Looking to add some tropical flair to your garden without breaking the bank on water bills? Tropical drought tolerant plants are an amazing way to create stunning outdoor spaces with minimal maintenance. From flowering shrubs to trees, there’s a wide variety of tropical plants that can thrive in arid climates. Learn which species of plants best suit your arid landscape and discover how you can cultivate them to bring a unique, exotic atmosphere to your garden.
In this article, we’ll explore the best drought tolerant tropical plants to add to your garden and how to incorporate them into your landscape design. We’ll also recommend some more plants that aren’t strictly tropical, but look right at home in a tropical-style garden.
Plant Selection
Selecting the right plants is key to creating a successful drought-tolerant garden. Plants that are adapted to dry conditions and require little water are the best choices for a garden that thrives in warm climates. In this section, we’ll explore the general features of drought-tolerant plants and highlight a selection of recommended tropical drought-tolerant plants.
General Features of Drought-Tolerant Plants
Drought-tolerant plants have several general features that make them well-suited to dry conditions. These features include:
- Deep roots: Drought-tolerant plants often have deep roots that can access water deep in the soil.
- Thick leaves: Plants with thick leaves or succulent leaves are able to store water more efficiently, reducing water loss.
- Small leaves: Plants with small leaves or needles have less surface area for water to evaporate from, reducing water loss.
- Gray or silvery foliage: Plants with gray or silvery foliage are often adapted to dry conditions and are able to reflect sunlight, reducing water loss.
- Rhizomes or bulbs: These act as storage to store water and nutrients during periods of dryness.
Recommended Tropical Drought-Tolerant Plants
Palms
For those living in Florida or coastal tropical areas, a great drought-tolerant option is the Florida native Cabbage Palm (Sabal palmetto). This palm tree has a high tolerance for drought conditions and strong winds making it an excellent choice for a tropical garden. While it is drought tolerant, it doesn’t perform well in dry climates. It has bright green leaves and can grow up to 65 feet (20 m) tall.
If you’re looking for a smaller tree, the Canary Island Date Palm (Phoenix canariensis) is an excellent choice. It’s a drought-tolerant specimen that can grow up to 50 feet tall and has gray-green leaves. This tree has a high tolerance for drought and strong winds and produces bright orange fruit in the late spring. The Canary Island Date Palm is an excellent focal point in any tropical garden design.
Cocos Palms or Queen Palms (Syagrus romanzoffiana) are an excellent choice for tropical gardens because they can tolerate drought conditions and hot weather, and are hardy down to USDA zone 9. They are also low maintenance and can grow up to 50 feet (15m) tall, making them perfect as an accent plant or focal point. Queen palms produce large white flowers and have bright green leaves.
Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta) is not actually a palm but a cycad. Nevertheless, it is a great addition to any tropical garden. This small tree is drought-tolerant and requires little water or maintenance. It has a lush, tropical look and can tolerate poor soil and full sun. The sago palm produces dark green fronds and can grow up to 10 feet tall.
Trees
The Kurrajong tree (Brachychiton populneus) is an Australian native named for the similarity in appearance to poplar leaves. It is an evergreen with large glossy green leaves that look right at home in a tropical themed garden. This one is ideal for arid climates.
Bisset Bamboo (Phyllostachys bissetii) is a super tough drought-resistant plant that will bring a lovely screen of dark green foliage to your water-wise garden. Suited to USDA zones 5-10, it is a great option for almost all climates.
Shrubs and perennials
For an evergreen shrub, consider the Oleander or Rose Bay (Nerium oleander). It’s a hardy plant that’s drought-tolerant and produces beautiful flowers in shades of red, pink, and white. It is a great addition to a flower garden, rock garden, or as a focal point in a garden design. However, it’s important to note that all parts of the oleander plant are toxic if ingested, so it may not be the right choice for households with inquisitive pets or small children.
The Tree Phildendron (Thaumatophyllum selloum, formerly Philodendron selloum) is one of the most drought tolerant philodendrons. Growing up to 8 ft (2.5m) tall, it’s an ideal lush green plant for your water wise garden.
Melianthus major, commonly known as Honey Bush or Peanut Butter Plant, is a drought-tolerant plant that is native to South Africa. It is a tough plant that can survive in a variety of soil types, including poor, rocky or sandy soil.
Flowering plants
For those who want to add some color to their dry garden, there are many options available. Red Hot Pokers (Kniphofia uvaria) are a great choice, with their tall spikes of red or orange flowers that bloom in late spring and early summer. They prefer well-drained soil and full sun and can grow up to 5 feet tall.
Canna lilies are native to tropical areas but can handle high temperatures and being baked in full sun. They will tolerate poor soil conditions and dry spells so are worth a try in any climate down to USDA zone 9. In colder zones rhizomes can be lifted over winter. Flowers appear in shades of cream, yellow, orange, pink and red over summer and into fall. Crinum lilies are another great option and come in white or pink shades.
Bearded iris aren’t a traditional choice for tropical-style gardens, but if you select the bright yellow, orange, pink and burgundy varieties they will fit right in.
Clivias are perfect for dry shady locations such as under trees. Their dark glossy leaves give a dry area a lush appearance and their flowers in shades of cream, yellow and orange suit a tropical garden perfectly.
The Bird of Paradise flower is iconic with its orange and blue petals resembling a bird in flight. It’s a slow-growing plant that loves full sun. The long paddle-shaped leaves provide foliage interest in any style of garden.
Climbers
Passionfruit Vine (Passiflora edulis) is a flowering vine that’s native to tropical and subtropical regions. It produces beautiful flowers in a variety of colors, including pink, purple, and blue, and can grow up to 33 feet (10m) long. The passion vine is heat and drought-tolerant. It requires little water, making it an excellent choice for dry landscapes or gardens with little water.
Another great option is the Sweet Potato Vine, which is known for its vigorous growth and stunning foliage. This plant can be grown in full sun or partial shade and can thrive in poor soil conditions. Its heart-shaped leaves come in a variety of colors, including green, purple, and chartreuse.
The Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans) is a drought-tolerant flowering vine that can add color and height to your garden design. It looks great scrambling over a wall or fence.
Bougainvillea is a hardy perennial climber with an abundance of flowers in shades of pink, purple, red, orange or white.
Succulents
Agaves are one of the best succulent options for drought resistant gardens with a tropical look. Aloes are another great choice, as they flower in tropical colors. The Fox Tail Agave (Agave attenuata) is one of the most popular and looks great either as a mass planting or as an accent plant.
Twin Flower Agave (Agave geminifolia) makes a great border planting. It’s long thin green leaves form a ball-like shape.
Ice Plants (Delosperma cooperi) are small succulent displays that produce beautiful pink and purple flowers. They prefer well-draining soil and can tolerate drought conditions, making them an excellent choice as ground covers or border plantings for dry gardens. Ice plants require little care and can grow up to 6 inches tall.
These plants are just a few examples of the many tropical drought-tolerant plants available. When selecting plants for a drought-tolerant garden you need to consider more than their water requirements. Their soil requirements, sun exposure, and maintenance needs should be taken into account as well. By choosing the right plants for the environment, you can create a beautiful garden that will thrive even in the driest of conditions.
Looking for more drought-tolerant tropical plant inspiration? Try our article on shallow-rooted plants for full sun. Many of the plants featured in this article will tolerate dry conditions.
Want a drought-tolerant tropical garden design ready-made for you? You can purchase the design below at our Etsy store
Drought-tolerant garden design principles
The first step to designing a drought-tolerant garden is to understand the principles of interaction, physical space, and integration. These principles guide the placement and arrangement of plants, hardscaping, and other design elements to create a cohesive and functional outdoor space
Interaction refers to the way in which plants and other design elements interact with each other and with the environment. For example, grouping plants with similar water requirements together can help to conserve water and create a more efficient irrigation system. Additionally, using hardscaping elements like rocks, gravel, or mulch can help to retain moisture in the soil, reducing water usage.
Physical space refers to the way in which plants and design elements are arranged in relation to each other. This includes factors like plant spacing, height, and placement, as well as the use of vertical and horizontal planes to create visual interest. By utilizing physical space effectively, you can create a garden that looks lush and full while using less water.
Integration refers to the way in which plants and design elements are incorporated into the overall landscape design. This includes factors like color, texture, and form, as well as the use of accent plants and focal points to create visual interest. By integrating design elements effectively, you can create a garden that looks cohesive and visually appealing while using drought-tolerant plants.
Implementing drought-tolerant landscape design principles
In addition to these individual plants, creating a focal point in your dry landscape can add visual interest. A plant with sculptural qualities, or a bright pop of color can all serve as focal points in your garden design. You can also create a dry garden around a larger feature, such as a fountain or statue, to create a striking visual display.
Water features can add a beautiful and functional element to your landscape design. In a drought-tolerant garden, a small fountain or pond can serve as a focal point. It has the added benefit of being a source of humidity for plants. Just be sure to choose a low-maintenance option that recirculates water to conserve this precious resource.
Accent plants draw the eye and add interest without overwhelming the overall aesthetic. For example, the heart-shaped leaves and bright orange and purple flowers of the passion vine (Passiflora spp.) can add a pop of color and interest to a dry landscape.
When designing your dry garden, it is important to consider the soil type and drainage of your chosen location. Many drought-tolerant plants prefer sandy soil with good drainage, while others can tolerate clay or rocky soil. Be sure to research the specific soil requirements of each plant you choose to ensure they thrive in their new environment. Group plants with similar soil preferences together. Good drainage is also key, as many drought-tolerant plants are susceptible to fungal diseases if their roots are constantly wet.
Maintaining a drought-tolerant landscape
In terms of maintenance, a dry garden is generally low maintenance, but it still requires some upkeep. Watering is still necessary, especially during the establishment phase of newly planted drought-tolerant plants. Once established, many of these plants require little water beyond what nature provides. Pruning, weeding, and fertilizing are also important tasks to keep your dry garden looking its best.
Summary
Designing a drought-tolerant tropical landscape can be a rewarding and eco-friendly way to beautify your outdoor space. By incorporating the principles of interaction, physical space, and integration, you can create a garden that not only looks beautiful but also requires little water and maintenance. Choosing the right plants is essential. By selecting drought-tolerant specimens suitable for your local climate and soil conditions, you can ensure that your garden thrives even during the dry season.
Overall, designing a drought-tolerant tropical garden requires a bit of planning and research, but the results can be stunning. By considering site factors and selecting plants that are well-suited to the local climate and conditions, you can create a beautiful outdoor space that is both functional and sustainable. So why not try your hand at designing a tropical drought-tolerant landscape today? With a bit of creativity and know-how, you can create a garden that is both beautiful and environmentally friendly.
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