There are surprisingly many tropical plant life that demonstrate considerable allowance and hardiness to insensate winters in temperate regions . Although each plant species may postulate unlike needs or have varying tolerance to prolonged cold , several works types can be investigated and grown in the ground or in movable containers where winters are filled with frosts or hard freezes . Contact local botanical gardens or Cooperative Extension offices for inclination of hardy works .
USDA Cold Hardiness Zone
The United States Department of Agriculture publishes a map of North America that classify regions fit in to their one-year winter minimum temperature . Not an exclusive prick to determine a industrial plant ’s power to outlive the winter , or its hardiness , this map and its zona appellation are universally live with as a reference by fuss plant nursery and garden lit resources .
tropic plants often are regard as aboriginal to or hardy to conditions in zone 9 or higher . Many plants survive frigid winters , including some to Zone 6 , 7 and 8 .
To check the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone appellative for your home location , have your ZIP computer code usable and chaffer the National Gardening Association ’s internet site .
Palms
palm , whether with plume - corresponding or fan - shaped fronds , can be used in regions with freezing wintertime temperatures . The tolerance and survivability to winter cold is specific to each plant species as well as the health of the decoration at the onset of cold . The world ’s most inhuman hardy palm , survive winter lows to -5 degrees Fahrenheit is the bush - like phonograph needle palm ( Rhapidophyllum hystrix ) . Windmill palms ( Trachycarpus ) have fan - like frond and grow on upright trunks , hardy to 0 degree . In the scope of 5 to 10 grade , the scrubbing palmettos ( Sabal etonia and Sabal underage ) survive ; interpret palmetto ( Serenoa repens ) to 10 degrees .. A much large selection of palm tree with trunk are known to adapt to wintertime first gear from 10 to 15 degrees , including jelly / pindo palms ( Butia spp . ) , European rooter medal ( Chamaerops humilis ) , Chilean vino palm ( Jubaea chilensis ) and two specie of front room medal ( Chamaedorea microspadix and Chamaedorea radicalis ) . With winter temp in the lower 20s Fahrenheit , the choices increase even more , to let in Washingtonia spp . , Brahea spp . , date decoration ( Phoenix spp . ) and fan medal ( Livistona spp . ) .
Cycads
These ancient plants , that resemble decoration , are related to conifers , the cone - producing evergreens . Cycads have a thick stem with waxy frond , and grow in soil that are well - drained . Plants thrive in full sunshine exposures to light subtlety , count on the heat intensity in your summer mood . King sago ( Cycas revoluta ) is popular across the American South and in the Southwest , where is tolerates winter lows down to 18 degrees Fahrenheit well . Coontie ( Zamia floridana ) is a low , cluster cycad courteous in forest or mixed mete that is hardy down to 10 academic degree Fahrenheit . Gum ribbon ( Dioon edule ) has a feathery frond that is waspish , also unfearing to the same winter depleted temperature .
Perennials
exuberant foliation plants of the tropical zone that raise from thick fore and solution are often well - suited to overwinter underground in realm with mild but subfreezing winters . As long as winter filth are not soggy and sometimes if a fatheaded layer of folio or husk mulch is placed atop the abeyant roots , their ability to survive the wintertime is increased . Often retain the above - primer coat frost - kill foliage aid in protect the hush-hush plant parts from freeze turn across the respite of the winter months . Cut back the dry fabric in early spring when frosts are fewer and mild .
Gingers ( Alpinia spp . and Hedychium spp . ) are hardy in regions where the winter lows become no cold than 0 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit . Bananas , in special the Nipponese fiber banana ( Musa basjoo ) is specially live , returning after winters in southernmost Canada . Florist amaryllis ( Hippeastrum ) and lily - of - the - Nile ( Agapanthus ) grow from bulbs and may retain their foliage if winters are not too insensate , but the underground portion remain live down to 10 to 18 degrees . Also consider growing certain species of crinum lily ( Crinum spp . ) or the candy corn plant ( Cuphea micropetala ) if winter never get cold than 5 stage Fahrenheit .
gardener in the American South can also certify to begonia ( Begonia grandis ) , lantana , elephant spike ( Alocasia and Colocasia ) , vodoun lilies ( Amorphophallus ) and even dahlias ' abilities to go dormant in the ground across a parky wintertime and re - sprout in natural spring to early summertime when grunge temperature are optimal . wintertime lows should no dip much below 5 to 15 degree Fahrenheit to ensure these plants ' healthy return .
Succulents
C plant ( Agave spp . ) are surprisingly resistant to the frigidity of winter even though their duncish leaves are full of spicy fibers . by nature , a drier land that has fantabulous drainage is required for these succulent plants , but a wide-cut assortment of century plant life can be savour across region with winters that have temps as scummy as -10 degrees Fahrenheit . This resilience to prolonged winter cold varies per metal money , but among the tough is Agave lophantha , Agave parryi and Agave gentryi .
Yucca is another staple fibre of arid regions that demonstrate excellent winter validity . Yucca linearifolia and Yucca rostrata are two coinage with attractive powdery blue - green leaf .
