10 plants to grow in your home garden in Tulum Mexico
If you’re lucky enough to have a garden in Tulum, you’re probably already taking advantage of the abundant sunshine and soil conditions there. The area’s tropical climate makes it possible to grow a wide variety of plants, from exotic fruits and vegetables to gorgeous flowers.
What types of plants grow in Tulum Mexico?
You’ll find everything from palm trees to cacti, ferns to flowers in Tulum Mexico—it’s truly an oasis of life.
The first thing you need to know is that there are two seasons: dry and wet. The dry season lasts from November through May and the wet season lasts from June through October.
In general, plants that do well in the dry season are cacti and succulents like aloe vera and agave nectar. These plants have thick leaves or stems that store water for them and protect them from sunburn during the blazing hot days. Some people even use them as houseplants.
List of 10 Best Plants to Grow in your own Tulum Garden:
If you’re looking for some inspiration on what to plant next in your Tulum garden, or if you’re just starting out and don’t know where to begin with your green thumb, here’s a list of 10 plants that will grow well in nearly any location in the Riviera Maya.
1. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is succulent, which means that it can withstand drought. However, as with all plants, aloe vera needs water to stay healthy. A good rule of thumb for watering succulents is that you should only water them when the soil feels dry on top and then give them enough water so that they can absorb it all. This allows them to store moisture in their bulbous roots and leaves—which are also helpful for healing cuts and burns because they contain an enzyme called aloins that speeds up cell regeneration.
If you’re looking for something easy to grow in your Tulum garden, aloe vera might be just the solution!
2. Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea is a flowering plant that grows easily outdoors in Tulum. It’s also a tropical plant, making it another good choice for your garden. Bougainvillea can be grown as an indoor or outdoor plant and planted in full sun or partial shade. The flowers are typically pink, purple, red and white in color.
Bougainvillea is a great choice for any Tulum garden because of how easy it is to care for! You only need to water once per week and fertilize once per month (in the spring). Fertilizer should be applied according to label instructions at one-quarter strength every 2-4 weeks during active growth periods; do not over-fertilize as this can cause leaf burn on sensitive varieties like ‘Scarlet Starlet’ which requires far less nitrogen than other varieties such as ‘Black Magic’ so adjust according to the label instructions if necessary prior application before using any fertilizer product that contains nitrogen compounds such as ammonium sulfate or urea nitrate-containing salts.
3. Bird of Paradise
Bird of paradise is a tropical plant that loves the sun and grows best in warm, humid climates. It’s also a native plant to the Tulum area and will therefore be more likely to thrive there than other plants. The bird of paradise has beautiful flowers that are bright orange and red in color, making it an attractive addition to your garden.
We recommend planting bird of paradise in a small garden so that you can enjoy its beauty every day as well as harvest its seeds for cooking. Bird of paradise is also popular among local chefs because it has a meaty texture similar to beef, but with a milder flavor than pork or chicken (so if you have any vegetarians coming over they can still enjoy your meal!).
4. Caribbean Cherry Palm
If you’re looking for a tropical plant that’s native to the Caribbean, look no further than the Caribbean cherry palm. It’s an evergreen tree that grows to be 20 feet tall, so it’s perfect for growing in your Tulum garden.
The Caribbean cherry palm is a slow-growing tree with a life expectancy of 100 years or more! It can live in both shade and full sun, so it’s great if you want to grow several trees at once and don’t want one of them taking up too much space (since they tend not to spread out). The tree also makes an excellent windbreak, as well as being used in landscaping and privacy screens around homes.
5. Coconut Palms
If you’re looking for a tree that can do it all, coconut palms are the way to go. These trees can be used for food, building materials, and fuel—and they make great windbreaks too! If you want to grow one in your Tulum garden (or any part of Mexico), make sure you get an especially large variety. Coconut palms need lots of water—even more than other tropical plants—so keep them near a stream or pond if possible. You could also try growing one in a pot if space is limited; just remember that these trees grow so fast that they will eventually outgrow their containers!
6. Hibiscus
Hibiscus is a tropical flower that can be used in a wide variety of ways. Its vibrant color adds an element of vibrancy to any space, and its sweet aroma will have you craving summertime even when it’s snowing outside.
Hibiscus is also beautiful when dried, making it ideal for use as table arrangements or bouquets. You can make your own dried hibiscus flowers by cutting off the green part of the stem and hanging them upside down in a cool, dry place until they’ve completely dried out (usually about three days).
7. Jamaica Caper Tree
Jamaica Caper Tree is a tropical plant that grows in the Caribbean. This fast-growing tree has a short trunk, which makes it suitable for small gardens and even large gardens, depending on your preference. These plants are local to the Tulum area so they are a good choice for your garden because they will grow well in both sun and shade. They also handle changeable weather conditions well and can be pruned to keep them to a small size if desired. These plants are easy to maintain due to their sturdy nature and do not require much care beyond watering every 1-2 weeks during dry spells or drought periods. These plants provide excellent shelter for birds and butterflies as well as beautiful flowers that attract birds and butterflies.
8. Mango Trees
Mangos are a great fruit to eat, sell, give away and make jam with. They’re also popular in Tulum! The best thing about this tree is that it only requires moderate care. If you want to plant them in your garden then all you need is a good amount of space and patience for the fruit trees to grow. You can harvest mangos from your own garden or buy them from local vendors when they’re ripe enough for eating! When making jams and chutneys out of mangoes I always use the Alphonso variety which has more pulp than other varieties so it tastes really good when added to recipes like these!
9. Sea Grape Trees
You can’t go wrong with sea grape trees. These hardy palms are native to Central and South America, and they grow well in Tulum’s climate. They’re also an excellent choice for your garden because their fruits are edible! The fruit is harvested by hand when it’s ripe and the flesh of the fruit is eaten like grapes (hence its name). It has a sweet flavor that makes it great for jams and jellies, or you can even make wine out of them!
If you want a delicious treat but don’t have much space, consider planting your own sea grape tree in your Tulum garden. These plants grow quickly so they’re ideal for people who live in smaller spaces or don’t have many years of experience growing tropical plants like coconuts or papayas.
10. Star Fruit Trees
Star fruit trees are one of the most popular edible plants to grow in a Tulum garden. They are easy to grow and they don’t require a lot of water, meaning that they can be planted in drier areas. Star fruit trees are also drought-tolerant, so they will do well even when you forget to water them! The bright yellow star-shaped fruits that hang off the branches will attract all kinds of wildlife, including birds and bats who will help eat your pests. The plant itself provides plenty of shade for other plants as well as providing its own vitamin C for healthy skin and immunity. It contains antioxidants that protect against heart disease and cancer too!
Native plants are a good choice for your garden in Tulum!
Native plants are a great choice for your Tulum garden. Native plants are typically drought-resistant and can survive the hurricane season without being harmed in any way. They also attract wildlife like birds, butterflies, and bees. If you’re looking to attract butterflies or hummingbirds to your garden, native plants are an excellent choice!
Native plants will provide you with more shade than non-native alternatives because they grow much taller than most other types of vegetation here in Tulum.
Conclusion
Hopefully these tips have given you some ideas on how to start getting creative in your own Tulum garden. We’ve only listed a few plants here, but there are many more to explore. While it may be hard at first, with enough practice and determination you’ll be able to grow anything you want!