Best Tropical Plants to Grow in Nevada

Zone 7 presents a fascinating opportunity for tropical gardening—you're right on the edge where many heat-loving plants can thrive with proper planning. With your 210-day growing season stretching from early April through late October, you have enough warmth to grow impressive tropical varieties that gardeners in cooler zones can only dream of. The key is understanding that while your summers are plenty hot, your springs can be unpredictable and your falls arrive sooner than true tropical climates.

Success in Zone 7 tropical gardening comes down to choosing varieties that can handle cooler nighttime temperatures and make the most of your extended but finite season. Look for plants that produce quickly once established, tolerate temperature swings, and don't require the extreme heat that only zones 9-11 can provide consistently. The varieties I've selected here have proven themselves in Zone 7 gardens, offering reliable harvests and spectacular growth when given proper care.

What makes Zone 7 particularly exciting for tropical gardening is your ability to grow both annual tropical crops and marginal perennials that can survive mild winters with protection. This opens up possibilities for fruit trees, ornamental tropicals, and even some of the more adventurous edibles that require longer establishment periods.