Next in our line up of ‘Top 5’s’ is our favourite tropical foliage plants.
This selection provides year round interest in the garden through evergreen foliage, with different colours, leaf shapes and sizes.
Xanadu
Thaumatophyllum xanadu (syn. Philodendron xanadu)
This striking plant with it’s deeply lobed glossy foliage is a great addition to the tropical garden, bringing visual interest and structure to any planting scheme.
Compact and evergreen with a symmetrical mounded shape, this plant is suited to tropical and sub-tropical regions, and can tolerate full sun through to part shade, preferring moist well drained soil, rich in organic matter and compost.
Height: 50 to 80cm
Width: 90 to 150cm
Red Congo
Philodendron ‘Rojo Congo’
Another wonderful foliage plant for any tropical garden, the Red Congo is a hybrid of 2x Philodendron varieties (Philodendron tatei ‘Congo’ and Philodendron ‘Imperial Red’).
Commonly grown as a houseplant, the Red Congo is equally suited to outdoor situations where it’s leaves are protected from midday sun. New foliage emerges red before maturing to green with a slight red tinge. Red Congo is suited to tropical and sub-tropical regions, and prefers part shade with moist and rich well drained soil.
Height: 100cm
Width: 100cm
Variegated Shell Ginger
Alpinia zerumbet ‘Variegata’
Wonderfully bright lime and yellow foliage stands out in a shady border, this variegated variety of Shell Ginger is a reall knockout in a tropical planting scheme.
The stems of Shell Ginger gently arch, and unlike some other varieties, the foliage is held out horizontally for maximum display. This plant prefers part shade to full shade, with relief from midday and afternoon sun (the non variegated variety copes with full sun much better). Moist and rich well drained soil in a tropical and sub tropical locations.
Height: 100 to 150cm
Width: 150 to 200cm
Heliconia ‘Kawauchi’
Heliconia bihai x caribaea ‘Kawauchi’
Distinct large, upright red and yellow flower bracts reminiscent of lobster claws add colourful drama to this tall, tropical plant.
Reaching 3-4 meters in height, this tightly clumping Heliconia adds a bold, architectural presence. With large banana-like leaves, Kawauchi thrives in warm and humid sub-tropical or tropical climates, and requires full sun to part shade, along with rich, well-drained soil and regular watering.
Height: 300 to 400cm
Width: 200 to 300cm
Cardboard Palm
Zamia furfuracea
While not technically a palm, the foliage of this cycad, has a lush tropical feel. Fuzzy and stiff, the emerald green leaflets on each frond stand to attention, and are a tactile delight that just call out to be touched.
Typically growing 1.5 metres tall and a little wider this plant can be slow to start but once it develops it’s trunk (technically known as a ‘caudex’) then it really starts to grow strong. The Cardboard Palm is easy to care for and grows best in moist, well-drained soil in full sun or part shade.
Height: 130 to 150cm
Width: 200cm