There are many plants that live in places where it rains frequently, I would even dare to say that there are more than those that live in areas where it rains little. In fact, it is enough to go to a tropical forest or a temperate forest to find a great variety of species. The warmer or colder and drier a climate, the less variety of plants and flowers there will be.
Therefore, if you want to know what are some of the plants that live in rainy climates, and that you can also have in your garden, take a look at the ones we recommend.
Plants for hot and rainy climates
To make this article easier to read, we are going to make two lists: one with plants from hot climates, and the other from temperate or cold climates. Starting with the first, some of the most beautiful are:
Aechmea fasciata
Exemplary from my garden.
Bromeliad Aechmea fasciata It is a plant that forms rosettes of lanceolate, broad, green and whitish leaves. Grows up to 30 centimeters tall by 40 centimeters or slightly widersince it produces several suckers after flowering. The inflorescence is composed of numerous pink bracts, and some small lilac flowers.
It needs a lot of light, but never direct sun. A good place to put it would be, for example, in the shade of a palm tree or a little branched tree. Can’t stand frostalthough if it is very protected it does hold up to -1,5ºC.
Alocasia macrorrhiza (Elephant ear)
Exemplary of a restaurant on the island of Mallorca (Spain).
La elephant ear It is a herbaceous plant that can measure up to 5 meters in height.with large leaves that are between 1 and 1,8 meters long. These are green and have very marked nerves. In addition, they have a very long petiole that sprouts from the rhizome. When it reaches maturity it blooms, producing a white inflorescence that arises from the center of the plant.
It needs a lot of water, but it should not be planted in fields that are always flooded as its roots will not tolerate it. In addition, it is important that it be put in the shade, and in a place protected from strong frostsalthough it supports up to -3ºC without being damaged.
Archontophoenix cunninghamiana
Image – Flickr / cskk
The palm Archontophoenix cunninghamianaknown as Bangalow palm or king palm, is a plant that reaches a height of 20 meters. It develops a thin trunk, about 20-30 centimeters thick, and ringed that is crowned by pinnate leaves up to 3 meters long.
It is a plant that wants shade, although as it grows it can get used to the sun if the degree of insolation is not very high. Resists up to -2,5ºC without being damaged by occasional and short-term frosts.
esculent colocasia
Image – Wikimedia Commons / Forest & Kim Starr
The esculent colocasia is a rhizomatous plant known by the name of taro, which reaches a height of about 40-70 centimeters depending on the variety or cultivar. It is very similar to Alocasia, but smaller. It has leaves of about 35 centimeters long by up to 70 centimeters long, and they can be green or purple, with green, red or dark brown petioles. The inflorescences are yellow and sprout from the center of the plant.
It is toxic, except the corm that once cooked can be eaten as just another vegetable. However, we do not recommend its consumption since the specimens that are sold may have pesticides, and / or be hybridized with other species that are not edible. Also, you have to know that you have to put it in an area where there is a lot of light but not direct sun. Withstands cold and occasional frosts down to -5ºCalthough in these conditions it loses the leaves.
Pteris beterona
Image – Flickr / Patricio Novoa Quezada
The Pteris beterona is a fern that develops fronds (leaves) 2 meters long and green. Its height is about 30 centimeters, and it is a plant that is very beautiful in tropical gardens, under the shade of trees, palm trees and / or large shrubs.
You need a warm and humid climate to live, so can’t stand the cold. Therefore, if temperatures drop below 10ºC in your area, it is better to keep it at home until spring arrives.
Plants for temperate and rainy climates
If you are looking for plants that resist cold and frost, and that can live without problems in areas where it rains frequently, here is our selection:
Berberis aquifolium (before it was Mahonia aquifolium)
Known as Oregon grape or mahonia, It is an evergreen shrub that reaches a height of 1,8 meters and a diameter of 1,5 meters.. Its leaves are green, leathery, and have serrated margins. It produces yellow flowers, very small, but also numerous, which sprout in clusters at the end of winter.
It is a plant that must be placed outside, in semi-shade, although it can tolerate direct sun if it gets used little by little. Resists frost down to -18ºC.
Cyperus alternifolius (Umbrella plant)
Image – Wikimedia Commons / Joan Simon
The Cyperus alternifolius it is a perennial herb that reaches a height of between 50 and 150 centimeters. It has green stems and leaves, shaped like an umbrella, a characteristic that gives it its name. Its growth rate is fast as long as it has moisture in the soil. In fact, its natural habitat is rivers and wetlands, so it grows well in places where it rains frequently.
But yes: you have to place it in a place where there is a lot of clarity, better if the sun shines directly on it. Resists up to -7ºC.
digitalis purpurea (Foxglove)
La foxglove it is a biennial flowering plantthat is, he lives two years. During the first it produces a rosette of basal leaves, and the second produces a floral stem up to 2,5 meters high from which sessile leaves and their flowers, which are purple, sprout. Then it bears fruit and then dies.
It must be put in a sunny place so that it grows and flourishes with health. In addition, it is important that you do not plant any plant that is larger than it nearby, as it would provide shade. Resists up to -20ºC.
Pteridium aquiline (Eagle fern)
Image – Flickr / Peter Nijenhuis
El eagle fern, also known as bracken, is a deciduous plant that develops fronds (leaves) 3 meters long and green. Its approximate height is about 30-35 centimeters, and it grows in humid places, without direct sun.
Its growth rate is fast. For this reason, it is advisable to plant in the ground as soon as possible, or in medium or large pots depending on the size of the specimen. Resists up to -18ºC.
Babylonian willow (Weeping willow)
El weeping willow it is a deciduous tree that reaches a height of 8 to 12 meters. It has a crown composed of branches that grow downwards, giving the plant a very beautiful weeping bearing. Its leaves are lanceolate and very thin, green in color except in autumn when they turn yellow. Blooms in spring, producing yellow catkin flowers.
It grows fast and lives very well in damp soils, but it does not like to have its roots waterlogged; that is to say: it can be near a pond for example, but not inside it. Its life expectancy is about 50 years as long as it is not pruned since pruning weakens it a lot. Resists up to -18ºC.
Which of these plants for rainy climates did you like the most?
