April 8, 2026

Gardening with Tropical Plants

TROPICAL PARADISE IN NORTHEAST OHIO

HOW TO GARDEN WITH TROPICAL PLANTS

Tropical plants may be native to regions elsewhere in the world, but they’re incredibly exciting and easy to grow right here in Northeast Ohio as annual plants each and every summer. All you need is a hot, sunny site on deck, patio, or in the garden. Even better, you can winter these plants over for next year, if you like, or enjoy them year-round as indoor houseplants (more on that below).

general care tips

To to be successful, you’ll want to mimic their natural environment.

Light | Most tropical plants thrive in part sun to full sun conditions (6 or more hours of direct sunlight). Alocasia (Elephant Ears) perform best in part shade.

Water | Keep soil evenly moist to slightly dry. Tropicals enjoy moisture and humidity, but they don’t like to sit in water.

Fertilizing | Tropicals tend to be heavy feeders, you’ll want to fertilize on a regular schedule (Osmocote® is a great choice) to keep your plants producing flowers in abundance all the way to fall.
Lantana
Dipladenia
Alocasia
Bougainvillea

Great for containers

Container gardening is an excellent method for growing tropical plants in Northeast Ohio. Starting mid-May, after the last spring frost, you can plant your containers up with your favorite mix of tropical plants and enjoy them all the way through early fall. Any tropical foliage and flowering plants that share the same light & soil moisture requirements will combine well together, so just be sure to read your plant tags as you plan things out.

types of tropicals

foliage & palms

While many naturally gravitate to flowering varieties, there are so many amazing tropical foliage plants and palms that are low in maintenance and which create a truly lush scene. Here are 10 of our favorites.

View 10 Foliage Tropicals
Tropical Hibiscus

types of tropicals

flowering

Each spring, a section of the Annuals greenhouse at every Petitti Garden Center transforms into a paradise of flowering tropical plants. All are ready to offer a summer of hot color and exotic flower shapes. Here are 10 of our favorites for tropical flair.

View 10 Flowering Tropicals

overwintering indoors

Believe it or not, tropical plants can be overwintered until next spring/summer. Flowering varieties may not receive enough energy to bloom, but all types of flowering and foliage can survive and be enjoyed year-round as indoor houseplants.

Our plant experts have put together a step by step guide to help make it easy! Remember to start the transition late in the season, only after the first couple/few fall frosts have passed. Bringing plants in too early increases relocation shock and encourages leaf drop.

Learn How to Overwinter Tropicals

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