Anyone plant tropical plants in the ground?

United States
July 16, 2008 9:12am CST
I'm experimenting with peace lillies and bromeliads. I'm thinking I'm going to have to dig up the bromeliads later this winter. I'm in zone 7 but going by temperatures I'm confident I can push zone 8 type plants as long as I mulch them and cover them up well for that 2 weeks of winter temps we get here. Anyone else plant their tropical plants in the ground? If so do you leave it in the ground year around? I know they leave elephant ears and banana trees/plants in the ground around here year round. I'm in zone 7a/b (I'm on the line for both) according to the USDA hardiness map, but our low temps in the winter rarely get below 20 (it may hit 18 or 19 once or twice a year and that's it). We really are more like zone 8.
1 response
@maximax8 (31053)
• United Kingdom
20 Jul 08
I live in a cold country but in a sunny corner of the South West. Quite a lot of hardy palm like trees and plants grow here in this sort of climate. I have a New Zealand Cabbage Palm that is growing quite nicely in the ground of my front garden. In my back garden I have three small palm like plants, one is a Torbay Dazzler and another I think is a Phoenix Palm. Temperatures can dip below freezing in the winter here but my garden is quite well sheltered. I wish I could have a coconut palm tree but they only survive in hot countries. Good luck with your tropical plants.
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