Key takeaways
- The Chusan palm is the toughest tropical-looking plant for UK gardens
- Musa basjoo bananas die back in hard winters but regrow from the base if mulched
- Tree ferns need their crown protected with straw or fleece in frosty spells
- Shelter from wind matters as much as cold, as it shreds big leaves
- Do your winter protection in November and remove it once hard frosts have passed
- Large-leaved gunnera can no longer be sold or planted in the UK, so choose an alternative
Yes, you can grow a tropical-looking garden in the UK. The secret is choosing plants that only look tropical. Many of the best come from cool mountain forests in China, Japan and the Himalayas, or from the wet, mild hills of Tasmania. They handle frost far better than true tropical plants.
This guide covers the most reliable hardy exotics, how to look after them and the simple November jobs that see them through winter. For layout and planting ideas, see our guide to jungle garden design.
Why hardy exotic plants cope with UK winters
Most hardy exotics come from cool, wet mountain areas with mild winters and the odd frost. That’s surprisingly close to a UK garden. The Chusan palm grows wild in the mountains of China. The Japanese banana comes from southern China and is grown widely in Japan. The tree fern Dicksonia antarctica comes from the cool, damp forests of south-east Australia and Tasmania.
What they don’t like is wind, which shreds big leaves, and cold, soggy soil in winter. Give them shelter, rich soil that drains well and a bit of help in November, and they’ll look lush from late spring to the first frosts.
A sheltered corner by a wall is perfect for exotics. Banana, palm and tree fern get the height, with hostas and cannas filling in below.
The best hardy exotic plants for UK gardens
Start with a few plants that need no fuss, then add the dramatic ones that need a little winter help.
| Plant | Look | Winter care |
|---|---|---|
| Chusan palm (Trachycarpus fortunei) | Fan palm on a hairy trunk | None once established |
| Black bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra) | Stems turning black | None |
| Fatsia japonica | Big glossy hand-shaped leaves | None, likes some shade |
| Cabbage palm (Cordyline australis) | Spiky leaves on a trunk | Tie up leaves of young plants in hard frost |
| Yucca rostrata | Blue spiky ball on a trunk | Needs very sharp drainage |
| Japanese banana (Musa basjoo) | Huge paddle leaves | Wrap the stem or mulch the base |
| Tree fern (Dicksonia antarctica) | Ferny crown on a trunk | Pack the crown with straw |
| Ginger lily (Hedychium) | Lush leaves, scented flowers | Cut back and mulch |
| Rice paper plant (Tetrapanax papyrifer) | Enormous felted leaves | Mulch the base |
Chusan palm is the backbone of most UK exotic gardens. It’s slow but tough, and copes with most winters without help. Our guide to hardy palms covers it and the other palms worth trying.
Japanese banana gives the biggest leaves of any hardy plant. The top may die in a hard winter, but it shoots again from the base. See our guide to growing hardy bananas for the full routine.
Black bamboo gives year-round height, with stems that turn from green to black over two or three years. It can spread, so plant it with a root barrier.
Cabbage palms are a classic in coastal gardens. Mature plants are tough, but young ones are more tender. Read more in our cordyline guide.
Ginger lilies add lush leaves and scented late-summer flowers. Some are much hardier than others: our guide to growing hedychium explains which to choose.
Black bamboo looks good all year, and the stems darken as they age. A root barrier stops it wandering into the lawn.
Yucca rostrata suits the drier end of an exotic garden. It needs full sun and very sharp drainage, so it does best in a gravel bed.
Yucca rostrata loves a sunny gravel bed. Keep its roots out of wet clay and it’s surprisingly tough.
What about gunnera?
Large-leaved gunnera, the giant rhubarb, can no longer be sold or newly planted in the UK. Most garden plants turned out to be an invasive hybrid. If you already have one, you can keep it, but cut off the flower spikes before they seed. Our guide to the gunnera ban explains the rules and suggests legal big-leaved alternatives.
How to protect hardy exotics in winter
Do the main jobs in November, before the first hard frosts, and undo them in spring.
Straw in the crown keeps frost off the growing tip, which is the part a tree fern can’t do without.
- Leave the toughest plants alone. Chusan palms, black bamboo, Fatsia and Yucca rostrata need no cover in most gardens.
- Deal with bananas. Either wrap the stem in fleece and straw to keep it for next year, or cut it down and mulch the base thickly.
- Cut back gingers and Tetrapanax once frost blackens the leaves, then mulch the base with a thick layer of straw, bracken or bark.
- Pack tree fern crowns with dry straw or bracken. In cold areas, wrap the trunk in fleece or hessian too. Our guide to tree fern winter protection shows each step.
- Tie up the leaves of young cabbage palms in a hard frost, to protect the growing tip.
- Uncover in spring. Pull the mulch back from late March or April, once hard frosts have passed, so new shoots don’t rot.
Don’t wrap plants too early or too tightly. Trapped damp causes rot. Fleece and straw should keep frost off while letting air in.
Where to plant a hardy exotic bed
Pick the most sheltered spot you have. A south or west-facing corner backed by a wall, fence or hedge is ideal. It keeps off wind and holds a little warmth.
High walls keep the wind off, so banana leaves stay whole rather than shredded. Courtyards make brilliant homes for exotics.
Most exotics like rich, moist soil that drains well. Dig in plenty of well-rotted compost before planting. On heavy clay, raise the bed and add grit, especially for palms and yuccas, which hate wet roots in winter.
Water well in dry summer spells. Big leaves lose a lot of water. Plant tall plants such as palms and bamboo at the back, bananas and Fatsia in the middle, and lower plants like ginger lilies, hostas and ferns at the front.
To see what’s possible, gardens such as Great Dixter in East Sussex, Tresco Abbey Garden on the Isles of Scilly and Logan Botanic Garden in south-west Scotland all grow exotic planting on a grand scale.
Common mistakes with hardy exotic plants
Skipping the November jobs. Bananas, gingers and tree ferns can be lost in a hard winter without mulch or crown protection.
Trusting “hardy” labels. Brugmansia, bougainvillea and plumbago are tender, whatever the label says. Grow them in pots and bring them indoors for winter.
Planting in a windy spot. Wind tears banana leaves to ribbons and dries out tree ferns. Shelter is essential.
Wet clay in winter. Palms, yuccas and cordylines rot in waterlogged ground. Raise the bed and add grit.
Uncovering too early. Removing mulch in early March exposes new shoots to late frosts. Wait until hard frosts have passed.
Want to turn these plants into a full scheme? Our guide to tropical and tiki garden ideas has plenty of inspiration, or browse more plants in the plants section.
Frequently asked questions
Can I really grow tropical plants in UK gardens?
Yes, you can get a lush tropical look with hardy exotic plants. Chusan palms, Japanese bananas, tree ferns, bamboo and ginger lilies all cope with UK winters, some with a little protection. A sheltered, sunny spot gives the best results.
What is the hardiest tropical plant for UK gardens?
The Chusan palm (Trachycarpus fortunei) is the toughest tropical-looking plant. Once established, it copes with most UK winters without protection. It grows slowly into a tall, single-trunked palm with big fan-shaped leaves.
Will banana plants survive a UK winter?
The Japanese banana, Musa basjoo, survives UK winters with protection. The top often dies back in hard frost, but the base regrows in late spring. Wrap the stem or cut it down and mulch the base thickly in November. Edible bananas are not hardy.
How do I protect tree ferns over winter?
Pack the crown with dry straw or bracken in late autumn. In colder areas, also wrap the trunk in fleece or hessian. Keep the trunk moist in dry spells, and remove the protection in spring once hard frosts have passed.
Which tropical plants need no winter protection?
Chusan palms, black bamboo, Fatsia japonica and mature cabbage palms usually need none. Plant them in a sheltered spot with good drainage. Young plants of all of these benefit from a little extra care in their first winter or two.
Our team produces practical UK gardening guidance from source research, contributor records and established horticultural practice. Editorial standards are overseen by Matt W.
