Tropicals are Here
Posted by Jessie Jacobson on Apr 26th 2026
Tropicals are Here
If you visit Tonkadale on the regular, you will notice that things change very quickly in the Spring! This couldn’t be more true as we move closer to May – the main event. Minnesota gardeners want big color, and they want it now! We live for summer. We live for life by the lake or the pool, and nothing says summer on the water louder than large tropical plants.
The varieties we cover below are easy-care, top performers that play well with others. Feature them as stand out plants in containers, or mix and match with your favorite annuals and foliage. Water well and fertilize often with an acid-based fertilizer like Miracle Grow’s Mir-Acid.
View all of our incoming tropical plants here.
Shop early and often for the best selection!
Mandevilla
A showy and vigorous vine with prolific flowers that provide the perfect pop of color.
Our in-house go-to for full sun containers. Mandevilla can climb or trail. Pair with petunias and sweet potato vine for a reliable hot sun recipe. They tolerate windy conditions, and will bloom all summer long.
Colors for Spring 2026 include multiple varieties and shades of pink, red, yellow, peach, and white!
Star Jasmine
A beautiful, flowering vine prized for its very fragrant, star-shaped, white flowers.
Plant on a sunny porch or patio so you can really enjoy its romantic fragrance. Pair with Sunpatiens and asparagus fern for a dreamy, flowy look.
Gardenia
Glossy green foliage and large white double blooms add grace and luxury to any space.
Plant as a stand-alone tree or shrub in an elegant urn or antique cement pot. Pair with variegated ivy and Euphorbia Diamond Frost for an elegant and regal feel.
Alocasia
Large leaves with prominent veins make a statement in any foliage-first container.
These babies love their water, and sun tolerance varies by variety. The larger and thicker the leaves, the more sun they can tolerate.
Plant shade loving Alocasia varieties such as Frydek with ferns and rex begonias for a prehistoric look. Go big or go home with the sun lovers and plant with coleus and mandevilla for traffic-stopping color and texture.
Cordyline
Specifically, Cordyline fruticosa loved for its wide leaves and stripy foliage ranging in color from pinks to lime greens to yellows and white.
This summer lover pairs well with sun or shade annuals. Hot pink varieties do best in the sun, and save lighter green varieties for the shade. Plant with big begonias and lemon coral sedum for a partial-sun stunner!
Majesty Palm
The most common, but adaptable palm on the planet.
These frondy fellas can tolerate sun if tempered, high wind and even shady conditions. They're perfect stand alones on the terrace, or plant with the big bold color of I’conia begonias and Bandana Lantana for lakeside lookers.
Eugenia
Eugenia topiaries are all the rage for front door pots.
Plant them in full shade to part sun. Underplant with English ivy, impatiens, and bridal veil for a cottage-y look.
Do not let them dry out, and continue to fertilize all season long. Eugenia will last long into the fall but won’t tolerate frost.
Hibiscus
Fleeting but glorious blooms adorn this tropical statement plant.
Available in bush or standard (shrub-like) forms. Plant poolside with other sun-loving tropical plants or chunky annuals. Hibiscus + lantana = love at first sunny sight!
If you have any questions about caring for tropicals in the summertime or what varieties are currently available, feel free to stop in and ask! Otherwise, email us at hello@tonkadale.com - we're here to help!
See you at Tonkadale!