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Reddit
reddit.com › r/gardening › what tropical looking plants will grow in hardiness zone 6? id like to plant unique trees that give the landscape a tropical rainforest like effect.
r/gardening on Reddit: What tropical looking plants will grow in hardiness zone 6? id like to plant unique trees that give the landscape a tropical rainforest like effect.
May 18, 2017 -

Looking at planting some Chinese Windmill and Needle palms in the ground. Also musa basjoo banana trees and maybe some other hardy banana trees in the ground. Canna and calla lilly, elephant ears as annuals or ill dig up the bulbs before the fall frost. I'd like some more permanent plants, some big vines that could wrap around and/or hang from the large trees already here. Ive planted many annuals this year. A few annual vines, many cypress vines and cardinal climbers, 2 moonflowers, and i have at least 1 morning glory flying saucer vine going. Lots of balsam camellias, a few castor beans, 4 o' clock marvel of Peru, hollyhock, china asters, about 6 to 8 hostas, a lot of lillies that spread since last year, cup and saucer vines, nasturium fiestas, hawaiian blues, dusty millers, a lot of amaranthus love lies bleeding and another type of amaranthus, ostrich ferns, golden fern, a couple dracaena marginata palms, spider lillies, chinese lanterns, brazilian verbena, hibiscus syriacus, hydrangeas, and many more.

I did a few potted plants this year like bromeliad, begonia rex, those two dracaena marginatas, angel's trumpet, musa basjoo japanese banana tree, the common orchid, and then two pots of amaranthus love lies bleeding. I just think the pink tassles on them look really cool and tropical, hope they grow well this year and form some longer tassles before fall.

I know rhododendrons and azeales are on the list of plants to get that would be more permanent in-ground plants. The thing im missing is more trees, id like some exotic or tropical looking trees that wouldnt be common or native in northeast united states, or even if there are some cool exotic or tropical rainforest looking trees that happen to be native to the NE USA id like to hear some suggestions either way. I would really appreciate any ideas that may be cool to try that would help make are yard look like a tropical rainforest. Even non plant ideas, like a certain type of wood for a boardwalk and outdoor pergola or hut, water, stream, waterfall ideas, Mayan hammocks, or anything!

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Garden.org
garden.org › frogs › view › 47839
Any tropical plants for zones 6 or 7? - Knowledgebase Question - Garden.org
There is one response. To protect us against automated bots, you need to login with a free account in order to view responses in this area of the site.You must be signed in before you can read responses or post questions or answers. Click here to join · « Return to the Garden Knowledgebase ...
Discussions

Evergreen Tropical Looking Plants for Zone 6b - TROPICAL LOOKING PLANTS - Other Than Palms - PalmTalk
Getting inspiration from this thread. All I know right now would be the following: Evergreen: - Needle Palm - Sabal Minor - Yucca Rostrata - Bamboo Leaf Oak Tree - Magnolia Non-Evergreen: - Hardy Banana Tree - Elephant Ears Anyone have any other ideas? More on palmtalk.org
🌐 palmtalk.org
November 11, 2020
Mid-size Tropical Plant Suggestions? - TROPICAL LOOKING PLANTS - Other Than Palms - PalmTalk
I could use some suggestions for some “mid-size” tropical plants to add to my yard. I’m in Zone 10a and need to fill both “full sun” and “partial sun” areas. — GUIDELINES: - Not overly Tall I already have many tall (or will be tall) palms. - Not overly small I propagate bromeliads, ... More on palmtalk.org
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April 20, 2021
What tropical looking plants will grow in hardiness zone 6? id like to plant unique trees that give the landscape a tropical rainforest like effect.
Oh boy, have I got good news for you! Pawpaw trees (Asimina triloba) are exactly what you are looking for. They are native, have extremely few pest problems, have beautiful tropical leaves, and have the tastiest and most tropical fruit I have ever eaten! The fruit is like a mango-banana-guava that has the consistency of custard. It was grown by George Washington, and chilled pawpaw is recorded as his favorite dessert. I would suggest looking into Petersen Pawpaws, as they even have a number of highly praised cultivars! Good luck and enjoy! More on reddit.com
🌐 r/gardening
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4
May 18, 2017
Tropical (or tropical-looking) plants that can survive a snowy winter?
Tropical looking isn't easy to quantify... There are hardy hibiscus that have a similar look to the tropical ones that can be planted in the ground outside in my WI zone (5a). To have true tropicals you may have to move things in for the winter, into a sunny spot, or choose things that can go dormant in an out of the way place (like your basement). More on reddit.com
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6
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November 21, 2019
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Dave's Garden
davesgarden.com › community › forums › t › 1069958
Trees, Shrubs and Conifers:Looking for trees that look tropical or prehistoric zone6
It should be fine in Zone 6 though. Here's a photo of M. macrophylla. ... These are some great ones for me to search out. I have looked up most of them before but a few are new to me. I have been looking into the wingnut trees they interest me. I personally like the M. macrophylla better but have not found a good source for seeds or small plants yet.
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Gardening Know How
gardeningknowhow.com › home › gardening how to › gardening by zone › zone 6
Hardy Tropical Looking Plants: Choosing Tropical Plants For Zone 6 Gardens | Gardening Know How
February 22, 2023 - Finding tropical plant specimens that can survive the cold zone 6 temperatures can be a challenge. Luckily, there are many hardy, tropical-looking plants that will thrive in zone 6, and a few that will survive with some protection. This article will help with that.
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Strader's Garden Center
straders.net › blog › turn-your-garden-into-a-tropical-paradise
Turn Garden into a Tropical Paradise | Strader's Garden Centers
May 19, 2022 - With dramatic evergreen foliage that ranges from deep purple to bright pink, the Ti Plant is a low maintenance option that will add a tropical vibe to any patio or landscape. Ti Plants are extremely heat tolerant, but cannot tolerate drought, ...
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HGTV
hgtv.com › home › outdoors › flowers and plants
Foolproof Winter-Hardy Tropical and Temperate Plants | HGTV
July 6, 2018 - Dig rhizomes for overwintering indoors in USDA Zones 3 to 6 — or for added winter protection, heavily mulch plants in Zones 6 to 7. Image courtesy of Plant Delights. ... Elephant's ear (Colocasia) is a tuber-based plant with a very tropical look.
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Pinterest
pinterest.com › toucandave1 › hardy-tropical-plants-and-look-alikes-zone-6
Hardy Tropical Plants and look alikes (zone 6)
This is the place to find plants that have a tropical feel for your zone 6 garden. I try to list a specific plant only once and I try to have the botanical name mentioned as well. There are a few plants that are borderline but I do my best to only include plants hardy to zone 6.
Find elsewhere
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Morning Chores
morningchores.com › hardy-tropical-looking-plants
15 Cold Hardy Tropical and Tropical-Looking Plants
October 2, 2022 - One thing that is the same as tender ... soil remains moist and protect the plant from the harsh afternoon sun. Provide trumpet vine (Campsis spp.) with a sturdy structure to grow over, and it will give you the bright tropical look ...
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Logee's Plants
logees.com › collections › hardiness-zone-6-plants
Hardiness Zone 6 Plants For Sale – Logee's Plants
Discover resilient Hardiness Zone 6 Plants for your garden. Find beautiful plants that thrive in Zone 6 climates. Shop now for expert tips!
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Houzz
houzz.com › discussions › 4780286 › help-this-looks-tropical-but-survives-zone-6-winters-what-is-it
HELP. This looks tropical but survives zone 6 winters. What is it?
July 31, 2017 - My builder uses Houzz Pro to plan the timeline and give detailed estimates and daily updates with photos of progress, and provide invoices at pre-agreed key points in the build. This made the whole experience much more efficient and stress-free · HELP. This looks tropical but survives zone ...
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PalmTalk
palmtalk.org › off topic forums › tropical looking plants - other than palms
Evergreen Tropical Looking Plants for Zone 6b - TROPICAL LOOKING PLANTS - Other Than Palms - PalmTalk
November 11, 2020 - All I know right now would be the following: Evergreen: - Needle Palm - Sabal Minor - Yucca Rostrata - Bamboo Leaf Oak Tree - Magnolia Non-Evergreen: - Hardy Banana Tree - Elephant Ears Anyone have any other ideas?
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Monrovia
monrovia.com › home › the best cold hardy tropical plants
The Best Cold Hardy Tropical Plants | Be Inspired
August 11, 2025 - Artichoke Agave makes a bright accent plant in a waterwise landscape or as a ground cover in mass plantings. With an abundance of dense, symmetrical rosettes and blue-grey foliage, this agave gives you that tropical look with minimal care. Once established, it's drought tolerant. Full sun. Rosettes up to 4' wide. Zones 6-10.
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Plant Delights
plantdelights.com › collections › exotic-plant-cold-hardy-tropical-plants-for-sale
Cold Hardy Tropical Plants | Exotic Plants for Sale
We have a large selection of cold hardy tropical plants including Curcuma (Hidden Cone Ginger), Canna (Canna Lilies), Musa (Banana), Hedychium (Ginger Lilies) and more. These exotic plants make your temperate garden resemble a tropical paradise.
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Great Garden Plants
blog.greatgardenplants.com › home › 8 tropical-looking flowers for cold (& hot!) climates
8 Tropical-Looking Flowers for Cold (& Hot!) Climates
April 29, 2025 - Vibrant blooms and dark foliage on cardinal flowers add a tropical flair to every garden! This native perennial handles troublesome wet soils with ease. If you have a bog or rain garden, plant it near the edge.
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Better Homes & Gardens
bhg.com › gardening › flowers › perennials › garden-plants-with-a-tropical-flair
23 Tropical Landscape Plants to Fill Your Garden with Color
November 17, 2025 - With a protective mulch covering, crocosmia will survive as far north as Zone 6; in colder climates, bring them inside. Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist, well-drained soil ... The tropics are rampant with vines; your garden should be, too. Add mandevilla to the planting area, allowing it to ramble up a trellis or tree.
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PalmTalk
palmtalk.org › off topic forums › tropical looking plants - other than palms
Mid-size Tropical Plant Suggestions? - TROPICAL LOOKING PLANTS - Other Than Palms - PalmTalk
April 20, 2021 - I could use some suggestions for some “mid-size” tropical plants to add to my yard. I’m in Zone 10a and need to fill both “full sun” and “partial sun” areas. — GUIDELINES: - Not overly Tall I already have many tall (or will be tall) palms. - Not overly small I propagate bromeliads, ...
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Gardenia
gardenia.net › home › guides › 40 tropical plants for your outdoor garden
40 Tropical Plants for Your Outdoor Garden
October 9, 2025 - Thriving in warm climates, it blooms primarily in warmer months, with a single plant producing 6-10, sometimes up to 40, flower heads a season. Perfect for sunny gardens or containers, it’s a favored cut flower worldwide. ... Etlingera elatior, known as Torch Ginger, showcases tall, lush green foliage and vibrant red or pink flower spikes resembling flaming torches. Thriving in tropical climates, it’s celebrated for its striking appearance and edible buds, adding an exotic touch to gardens and culinary dishes with its architectural beauty and unique flavors.