Winter-Hardy Tropical Plants

Many of the plants that project the tropical look aren't winter hardy below 15 to 20 degrees (USDA Zone 8). But many of these plants make excellent houseplants and can be overwintered in the home, spending summers in your garden.

By Susan HamiltonMore in Outdoors

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Photo 1 of 4

Photo 1 of 4The Japanese fiber banana plant is much more cold-hardy than other tropical banana plants.

- The Fiber Banana Plant
- Hardy Sugar Cane
- Angel's Trumpet
- Elephant's Ear

The Fiber Banana Plant(1 of 4)

Japanese fiber banana (Musa basjoo) doesn't have the beautiful coloration of the more tropical ornamental bananas, but it's much more cold-hardy (hardy to USDA Zone 6, and, well mulched, has even come back from -20 degrees F). It grows up to eight to 10 feet tall in one season. Produces huge, light-green leaves great for use in projecting the tropical look in the garden. Will not flower from the mid-South and northward, due to the short growing season.

Next Photo: Hardy Sugar Cane