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Using tropical plants with red flowers as ornamental elements is a surefire way of adding dramatic spikes to your garden or landscape.
There are plenty of them to choose from, each with its uniqueness and beautiful cascading flowers worth the watch.
We have compiled a list of 6 distinctive and iconic tropical red flowers –best for creating a multisensory lush environment as they are keen to attract good pollinators.
Let’s not waste any more time.
6 Tropical Plants With Red Flowers
1. Florida Tassel flower
The Florida Tassel flower hails from the Asteraceae family with a bush growth habit.
And as a tropical plant, they are predominantly native to tropical and subtropical regions.
They have tassel-like flowers with delicate foliage about 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 cm). Sadly, they aren’t the most beautiful of flowers.
But their slender stems carrying these lance-shaped leaves and distinctively tiny tubular florets can create a colorful show in your garden.
Besides, it attracts pollinators and is self-sowing, which is a plus.
Aside from that, you can use them in containers, annual bedding displays, or mixed borders.
2. Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.)
Bougainvillea is a highly sought-after ornamental plant. It is a tropical climbing vine with showy bracts. The bracts house the small, inconspicuous white or cream flowers.
It is native to South America but is widely cultivated, particularly in warm climate regions worldwide.
Regular pruning is also essential not only to tame its growth but also to encourage blooming.
Water regularly, particularly in the growing season. The plant also produces optimal blooms in full sun at least 6 hours daily.
3. Hurricane Lilies
The name “Hurricane Lily” is a genre of several plant species, including Lycoris squamigera and Lycoris radiata—mostly known as surprise lily and red spider lily.
They are bulbous perennials that produce tall flower stalks topped with trumpet-shaped flowers that cluster.
These flowers emerge in late fall or early spring. But they do best in partial to full sun. Soils MUST be well-draining, or else the bulb might rot.
Soil type doesn’t matter much, as the Hurricane Lilies are adaptable.
USDA zones 7 to 10 are their thriving grounds. They might tolerate colder temperatures, but don’t expect them to do well.
4. Red Crepe Myrtle
Their vibrant red blossom, along with their attractive bark, is what makes the Red Crepe Myrtle a famous and iconic shrub.
Depending on the variety and growing condition, they can reach heights up to 10 to 20 feet (3 to 6 meters) tall.
They become mottled and textured as they grow, which adds to the plant’s curb appeal.
Aside from that, their blooms are bountiful and long-lasting through early spring, summer, and sometimes fall.
The striking contrast between the red flower and green foliage is so interesting about the Red Crepe Myrtle. This gives it the standout feature in the garden.
However, this tropical plant enjoys its direct sun time of at least six to eight hours.
They can also tolerate different soil types but should be well-draining to avoid waterlogged roots.
5. Torch Ginger
Torch Ginger belongs to the Zingiberaceae family. They are relatives of ginger, turmeric, and cardamom.
But what makes them exceptional is their appearance. The Torch Ginger displayed a stunning visual, standing rhizomatously 10 feet (3 meters) in height with a torch-like inflorescence-like flower, the Torch Ginger displayed a stunning visual.
They thrive in partial shade to full sun and must also digest good organic content in well-draining soil, too.
Plus, they demand consistent watering. But DON’T go overboard.
6. Turk’s Cap Mallow
The Turk’s Cap Mallow is a highly decorative shrub standing 3 to 6 feet (1 to 2 meters).
Due to its flowers, people appreciate it as a beautiful addition to tropical gardens.
The unusual flower is reminiscent of a Turkish fez hat —only they are pendulous and droop down with a 2 to 3 inches diameter of vibrant red, tubular petals that is cap-like.
The dark green leaves contribute to the aesthetics with their fuzzy texture.
You will experience these blooms from late spring to early fall.
More importantly, the Turk’s Cap Mallow is too demanding. They can thrive in partial to full sun but also tolerate low-light conditions.
Choose a well-draining soil and water moderately. You can also prune to keep their bushy growth habit tame.
Propagation is also straightforward. You can either propagate by cutting the stems or spreading the seeds.
Are Tropical Plants Poisonous?
Have you ever heard the saying ‘beauty kills’?
It is the same for tropical plants.
They are renowned for their lush, vibrant, and exotic beauty –not to mention their unique shapes and textures.
On the other hand, some of these plants are laced with harmful chemicals in their tissues.
When contacted or ingested, it can trigger mild skin irritation, blindness, swallowing, upset stomach, or, in rare cases, fatal body breakdown.
Here are a few infamous tropical plants for their toxicity:
- Lantana
- Castor Bean (Ricinus communis)
- Yellow Oleander (Cascabela Thevetia)
- Manchineel (Hippomane mancinella)
- Gympie Gympie (Dendrocnide moroides) A.K.A. The Suicide Plant
- Datura (Datura spp.)
What Tropical Flower Can You Bring Indoors?
Only some tropical flowers or plants would cope with the indoor requirements.
I’m talking about the lower humidity levels, size and growth of the plants, and the less sunlight conditions.
Some were born for this and, as such, can help fulfill your goal of adding a touch of exotic beauty to the space.
Here are a couple of them:
- Swiss Cheese plant or Monstera
- The ric-rac plant or Zanzibar Gem
- Orchids
- Strelitzia or Bird of Paradise plant
- Amaryllis
- Philodendron
- Pothos or Devil’s Ivy
- Majesty Palm
- Alocasia Zebrina
- Kentia Palm
NOTE: While each plant can thrive in indoor space, they behave differently and have different needs to be met.
What Is The Most Beautiful Red Flower In The World?
There are lots of beautiful flowers across the globe, but I’m yet to see one that dethrone the “Red” Roses.
Not even Poinsettia, Tulips, Gerbera Daisy, Poppy, Amaryllis, Hibiscus, Anthurium, or other exotic flowers are match.
Yes, all flower have their uniqueness. But the Red Rose arguably reigns supreme when it comes to beautiful red flowers.
I’m not going to bore you with the preconceived notion the Red Rose is a symbol of love, affection, blah, blah, blah…
Instead, here are a handful of the most recognized Red Roses variants for their charm:
- Mr. Lincoln Rose
- Ketchup and Mustard Rose
- Munstead Wood Rose
- Roxanne Veranda Rose
- Lady in Red Rose
- Deep Secret Rose
- Don Juan Rose
- Rose
- Alec’s Red Rose
- Brick House Rose
- Sunbelt Desmond Tutu Rose
- Papa Meilland Rose
- Black Baccara Rose
- Fourth of July Rose
- Rosa Geranium Rose
- Oso Easy Double Red Rose
- Dr. Huey Rose
- Martha Gonzales Rose
- Easy Elegance Super Hero Rose
- Scentimental Rose
- Rosa Gallica Officinalis Rose
- Coffee Bean Rose
- Red Drift Rose
- Love Rose Rose
- Florentina Arborose Rose
- Red Ribbons Rose
- Citiscape Bordeaux Rose
- Rouge Royale Rose
- Olympiad Rose
- Burgundy Iceberg Rose
Which Flower Is Most Expensive?
Although this is quite controversial, many argue it is the Kadupul Flower, known for its pricelessness (with no price attached).
However, history shows it is the Juliet rose, which was sold for a whopping amount of $15.8 Million at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2006.
Meanwhile, the Kadupul Flower earned the title of the most expensive due to its rarity and surprisingly short life span.
It only blooms toward midnight and perishes before dawn. This mythical status is revered by many since it can’t be used for anything.
But to stay objective, it doesn’t have a price attached, so what makes it expensive?
The rare traits?
No one would even want to buy it for its short span.
Other expensive flows worth considering are:
- Shenzhen Nongke Orchid –$200,000
- Gold Of Kinabalu Orchid –around $6000 per piece
- Saffron Crocus –around $1500 per pound
- Bouquet of Moonflowers, Lilies, Orchids, and Root of a 100-Year-Old Ficus combination –$125,000
- Tulips –$5700
NOTE: The Tulips aren’t valuable everywhere. The price skyrocketed back in the 17th century in Holland when the wealthy Dutch flower lovers went wild for them.
Conclusion
And last, not to discourage, all is not sunshine and rainbows with tropical plants –whether red, blue, purple, or pink.
Yes, they will undoubtedly create a lush and exotic landscape that will be long admired.
Unfortunately, planting them outside their native habitat might have many problems.
One of the challenges you will encounter is their receptiveness to cold. They are not adapted to cold temperatures and would get killed by frost.
They are familiar with consistent year-round warmth and sunlight, higher humidity levels, and nutrient-rich soils with good drainage.
Deny them of these things, and they will reward to sweat with rot remains.
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