Tropical Plants That Grow in Zone 8

• Many tropical plants can be grown as house plants and even be brought outdoors during the warmer months of the year in U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zone 8. States included in Zone 8 are Texas, Louisiana, southern portions of Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, parts of northern Florida, parts of South Carolina and Virginia. Tropical plants require tropical conditions to thrive, although in Zone 8, some of these plants can be grown indoors as houseplants or outdoors as annuals.

Bougainvilleas (Bougainvillea spectabilis)

• Originating from the tropical regions of Brazil, bougainvillea can be used in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8 as a houseplant. In the right summer conditions, it can be placed outside during the day in either full sun or high shade. They "flower best under stress" and should be kept "slightly on the dry side," according to the horticultural department at Texas A&M University.

Canna (Canna spp.)

• Cannas can be grown in warmer portions of USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8, such as northern Florida, in well-drained soil and full sun or semishade. This tropical flowering plant can grow as large as 10 feet in height, but in temperate regions, they may only reach 6 feet in height. The foliage color varies and may be green, copper, blue or ruby, while flowers can be shades of yellow, salmon, red and ivory.

Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia spp.)

• Dumb cane plants originate from the tropical regions of Central America and northern parts of Southern America. In the United States, they are grown as houseplants In USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8, it is possible to bring them outdoors occasionally, keeping them in heavy shade, when the weather is warm and humid. Dumb cane plants should be brought indoors when the weather dips into colder temperatures.

Gardenia (Gardenia spp.)

• This evergreen shrub requires well-drained soil, full sunlight or light shade, and a mild, humid climate, such as those found in the southern portions of USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8. They should be thoroughly protected during freezing temperatures to prevent damage to the plant. Flowers range in color from cream to purple-mottled yellow flowers that are either single or double.

Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)

• The parlor palm is a native plant of Central American rainforests. It can be grown outdoors in some southern portions of USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8, although it is most popular as a houseplant. When grown outdoors, plant the parlor palm in a well-shaded area. It produces bright-green stems, showy foliage and occasional white flowers.

White Bird-of-Paradise (Strelitzia nicolai)

• Also known as the giant bird-of-paradise, this particular species of tropical plant can become cold hardy when grown in warmer portions of USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8. This plant, native to the tropical regions of South Africa, produces large leaves up to 8 feet in length. When given adequate well-drained soil and full sun, this plant reaches heights of 30 feet.