Tropical trees are some of the most beautiful and exotic plants you can grow in your garden. They come in distinct shapes, sizes, and colors and are great for adding a burst of color to otherwise dull areas. Now is the right time to start if you haven’t considered adding tropical trees to your garden. Whether you want to grow your food or add color to your yard, these trees offer a wide range of benefits for your home and community.

What Are Tropical Trees?

Usually, tropical trees grow in warm, wet climates, but they can also thrive in dry climates. They grow faster and taller in dense rainforests. Many tropical trees have pointed leaves to help them shed water and tend to be tall with many branches.

Where Are Tropical Trees Found?

You will find tropical trees in the tropics, an area near the equator. This area has a warm climate year-round with no freezing temperatures that allows tropical trees to thrive. Some regions with tropical trees include South America, Africa, Asia, etc.

What Climate Does Tropical Trees Grow In?

Tropical trees grow best in warm climates with lots of rain, but they can survive in drier climates too. Their leaves have special adaptations to help them survive dry periods, like storing water inside their leaves or dropping their leaves entirely during dry seasons.

What Types of Tropical Trees Are There?

Generally, there are many different types of tropical trees. Some produce flowers while others don’t. Also, some produce edible fruits while others are poisonous. According to PNAS, 40,000 or more tropical tree species are available, and different continents have distinct species.

Tropical Palm Trees

Most tropical regions in the world are home to tropical palm trees. There are over 2,500 different species of palms, which range from small house plants to towering trees that can grow over 50 feet tall. Examples of tropical palm trees include date palm, king palm, etc. They typically have a single trunk, grow tall and straight, and have big leaves. The leaves grow in clusters at the top of each branch, giving them their distinctive shape. Many tropical palm trees have various purposes, including food production, construction materials, and medicinal value.

10 Most Common Tropical Trees

Jacaranda

Known for its enormous, glossy leaves, the Jacaranda tree is one of the most beautiful trees in the world. Although it originates from South America, it has spread to many other regions worldwide. The tree is usually found in tropical climates and grows up to 50 feet tall. The flowers are the size of a grapefruit and hang in clusters from the tree’s branches. In addition to its cultivation as an ornamental tree, it is used for medicinal purposes and food sources by indigenous people of South America. The seeds have a sweet flavor similar to pumpkin seeds.

Weeping Bottlebrush

Weeping bottlebrush trees range in size from small to medium and can reach heights of up to 30 feet. They have an attractive crown shape, and the leaves are dark green and glossy with a red tinge when young. The flowers are produced in large clusters or ‘bottles’ on long stems that hang down from the branches. These flowers open in spring and are followed by small edible fruit, which turns orange-yellow when ripe.

Baobab

You will find baobab trees everywhere in Africa and Madagascar. In those regions, they are considered sacred by many African tribes because of their ability to survive without water for long periods. The baobab fruit is a vital component in African cuisine because of its high vitamin C content. Its seeds are edible, and you can use them to make flour or oil.

Common Fig

The common fig tree is one of the most popular garden trees for home or commercial use. Green leaves will initially appear on this tree, but as they mature, they will turn brown. Thus, planting them in areas where you don’t mind having brown leaves for part of the year is best. The fruit produced by this tree is sweet and delicious, making it easy to see why it’s so popular with gardeners.

Banana Tree

Banana trees belong to the Musaceae family. They grow tall and slender, with leaves growing out of the trunk in a spiral shape. The flowers are creamy-white and appear at the top of the tree before the leaves emerge, eventually turning yellow when they fall off. Bananas are typically sweet when ripe, but you can eat them while still green if cooked properly.

Coral Tree

The coral tree is a species of deciduous flowering tree in the family Fabaceae. It is native to South America and South Africa, and many plant it as an ornamental in other parts of the world. In its mature form, the coral tree can reach a height of 45 feet. The leaves are useful as a medicinal herb for treating fevers, colds, and stomach aches.

Rain Tree

The rain tree is a fast-growing tropical tree that reaches more than 80 feet tall. Originally from Central America and northern South America, people have cultivated it worldwide due to its pest and disease resistance. Moreover, it can thrive in poor soil conditions.

Royal Poinciana

The Royal Poinciana is a tropical tree native to Madagascar. Besides, it’s one of the most popular ornamental trees in the world. The royal poinciana is especially beautiful, with its orange-red flowers and green leaves. This tree can grow up to 40 feet tall and 70 feet wide, making it an excellent choice for large gardens.

Palm Trees

Although they are present worldwide, palm trees are most prevalent in tropical areas. They have long trunks with fan-shaped leaves at the top. Thus, this makes them an attractive addition to any garden or landscape design scheme.

Mango Tree

Mango trees are native to India but currently present in many other countries worldwide. They produce delicious fruit that people enjoy eating. You can eat mango fruit while fresh or use it to make preserves or juice drinks. Mango trees have been planted for thousands of years because they produce fruit year-round, even in cool climates where other fruits might not grow well enough to bear fruit at all.

10 Most Common Tropical Fruits

Guava

Guava is a fruit that comes from guava trees. The guava plant is a trailing shrub with a 20-foot maximum height. The fruit has a tart and sweet flavor and is popular for containing a significant amount of vitamin C. You can eat guavas raw or cook them into jams, desserts, and other dishes.

Mangoes

The mango is considered one of the world’s most popular fruits. Mangoes grow on trees that can reach 100 feet tall and produce hundreds of fruits yearly. The tropical fruit has a sweet flavor with a hint of tartness. Therefore, it is perfect for eating raw or cooking with dishes like chutney or ice cream.

Papaya

The papaya is another delicious tropical fruit that is easy to grow at home if you have the proper conditions for growing this plant. The papaya tree produces large green fruits filled with seeds and has an earthy taste similar to pineapple but sweeter than watermelon or honeydew melon.

Durian

The durian is a large spiky fruit that’s native to Southeast Asia. It has a highly pungent odor that most people either love or hate. The taste is equally polarizing, with many people describing it as “slimy” or “cheesy.” However, durians are delicious if you can get past the smell and texture.

Pineapple

Pineapples are tropical fruits with prickly spines on their skin that grow on top of their leaves. The pineapple originated from South America but is spread all over because it is so easy to transport and store. Pineapples are great for cooking because they add sweetness to savory dishes like stir fry or barbecue sauce when added near the end of cooking time.

Avocado

The avocado tree grows in Central America and Mexico, producing large green fruits. Their popularity stems from the fact that they are a healthy food option. Avocados have a buttery texture similar to butter when mashed up with salt and pepper as part of an appetizer platter.

Banana

The banana is one of the most popular fruits consumed worldwide. It is a soft, sweet, and easily digestible fruit. Moreover, it is rich in carbohydrates, fibers, vitamins, and minerals. They contain no fat or cholesterol but have high potassium content that helps properly function the heart, kidneys, and muscles.

Based on the variety and level of maturity, bananas can range from being sweet to mildly sour. The more yellow the banana is on its peel, the sweeter it will be when eaten raw. However, you can mostly cook green-skinned bananas as they contain more starch than sweet varieties.

Coconut

Coconuts are large nuts that grow on trees that are native to tropical regions around the world. Many types of coconut palms produce different types of coconuts with varying characteristics. They may include size, shape, coloration, and taste. Coconut contains sweet juice and is often used as a drink or even as an ingredient in beauty products.

Watermelon

Watermelon is a popular tropical fruit from Africa; many farmers grow it around the world today. Watermelons can weigh anywhere from 20 pounds or more. They contain high levels of lycopene, which help reduce the risk of heart disease.

Orange

Orange originated from the tropical Asian regions. It contains vitamin c, calcium, folic acid, and other essential nutrients, making it an ideal health food for kids and adults. Moreover, it has antioxidants that help to reduce free radical damage to cells. Hence, it helps to strengthen immunity against infections.

10 Most Common Flowering Tropical Plants

Bird of Paradise

The Bird of Paradise came from the tropics of Southern Africa. It is a delicate plant with lovely flowers that seem like birds flying. The plant is easy to grow in warm weather and likes full sun or partial shade.

Spider Plant

The long, hanging vines and tiny leaves of spider plants make them stand out in the garden. They are simple to maintain and grow best in ample water and light conditions. Besides, they can survive even in low light conditions. Spider plants make great housewarming gifts for those who don’t like having many plants around because they won’t overgrow their pots like other species.

Aloe Vera

As a succulent plant, aloe vera is easy to care for and grows easily in any environment with little attention from you. These plants are well known for their therapeutic benefits, and humans have used them for treating burns, wounds, skin diseases, etc., since ancient times. The Aloe Vera doesn’t require a lot of watering during its dormant season because its thick leaves can store water.

Angel’s Trumpet

Angel’s trumpet is a large, evergreen shrub that produces fragrant flowers in late summer and fall. The plant is deadly if consumed. Thus, you should only grow it away from the reach of kids.

Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea is a fast-growing vine that produces colorful flowers throughout the year. For the plant to flourish, it needs daily sun and consistent watering. It also requires pruning to keep it manageable.

Jasmine

Jasmine is a shrub or vine that produces fragrant white flowers from spring through early summer. The plant requires well-drained soil, plenty of sunshine, and regular watering during its growing season. Pruning jasmine will help control its size and shape and promote new growth and flowering.

Hibiscus

This flowering plant has numerous health advantages in addition to being stunning. You can use it to treat kidney stones and diabetes, lower blood pressure, and improve digestion. Hibiscus flowers have vitamin c, calcium, magnesium, and potassium.

Sweet Potato

This tropical root vegetable is a widely consumed food in the world. In addition to being delicious, sweet potatoes provide dietary fiber, vitamin c, and antioxidants. Sweet potatoes are also high in carotenoids like beta-carotene and lutein. Hence it helps protect against diseases.

Orchids

With more than 25,000 species worldwide, orchids are one of the most diverse groups of flowering plants on Earth. They come in all shapes and sizes. Some have long stems while others have short ones. Orchids are notable for their fragrance which varies depending on the species.

Passionfruit

Passionfruit is a tropical vine native to Brazil but is now grown throughout the tropics for its edible fruit. Its vines produce large edible berries with tart flesh surrounding a seedy interior pulp filled with large seeds.

Why Grow Tropical Trees in Your Garden

Many people have a garden, but few have a tropical garden. Tropical plants are often considered difficult to grow and maintain. However, they can be just as easy to grow with perfect care and attention as other plants. Some of the benefits of having them in your garden include;

Add Beauty to Your Yard

Adding tropical trees to your yard will enhance its beauty and elegance. They come in many different shapes and sizes, so they will complement any landscaping design you may have in mind. If you want a simple landscape design with few curves or angles, opt for a round tree like an oak or poplar instead of an exotic-looking palm tree that could easily dominate the entire landscape design.

Improve Soil Fertility

Tropical plants increase soil fertility by taking nutrients from the earth’s depths and releasing them into the topsoil. They also add organic substances to the soil as they decompose after dying and dropping leaves or flowers onto the ground. This improves drainage by allowing water to seep through ground cracks and move minerals into the root zone. Hence plant roots can absorb them more easily than if left on top of the soil, where they block moisture from passing through effortlessly.

Provide Shelter for Birds and Other Organisms

Tropical trees have high foliage density, providing shelter to small birds. Birds will spend time in these trees when temperatures get too cold outside, which can help them survive the winter months. The trees also provide homes for insects and other invertebrates that are food sources for birds. The woodland understory beneath the canopy is often home to reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals such as squirrels and chipmunks. When you grow a tropical tree in your garden, you’ll add another layer of natural habitat to your yard or garden.

Some Tropical Plants Produce Edible Fruit

If you’re looking for a food source that’s easy to grow and tastes great, consider growing some tropical fruit trees. Papaya, bananas, and mangoes are all favorites of tropical plant lovers who want to add a little variety to their diets. You can also try other plants such as passionfruit and guavas if you want to try something new in your kitchen.

Conclusion

Tropical trees are a great addition to anyone’s yard as they give your landscape instant curb appeal and attract birds and butterflies to your yard. Besides, they stand out in any garden setting, no matter what kind of tropical plant you choose to grow. So, take the time to browse our list of the ten most common tropical trees and test one or two in your garden.