Bring Tropical Flowers to Your Garden or Patio
Bring the lush, exotic beauty of the tropics to your Canadian garden with Garden Tropics, Fernlea’s signature line of tropical foliage and center plants. Perfect for container gardens, patios, and decorative outdoor displays, these plants create a resort-style look that thrives throughout the summer. Mix Garden Tropics varieties with Rio Dipladenia or Hawaiian Punch Hibiscus for bold colour, texture, and tropical flair. Every plant is greenhouse-grown in Ontario to ensure strength, vibrant leaves, and lasting performance in Canada’s warm months. Whether you’re creating a tropical centerpiece for your outdoor containers or adding greenery to your indoor space, Garden Tropics plants make it easy to achieve that resort-style look right at home.
Tropical Plant Varieties You’ll Love
Garden Tropics center plants offer texture, height and visual interest to your containers and gardens. They provide beautiful centerpieces for your planters and can be planted in your garden beds to create height at the back of a garden or in the center of a circle garden, for example.
Each variety in the Garden Tropics collection is chosen to mix beautifully with Fernlea’s awesome Accents and flowering lines, creating endless combinations of colour, texture, and tropical flair.
How to Use Garden Tropics in Containers
Majesty Palm
Light
Thrives in part sun to bright indirect light. Best in sheltered outdoor locations that receive morning or late-afternoon sun.
Soil & Water
Keep soil consistently moist, watering when the top inch (2.5 cm) feels dry. Avoid letting the soil fully dry out.
Colors
Rich, glossy green foliage adds vibrant contrast to flowering plants.
Height
Grows up to 1.5–2 m (5–6 ft) tall in containers; slower-growing indoors.
Fertilizer
Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2–3 weeks during the growing season.
Features
Air-purifying and low maintenance; pairs beautifully with Rio Dipladenia or Awesome Accents in large planters.
The Majesty Palm adds elegance and height to patios, entryways, and garden beds. With its feathery green fronds and tropical texture, it’s perfect for creating a lush, resort-inspired look in containers or as a focal point in landscape designs.
Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata)
Light
Prefers bright, indirect light but tolerates some direct sun.
Soil & Water
Water when the top 1–2 inches of soil are dry. Do not overwater; this variety prefers slightly drier soil.
Colors
Long, sword-shaped leaves with deep green centers and reddish edges.
Height
Can reach 1–1.8 m (3–6 ft) when mature.
Fertilizer
Feed monthly with a balanced or foliage fertilizer during spring and summer.
Features
Low maintenance and drought-tolerant, perfect for container gardens and indoor tropical décor.
The Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata) is a striking architectural tropical with tall, slender stems and spiky red-edged leaves. Ideal for modern patios, offices, and garden containers.
Ruby Cordyline (Red Ti Plant)
Light
Full to part sun for best colour intensity.
Soil & Water
Keep soil evenly moist; avoid standing water.
Colors
Striking ruby-red and burgundy foliage.
Height
Grows 60–90 cm (2–3 ft) tall; ideal for container centers or garden borders.
Fertilizer
Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks in summer.
Features
Provides tropical colour contrast and texture — pairs well with Rio Dipladenia and Awesome Accents trailing plants.
The Ruby Cordyline brings bold, deep-red foliage to container arrangements and tropical landscapes. Its colour adds instant drama to any patio or garden display.
White Bird of Paradise
Light
Needs bright, indirect light or filtered sun. Tolerates some full sun outdoors.
Soil & Water
Water thoroughly when top 1–2 inches of soil are dry; prefers consistent moisture but dislikes soggy roots.
Colors
Large, glossy green leaves with a bold tropical form.
Height
Can reach 1.8–2.4 m (6–8 ft) outdoors; smaller in containers.
Fertilizer
Feed every 2–3 weeks during active growth using a balanced fertilizer.
Features
Adds instant tropical impact to patios; easy-care and dramatic.
A show-stopping tropical plant known for its bold, banana-like leaves and lush, green structure — ideal for patios, sunrooms, and tropical container gardens.
Croton Petra
Light
Loves bright, indirect light or part sun to bring out its full colour.
Soil & Water
Keep soil slightly moist. Water when the top inch dries.
Colors
Variegated foliage in yellow, orange, red, and green tones.
Height
Typically 45–90 cm (1.5–3 ft).
Fertilizer
Feed with a liquid fertilizer every 2–3 weeks.
Features
Vibrant and colourful; ideal as a feature plant in container groupings.
The Croton Petra is one of the most colourful tropical plants available, with eye-catching leaves in red, yellow, orange, and green. Perfect for bright patios, decks, and garden beds.
Rubber Plant (Ficus Elastica)
Light
Bright, indirect light; can tolerate part shade.
Soil & Water
Water when the top inch of soil is dry. Keep soil slightly moist but avoid overwatering.
Colors
Deep green to burgundy foliage.
Height
Can reach 1–2 m (3–6 ft) indoors or in large planters.
Fertilizer
Feed monthly during summer with a foliage fertilizer.
Features
Excellent indoor-to-outdoor tropical; air-purifying and low maintenance.
The Rubber Plant is a tropical classic with glossy, dark-green leaves. It thrives in bright indoor spaces or shaded patios, adding structure and texture.
Cordyline Pink Diamond
Light
Bright, indirect sunlight; tolerates part shade.
Soil & Water
Keep soil slightly moist; water when the top layer feels dry.
Colors
Variegated foliage in light green, pink, and cream.
Height
Reaches 30–60 cm (1–2 ft) tall.
Fertilizer
Use a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2–4 weeks.
Features
Adds softness and colour contrast to tropical combinations.
Pink Diamond (Cordyline fruticosa) features soft pink-and-green variegated leaves, adding elegance and a gentle pop of colour to mixed tropical arrangements.
Cordyline Red Sister
Light
Enjoys full to part sun; brighter light enhances red coloration.
Soil & Water
Keep evenly moist; water when top inch of soil is dry.
Colors
Brilliant shades of red, pink, and burgundy.
Height
Grows 60–120 cm (2–4 ft) tall.
Fertilizer
Feed every 2–3 weeks during summer with a balanced fertilizer.
Features
Brings bold colour and tropical flair; great paired with Croton or Rio Dipladenia.
The Red Sister Cordyline is a vibrant tropical with deep red and magenta foliage. It brings instant warmth and energy to patios, planters, and tropical displays.
Tropical Plants Grown in Canada
Fernlea grows and supplies Garden Tropics plants across Ontario and Canada, providing high-quality, greenhouse-grown tropicals that perform beautifully outdoors during summer months. Perfect for container gardening, patios, porches, and landscaping displays, each plant is carefully cultivated to deliver strong growth and lasting impact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Garden Tropics plants are Fernlea’s exclusive line of tropical foliage and center plants designed for containers, patios, and garden beds. Grown in Canada for summer conditions, they bring lush greenery, bold colours, and a resort-style aesthetic to your outdoor or indoor spaces. These tropical varieties offer long-lasting beauty, easy maintenance, and endless possibilities for mixing with flowering plants, such as Rio Dipladenia and Hawaiian Punch Hibiscus.
The Garden Tropics collection includes a wide range of tropical foliage plants perfect for containers and decorative arrangements:
- Majesty Palm – graceful, tall fronds for height and movement
- Dragon Tree (Dracaena) – slender, upright leaves with red edges
- Ruby Cordyline – deep red leaves for bold contrast
- White Bird of Paradise – large tropical leaves for a dramatic effect
- Croton Petra – multi-coloured foliage with orange, yellow, and red tones
- Rubber Plant – glossy, deep-green leaves that thrive indoors or out
- Pink Diamond – pink-and-green variegation for soft colour
- Red Sister Cordyline – striking red and pink tones for eye-catching displays
All plants are greenhouse-grown in Ontario, ensuring strong, healthy tropicals for Canadian gardens.
Most Garden Tropics plants thrive in bright, indirect light or partial sun.
- Varieties like Majesty Palm and Rubber Plant prefer filtered light or morning sun.
- Croton, Ruby, and Red Sister develop their best colour in brighter locations.
- If used indoors, place near a sunny window with indirect light. Avoid harsh midday sun, which can scorch leaves, and ensure consistent light exposure for lush, even growth.
Water Garden Tropics plants regularly to keep the soil evenly moist, but not too wet.
- Allow the top inch of soil to dry before watering again.
- During the hot summer months, outdoor container plants may require watering once a day.
- Ensure good drainage — never let tropicals sit in standing water.
- Indoors, reduce watering frequency slightly and use a humidifier or mist leaves to maintain humidity. Proper watering encourages the growth of strong roots and lush, glossy foliage.
Depending on the variety, Garden Tropics plants range from compact tabletop plants (30–40 cm) to tall tropicals (up to 1.5–2 m).
- Majesty Palms and Bird of Paradise make excellent tall centerpieces.
- Dracaena, Croton, and Cordyline varieties provide mid-height structure.
- Smaller plants like Pink Diamond are perfect fillers for mixed containers or accent arrangements.
This range allows you to create layered, balanced tropical combinations for any container or landscape.
Yes, for best results, feed Garden Tropics plants with a balanced water-soluble fertilizer every 2–4 weeks during the active growing season (spring through summer).
- Choose a fertilizer labelled 20-20-20 or similar, and follow package directions.
- Avoid over-fertilizing, as it can lead to salt build-up or leaf tip burn. Regular feeding helps maintain vibrant colour, healthy leaves, and steady growth throughout the warm months.
Most Garden Tropics plants are not frost-tolerant and should be treated as annuals in Canada. When temperatures drop below 10°C, bring plants indoors to a bright, warm location.
- Rubber Plants, Dracaenas, and Palms transition well as indoor houseplants over winter.
- Prune lightly before bringing them inside and check for pests. Reintroduce them outdoors in late spring after the last frost to enjoy another season of tropical beauty.
- Remove yellowing or damaged leaves regularly to encourage new growth.
- Pinch back soft tips on Cordyline and Dracaena to maintain shape.
- Wipe leaves with a damp cloth to remove dust and enhance their shine.
- For taller varieties, trim stray stems to balance the plant’s shape.
- Use clean, sharp pruning shears and avoid cutting into the main stem.
With proper care and light pruning, Garden Tropics plants will stay healthy, lush, and full of vibrant colour all season long.
Where to Buy
Stores Near You
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