Tropical foliage plants
Apart from bananas and canna, there are of course plenty more tropical foliage plants for you to choose. The plants mentioned below have all been selected because of their good nature. They are easy to grow and in most cases inexpensive to produce on an annual basis.
So in no particular order...
Tropical foliage plants for cooler climates
Colocasia esculenta var. antiquorum
Known by some as the elephant ear plant, by others the eddoe and by scientists as Colocasia esculenta var. antiquorum.
Due to similar horticultural requirements both Colocasia and Xanthosoma are dealt with on the same page (link below)
Xanthosoma sagittifolium
Also known as the elephant ear plant to some, to others this is the coco yam and to the scientists a straight forward Xanthosoma sagittifolium.
Colocasia esculenta
The cheapest and easiest to grow of all the grocery bought aroids. Buy it under the name of Arvi or Arbi
Hedychium sp.
Another nice group of lush foliage plants are the hedychiums or ginger lilies. The plant featured here is hedychium 'maximum'.
Alpinia zerumbet 'variegata'
As with the hedychium featured in the above picture, Alpinia's are also plants belonging to the ginger family.The plant featured here is Alpinia zerumbet 'variegata'. Probably just a bit too slow growing for the temperate tropical style garden.
Ricinus communis
Ricinus communis, the castor oil plant is one of the fastest growing foliage plants you can use. It produces highly toxic seeds (popular with terrorists) but is pretty safe in the garden. The plant featured in this picture is Ricinus communis 'New Zealand purple'.
Echium wildpretii
Echium wildpretii Very nice.
Echium pininana
Once described Echium pininana as sinister by a garden visitor. This plant contrasts well with the more standard tropical plants. A bit of a weird plant really.
Cyphomandra betacea
Cyphomandra betacea the tree tomato produces large nicely veined leaves. This plant also contrasts well with the more lance shaped leaves.
Persian shield - Strobilanthes dyerianus
Persian shield - Strobilanthes dyerianus A shade loving, colourful foliage plant for pots or in the border. Tender, but is easy to overwinter as cuttings.
Spider plant - Chlorophytum comosum
Spider plant - Chlorophytum comosum The plant we've all been looking for. Low growing, front of border plant for sun or shade. Easy peasy to propagate. Drought tolerant and relatively root hardy. 'Nuff said.