Orlando sits in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b-10a, which means you can grow an impressive range of tropical plants — but you need to be smarter about cold hardiness than gardeners in South Florida. A freeze every few years is a real possibility, and the plants you choose must handle occasional dips into the low 30s or even upper 20s.
The good news is that dozens of stunning tropical species thrive in Central Florida when planted in the right spot. Here are the best tropical plants for Orlando yards, organized by category.
Cold-Hardy Palms for Orlando
- ✓Sabal Palm (Cabbage Palm): Florida's state tree, cold hardy to 15°F — bulletproof in Orlando
- ✓Windmill Palm: Hardy to 10°F, exotic fan-shaped fronds, perfect for Orlando gardens
- ✓Pindo Palm (Jelly Palm): Hardy to 12°F, produces edible fruit, beautiful silver-blue fronds
- ✓Sylvester Date Palm: Hardy to 22°F, dramatic thick trunk, excellent focal point
- ✓Foxtail Palm: Marginal in North Orlando — plant in a warm microclimate with south-facing exposure
- ✓Queen Palm: Hardy to about 25°F — works in most of Orlando with occasional frond damage in freezes
Microclimate Tip: In Orlando, plant cold-sensitive tropicals on the south or southeast side of your house, near a masonry wall or pool cage. These spots can be 5-8 degrees warmer during a freeze — enough to save a borderline tropical species.
Tropical Flowering Plants for Orlando
- ✓Bird of Paradise: Hardy to 28°F, blooms prolifically in full sun
- ✓Plumeria: Grows well but must be protected or brought indoors during hard freezes
- ✓Hibiscus: Tropical varieties may die back in freezes but recover — hardy varieties survive easily
- ✓Bougainvillea: Thrives in Orlando's heat, may defoliate in freezes but regrows quickly
- ✓Heliconia: Smaller species like H. stricta survive in protected Orlando spots
- ✓Firebush: Native, cold hardy, blooms year-round, attracts hummingbirds
Tropical Shrubs and Hedges for Orlando
- ✓Clusia: Hardy to about 30°F — works in most of Orlando but may suffer in severe freezes
- ✓Podocarpus: Excellent cold-hardy hedge, evergreen, works statewide
- ✓Viburnum: Several species are cold hardy and create excellent privacy screens in Central Florida
- ✓Ligustrum: Tough, fast-growing, handles Orlando winters without issue
- ✓Loropetalum: Beautiful purple foliage, cold hardy, great for Orlando foundation plantings
Orlando Planting Tips
Orlando's soil is sandier than most people expect — similar to coastal areas. Add organic matter at planting time, mulch heavily, and irrigate during establishment. Most tropical plants in Orlando need supplemental watering during spring dry season (March-May) even when established.
Florida Palm and Plant Co. delivers tropical plants throughout Central Florida including Orlando, Kissimmee, and Winter Park. Call (239) 799-5594 or request a free quote for delivery to the Orlando area.