8 plants for equatorial climate

There are many plants that you can have in a tropical garden

The equatorial climate is one that allows a wide variety of plants to grow throughout the year. Temperatures are warm and it rains frequently. It is the one that gives life to part of the Amazon for example, or to the tropical forests of Africa or South Asia. And they are, also, those that in the rest of the world we usually have inside the home since if we had them outside, the cold winter would end them.

So, if you are curious, and / or if you are a lucky person who lives near the equator and in your area the rains are abundant, Here are some equatorial climate plants you can grow.

What are the characteristics of the equatorial climate?

Equatorial Climate Map

Image – Wikimedia Commons / Tetrarch8

The equatorial climate is, as its name indicates, the one that exists in those places that are close to the Equator. Here, the rays of the Sun arrive earlier than in the rest of the world, since being the round planet (rather, spherical) the Equator is at a somewhat smaller distance from the star king, so the rays travel a shorter distance and therefore contribute to warm temperatures.

However it is very important to differentiate the equatorial climate, also known as the humid tropical climate, from the dry tropical climate. And it is that in both they are very different. Let’s take a better look at it below:

  • Equatorial climate:
    • Geographic location: between latitude 5º north and 5º south. It is that predominates in Southeast Asia, the Amazon, the Congo Basin and the coast of the Gulf of Guinea in Africa.
    • Precipitation: very abundant and frequent, above 2500mm.
    • Temperatures: the annual average is 27ºC, the annual temperature range being less than 3ºC between the warmest and the coldest months.
  • Dry tropical climate:
    • Geographic location: it is located between 15º and 25º of latitude, both in the north and in the south of the Earth. It is the one in the Sahara and Sahel in Africa, in some parts of Brazil and Mexico, as well as in the Australian desert.
    • Precipitations: they are very scarce, less than 250mm per year.
    • Temperatures: the annual average is 25-31ºC.

Plants for equatorial climate

There are many plants that live in tropical rain forests. As the temperatures are mild but warm throughout the year, which favors that many, many species reach incredible dimensions, or have huge leaves. There are others that, despite having a more common height, are in colors that attract a lot of attention.

It is very difficult to make a selection of these plants and say “these are the most beautiful”, because they all have something special! So, well, next I will show you the ones that I like the most, and you will tell me what you think:

Giant bamboo (giant dendrocalamus)

Giant bamboo is a plant for equatorial climate

Image – Wikimedia Commons / David J. Stang

Giant bamboo is one of the largest types of bamboo in the world. In fact, It can measure and exceed 30 meters in height, even reaching 42m. Its canes are thick, between 10 and 35 centimeters wide. It is, therefore, an ideal species to have in a large garden, where it can be very good as a windbreak hedge.

Coconut tree (Cocoa nuts)

The coconut tree is a tropical palm tree

Having a coconut tree In a garden it is the dream of many, but one destined to never be fulfilled when the weather is not right. And it is that this palm tree, typical of the tropical beaches of Asia and America, requires high temperatures all year round so that it can grow well and reach 30 meters in height.

Rainbow eucalyptus (Eucalyptus)

The rainbow eucalyptus is a tree of tropical origin

Image – Wikimedia Commons / LukaszBel

El rainbow eucalyptus it is so sensitive to cold that it can only be grown in places where the climate is tropical humid, or indoors in the rest. Of course, if it is kept in the garden, it must be borne in mind that it can measure more than 30 meters in height (in its natural habitat it reaches 75m). Unlike others of the genre, the bark of its trunk is multicoloreda feature that powerfully draws the attention of those who have the opportunity to see one ,.

Handle (Mangifera indicates)

The mango is an evergreen tree

El mango It is an evergreen tree that can be about 30 meters high. It has a wide crown, 5-6 meters in diameter, and also produces edible fruits that are delicious, sweet in taste. These can be consumed as soon as they have been collected from the plant, removing the skin beforehand.

Mangosteen (garcinia mangostana)

The mangosteen is a tree sensitive to frost

Image – Wikimedia / Michael Hermann

El mangosteen or mangosteen is an evergreen tree that reaches a height of between 6 and 25 meters. The fruit is rounded, with a dark purple-red skin, and has an edible pulp (or “flesh”).sweet flavor and juicy texture. It can be consumed fresh, although refreshing drinks are also prepared which, personally, I think are delicious. I had the opportunity to try them in a Thai restaurant, and the truth is that I cannot but recommend them.

Elephant ear (alocasia odora)

Alocasia odora is a herbaceous plant

Image – Wikimedia Commons / Σ6

The alocasia odora is a rhizomatous plant that reaches a height of 2,5 meters, and that has simple, whole leaves about 60 centimeters long by 40 centimeters wide with petioles up to 1 meter long. It is, therefore, an ideal species to have in a tropical garden.

Butterfly orchid (Phalaenopsis)

Phalaenopsis have an equatorial climate

La butterfly orchid it is epiphytic, and has dark green lanceolate leaves. Its flowers are about 5 centimeters wideand they can be of very different colors: white, pink, bicolor … It is widely used as an indoor plant, although it requires high ambient humidity and a lot of light (not direct).

Red palm tree (Cyrtostachys renda)

The red palm tree is a tropical plant

Image – Flickr / Runner Alan

Be very careful not to confuse it with the Chambeyronia macrocarpasince this palm tree has the new red leaf, not the trunk. The Cyrtostachys renda It is also multicaule, which means that it has several trunks. It can measure up to 12 meters in heightand has pinnate leaves about 2 meters long.

Which of these plants for equatorial climate did you like the most?

8 plants for equatorial climate

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