Remember these plants? They used to dominate the gardens of Brazilian homes

For decades, the gardens of Brazilian homes featured species that were practically indispensable. Those who grew up in houses with backyards probably remember fruit trees, flowering shrubs, and ornamental plants that appeared repeatedly in neighborhoods, at grandparents’ homes, and even along sidewalks.

These gardens had a distinct identity: they were spacious areas, with shade, fresh fruit, and plants that accompanied families’ daily routines.

Over time, however, the urban landscape changed a great deal. The growth of cities, shrinking plots, and the rise of living in apartments transformed the way people relate to landscaping.

Today, projects prioritize small gardens, pots, and compact species. In this process, some plants that used to be extremely common have become increasingly rare to find.

This does not mean they have disappeared, but many have ceased to be part of everyday residential gardens. Even so, these species still spark fond memories and represent an important phase of Brazilian domestic landscaping. Below, revisit some plants that dominated the backyards and gardens of many homes across the country.

1. Mulberry tree

The mulberry tree was one of the most common fruit trees in Brazilian backyards for decades. With relatively fast growth and a generous crown, it was valued for providing shade and producing large quantities of fruit during the season.

The mulberries, small and intensely purple, were picked straight from the tree and often became part of childhood play, even if they stained hands and clothes.

Despite its past popularity, the mulberry ended up losing ground in urban gardens because of the tree’s size and the abundant fruit drop, which can stain floors and sidewalks. Today, it still appears in rural areas or on larger lots, but is far less common in cities.

2. Jabuticaba tree

The jabuticaba tree has always held a special place in Brazilian backyards, considered one of the country’s most emblematic fruit trees. Its curious look, with dark fruits that grow directly on the trunk, draws attention and turns the plant into a focal point in the garden during fruiting.

Besides producing much-loved fruit, the tree also provides shade and helps create more natural-looking gardens. With reduced space in urban homes, however, its cultivation has declined, although smaller varieties and planting in pots have regained interest in recent years.

3. Azalea

For a long time, the azalea was a striking presence in the front gardens of Brazilian homes. The shrub was often used to form hedges or ornamental beds, mainly because of the abundant bloom that occurs in winter.

Their flowers, which can appear in shades of pink, red, or white, created true corridors of color on residential streets.

Beyond beauty, the plant also stood out for its hardiness and ease of adaptation to different regions of the country. Even though it is still cultivated today, the azalea has lost some of its prominence in contemporary landscape projects, which have come to prioritize tropical species or more minimalist compositions.

4. Snake plant

The snake plant has always been present in many Brazilian gardens, especially near house entrances. Its long, rigid leaves form vertical clumps that draw attention and create an interesting architectural effect in landscaping. Beyond aesthetics, the plant carries strong cultural symbolism, traditionally associated with spiritual protection and warding off negative energies.

Being extremely hardy, it adapts well to full sun or partial shade and requires little care—qualities that helped popularize it in home gardens. Today the species is still present in many homes, but appears more often in pots and indoor projects than in large outdoor beds.

5. Hibiscus

Hibiscus was also one of the great protagonists of Brazilian residential gardens. Its shrubs are known for their large, showy flowers in intense colors such as red, pink, yellow, and orange. Because it thrives in tropical climates and flowers easily when it gets plenty of sun, the plant was frequently used to form hedges or to fill large areas of the garden with color.

Beyond its ornamental value, some hibiscus varieties are also used to make teas and refreshing drinks. Over time, however, the species has been replaced in many projects by plants considered more contemporary or even simpler to maintain.

6. Japanese raisin tree

The Japanese raisin tree was once quite popular in Brazilian gardens, mainly for combining ornamental and fruiting qualities. The tree has a broad canopy that offers pleasant shade and produces small, sweet clusters of fruit. Although the name suggests a similarity to the traditional grape, the flavor is closer to fruits like pear, which makes consumption curious and different.

For a long time, it was planted in larger backyards and outdoor areas of homes, where it could grow freely. Over the years, however, the species has become less common in urban projects, mainly because it needs space to grow properly.

7. Primavera (Bougainvillea)

The primavera, also known as bougainvillea, is another plant that made its mark in many Brazilian homes. Used to cover walls, gates, and pergolas, it stands out for its colorful bracts that create true cascades of flowers in vibrant shades such as pink, purple, red, and orange. Highly resistant to sun and drought, the plant adapted perfectly to the country’s climate, becoming a frequent choice for low-maintenance gardens.

In older homes, it was common to see large specimens forming exuberant volumes on the facade or in the backyard. Currently, although it remains present in landscape projects, bougainvillea appears less often in smaller residences, where its vigorous growth may require frequent pruning.

8. Night-blooming jasmine

Night-blooming jasmine was one of the most memorable plants in traditional gardens, mainly because of the intense scent it releases at dusk. Its small, discreet flowers go almost unnoticed during the day, but at night they give off a sweet, strong fragrance that spreads easily throughout the project.

In many neighborhoods, a single plant was enough to perfume the entire surrounding area. For this reason, it was often planted near windows or verandas, allowing the aroma to enter the house on warmer nights. Today, night-blooming jasmine appears less frequently in urban gardens, since its scent can be considered too strong for small spaces or projects that are very close by.

9. Dumb cane (comigo-ninguém-pode)

Dumb cane was another extremely common plant in Brazilian home gardens. Its large, ornamental leaves, marked by light patches, create a tropical look that stands out in any bed. Beyond aesthetics, the plant also carries strong cultural symbolism, being associated with spiritual protection and warding off negative energies.

For many years, it was common to see it near house entrances or in standout areas of the garden. Although still well known, its use has decreased in some current landscape projects, mainly because of its toxicity to children and pets, which calls for extra care in cultivation.

10. Pomegranate tree

The pomegranate tree was also very common in the gardens of Brazilian homes, especially in backyards of families that kept cultural traditions linked to the plant. Medium-sized and easily adapted to hot climates, it produced fruits with reddish skins and interiors full of juicy seeds, widely used both in cooking and in symbolic and religious practices. In many homes, the pomegranate was associated with prosperity and luck, and it was common to eat the seeds on special dates or keep the tree in the backyard as a symbol of abundance.

Beyond its cultural value, the plant also has ornamental flowers in orange-reddish tones that stand out in the garden. Although it is still cultivated in some regions, the pomegranate tree has become less frequent in today’s urban gardens, mainly because many homes no longer have enough space for fruit trees.

CASACOR Publisher is an exclusive content-creation agent, developed by the CASACOR Technology team based on the knowledge of casacor.com.br. This text was edited by Yeska Coelho.