Orchids belong to one of the largest plant families on earth: Scientists have found more than 25,000 varieties. They’re fairly common and a breeze to grow—if you’re skilled with tending to plants. Depending on the variety, it can take a special touch to care for them successfully. Arber advises, “When growing orchids indoors, place them in a humid room, such as the kitchen or a bathroom, and away from cold drafty windows or heat vents that blast dry air.”

• Flower colors: Red, pink, yellow
• Light: Bright, indirect sun
• Hardiness zones: 8
• Soil: Orchid bark and moss
• Height: 1 to 3 feet

The shiny leaves of anthurium (also known as the flamingo flower) give its flowers the rich, lustrous look of silk. The center holds a spike called the spadix. With so much texture and that pigmented hue, it’s a must-have houseplant for anyone who loves color. “Similar to orchids, anthuriums love warm humid air, bright indirect sunlight, and well-draining slightly acidic soil mediums that allow for ample airflow,” says Arber.

• Flower colors: Red, pink, white
• Light: Partial
• Hardiness zones: 10
• Soil: Moist soil
• Height: 2 to 3 feet

Elevate your curb appeal with the help of glorious hibiscus flowers. Heralded for their popularity from Hawaii to the Caribbean, these easy-to-grow and edible tropical flowers will help draw butterflies and hummingbirds to your yard. Whether you plant a small tree in your backyard, place a pot on your apartment’s windowsill, or simply buy some to garnish cocktails, hibiscus flowers are always an exciting addition.

• Flower colors: Red, pink, purple, orange, yellow
• Light: Full sun
• Hardiness zones: 5 to 11
• Soil: Rich, well-drained soil
• Height: 4 to 10 feet

Your candle collection isn’t complete without the heady scent of jasmine! But why settle for faux when you can grow the real thing? That captivating fragrance will fill your yard with each brush of the wind, and you can even use its flowers to make a soothing tea. This small but mightily plant needs plenty of sunlight and humidity.

• Flower colors: White, pink, yellow
• Light: Partial to full
• Hardiness zones: 7
• Soil: Well-drained porous
• Height: 4 to 20 feet

“With their bright orange and blue flowers that resemble a bird in flight, the Bird-of-Paradise is a striking addition to any garden,” says Arora. Its long, spiked leaves add eye-catching color and texture. Just plant it in an area sheltered from the wind; a strong gust can break off those beautiful leaves. If you have pets, know that it’s considered toxic and should be planted out of their reach.

• Flower colors: Yellow, white, orange, blue
• Light: Full sun to partial shade
• Hardiness zones: 10 to 12
• Soil: Well-drained soil
• Height: 6 to 30 feet

Prepare to swoon over these picture-perfect pink blooms. Medinilla, also known as ‘pink maiden,’ is commonly found in Southeast Asia. Its charming flowers are so beautiful and aromatic they’ll win you over the moment you lay eyes on them. Their unique shape features grape-like panicles, or clusters of flowers, flowing from pink leaf-like bracts.

• Flower colors: Pink, red
• Light: Partial
• Hardiness zones: 10 to 11
• Soil: Slightly acidic soil
• Height: 2 to 4 feet

Bring on the drama with lush, flowy tropical flowers rich in color and detail. The great news? Canna flowers are perennials, meaning they come back year after year, and they’re suitable for a wide range of soil types—it just needs to be well-drained. They’re accessible and fast-growing too. Before you know it, you’ll be lending your neighbor some tips while they admire your sunny garden.

• Flower colors: Yellow, orange, red
• Light: Full
• Hardiness zones: 8 to 10
• Soil: Acidic soil
• Height: 2 to 8 feet

Sure, Hawaii is on your bucket list, but until then your plumeria can remind you that a homemade lei is well within your reach. Arora suggests planting plumerias because they are aromatic, small shrubs that produce fragrant, colorful flowers in shades of white, yellow, pink, and red.

• Flower colors: Pink, yellow, white, red
• Light: Moderate
• Hardiness zones: 10 to 12
• Soil: Well-drained, slightly acidic
• Height: 5 to 25 feet

There are more than 1,000 species of protea. A bit finicky but resilient to cold, it’s for seasoned plant parents who want more visual variety in their garden that lasts. The striking goblet-shaped blooms have a fuzzy center and colorful petals sprouting out in spikes. Please note that its nectar is toxic to humans and pets.

• Flower colors: Red, pink, yellow
• Light: Moderate
• Hardiness zones: 8
• Soil: Slightly acidic soil
• Height: 6 to 26 feet

With periwinkle blooms that belong in a fairytale, this shrub can magically transform your backyard with its vine-like branches. Unlike in storybooks, however, deer will steer clear of the easy-care-for plant—they don’t like it. (Happily, butterflies do.) You can plant Cape Plumbago any time of year and use it for ground cover or train it to grow up a trellis, Rapunzel-style.

• Flower colors: Blue, white, lavender
• Light: Full sun
• Hardiness zones: 8 to 11
• Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil
• Height: 6 to 15 feet

Limited windows? No problem. Clivia miniata’s vibrant orange clusters grow happily in low-light areas. Originally from South Africa, the flowers are popular the world over because they’re such low-maintenance mood brighteners. Deep deep emerald green leaves make the flower stand out indoors or outdoors. Because it’s a type of lily, you should keep it away from cats (especially the bulb).

• Flower colors: Orange, red, white, yellow
• Light: Partial shade
• Hardiness zones: 9 to 111
• Soil: Well-drained soil
• Height: 2 feet to 3 feet

Make your home heaven on earth with playful angel trumpets. The whimsical bell-shaped flowers grow quickly and release a fragrant scent after sunset. They can also thrive in containers if provided with enough moisture. Just be mindful of where you plant them since the entire plant is considered toxic. Check in with your local gardening laws and ordinances to be sure it’s okay to plant.

• Flower colors: Yellow, orange, white, pink
• Light: Partial sun
• Hardiness zones: 7 to 11
• Soil: Acidic soil
• Height: 3 to 8 feet

You’ll feel like you booked a vacation the moment these beauties come into full bloom. Prolific in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, bougainvillea actually originated in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In spite of its humid origins, it doesn’t require a lot of watering. Just don’t expect the year-round flowers you’ve seen on your travels. In non-tropical regions, bougainvillea’s bloom cycle is a little under two months.

• Flower colors: Pink, red, purple, orange, yellow
• Light: Full sun
• Hardiness zones: 9 to 11
• Soil: Dry
• Height: 3 to 39 feet

These architectural epiphytes (air plants) native to Central and South America are known for their thick leaves, vibrant center, and relation to pineapples. While the spiked leaves might look hard to care for, the truth is they’re beyond easy. The leaves take hydration from humidity in the air, meaning they don’t need you to water them. The bromeliad family is vast, with more than 3,000 species to choose from.

• Flower colors: Orange, red, pink, yellow
• Light: Moderate, no direct sunlight
• Hardiness zones: 9 to 10
• Soil: Well-drained soil, slightly acidic
• Height: 1inch to 3 feet

Here’s the secret to bringing hummingbirds to your yard. Pollinator-attracting penta blooms all summer long, attracting butterflies, bees, and birds to feast on its star-like tropical flowers. It thrives in the sunlight, even on the hottest summer days, as long as it’s in well-drained soil.

• Flower colors: Red, pink, white, purple
• Light: Full sun
• Hardiness zones: 10 to 11
• Soil: Well-drained acidic soil
• Height: 1 to 3 feet