How to create an urban oasis in a city courtyard – and escape to a tranquil, sanctuary garden

Dreaming of a lush, exotic escape, without upping sticks for somewhere more rural? Then, learning how to create an urban oasis in a city courtyard could be the answer.

With the right planting choices, thoughtful design, and a touch of creativity, even the smallest courtyard can be transformed into a vibrant tropical retreat – no passport required.

Better still, it doesn't matter if you’re working with a compact patio or a secluded balcony garden; by using dramatic foliage, colourful blooms and clever courtyard garden ideas, it is possible to bring the tropics to your backyard.

How to create an urban oasis in a city courtyard

Of course, learning how to create a tropical garden in a city courtyard is not without its challenges. Small gardens, after all, have more than just space issues to contend with; they can also be hit by limited sunlight and unpredictable temperatures, too!

That doesn't mean, though, that it's impossible. 'City courtyard gardens can actually be great spaces to create a jungle-themed garden,' says Ellen Mary Webster, author and professional gardener.

'Often these gardens are sheltered and can even have their own microclimates. The key is to know if there are any frost pockets where tropical plants won’t grow, and to know where there is sun and shade, so choosing the right plants for the right place is easier.'

Ellen Mary Webster

Ellen Mary is an experienced horticulturist, author and wellness advocate, and has appeared on TV in the USA and the UK. She has also spoken at shows around the world for many years, including BBC Gardeners World Live and RHS Hampton Court to name a few, and as a copywriter has articles published in many magazines, including Amateur Gardening Magazine and Grow Your Own.

Andrew Bunting, VP of Horticulture for the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, agrees wholeheartedly, noting that, 'even though there may be size constraints, these spaces can be turned into an urban jungle for most of the growing season'.

'Today, gardeners have many great plant choices that are available at local garden centers, nurseries and plant sales,' he says.

'There is a myriad of plants to choose from to create a little tropical paradise, from bold tropicals such as bananas, cannas and elephant ears, to medium-sized plants and even smaller edging and spilling plants.'

1. Pick your containers

Yes, you can use all of your favourite container gardening ideas when learning how to create a tropical garden in a city courtyard.

'While the aesthetic choices should be driven by the homeowner, there are some key container gardening tips to consider, particularly regarding the size of the container, as it should be big enough to allow plants to flourish,' says Andrew.

'The pot should also be in visual scale with the plant, and should be heavy enough so that the plant is not top-heavy and likely to blow over during a summer thunderstorm,' he adds.

2. Select showstopping foliage

It makes sense that, when learning how to create a tropical garden in a city courtyard, a lot of the oomph will come down to the best tropical plants you select.

'Known as elephant ear plants because the leaves are large, bold and beautiful, a colocasia will need a big pot with plenty of moisture and can be protected over winter or replanted the following year,' says Ellen Mary. Colorasia is generally hardy in US hardiness zones 8 to 11.

Andrew is also a big fan of this plant and its many varieties. 'Some are massive in stature, like Colocasia ‘Thai Giant’ which can reach over twelve feet tall, while others provide a bold accent, but are more medium-sized like Colocasia ‘Illustris’ with black leaves and green veins.

'For unique varieties, try 'Black Magic and ‘Coal Miner’, which have nearly black foliage. ‘Mojito’ is green with black splotches, and ‘Pharaoh’s Mask’ looks as if the leaf has been turned inside out with large black veins on the surface of the leaf.'

Another option is Japanese aralia, Fatsia japonica, which is winter hardy in USDA zones 8-10. Fatsia plants are available from Amazon.

'This one enjoys a partial shady, sheltered spot and will grow well in a container and can stay outside all year,' says Ellen Mary.

'In addition, banana plants grow exponentially with heat and humidity and ample watering and fertilizing,' says Andrew.

'The red Abyssinian banana, Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurellii’, can be planted in May as a two-foot-tall plant and by the end of the summer might be over ten feet tall.

'It is characterized by a “trunk” and large, bold linear leaves that have burgundy undersides with red veins,' he continues.

'Other bananas to consider are Musa ‘Thai Black’ and Musa basjoo, which in warm regions can be hardy in the garden.'

Please note that most banana species prefer US hardiness zone 9 plus.

Live banana starter plants are available from Amazon.

3. Combines different textures

If you really want to create a tropical garden full of texture and movement, it's good to include a real mix of plants.

Andrew says that there are plenty of Canna varieties to achieve this. 'Some cannas are grown for their attractive foliage, like Canna ‘Pretoria’ with yellow and green striping or Canna Tropicanna™ with striations on burgundy and pink'.

'Canna musaefolia has “Musa-like” or banana-like foliage and can grow from a rhizome planted in May. It will reach over twelve feet tall by the end of the summer,' he says.

'Many other cannas are grown for both their bold foliage and vibrant summer flowers, such as ‘Wyoming’, which has purple foliage and orange flowers.

Canna live plants are available from Amazon.

Some additional foliage plants to try include:

• Tetrapanex papyrifer: 'This is big and bold, with huge leaves enjoying some part sun. Also known as the Rice Paper Plant, it is hardy in USDA zones 8-11, so be sure to plant it into a large container which can be protected over winter in harsh frosts,' Ellen says.
  
• Tree ferns: 'These grow well in big, deep containers with good peat-free compost and moisture. They tend to thrive in USDA zones 8-10, with some tolerance to colder temperatures in zone 7 with protection.'
  
• Aeoniums: 'Growing best in USDA hardiness zones 9-11, aeoniums are succulents that need very little care, and will thrive in sunny, dry gardens planted in well-drained, gritty soil. They will need to be kept inside or very well protected over winter as they are tender, but totally worth it,' promises Ellen Mary.

4. Layer your plants

If you want to create an urban oasis in a city courtyard, you need to make sure that your tropical garden features plenty of layers.

'Think about your layers,' advises horticulturist Peggy Anne Montgomery.

'Buy a couple of large pots, and surround them with pots of different sizes to create the layers.

'Use the big pots for the show's stars and your biggest and best topicals. Canna lilies or elephant ears would be striking. Get a climber like Mandevilla or Bougainvillea.

'Bring your house plants outside for the summer to add more foliage. And also think about fast-growing annuals like sun coleus.'

Ellen Mary is also a big fan of layering to create that jungle-inspired effect.

'Larger, architectural plants and trees at the back which may provide shade where needed, then place mid-height plants with lots of foliage beneath and lower down the smaller growing plants and contrasting colours,' adds Ellen Mary.

'Think about how and where you will stand pots and containers, some may need to be placed onto something to lift them higher, and don’t forget some outdoor furniture or a place where you can sit and absorb the jungle vibes!'

Peggy Anne Montgomery

Peggy Anne Montgomery is a horticulturist with more than 35 years of experience in the industry in the Netherlands and the U.S. Her home garden has appeared on television, in several gardening books, and in many magazines. Today, she is an executive account manager at the Garden Media Group, where she represents Dutch Royal Anthos, the largest consortium of Dutch bulb growers and exporters in the U.S. and Canada.

5. Include bold accents

It's all well and good stocking up on tropical plants for your urban oasis, but Andrew says it's vital you include some bold accents if you really want your thriving little slice of jungle to stand out.

'Underneath the key focal point tropicals, include a layer of smaller statured tropical plants such as colorful begonias, bromeliads and tropical ferns,' he says.

Begonia plants are available at Walmart.

'The Jurassic™ begonia series, for example, is a mounding begonia that reaches twelve inches tall with interesting variegations of silver, maroon, pink and white.

5. Don't forget edging and trailing plants

When determining exactly how to create a tropical garden in a city courtyard, it's important to remember that you can add interest using smaller edging and spilling plants.

'You can have these growing at the base of the large and bolder tropical plants or even planted in their own pots,' says Andew, who advises that this effect can be achieved by simply learning how to care for ivy.

If you'd like something more impactful, though, include something like the silver leaves of Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’ or the vibrant pink, green and white variegation on Tradescantia ‘Nanouk'.

'They flower all summer long and attract pollinators,' he says. 'Still, one of the best filling plants is Coleus (syn. Solenostemon). Grown for their interesting leaves, there are literally hundreds of selections to choose from with yellow, red, burgundy or complex variegated leaves.'

6. And remember: the devil is in the detail

'Beyond plant selection, the magic is in the design details. Earth-toned pots, textured planters, and natural materials like bamboo, wood, and stone can all enhance the sense of immersion,' says Hunter Frescoln, founder and creative director at Trendy Gardener, LLC.

'Sound and scent are also often overlooked – adding a small water feature or fragrant tropicals like jasmine or ginger can make the space feel truly transportive,' he adds.

'And for those in colder climates, a container-based layout means plants can be rotated indoors or under cover during the winter months, making tropical courtyard gardens not just beautiful, but sustainable and functional year-round.'

Hunter finishes by pointing out that 'a well-executed urban jungle is not just a visual retreat – it’s a mood-enhancing, wellness-boosting biophilic escape in the heart of the city'.

FAQs

What are the best tropical plants for containers?

If you want to pick the best tropical plants for containers, you're in luck; 'you are only limited in choice by the size of your container,' promises horticulturist Peggy Anne Montgomery.

'Every tropical you can think of can grow in a container. I've seen everything from hardy bananas, elephant ears, palms, ginger, and even canna lilies in giant hanging baskets, you name it. The main thing to consider is where the plants will go in the winter.'

How do I take care of my tropical plant garden?

Not sure how to take care of your tropical garden? Andrew Bunting of the says it's surprisingly easy.

'Many tropical plants, especially bananas, cannas and elephant ears, need ample water and fertilization.

'Old flowers should be regularly removed (deadheading) and as the plants grow, there may be a need to re-arrange the pots to give plants room to grow.'

The most important thing to consider is how you will protect your lush tropical plants when temperatures dip, as many will need to be overwintered.

Now that you know how to create a tropical garden in a city courtyard, you can start planning in earnest (our list of tropical garden ideas is a great place to start). Happy planting.