Tropical Plants You Can Grow Anywhere

Most people in the United States don’t live in a tropical climate, which makes many give up on their dreams of growing certain plants. That’s because they know the tropical plants will die as soon as temperatures plummet during the fall. Luckily, there are several tropical plants you can grow anywhere, at least if you bring them inside at the right time.

The best tropical plants you can grow anywhere are elephant ears, tropical hibiscus, and pothos. Other tropical plants, like anthuriums, rubber plants, and orchids, can thrive nearly anywhere. However, the catch is that you can only grow these plants in colder climates if you start them outdoors and bring them inside before the fall and winter.

You must mimic tropical conditions inside your home, so tropical plants can acclimate to the new environment. Lack of heat and humidity will stunt their growth. Follow along as we highlight several hardy tropical plants you can grow anywhere.

The Hardiest Tropical Plants

While you can grow tropical plants nearly anywhere, there is a time limit on when to do it. That’s because tropical plants are used to consistent temperatures and moisture year-round. While pothos may thrive during the summer in Illinois, it cannot survive the winter. You can only grow tropical plants regardless of where you live if you’re willing to move them indoors for the fall and winter and keep them alive if you create the ideal indoor conditions. Here is a list of the hardiest tropical plants you can grow almost anywhere.

1. Pothos

Pothos are not only among the most desirable tropical plants, but they’re also among the hardiest. You can essentially grow them anywhere, as long as you provide the proper conditions. The plant is quite low-maintenance, and it can handle low light better than some other tropical plants. That said, you can only grow pothos outside year-round in zones 10-12.

If you livedon't live those regions, you must bring your pothos indoors to ensure it survives fall and winter weather. Pothos will thrive indoors if you give it plenty of room to grow and climb. Don’t restrict the plant’s space, or else it won’t grow properly. Keep the top 2” of soil somewhat damp and place pothos under bright, indirect light. You can bring it back outside when spring rolls around.

2. Elephant Ears

You can grow elephant ears as long as you consider your local climate. For example, this plant will likely die if you leave it outside during the fall and winter in Minnesota. Conversely, you can keep elephant ears outside year-round in Florida without any problems. The plant thrives in damp, rich soil with great drainage to prevent root rot. You must provide elephant ears with up to 4” of water per week, spread throughout 3-4 waterings.

However, you may need to water daily during extreme hot spells. Elephant ears can also thrive indoors when planted in well-draining soil. It’s important to use bright, indirect lights, but you must keep them far from the leaves, or you’ll scorch the leaves.

3. Tropical Hibiscus

While not all hibiscus varieties are tropical, tropical hibiscus are quite hardy and easy to grow anywhere. That’s especially true if you plant it outdoors during the spring and take great care of it throughout summer. You must bring an hibiscus indoors before the first frost of the year if you live outside of a tropical climate. Whether you grow it indoors or outdoors, hibiscus needs at least 6 hours of full sunlight during the day.

That said, a few hours of shade can come in handy during a heatwave to ensure it doesn’t wilt. It also helps to use a fertilizer that doesn’t have much phosphorus, as this can stunt its growth. Hibiscus can survive on 2” of water per week indoors and even outdoors when it’s not too hot. However, routinely check the top 2” of soil and water it when it becomes dry.

4. Anthurium

Anthurium is native to Ecuador, Colombia, and other tropical environments, but you can grow it nearly anywhere. You can’t leave it outdoors during winter in the Midwest, but it will survive if you bring it indoors. You can maximize the anthurium’s growth potential if you mimic tropical conditions. For example, only keep anthurium outdoors when the temperature stays between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

Once it cools down, bring it indoors and have your indoor environment mimic a tropical climate. Water is important, but anthurium also rely on high relative humidity.Don’t water it if the top 2” of soil are still wet, or else it may become waterlogged. It also helps to run a humidifier to maintain 60% indoor humidity.

5. Rubber Plant

A rubber plant is quite hardy. That’s partly why it's popular, even outside of tropical climates. You can grow it almost anywhere during the spring and summer, but it cannot survive cold temperatures. However, you can give your rubber plant a great life by bringing it inside for the winter.

It will do best in bright light, but only when the light source is somewhat indirect. Otherwise, the light may scorch and weaken the leaves. Bring the plant indoors before the fall to ensure it keeps growing. It loves humid air, so you must run a humidifier and don't put grow lights too close to the leaves.

6. Orchids

You can grow orchids throughout the United States, but your care routine will vary based on your surroundings. For example, you can place potted orchids on a pebble tray with water if you live in a dry climate. That way, the sunlight will evaporate the water, which will then humidify the orchids. Otherwise, you can group orchids near other plants, and they will humidify each other through transpiration.

Of course, you can bring orchids indoors and run a humidifier. Some people even put orchids in terrariums to mimic a tropical rainforest setting. Orchids only need to be watered once weekly in most conditions, especially when indoors. Routinely inspect them outdoors and water a mature orchid with ¼ cup of water when it’s dry. That said, tiny orchids only need 1.5 tablespoons of water.

7. Monstera

Monstera has always been one of the most reliable tropical plants, and has become more popular over the past several years. This is partly because Monstera is gorgeous, but it’s also because it’s so easy to take care of. It thrives in climate zones 9-11, but you can grow it nearly anywhere during the pring and summer. Bring it indoors if you live outside of these zones, or frost will kill it.

Monstera requires bright, indirect light, chunky soil, and high humidity. It relies on high humidity, but you can harm the plant by overwatering it. Only water when the top 2” of soil becomes dry. You can kickstart its growth by fertilizing between early spring and mid-summer. Supplement the humidity with a humidifier when you bring a monstera indoors.

8. Rex Begonia

Rex begonias are among the most desirable eastern Asian plants, and they can thrive nearly anywhere during the summer. As tropical plants, these plants cannot survive the fall and winter in most parts of the world. However, you can at least grow rex begonias during spring and summer, then move them indoors for the colder months. They are sensitive to direct light, so keep that in mind.

Acidic soil is great for rex begonias, especially if it drains quickly. That’s because the plant us susceptible to root rot, so don't overwater them. Put some perlite and peat moss in the soil if it struggles to grow. When indoors, rex begonias can benefit from up to 12 hours of indirect light, but hey can get by with 8 hours of light. 

Summing It Up

Pothos, elephant ears, and tropical hibiscus are among the hardiest tropical plants you can grow anywhere. The caveat is that you must bring them indoors at the end of summer and mimic tropical conditions in your home. You can do the same with rubber plants, orchids, and rex begonias.

Related Guides:

• How To Grow Tropical Plants Indoors
• Are Home Greenhouses Worth It?