Tropical flowers are generally considered to be flowers that come from hot and either tropical or subtropical climates.
In most cases, this will include areas around the equator and places such as the Caribbean, Central America, central and northern South America, Central Africa, and Southern Asia.
Subtropical areas will include the south of Africa, the south of North America, southeastern South America, and a handful more.
In these places, you can find some of the most breathtaking flowers you could hope to see, and we will be going through 25 of them here.
So, to learn about 25 beautiful types of tropical flowers, stick around. You might just get blown away.
1. Clivia Or Bush Lily (Clivia Miniata)
The bush lily or clivia is native to South Africa and belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family. They have been neutralized in Mexico and are also very popular in countries such as New Zealand and Australia.
The flowers are a beautiful orange and grow in natural clusters from a single thick stem.
2. Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea Glabra)
This type of climbing plant is native to South America and is the most popular type of bougainvillea. Plants create clusters of beautiful, papery flowers that are a stunning pink with white flower blossoms.
3. Angel’s Trumpet (Brugmansia Genus)
These flowers are native to South America, and the genus has seven distinct species.
The plants are woody shrubs, and produce stunning trumpet-shaped flowers that can be close to black, white, cream, peach, orange, red, pink, magnets, purple, and more! Just be careful if you want to bring these home, as they are extremely toxic.
4. Persian Cyclamen (Cyclamen Persicum)
Persian cyclamens are native to Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine. They are a part of the primrose family and have silver-green foliage with flowers shaped like stars.
Colors can vary, with common colors being pink, white, magnets, lavender, and red.
5. Blood Lily (Scadoxus Multiflorus)
The blood lily is an unusual plant that is found in the Seychelles, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Arabian Peninsula. They are known for their stunning blood-red coloring, with orange-red and pinkish-red variations available, too.
Some species are incredibly toxic, so think twice before you get one!
6. Chenille Plant (Acalypha Hispida)
This beautiful flowering shrub is native to islands across Oceania and Hawaii. It also has the name red hot cattail, or the Philippine Medusa, thanks to its red or purple fuzzy flowers that resemble tails or snakes.
The younger flowers look like chili peppers and are known for their bright red coloring.
7. Flamingo Flower Or Anthurium (Anthurium Andraeanum)
The flamingo flower is a beautiful scarlet-colored plant that you can find in the rainforests of Ecuador and Columbia. They have a plastic-like appearance and are known for their distinct heart shape with a yellow spadix.
8. Kahili Ginger (Hedychium Gardnerianum)
The kahili ginger, or ginger lily, is native to Nepal, India, Bhutan, and the Himalayas.
While “ginger” is in the name, these beautiful plants are ornamental, and can grow up to 8 feet tall! It has red stems with delicate yellow flowers and bright green foliage.
9. Bird Of Paradise (Strelitzia Reginae)
Also called a “strelitzia”, the bird of paradise is a beautiful flower native to South Africa. As the name suggests, the flower resembles a bird, with stunning orange and blue colors.
They are notoriously difficult to care for outside their natural habitat, so bear that in mind if you want one!
10. Blue Passion Flower (Passiflora Caerulea)
The blue passion flower is possibly the most unique and stunning flower you could ever lay your eyes on. In fact, all passion flowers are, as there are several species!
All these flowers have intricate designs and spectacular colors that will draw you in.
11. Bromeliad (Guzmania Lingulata)
There are over 3,500 species in this plant family and boast a variety of stunning colors including blues, pinks, yellows, oranges, and reds.
These plants only bloom once in their lives, but the offshoots can easily be repotted and grown into new plants!
12. Canna Or Indian Shot (Canna Indica)
Native to South and Central America, the West Indies, and Mexico, the Indian shot has beautiful bright red and yellow flowers.
The flowers are papery thin and edible, and have been used to make desserts and wrap foods for centuries.
13. Hanging Lobster Claw (Heliconia Rostrata)
Also known as the false bird of paradise, the hanging lobster claw is native to South and Central America. Color-wise, these flowers are a beautiful red with yellow, with green tips.
The leaves are banana-shaped, and plants can grow up to six feet tall – impressive!
14. Hibiscus (Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis)
This hibiscus plant has thin petals with a single flower growing on the end of each stem.
They are native to China but are very popular throughout tropical and subtropical climates, where they are well-loved for their vibrant crimson coloring.
15. Yellow Ilima (Sida fallax)
This plant is also known as the golden mallow and belongs to the hibiscus family.
They are native to the islands in the Pacific, including Hawaii, and are known for their beautiful yellow coloring and thin, papery petals.
16. Common Jasmine (Jasminum Officinale)
As the name suggests, this is the common jasmine species, but that doesn’t make it any less beautiful. The flowers are a beautiful white and grow on the plant vines.
These plants naturally occur in a wide habitat, ranging from the Himalayas to the Caucasus, so they should be easy to find and grow in your own garden.
17. ‘Ohi’a Lehua (Metrosideros Polymorpha)
As one of the most iconic trees in Hawaii, this plant is a stunning flowering evergreen that belongs to the myrtle family.
This crimson-colored hair-like plant is not only beautiful but also plays an important role in Hawaiian storytelling and culture
18. Showy Medinilla (Medinilla Magnifica)
This plant also has the name “rose grape”, and it’s clear to see why looking at the picture! The flowers resemble tiny grapes in a bunch and hang down from the plant’s large leaves.
It is native to the Philippines and can come in pink, red, violet, and coral colors.
19. Morning Glory (Ipomoea Muricata)
Also called the “purple moonflower”, morning glory is a beautiful flowering vine with trumpet-like flowers. It comes in various shades of lavender or purple, and is likely native to Bolivia, but is popular all over tropical and subtropical climates.
20. Cosmos (Cosmos Bipinnatus)
Part of the Asteraceae family, cosmos originally comes from Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico, but can be found in various tropical regions.
The plants produce beautiful eight-petaled flowers that come in a range of colors, including yellow, white, purple, pink, and red.
21. Frangipani (Plumeria Rubra)
This tropical tree or shrub is native to South America, specifically Nicaragua. However, it can be found in many tropical climates thanks to its popularity.
The flowers are thick and rubber-like and come in a variety of colors ranging from crimson red to white with yellow centers. These flowers are known for their notable scents and are often used in perfumes.
22. King Protea (Protea Cynaroides)
This flower is the national flower of South Africa, and has the most notable flower head in the protea family.
Colors for these flowers range from pinks, reds, and oranges, to yellow, whites, purple, and even green, making them popular for flower arrangements.
23. Bat Flower (Tacca Chantrieri)
The bat flower is part of the yam family, and is known for its otherworldly, near-black appearance. It is also known as cat’s whiskers and has notable tendrils that emerge from the center of the flower.
This alien-looking plant is native to Malaysia and the surrounding areas and is not a plant that you will forget any time soon.
24. Amaryllis
Found in parts of South America like Brazil, Peru, Argentina, and Bolivia, this flower is a stunning cherry-red color. They are bound to catch your eye and make for the perfect gift.
These flowers are bold and beautiful, and there are more than 700 different hybrids and species all together.
25. Scarlet Sage (Salvia Splendens)
Another bright red flower you can’t help but notice is scarlet sage. This beauty is also native to Brazil and usually grows at elevations between 6,600–9,800 feet.
The plant can reach around four feet tall and is a plant many have admired.
Final Thoughts
There is unimaginable beauty in tropical flowers, and they can be found all over the world.
From the stunning but strange cat’s whiskers and jasmine to strelitzias and the blood lily, there are countless tropical flowers to fall in love with no matter where you are.
Many of these flowers, while native to specific regions, are perfect for growing in safe spaces like greenhouses or conservatories. So, if you have fallen in love with any of the above beauties, why not consider getting one yourself?
I love sharing my experiences with individuals in this community, and I enjoy sharing some of the best tips I have learned over the years caring for my own garden at home.
In my articles, you will find the best flowers, most fragrant flowers you can plant in your garden, how to care for your favorite plants, informative guides and how-tos so you can have the best backyard in town!
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