An ongoing, ever-evolving list of plants we grow or that we have heard you can grow, in the tropics. Full posts on all of these plants, trees, and herbs are to come. We focus on plants that grow well and easily in tropical conditions, not those that require a lot of extra work, pesticides and chemicals.
In the tropics a lot of your gardening will revolve around perennials. The annual plantings that we’re used to in cooler climates don’t happen so often in a tropical climate. Some plants will almost grow themselves with zero effort, others need some work Of course, the best plants to grow in the tropics are the plants that are native to tropical areas.
This is not a complete list, this is what we’ve found works so far and have tried to grow with success. If you have any more suggestions for food plants to grow in the tropics, please do let us know in the comments.
Food Plants You Can Grow in The Tropics
Trees
- Moringa for ” super food” leaves and drumsticks
- Avocado
- Mango
- Grapefruit
- Lemons
- Curry Leaf
Fruit That Grows in The Tropics
- Pineapples
- Bananas
- Jackfruit
- Lemons
- Grapefruit
- Ruby Grapefruit
- Kaffir Limes
- Finger Limes
- Passion Fruit
- Star Fruit
- Mango
- Papaya ( Paw Paw)
Green Leafy Veg to Grow in the Tropics
- Sweet Potato Vine Leaves
- Rocket
- Kale
- Silverbeet
Peas Beans and Pulses to Grow in Tropical Conditions
- Bush Beans ( French Beans)
- Snake Beans
- Pidgeon Peas
- Mung Beans
- Dwarf Red Snake Beans
Other Fruit and Veg to Grow in a Tropical Climate
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Aubergines ( Eggplant )
- Thai Eggplant
- Peppers
- Chilis
- Pumpkins
- Cucumbers
Herbs and Spices That Will Grow in The Tropics
- Lemon Grass
- Garlic Chives
- Flat Leaf Parsley
- Pepper
- Ginger
- Galangal
- Vietnamese mint
- Mints – various ( easy)
- Mushroom plant.
- Mother of herbs.
- Flat-leaf parsley ( needs effort)