Paradise Found: Transforming Your Garden with Tropical Plants in North Texas

Living in Texas with a dry heat condition and hot weather within almost a year, will make you want to have beautiful tropical plants inside your house. Actually, it is not difficult to find tropical plants for North Texas.

There are various varieties you can have and create your own tropical paradise in your garden. To make it easy selecting which plants you should have to enjoy bright colored blooms , then please kindly continue reading and seeing our beautiful plants you should get.

BEST Tropical Plants for North Texas

Dreaming of turning your North Texas garden into a tropical paradise? The allure of lush greenery, vibrant blooms, and exotic foliage can be a reality right in your backyard. But with the region’s unique climate and challenges, finding the perfect tropical plants can be a puzzle. Don’t fret—our guide is here to unveil the most enchanting and resilient tropical plants that thrive in North Texas.

Get ready to embrace a slice of the tropics and elevate your outdoor space with these captivating beauties.

1. Bougainvillea

tropical plants for north texas
Bougainvillea

A pretty flower since it has various variegated flowers to see. The Bougainvilleas require good drainage. The flowers are drought tolerant, but still you should pay attention to the soil, because the soil cannot be too dry. You can have Bougainvilleas by placing them in pots and making sure the pots have drainage holes because the flowers cannot stand for wet roots.

If you already understand what these flowers need, then you can see the flowers bloom brilliantly colored pink, purple, or yellow based on the seed you choose. Also, make sure you place the plants under the direct sun for five hours a day to reach the beautiful and vibrant colors when it is time to bloom.

2. Banana Trees (Musa spp.)

tropical plants for north texas
Banana Trees (Musa spp.)

When you have a spacious and large garden, then banana trees can be your option to have. Also, you can harvest its fruits as well since the fruits have a delicious taste and tropical feel.

This one is a rapidly growing tropical plant and produces fruits in large masses. Banana trees need good water and fertilization. In Asian countries, such as Indonesia, the large dark green foliage from banana trees is often used to wrap up the food and cook the food together with it. Wrapping the food with beautiful large showy foliage of banana trees will give a fragrant and unique taste to the food once you eat it.

3. Tropical Hibiscus (Hibiscus Rosa-sinensis)

tropical plants for north texas
Tropical Hibiscus (Hibiscus Rosa-sinensis)

It is also known as Chinese hibiscus or China Rose. The texture of these tropical flowers are smooth and a bit hairy. You can easily find it in Bahama and Hawaii. Actually Tropical Hibiscus need not have that many requirements once you established it. Because it can stand the very dry soil, but still, you should water it once a day when the heat is very, very dry.

The plants love the sun, that’s why during winter, you should move it to your patio to avoid the cold season that can attack flowers directly. Hence, having them inside the pots will be a great idea.

4. Passion Vine (Passiflora)

Passion Vine (Passiflora)
Passion Vine (Passiflora)

You know why these plants’ name is passion vine. Because only by looking at the flowers once, you will feel passionate! Am I right? Look at the beautiful shapes, the petals that seem like they are cut. Also, the purple color with the darker version on the center will spoil your eyes.

These vines are a favorite place for butterflies to come. So, if you want to see butterflies flying inside your garden, simply just have these beautiful vines inside your yard. Also, place it in the part sun area because Passion vine is very passionate for the warm place. Besides, this one is a very fast growing one, so make sure you check the growth regularly to trim it.

Since you don’t want the plants to come inside your neighbor’s yard.

5. Mexican Fan Palm (Washingtonia Robusta)

tropical plants for north texas
Mexican Fan Palm (Washingtonia Robusta)

It is time to get the trademark of your house by having Mexican fan palm trees inside your yard. So, whenever people get confused when they want to visit your house for the first time, you can easily say, the house with the Mexican fan palm. Because yes, this tree is often used as the mark of residence. So, you can use it to mark your house as well.

The Mexican Fan Palm is fast growing, hence it is easy for the plant to reach the height as it wants. Although this tree is one of tropical plants in North Texas, this one is not a cold hardy.

6. Sago Palm (Cycas Revoluta)

Sago Palm (Cycas Revoluta)
Sago Palm (Cycas Revoluta)

Although actually it is not a true palm, you still can have Sago Palm tree as the tropical plants in your house in North Texas. The medium size is a perfect choice to beautify your garden.

The shape of this foliage is very unique, and the bright green leaves will create a new green spot for your home. You can choose to plant the Sago palm trees inside the large pots or on the ground as it is.

This one is drought tolerant, and can thrive in the cold winter as long as you regularly check the condition of this one.

7. Soka (Ixora Coccinea L.)

tropical plants for north texas
Soka (Ixora Coccinea L.)

A striking red colored flower of Ixora describes how shiny the summer months in Texas are. These plants love moist soil but these tropical plants thrive under the full sun. Also, if you like the flower clusters, then this might be your best option for tropical plants.

You don’t need extra effort to grow this one, since its large clusters are easy to take care of. Simply plant it on the ground, and they will grow happily and give you a tropical look. This Texas tropical bushes plant can be a fence of your house as well!


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8. Sweet Potato Vines (Ipomoea Batatas)

Sweet Potato Vines (Ipomoea Batatas)
Sweet Potato Vines (Ipomoea Batatas)

Having these perennial vines in your yard will be a great idea. You can choose a tall container to plant this one. This tropical plant produces edible fruits, but people consider them as ornamental plants.

You can place it under a partial shade, such as in your patio or beside the window, so that the sweet potato vine doesn’t need much water. For this deep purple foliage, you can call it Blackie as well, although they are not literally black.

9. Mandevilla

tropical plants for north texas
Mandevilla

A very astonishing bright pink and dark green elegant foliage comes from Mandevilla. The flowering vines are very suitable for your patio. The beautiful pink can thrive in extended cold fronts.

Also, you can use a wooden separator in your garden to support Mandevilla grow, so that it can climb and reach for the beautiful height. This plant is fast growing, so it doesn’t take much time for you to enjoy the beautiful blooming vines through its tree.

10. Fern

tropical plants for north texas
Fern

Fern can be found in most places in Texas, including the dry places. As for drought tolerant fern, you can choose autumn fern, holly fern, or wood fern, because they can adapt to a dry condition in Texas. Autumn fern is variegated leaves that you can grow on the ground as it is.

Although it is planted on the ground, it would rarely be found that fern will be bothered by pests and diseases, as long as the soil is in good condition. The fern can tolerate full sun as well, so no worries about the heat condition in Texas.


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11. Philodendron

tropical plants for north texas
Philodendron

A beautiful large showy foliage can be seen clearly once you see Philodendron. The wide elegant leaves you can enjoy during North Texas spring. This one is a fast growing shrub, so you don’t have to go to extra effort to take care of this tropical plant. Moreover, you just have to place it in the partial sun and do not over water it.

12. Texas Star (Hibiscus Coccineus)

Texas Star (Hibiscus Coccineus)
Texas Star (Hibiscus Coccineus)

If you have a garden and a small river in your house, then this might be the great option to plant Texas star. A hibiscus coccineus which has bright red colored flowers. The flowers will attract hummingbirds and butterflies, so that your garden will be more beautiful and colorful. The star shaped flowers, hence the name, will be the center point of your garden view once you plant it.

Final Thought

Transforming your North Texas garden into a tropical oasis is more achievable than you might have thought. With the right selection of resilient and captivating tropical plants, you can infuse your outdoor space with a touch of paradise. Embrace the vibrant hues, lush foliage, and exotic beauty that these plants bring to your landscape.

By introducing these tropical wonders to your garden, you’re not just adding plants – you’re creating an escape, a mini vacation right at home. So go ahead, unleash your inner gardener and let these tropical gems flourish in North Texas. Your garden journey awaits!


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FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Can tropical plants grow in Texas?

Tropical plants can grow in Texas. Some of them are drought tolerant and hardy cold as well. For instance, there are Ixora, Sago Palm tree, Mandevilla and even Banana trees. You just choose what’s your best preference to have tropical plants for North Texas in your garden.

Are tropical plants more high-maintenance compared to native ones?

While tropical plants might demand a bit more attention due to their specific needs, their stunning and unique features are well worth it. With proper care, you can successfully cultivate tropical plants in North Texas without feeling overwhelmed.

What plants are good for Texas weather?

The drought tolerant or tropical plants will be good for Texas weather. Tropical plants and drought tolerant plants are easy to maintain as well, such as Palm trees, tropical hibiscus, and bougainvillea, so that you don’t have to go to extra effort once you establish them. One thing you should consider is when the winter comes. 

What’s the most rewarding aspect of growing tropical plants in North Texas?

Creating a unique and captivating landscape that transports you to a tropical paradise right in your backyard. The satisfaction of successfully nurturing these exotic plants and watching them thrive in an unexpected environment is truly gratifying.

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