Palms

• The palm tree is perhaps the plant most associated with the idea of tropical plants. Palms are members of a species of flowering plant known as Arecales, which contains about 2,600 species. Palms are found exclusively in tropical, subtropical and other warm temperate climate areas. Well-known examples are the coconut palm, cabbage palm and royal palm. This tropical plant is distinguished by a single shoot, which grows to varying heights, and crown of leaves on top.
  
  

Flowers

• Other than the ubiquitous palm tree, flowers of exotic shape and color might be the most recognizable variety of tropical plants. The bird-of-paradise boasts a flower resembling a brightly colored parrot in flight. Orchids, hydrangeas, violets, and bromelaids are other options for the tropical gardener to consider when designing a tropical landscape or inner house space.
  
  

Trees

• In addition to the palm, there are a handful of actual trees that thrive in tropical climates. Fruit-bearing examples include orange, lime or banana trees. Varieties of trees without fruit, but that still bring to mind a tropical feel are sea grape, oleander, plumeria and wisteria. Gardeners and landscapers can search for pictures of each by entering the term "tropical trees" into their favorite search engine.
  
  

Bushes

• When landscaping with a tropical theme in mind, standout shrubs that should be included might be the bougainvillea, a flowering vine that comes in a variety of flower, each one a tropical splash of color like pink, red, purple, white and orange. Some even come with two colors of flowers. Other bushy choices are elephant ear, croton and various types of evergreens. Combine varieties to create an outdoor or indoor tropical space suited to your personal taste.