15 Container Plants For a Lush, Jungle-like Patio

Creating a tropical paradise outside of the tropics is possible with the right plants. If you want to turn your patio into a jungle-like haven, adding tropical plants is a perfect way to achieve it. It’s all about creating a lush, exotic retreat that appeals to the senses and transports you. 

To accomplish this result, there are a few elements to keep in mind as you get to work. The first, of course, is that you’ll want to collect some containers for your tropical plants. Unless you live in a tropical climate, these will have to come indoors for the winter. 

When it comes to selecting plants, look for those with bold, dramatic foliage. A tropical jungle is nothing if not dramatic and colorful. Large leaves and those with colorful variegation are a must-have for this space. 

Tropical landscapes have a lot of layers, so choose plants of different sizes and different textures as well. You want plants to be distinct in their individual appearance, but also work together harmoniously. Layer taller plants and those with large leaves toward the back and smaller, low-growing ones to the front. 

Flowers are another feature of tropical landscapes. Large, brightly colored blooms should take center stage in this tropical paradise. Water features play well in this type of atmosphere. Natural design elements like bamboo and rattan bolster an authentic vibe. 

Keep in mind that tropical plants typically need a lot of moisture, particularly in the form of humidity. If you live in a naturally arid climate, it will be more difficult to create this. A water feature can help. Keep a mister on hand or, even better, install a system of misters overhead.

Here are some jungle patio container plants that will help turn your patio into a lush, tropical oasis.

Monstera

Monstera is a quintessential plant for creating a tropical atmosphere. These popular houseplants will also grow well outdoors during the warmer months. They grow quite tall and require a structure for climbing, and they need to stay out of direct sunlight. 

Monstera have large, distinctive, fenestrated leaves that are unmistakable. While the standard leaf color is solid green, there are also some breathtaking variations.

‘Thai Constellation’ has irregular, cream-colored variegated sprays of light on dark that resemble stars against the night sky. ‘Albo’ has distinct, bold, cream-colored patches. This rare variety is hard to find and rather pricey!

Bird of Paradise

Bird of Paradise adapts easily to container life. It’s a statement piece with its long, broad, paddle-shaped leaves. They grow in a fan shape that adds plenty of drama and architectural interest. This plant takes and prefers more sun than many jungle patio container plants. It needs it to produce flowers. 

The flowers are striking and distinctive. In shades of orange, blue, red, purple, and white, they resemble an exotic bird in flight. They take about three years to mature enough for blooms. When they do flower, they are spectacular. These prefer to be root-bound, so only re-pot every three years. 

Rubber Tree

The rubber tree is a type of ficus or fig tree. It has large, oblong, glossy leaves that range from deep green to red, and even pink and cream variegated. This striking plant adapts well to container life and is a popular houseplant. As a jungle patio container plant, it will grow significantly faster than indoors. 

This is a long-lived plant. With proper care, it can live for decades and grow to ten feet or taller. You can prune it to keep it shorter if that suits your space better. It does better in a pot if it’s slightly root-bound. The roots stabilize the rubber tree as it grows tall.

Bromeliad

Bromeliads are a large and diverse family of tropical and subtropical plants. They’re known for their tough, bold foliage and bright, long-lasting blooms. Related to pineapples, there are more than 3,000 species of bromeliads. Many of them make excellent potted plants.

Bromeliad leaves are thick and leathery, and often serrated, so handle with care. They grow in a rosette and often have variegation in the form of colorful bands that run the length of the leaves. Their flowers are brilliant shades of pink, orange, red, yellow, or purple. They’re surrounded by equally colorful bracts for a spectacular display. 

Alocasia

Alocasias are one of a couple of tropical and subtropical plants referred to as elephant ears. They have large, breathtaking, heart, arrow, or shield-shaped leaves that stand high on tall stems. When mature, they produce large, white flowers that consist of a smooth, white spathe surrounding a central, cream to yellow spadix. 

Some alocasias go dormant when temperatures and light levels decrease. Water them sparingly during this time. They are favorites for indoor and outdoor use, as they adapt well to container life.

Place larger varieties toward the perimeter of your patio where their impressive leaves will hang over other jungle patio container plants. Smaller varieties are nice for the mid-ground. 

Colocasia

Colocasias are similar in appearance to alocasias, and they are also often referred to as elephant ears. They are slightly more cold-tolerant, and their leaves typically hang with the point down. Alocasias frequently hold their leaves upright, with the pointed parts of the leaves facing the sky. 

These are resilient plants that take well to container life. They will grow much larger when planted in the ground, but are manageable as house and patio plants when grown in a container. Their colors cover a wide range, with pink, white, green, and even black varieties and variegation. They make a significant visual impact, especially in a smaller space. 

Cordyline

Cordyline, also called Ti plants, is an ornamental plant known for its vibrant foliage. They are versatile in gardens and as container plants, though they are not cold-hardy north of zone 9. They work excellently with a tropical aesthetic, adding texture and color with their straplike foliage. 

These plants start out as a low-growing rosette of long, narrow leaves. Their foliage is commonly shades of red and purple, some with variegation and others solid colored. The new leaves are often brighter and more vibrant, adding a brilliant pop of color amongst green neighbors. 

Hibiscus

Hibiscus is a quintessential flowering plant that looks tropical, even when it’s not. Some species are tropical and thrive in zones 9-11. These need protection in the winter. Others are cold-hardy and deciduous. You can leave these outdoors for the winter, and they will come back stronger in the spring. 

Hibiscus shrubs come in a wide range of colors and sizes. Some dwarf varieties are only two feet tall, while larger varieties can grow up to 30 feet. As jungle patio container plants, they are easy to maintain, and typically remain smaller to medium-sized. The one thing they all have in common is their large, eye-catching flowers and long blooming season. 

Caladium

Caladiums are compact, tuber-grown plants that resemble the larger elephant ear tropicals. Because of their root system and size, they make excellent jungle patio container plants. Their boldly colored and patterned, heart-shaped leaves add a ton of tropical flair to the patio container garden.

While caladiums do produce flowers, they are not usually grown for that purpose. Their foliage is the main attraction. The leaves come in combinations of green, pink, red, and white, often with speckles and bold, contrasting veining.

Orchid

When it comes to tropical flowers, orchids have few rivals. Their unique and breathtaking blooms are sometimes sparse, but while they last, they are a main attraction in the garden. While some species are cold-hardy, the ones we keep as houseplants are primarily tropical and subtropical. 

Orchids range in terms of size and exposure needs. Some are only a few inches tall, and others, like vanilla orchids, are tall climbing vines. Some require a lot of light, while others thrive with only indirect sun. 

Orchids can be tough to deal with in dry climates, and they need humidity over the winter as well. When you bring them in from the cold, a bathroom window is a good spot to keep them over the winter.

Dracaena

Dracaena plants make excellent tropical patio additions. They’re attractive, easy to care for, and adapt well to container life. Their upright form and flashy foliage can bring structure, height, and tropical flair to your space. Also known as dumbcanes, these grow tall and treelike over time. 

Dracaenas thrive in bright, indirect light, but they adapt to medium light situations. This makes them easy to care for over the winter when they come indoors. Their bold, broad foliage creates a perfect backdrop for smaller tropicals. Direct sun will usually burn the leaves, so keep this one out of direct exposure. 

Banana

Banana plants are wonderful for their stunning foliage. Some ornamental types make excellent potted plants and will remain small enough to keep on your patio. With proper protection, they can overwinter as far north as zone 8, but will rarely fruit north of zone 10. 

These large, fast-growing perennials are not actually trees, but large herbs. Their trunks form from tightly packed leaves called pseudostems. There are many varieties, some with colorful, decorative leaves. These jungle patio container plants grow large and handle direct sun, so they are great for the edges or background of the tropical patio paradise. 

Spider Plant

Spider plants are familiar; you may already have one of these and know how easy they are to care for. Their unique and fun form makes them excellent for adding texture and interest among other tropical plants. Spiky, variegated leaves have more contrast if you keep them in indirect light. They will fade with excessive exposure. 

One of the fun things about spider plants is their reproduction. They produce small plantlets at the end of long stems, which you can leave intact or plant in their own containers. They also produce small, white flowers. These jungle patio container plants thrive indoors, so bringing them in for the winter is stress-free. 

Cat Palm

Cat palms bring lush, tropical greenery to outdoor living areas without becoming overwhelming in size. They have feathery fronds and a clumping growth habit. Their foliage creates a soft, elegant look that complements seating areas, entryways, or shaded corners. 

These small palms are easy to maintain in containers. They’re an excellent choice for patios in warm climates and overwinter well indoors in cooler climates. Palms are an integral part of tropical landscapes, and this one is a great, low-maintenance choice. 

Gloriosum Philodendron

This is one of my favorite houseplants. It will also work well as a jungle patio container plant, as part of a tropical aesthetic. Philodendrons can be finicky in many cases, but this one is easy to care for and grows quickly. The foliage is breathtaking, and there is little maintenance involved.