When looking for tropical garden ideas, first consider your climate and region. For example, if you live in the Arizona desert, you can still create the feeling of a tropical shade garden. However, you will need to do this without requiring a lot of plants. Or, if you live in a northern climate, a tropical shade garden should consist of cold-tolerant plants with a tropical look.

Don't be afraid to experiment with color, tropical forests aren't exactly threatened. Although you can grow both annuals and perennials, the best tropical shade plants tend to have large, bold, brightly colored or variegated leaves that appear in a shady garden.

;The bush is dense, so plan accordingly. While some plants may be susceptible to disease without air circulation, creating a tropical shade garden means planting like a jungle—lots of plants in a small space.

Garden accents, including planting containers, are easy ways to create accents of bright color. Other tropical shade garden ideas that create an essence of the tropics include rattan furniture, woven mats, stone carvings, or tiki torches.