setting for an small oasis of lush vines and shrubs.

standhisround / Flickr / CC BY 2.0

Plants to Include

Generally speaking, if you live in a hardiness zone of 8 through 10, you can grow tropical plants. This can include the areas already mentioned as well as southern California. Desert areas like Nevada or New Mexico may be the right temperature, but the dry air can make it more challenging to keep humidity-loving plants healthy and thriving.

There are many types of plants suitable for creating a tropical landscaping design, whether in beds or in containers. Bromeliads, orchids, palm trees (Arecaceae), and hibiscus are just a few ideas to start with. Sometimes including very large-leafed plants (like Colocasia, also known as Elephant Ear) creates an optical scale that feels tropical. Also, you can create the illusion of tropical planting with brightly-hued annual flowers like portulacas, dahlias, snapdragons, impatiens, and petunias, all of which are easy to care for, widely available, and suitable for container planting.

With their large petals and bright colors, cannas bring a tropical feel to any landscape. Cannas can be grown from bulbs as an annual; you can dig them up to store for the winter and replant in late spring. Elena Chausova / Flickr / CC BY 2.0 Lantana is native to South and Central America, but is frequently planted as an annual throughout the US for its colorful flowers and appeal to pollinators such as butterflies and hummingbirds. Sam / Flickr / CC BY 2.0 The stunning color of this bright hibiscus flower lends happy tropical energy to any landscape. Stephenie DeKoaudio / Flickr / CC BY 2.0

Rocks

Because tropical gardens are usually abundant with plants, using rocks as a design element can add some interesting texture and drama. Rocks also hold onto heat, an important factor for regulating temperature for plants used to a hot climate.

Garden Decor

Tropical gardens are usually very colorful and lush, to begin with, but using pieces of sculpture and furnishings can help enhance comfort. Suitable objects for decorating a tropical garden include any representations of tropical birds such as flamingoes, pelicans, or egrets. Furniture could include hanging chairs or hammocks, and comfy chairs made with teak, rattan, or bamboo with colorful cushions that complement the landscape's bright colors.

The birdbath is a perfect decorative and practical accent to this garden bed full of tropical plants. pawightm (Patricia) / Flickr / CC BY 2.0 This bright flamingo sculpture in a Pinellas, Florida garden is a colorful and eye-catching bit of fun. Jim Wisinski / Flickr / CC BY 2.0

Water Features

Including a water feature in a tropical garden design gives it authenticity. It can also be a good way to keep moisture in the air for thirsty tropical plants and provide a water source for thirsty pollinators or wildlife who stop by.

This small waterfall over a bed of tumbled stones is part of a beautifully realized small tropical garden design complete with small outdoor torch.

Tim Wise / Flickr / CC BY 2.0

Fencing

Since tropical plants tend to grow and fill in quickly, fencing can be a concern. Tight fencing materials such as chainlink may make it difficult to access tropical plants that grow too large for a space. Having fencing structures that are easy to open or move temporarily for plant maintenance might be a good idea. Aesthetically, choose fences that don't hide or distract from your lush tropical garden's beauty. Simple rustic wood is a good choice or powder-coated metal. Plastic fencing may not be strong enough for fast-growing tropical plants.

This simple rustic fence is a perfect accent near these large-leafed gunnera plants, a tropical plant that likes shade. maineexile / Flickr / CC BY 2.0

Other Elements to Include

To make your garden feel more tropical, also consider outdoor torches, a small fire dish, colorful accent furniture, patio umbrellas, an arbor with flowering vines, outdoor lighting to accent dramatic shadows cast by large-leafed plants, and colorful planters to accent the colors of the flowers and foliage of your tropical plants.

25 Tropical Pool Improvement Ideas

Amazing Tropical Pool Relaxation

A backyard tropical pool is a dream come true for everyone. How would you like to spend your vacation: being alone with yourself, sitting at home and having fun without spending much, or relaxing in a stunning backyard where friends and family gather on weekends? No matter. Incredible pool and terrace a must have. Some solutions will transform the space, betray freshness, exoticism.

Combining a tropical area with a swimming pool is fairly easy to do and has a high chance of success. From understated and urban to extravagant and outrageous, here are 25 solutions to inspire you to bring a touch of the tropics into your life.

Add a bridge and a house to complete this beautiful, rejuvenating pool

The ultimate vacation

The concept of a great vacation has always been associated with sandy beaches, scorching heat, lush vegetation and the splendor of colorful flowers. Of course, some of the incredible sources of inspiration cannot be completely copied, but you can borrow individual elements from each of them and adapt to the style of your site for a fresher look.

A fabulous tropical home and pool surrounded by lush tropical vegetation

These little touches can be something as simple as colorful palm trees, bougainvillea or other flower plantations, or more complex as an outdoor shower surrounded by lush greenery or a luxurious Jacuzzi. From fire pits to Tiki torches, from cottages to gazebos, they all evoke the aura of a tropical landscape.

Spectacular pool and terrace with fire pits and relaxing sun lounger

Thatched roof and pool house

Small tropical pool landscaping

Don't worry if you can't design your backyard and pool in a tropical style. The images that you see, although they seem spectacular and very expensive to implement, even a tiny city courtyard will turn into a magical haven if you install a pool and surround it with suitable tropical plants, shrubs and vines. A small terrace by the pool with a couple of sun loungers and a fireplace completes an unimaginable and intimate stay, most suitable for romantic summer evenings.

Relaxing and stylish tropical deck and landscaping

Glittering tropical pool combines fire and water in an exciting way

Cozy and tranquil backyard pool

Small square pool

Make the pool special

Tropical garden landscaping The basin is often endowed with natural rocks, lots of greenery and a few colorful flowering plants. But for those who spare no effort, a waterfall pool is the perfect solution for fun for the whole family. As an addition, there can be a slide that gives a certain charm to the pool and brings happiness to small children. A footpath or a bridge, grottoes that play the role of an open bar, or a cinema - all this is for those who want to use the yard for different purposes.

Amazing tropical garden and pool inspired by Bali design elements

Beach with slide that leads to the pool

Delightful backyard getaway with pool, waterfalls and lush greenery

Expansive pools with waterfalls perfect for a tropical garden

Why not do not make a cinema in a tropical backyard

Hidden cave next to the pool - the perfect addition to paradise in the backyard

Combine with home

While most contemporary homes look great in a tropical setting, some urban residences may seem out of place. To solve this problem, combine modern ergonomics offering a sleek design and clean straight lines with tropical vegetation, motifs and décor and you have the best of both worlds.

Another popular style that goes well with tropical design is Mediterranean. Regardless of the style you pair it with, you can be sure that the tropical design of the pool and the surrounding landscape will shine.

Pool terrace combines tropical style with Mediterranean charm

Tropical pool and vegetation around

Vegetation wall provides privacy

Categories: Reservoirs on site
Locations: With a pool

Landscaping in exotic style

Garden in exotic style creates an image of distant tropical countries - Brazil, Africa, Mexico, distant islands. It is important to be able to give the garden a jungle flavor with separate strokes. Our climate and flora are the furthest away from the tropics of South America and the Black Continent, and here it is all the more difficult to do everything according to an exact model. An exotic garden is, of course, a riot of colors, shapes, as well as bizarre accessories and unusual combinations. The tropical jungle is the prototype of this garden. The best plot size is from 6 to 20 acres, ideally the shape is incorrect, the conditions are any, but with sufficient humidity. There must be sunny corners.

Key elements of landscape design:

Only natural materials.
Man-made accessories, somewhat rough, as if primitive.
Lots of stone, dark wood, gravel and sand.
Bright color and ornament.
Raised wooden plank walkways.
Close plantings, many hedges, but by no means molded.
Abundance of plants.
Light, and preferably white, buildings and hedges.
Stream or marsh as a body of water.

Plan features:

The plants are arranged in tiers - like in the jungle.
Spots of light and shadow should alternate on the site.
Zones - very well insulated with plantings and garden partitions.
The paths are winding.
In general, the layout is characterized by a combination of natural and geometric forms.

Color scheme:

Any bright colors, white is mandatory among them. In general, the color scheme is sharply contrasting: a difference between light and dark is necessary, soft pastel colors and shades should not be.

Plants of style:

Trees: plum, riverine and Tatar maples, shadberry, hazel, apple tree, felt cherry.
Shrubs: elder, species of barberry (preferably variegated), white and yellow acacia, deren, black chokeberry, Japanese quince, any spirea, honeysuckle (including honeysuckle).
Perennials and flowers: Rogersia, rhubarb, buzulnik, ferns, wormwood, meadowsweet, hosta, all varieties of cereals and sedges, volzhanka, bergenia, clematis, ornamental and common pumpkins, hops, beans, lemongrass, morning glory, cleoma, molucella, kniffofia, eland, a bright mixture of multi-colored bulbs, including hazel grouse, is required in spring. In addition: dahlias, rudbeckia, kala, Jerusalem artichoke, daylily, zinnia, calendula and marigolds, irises, yarrow, lupins, gaillardia, spurge, salvia and lobelia, crocosmia, decorative bows, nasturtium. Corn, lagenaria and chard are very suitable in style.

Small architectural forms:

Huge stones, boulders or flints as garden accents.
Dark wood buildings.
Bamboo - for hedges, screens or garden sculptures.
Raised flower beds with a wooden border around the edges, they are also C benches.
Driftwood, bundles of branches.
Stone or wooden figurines of the African idol type.
Ropes.
Rough earthenware with geometric designs.
Mosaic of broken ceramic tiles in bright colors.
Garden furniture - wooden or wicker.
Hammock.
Geometric baskets.
Canopy, hut or wigwam from colorful ethnic fabric with impregnation - as a gazebo.
Figurines of tropical animals and birds among plants.

Landscaping Tips:

The garden area can be marked out with a fence of poles (similar to a pen) or a bar placed vertically.