Tropical Flowers: The Complete List

Imagine stepping into a world where every bloom is a burst of vibrant color and unique form, a testament to nature’s boundless creativity. Tropical regions around the globe are natural greenhouses, nurturing an incredible diversity of flora that thrives in warmth and humidity, often displaying striking appearances and sometimes, intoxicating fragrances.

This guide delves into that rich world, offering a comprehensive look at some of the most beautiful and intriguing species. We’ve compiled a list of 37 tropical flowers, showcasing their incredible range, from the striking Amaryllis to the exquisitely fragrant Ylang-Ylang. For each entry, you’ll find essential information including its Scientific Name, Native Region, Notable Feature, and Mature Height (cm), all presented in the detailed list you’ll find below.

What exactly defines a ‘tropical’ flower?

Tropical flowers are typically species native to regions located between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. These areas usually experience warm temperatures year-round, high humidity, and often distinct wet and dry seasons. The plants have evolved to thrive in these specific conditions, leading to their unique forms, vibrant colors, and sometimes, specialized adaptations for pollination or water retention.

Can tropical flowers be grown in non-tropical climates?

Yes, many tropical flowers can be grown successfully outside their native regions, but they often require specific care to replicate their natural environment. This might involve growing them indoors as houseplants, in greenhouses, or outdoors during warmer months in containers that can be moved. Key factors to manage include maintaining adequate warmth, humidity, and providing protection from frost.

Tropical Flowers

Flower Name	Scientific Name	Native Region	Notable Feature	Mature Height (cm)
Bird of Paradise	Strelitzia reginae	South Africa	Striking orange and blue flowers resembling a crane’s head	120
Hibiscus	Hibiscus rosa-sinensis	East Asia	Large, colorful trumpet-shaped flowers, often with a prominent stigma	200
Orchid	Phalaenopsis spp.	Southeast Asia	Complex, diverse flower shapes and colors; often long-lasting blooms	60
Plumeria	Plumeria rubra	Mexico, Central America, Caribbean	Fragrant, waxy flowers often used in leis; diverse colors	800
Anthurium	Anthurium andraeanum	Rainforests of Colombia and Ecuador	Heart-shaped, glossy spathes (modified leaves) surrounding a spadix	60
Passion Flower	Passiflora spp.	Americas	Intricate, radially symmetrical flowers with unique crown-like filaments	900
Bougainvillea	Bougainvillea glabra	South America	Brightly colored bracts (modified leaves) that surround tiny white flowers	1,200
Ginger Lily	Hedychium coronarium	Himalayan regions of India and Nepal	Fragrant, white, butterfly-like flowers with a strong, sweet scent	200
Heliconia	Heliconia rostrata	Tropical Americas	Striking, brightly colored boat-shaped bracts enclosing small flowers	300
Ixora	Ixora coccinea	Tropical Asia	Clusters of small, tubular flowers in shades of red, orange, and pink	150
Jasmine	Jasminum sambac	Southeast Asia and India	Highly fragrant, small white flowers with a sweet, intoxicating scent	300
Bromeliad	Bromelia spp.	Americas	Vibrant, long-lasting flower spikes or colorful central leaves (bracts)	100
Angel’s Trumpet	Brugmansia spp.	South America	Large, pendulous, trumpet-shaped, fragrant flowers	500
Gloriosa Lily	Gloriosa superba	Tropical Africa and Asia	Striking, wavy-edged petals that reflex backward, often bi-colored	200
Ylang-Ylang	Cananga odorata	Southeast Asia	Highly fragrant, greenish-yellow flowers with long, slender petals	1,200
Kalanchoe	Kalanchoe blossfeldiana	Madagascar	Clusters of small, vibrant, long-lasting flowers atop succulent leaves	45
Trumpet Vine	Campsis radicans	Southeastern United States	Large, trumpet-shaped orange to red flowers that attract hummingbirds	1,000
Frangipani	Plumeria rubra	Mexico, Central America, Caribbean	Highly fragrant, waxy flowers often used in leis; diverse colors	800
Bougainvillea	Bougainvillea spectabilis	Brazil	Showy, brightly colored, papery bracts surrounding tiny white flowers	1,200
Poinsettia	Euphorbia pulcherrima	Mexico and Central America	Brightly colored bracts (modified leaves) surrounding small yellow flowers	400
Strelitzia alba	Strelitzia alba	South Africa	White bird-like flowers with blue tongue and dark bracts	300
Red Ginger	Alpinia purpurata	Melanesia	Vibrant red or pink flower-like bracts (modified leaves) with small white flowers	300
Pink Porcelain Lily	Etlingera elatior	Southeast Asia	Large, showy pink inflorescences resembling an artichoke or torch	500
Curcuma	Curcuma alismatifolia	Thailand	Unique pink or purple bracts forming a cone-shaped inflorescence	100
Amaryllis	Hippeastrum spp.	Tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas	Large, showy, trumpet-shaped flowers, often red, pink, or white	75
Clivia	Clivia miniata	South Africa	Clusters of bright orange, trumpet-shaped flowers above dark green foliage	60
Crown of Thorns	Euphorbia milii	Madagascar	Small, brightly colored bracts surrounding tiny flowers; thorny stems	120
Gladiolus	Gladiolus spp.	Africa, Asia, Mediterranean	Tall spikes of showy, funnel-shaped flowers, often called “sword lily”	150
Canna Lily	Canna indica	Tropical Americas	Large, bold foliage and vibrant, irregularly shaped flowers	200
Costus	Costus speciosus	Southeast Asia	White, crinkled flowers emerging from a reddish-pink cone-like bract	200
Desert Rose	Adenium obesum	East Africa and Arabian Peninsula	Showy, trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of pink, red, or white	150
Bleeding Heart Vine	Clerodendrum thomsoniae	West Africa	White, heart-shaped calyces with deep red corollas	400
Ginger	Zingiber officinale	Southeast Asia	Yellow-green flowers emerging from cone-shaped bracts; aromatic rhizome	100
Elephant Ear (Flower)	Alocasia spp.	Tropical and subtropical Asia to Eastern Australia	Arum-like flowers, often hidden by dramatic foliage	150
Queue de chat	Acalypha hispida	New Guinea and Malay Archipelago	Long, fuzzy, chenille-like red flower spikes	300
Pink Mussaenda	Mussaenda frondosa	Tropical Asia and Africa	Showy, enlarged, brightly colored petal-like sepals (bracts)	200
Crown Flower	Calotropis gigantea	Asia	Waxy, star-shaped purple or white flowers with a central crown-like structure	400

Images and Descriptions

Bird of Paradise

Known for its vibrant, bird-like blooms that bring an exotic touch to any garden or floral arrangement. It is a symbol of joy and anticipation.

Hibiscus

A widely recognized tropical flower, famous for its large, showy petals that come in many colors. It’s often used in teas and as a decorative plant.

Orchid

One of the largest plant families, orchids are admired for their intricate beauty and elegance. They are popular as houseplants and for their unique forms.

Plumeria

Also known as Frangipani, these highly fragrant flowers are iconic in tropical regions and are commonly used to make traditional Hawaiian leis.

Anthurium

Recognized by its waxy, heart-shaped bracts and upright spadix, the anthurium is a long-lasting and popular cut flower. It comes in various vibrant colors.

Passion Flower

Named for its symbolic representation of the Passion of Christ, this vine produces stunningly complex and beautiful flowers with distinct filaments.

Bougainvillea

Known for its profusion of vibrant, papery bracts, this hardy climber adds a splash of intense color to tropical landscapes. It’s often grown on trellises.

Ginger Lily

Also called Butterfly Ginger, this plant produces highly fragrant, white flowers that resemble butterflies. It’s often used in perfumes for its sweet aroma.

Heliconia

Often called “Lobster Claw” or “False Bird of Paradise” due to its distinctive, vibrant, and architectural flower-like bracts. It’s a popular choice for tropical gardens.

Ixora

A common shrub in tropical climates, producing dense clusters of star-shaped flowers. It’s favored for its continuous blooming and bright colors.

Jasmine

Known for its intensely fragrant blooms, this plant is cherished for its use in perfumes, teas, and as a symbol of love and beauty in many cultures.

Bromeliad

These unique plants are known for their ability to grow epiphytically and for their colorful, often spiky, central flower structures or leaf rosettes.

Angel’s Trumpet

These trees or shrubs produce dramatic, bell-like flowers that hang downwards, often emitting a strong, sweet fragrance, especially in the evening. All parts are toxic.

Gloriosa Lily

Also known as Flame Lily, this climbing lily features showy, flamboyant flowers with uniquely recurved petals, making it a dramatic sight in any garden.

Ylang-Ylang

Famous for its intensely aromatic flowers, which are a key ingredient in many perfumes, including Chanel No. 5. The scent is exotic and sweet.

Kalanchoe

A popular succulent houseplant known for its cheerful clusters of small, four-petaled flowers that bloom for extended periods in various bright colors.

Trumpet Vine

A vigorous climbing vine known for its showy, bright, trumpet-shaped flowers that are a favorite nectar source for hummingbirds in warm climates.

Frangipani

Iconic in tropical regions, the Frangipani’s beautiful and intensely fragrant flowers are a staple for leis and perfumes, symbolizing new beginnings and perfection.

Bougainvillea

A vibrant, drought-tolerant shrub or vine, celebrated for its spectacular display of colorful bracts that often outshine the actual small flowers.

Poinsettia

Though often associated with Christmas, its vibrant red, pink, or white bracts are indeed tropical foliage, making it a popular ornamental plant.

Strelitzia alba

Also known as the White Bird of Paradise, it produces elegant white flowers, resembling a crane’s head, contrasting with its dark, boat-shaped bracts.

Red Ginger

A striking tropical plant valued for its long-lasting, cone-shaped inflorescences composed of bright red or pink bracts, which are often used in floral arrangements.

Pink Porcelain Lily

Known as Torch Ginger, its impressive, bright pink, torch-like flowers emerge on tall stalks, making it a dramatic focal point in tropical gardens.

Curcuma

Often called Siam Tulip, this plant produces beautiful, long-lasting, pink to purple flower-like bracts that resemble tulips, making them popular cut flowers.

Amaryllis

Known for its dramatic, large, and elegant trumpet-shaped blooms that emerge from a bulb. It’s a popular choice for holiday indoor forcing.

Clivia

A shade-loving plant prized for its vibrant orange, bell-shaped flowers that bloom in clusters on sturdy stalks. It’s also known for its glossy, evergreen leaves.

Crown of Thorns

A succulent shrub known for its thorny stems and clusters of small, brightly colored bracts that resemble flowers. It’s resilient and flowers almost continuously.

Gladiolus

While many varieties thrive in temperate zones, numerous species are native to tropical Africa, known for their dramatic, tall flower spikes in a multitude of colors.

Canna Lily

Despite its name, it’s not a true lily but produces large, banana-like leaves and bright, showy flowers in shades of red, orange, yellow, and pink.

Costus

Known as Crepe Ginger, it produces unique, white, crinkled flowers that emerge from a colorful, cone-shaped inflorescence, adding an architectural element to gardens.

Desert Rose

A succulent shrub known for its bulbous trunk and striking, vibrant flowers. It tolerates drought and thrives in hot, sunny conditions.

Bleeding Heart Vine

A vigorous climbing vine producing beautiful clusters of white, heart-shaped calyces from which crimson red flowers emerge, creating a striking contrast.

Ginger

While primarily known for its culinary rhizome, the ginger plant also produces interesting, often fragrant, yellow-green flowers on separate stalks.

Elephant Ear (Flower)

While primarily grown for its large, dramatic leaves, many Alocasia species produce a spathe and spadix flower structure, similar to a calla lily.

Queue de chat

Also known as Chenille Plant, it produces striking, long, drooping, fuzzy red flower spikes that resemble a cat’s tail, making it a unique ornamental.

Pink Mussaenda

Valued for its brilliant, enlarged, petal-like sepals that create a stunning display of color, often in white, pink, or red, surrounding tiny yellow flowers.

Crown Flower

A robust shrub known for its unique, waxy, star-shaped flowers with a distinctive central “crown,” often used in Hawaiian leis and traditional crafts.