As you take in the beauty of St. Croix, you will see that beautiful plants and flowers abound around the island. Because of St. Croix’s diverse landscapes, from the lush rainforest of the West End to the desert-like East End, the island is home to plants ranging in nature from tropical flowering vines to spiny cactus – as well as everything in between. So, you may find yourself wondering what some of the plants are and how they came to be here. Use our Plant Guide to find information on the local plants and flowers. Learn where they come from, if they are edible, or if they have any medicinal or practical uses.
Aloe Vera
Known as the “first aid plant,” aloe vera thrives in the Caribbean climate and is easy to spot by its thick, spiky gray-green leaves. Long valued across the Virgin Islands, aloe is commonly used to soothe burns, cuts, and dry skin, while stewed aloe has traditionally been used to support healthy hair and skin.
Bird of Paradise
With its dramatic orange and blue flowers resembling a tropical bird in flight, bird of paradise is one of St. Croix’s most eye-catching ornamental plants. A member of the banana family, it thrives in the island’s warm climate and is often seen brightening gardens and resorts.
Bougainvillea
One of the island’s most colorful plants, bougainvillea bursts into brilliant shades of pink, purple, red, orange, and white. This drought-tolerant vine thrives in full Caribbean sun, climbing walls and fences with thorny stems, so admire it carefully!
Cactus
St. Croix is home to many types of cactus, especially in the dry East End landscape. The prickly pear, found across the island, produces sweet purple fruit that can be eaten fresh, while the distinctive Turks Cap cactus adds color to rocky coastal areas with its pink blooms. Look out for the night-blooming cactus, whose fragrant white flowers open after dark, and the tall pipe organ cactus, a striking feature of the island’s drier terrain.
Casha Bush
Seen almost everywhere on St. Croix, the casha bush is easy to recognize by its long, sharp thorns and small yellow flowers. Tough and drought-resistant, this native plant thrives in the island climate, but hikers quickly learn to admire it from a safe distance!
Century Plant
Despite its name, the century plant lives around 10 to 30 years before putting on a spectacular final show. Resembling a giant aloe, it suddenly sends up a towering flower stalk covered in yellow blooms, sometimes reaching over 25 feet tall. After flowering, the plant dies, but new shoots often grow from its roots.
Crown of Thorns
With bright red blooms and thorn-covered stems, crown of thorns is both beautiful and tough. This hardy succulent grows easily in St. Croix’s climate and can even root from cuttings placed directly into the soil. Its spiky branches make it a favorite ornamental plant, but best admired carefully.
Cup of Gold
Cup of gold is a dramatic tropical vine known for its large golden-yellow, chalice-shaped flowers and sweet nighttime fragrance, often compared to coconut. Fast-growing and sprawling, it climbs over walls and trees, adding bursts of tropical color to gardens across the island.
Flamboyant
One of the Caribbean’s most breathtaking trees, the flamboyant bursts into brilliant red-orange blooms during summer, creating dramatic splashes of color across St. Croix. Native to Madagascar, its wide canopy and fern-like leaves also make it a favorite shade tree.
Frangipani
Known for its sweet fragrance and tropical beauty, frangipani is often seen blooming in white, pink, or yellow around St. Croix. Its distinctive Y-shaped branches and waxy flowers make it a garden favorite. While traditionally used in natural remedies, its milky sap can irritate skin and should not be touched or eaten.
Ginger Thomas
The bright yellow ginger thomas flower blooms year-round across St. Croix and is proudly recognized as the official flower of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Found growing wild on hillsides and roadsides, it is loved for both its beauty and its sweet fragrance, often compared to champagne. Traditionally, parts of the plant have also been used in herbal remedies.
Hibiscus
A favorite throughout St. Croix, hibiscus brightens roadsides and gardens with large, colorful blooms in shades of red, pink, yellow, orange, and white. Loved for both its beauty and hardiness, hibiscus flowers are also used to make teas, while the plants themselves grow easily from cuttings.
Plumbago
With clusters of soft blue or lavender flowers, plumbago adds a splash of color to gardens and roadsides across St. Croix. Native to South Africa, it thrives in the island’s sunny climate and is often grown as a hedge. Its tiny sticky hairs help spread seeds, and sometimes hitch a ride on clothing for a little unexpected island souvenir!
