• Florida gardeners have many choices for bamboo cultivars and tropical plants.ULTRA.F/Digital Vision/Getty Images
  
  Gardeners living in Florida reap the benefits of warm, subtropical weather conditions year-round. Only those living in northern regions experience frosty, winter weather and may have to grow certain tropical species inside containers. The state's environment is well-suited for growing many tropical plants and varieties of bamboo. Gardeners statewide will have no problem turning their landscapes into a tropical paradise with all the plant choices available.
  
  

Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)

• Areca palms have yellowish branches and trunks.Areca image by gometal from Fotolia.com
  
  Gardeners living in frost-free regions of Florida desiring a tropical, screening plant should grow areca palm (Dypsis lutescens). Indigenous to Madagascar, the palm is attractive with its golden trunks and arching stems and finely leafed foliaged. Also called bamboo palm and golden cane palm, it blooms with yellow flowers, followed by yellowish-purple fruits. Arecas are well suited used in the landscape as a specimen, in hedges, grown in containers, or anywhere a tropical effect is required. The plants are relatively hardy, growing at a medium rate. Mature areca palms can reach up to 25 feet in height with a 10 foot spread and have a bunching habit. They have a high tolerance to drought and a medium tolerance to salt spray. The palm will grow and look best when planted in moist, rich soils that drain well and are located in full sun to shade.
  
  

Split-leaf Philodendron (Philodendron bipinnatifidum)

• Split-leaf philodendron is hardy and easy to grow.monatera delicosa image by Shirley Hirst from Fotolia.com
  
  Split-leaf philodendron (Philodendron bipinnatifidum) is a large shrub with a sprawling habit as it matures. Native to South America, the plants have shiny, green leaves that are up to 3 feet wide, with splits throughout them and emerge from a semiwoody trunk. Occasionally, plants produce a white, flower spathe. They grow well planted outdoors in frost-free areas of Florida. Cooler regions should grow the plant inside containers for protection in winter. Split-leaf philodendron is sure to give a tropical feel to any area of the landscape. It is also suitable used as a specimen, around swimming pools, or in shady gardens. The plants quickly grow, reaching up to 15 feet in height and spread at maturity. Split-leaf philodendron prefers growing in moist, well-drained soils that are rich in organics. It grows best in partial shade to full shade and tolerates occasionally wet areas. The philodendron has a medium tolerance to drought conditions and a low tolerance to salt spray. All parts of the plant are poisonous.
  
  

Alphonse Karr Bamboo (Bambusa multiplex 'Alphonse Karr')

• Alphonse Karr bamboo (Bambusa multiplex 'Alphonse Karr') is well-suited for growing outdoors throughout Florida. Plants are hardy to minus-5 degrees F. The bamboo has a clumping habit instead of running, making it controllable in the landscape. It is attractive with yellowish foliage and a green stripe running up the center of each branch. The plants have an evergreen habit and grow well planted inside containers, used as a specimen, as barrier or screening plants or anywhere requiring a tropical effect. Alphonse Karr is a medium-sized bamboo, although with regular watering and fertilization the plants can reach 55 feet tall. The bamboo averages 20 to 35 feet tall, with a 10-foot spread. Plants have a high tolerance to wind, drought and salt, making them suitable for coastal areas. It grows well planted in full sun to partial shady conditions in well-draining soils. Gardeners prune this variety of bamboo without harming it.