
Eight tropical plants that are worth a selfie
Tropical plants decorate house façades, parks and private gardens. Sometimes they brighten the sense of smell and some other times they are used as gifts. All of them are unique, colourful and tropical. Many of the plants that grow in Salobreña come from different tropical areas of the world.
Take note of our local selection due to their beauty and their spectacular floweing. They are worth a selfie.
1. Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea glabra)
It is a Brazilian climbing plant used as ornament due to its striking colours, such as pink, purple or orange. The leaves wrap the real flower to attrack the pollinator insects.
- Flowering period?
Bougainvillea flowers all the year long
- Where to find it in Salobreña?
Faldas del Castillo Street, Gambullón Pathway, Martín Recuerda Street, Mercado Municipal, Antiguo Mercado Square and Juan XXIII Street.


2. Common Lantana (Lantana camara)
It is also known as Banderita española (“little Spanish flag”) due to its red and yellow flowers. It is a Jamaican species that can be found in middle high hedges, although it can rise to over 2 metres.
- Flowering period?
It flowers almost all year long because of the sunny climate.
- Where to find it in Salobreña?
Mediterráneo Avenue, Antiguo Mercado Square, Iglesia del Rosario Square and Laderas de la Cruz Street.
3. Ocean Blue Morning-Glory (Ipomoea indica)
Imported from South America, Ocean Blue Morning-Glory is a climbing plant naturalized in the coast of Granada. Its leaves are kind of heart-shapped and bright blue.
- Flowering period?
It flowers from late spring to fall
- Where to find it in Salobreña?
It can be found in Tajo and Camino del Gambullón (Gambullón Gorge and Pathway).


4. Rose of Chine (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)
Native to China, this plant has big flowers that look like a trumpet and its long statements can reach up to ten centimetres. This plant is used in most cases to build hedges, althought there are also isolated specimens of a larger size, up to three meters.
- Flowering period?
It flowers in spring and summer.
- Where to find it in Salobreña?
It can be found in Goya Square, Salobreña Cultural Centre gardens, Fountain Park, Antiguo Mercado Square.
5. Oleander (Nerium oleander)
It is a Mediterranean brush typical of ravines and dried up river banks, used frequently as ornament in the form of hedges or isolated plants in parks, gardens or even the central reservation of the roads. All the plant is extremely toxic. In the past its burned wood was used to make gunpowder.
- Flowering period?
The flowering period lasts from springtime to autumn.
- Where to find it in Salobreña?
It can be found in Antiguo Mercado Square, Juan Carlos I Square, Salobreña and Lobres Cultural Centre Gardens


6. Bolina (Genista umbellata)
It is native from South Spain and the north of Africa. It usually adopts a spherical shape, just as other species do, as an adaptation to face up climatic conditions of the are where is situated. It colonizes dry and very sunny terrains.
- Flowering period?
It flowers during April and May.
- Where to find it in Salobreña?
It can be found in Miranda Hills and Caletón Hills.
7. Rubber plant (Ficus elastica)
It is a tree with a great appearance and aerial roots. It comes from the South of Asia. The word elastica reffers to the rubbery latex that the plant has, from which the rubber was obtained. It is highly-regarded as an interior plant. It roots are aerial, and therefore it needs a constant humidity level. The leaves are toxic and contact with them can cause skin irritations.
- Flowering period?
The flowers can appear during all the year
- Where to find it in Salobreña?
Antiguo Mercado Square, Laderas de la Cruz Street, Fountain Park


8. Almond tree (Prunus dulcis)
It is a deciduous medium-sized tree, native to Asia. Its cultivation is very extended in all the warm area of Europe, but it can also be found wild. It usually grows full of bends and seldom in straight line. The main product is obtained from its almonds, but its wood is very suitable for combustion.
- Flowering period?
It takes place during the months of December and January
- Where to find it in Salobreña?
Canal Road, Miranda Hills
For more information, check our posts about botanical walks in Salobreña:
- Botanical walk around Parque de la Fuente Gardens
- Botanical walks from Fountain Park to Caletón (I) and through Salobreña’s promenade (II)
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