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Index > Garden Blog

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💝 Mother's Day Sale!

Happy Mothers Day cat with kittens

Happy Mother's Day to all the plant lovers and their amazing, caring and hard-working moms! Mother is the only one who truly loves you unconditionally - show her your love back this Mothers Day Week - with our special sale. Bring a little more beauty and a smile into her (and your) garden. Celebrate the love and care that mothers bring, just like the nurturing nature of plants.

Don't miss out - use the code below for your 15% OFF Mother's Day discount!

MOTHERS25

Min order $150. Excluding S/H. Exp. 5-12-25

Reminder: use our FREE and DISCOUNTED SHIPPING for qualified orders


🎁 Mother's Day Gift Shopping
Gift Card with a 15% Bonus!

Valentines gift card

Searching for the ultimate Mother's Day gift? Look no further - a live plant never fails to brighten a day, and with a Top Tropicals Gift Card, she gets to choose her very own slice of paradise! Allow your mom to select the perfect plants for her garden or home - let her explore our wide selection of tropical plants and create her own green oasis this Mother's Day.

To get 15% bonus value: make sure to mention words Mother's Day in your gift card message.

What Makes It Special?

Bonus Value: For every gift card purchased, we add an extra 15% value at no additional cost. For instance, a $100 gift card transforms into $115 worth of plant magic!

Flexibility: No expiration date means your special someone can pick their dream greenery at their leisure.

Instant Delivery: The gift certificate is emailed directly to you - no hassle, no delays.

Gift Card has no expiration date.
Offer to purchase the card with the BONUS VALUE expires 5-12-25

Date:

Is the Sausage Tree from Africa edible?

Is the Sausage Tree from Africa edible? Is the Sausage Tree from Africa edible? Is the Sausage Tree from Africa edible? Is the Sausage Tree from Africa edible?
🌭 Is the Sausage Tree from Africa edible?

Despite the tempting name, the sausages that grow on the Sausage Tree don't actually taste like the sausages you're thinking of, but... in a nutshell, they are still edible! Let's dive into the details...

  • 🌭The Sausage Tree (Kigelia pinnata, also known as Kigelia africana) is a striking tropical tree native to sub-Saharan Africa, renowned for its large, sausage-shaped fruits that can grow up to 2 feet long and weigh up to 15 pounds.

  • 🌭While the Sausage Tree's fruit is technically edible, it is toxic when raw. To safely consume the fruit, it must undergo specific processing methods:


  • Drying: The fruit is dried thoroughly to reduce toxicity.
    Roasting or Baking: These methods help neutralize harmful compounds.
    Fermentation: In some cultures, the fruit is fermented, often with sugarcane juice or honey, to create traditional beverages like muratina in Kenya.

  • 🌭Even with these preparations, caution is advised. It's essential to consult with local experts or traditional practitioners before attempting to consume Sausage Tree fruit.

  • 🌭Various parts of the tree, including the fruit, bark, and leaves, have been used to treat ailments such as ulcers, skin infections.

  • 🌭In some African cultures, the fruit is associated with fertility and is used in rituals. The tree's presence is often considered auspicious.

  • 🌭Although the Sausage Tree might not be winning any awards for your dinner table, it's definitely a showstopper in the yard. Think of it as the ultimate conversation starter and the weirdest, most fascinating collectible you'll ever grow!


🛒 Grab your Sausage Tree now - impress your guests!

📚 Learn more about Sausage Tree:
Meet the tree everyone's talking about: sausages growing on a tree!

#Nature_Wonders #Trees #Discover

🏵 TopTropicals

Date:

Top Eight irresistible vines for a hummingbird haven

Top Eight irresistible vines for a hummingbird haven
🕊 Top Eight irresistible vines for a hummingbird haven. Part 1.

Below is the Hummingbird Haven Plan designed for continuous blooms, vertical interest, and year-round hummingbird attraction.

Centerpiece (Tall Structure / Arbor)

  • 🦋 Thunbergia, especially Thunbergia mysorensis (Clock Vine). Provide strong overhead support for its hanging blooms. Let this showstopper trail over a sturdy pergola or arbor. Its long, red-and-yellow flowers will be your garden’s main hummingbird magnet.


  • Side Support (Trellis or Fence)

  • 🦋 Bignonia capreolata (Crossvine) - A hardy, fast-growing native that clings to supports. Train it on a trellis for early-spring blooms that attract the season’s first hummingbirds.

  • 🦋 Tecomaria (Cape Honeysuckle) - A vigorous, evergreen bloomer that loves full sun. Its bright red-orange tubular flowers draw hummingbirds throughout the year and are perfect for training along fences or trellises.


  • Mid-layer (Fence, Arch, or Large Pot Trellis)

  • 🦋 Passiflora (especially vitifolia or coccinea). Needs full sun, rich soil, and regular water; prune to manage size and boost flowering. Let it twine near seating areas for bold red blooms and close-up hummingbird visits.


  • Ground-Level Accents

  • 🦋 Ipomoea (including Prince Kuhio Vine) - Thrives in warm, frost-free zones with sun and moisture. Plant at the base of structures or in containers to sprawl or climb with vivid purple-pink blooms.

  • 🦋 Lonicera (including L. sempervirens - Coral Honeysuckle) - Plant at the base of a trellis or fence, near the arbor. This cold-hardy native has red-orange or yellow tubular blooms from spring to fall and adds a delicate contrast to tropical textures.


  • Wild Touch / Quick Filler

  • 🦋 Antigonon leptopus - Mexican Coral Vine - Loves sun and drains well; drought-tolerant but frost-sensitive. Great for fences and open trellises as a fast-growing, summer-to-fall bloomer buzzing with activity.

  • 🦋 Pyrostegia venusta (Flame Vine) - Bursting in fiery orange, perfect for fences or pergolas. Plant along a back fence or side trellis where it can sprawl wide and fill empty space. Thrives in full sun, blooms in winter-spring, and complements vertical stars like Thunbergia and Passionflower.


📝 These vines feature tubular, nectar-rich blooms that hummingbirds adore.
Add a shallow birdbath or feeder nearby, and you'll have a full-service nectar station!

See full list of Hummingbird favorite vines in next post ⤵️

🛒
Turn Your Garden Into a Hummingbird Paradise!

#Hedges_with_benefits #Butterfly_Plants #How_to

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Date:

A Beautiful and Edible Delight: Taro or Elephant Ear?

Colocasia antiquorum Illustris

🍀 A Beautiful and Edible Delight: Taro or Elephant Ear?
  • 🪴 Colocasia antiquorum Illustris, commonly known as the Imperial Taro or Elephant Ear, is a striking ornamental plant prized for its dramatic, dark purple and green heart-shaped leaves. While it is primarily cultivated for aesthetic purposes in gardens, ponds, and containers, it does have edible potential.​
  • 🪴Young Leaves: The young leaves of Colocasia antiquorum can be consumed when thoroughly cooked.
  • 🪴Tuber (Corm): The corms, or underground stems, of this species are edible but must be cooked properly (may cause irritation if consumed raw). ​
  • 🪴This cultivar thrives in moist, shaded environments, making it ideal for bog gardens, water features, and shaded landscapes. It prefers consistently moist or boggy soil and can tolerate dappled sunlight.
  • 🪴The plant is fast-growing and can reach heights of 5–6 feet, adding a tropical flair to your garden. ​


🛒
Start growing your Colocasia Illustris

#Food_Forest #Remedies

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Date:

Have you ever seen a Bridal Bouquet Plumeria this size?

Bridal Bouquet - Plumeria pudica

Bridal Bouquet - Plumeria pudica

Bridal Bouquet - Plumeria pudica

Bridal Bouquet - Plumeria pudica

Bridal Bouquet - Plumeria pudica

Bridal Bouquet - Plumeria pudica

Bridal Bouquet - Plumeria pudica

Bridal Bouquet - Plumeria pudica

Bridal Bouquet - Plumeria pudica

Bridal Bouquet - Plumeria pudica

👀 Have you ever seen a Bridal Bouquet Plumeria this size?

📸 In the photo: This beauty is right at our front door! We planted it a few years ago, and after a tough winter frost damaged it, it bounced back stronger than ever. Now, it's grown into a dense, clumping bush that's impossible to miss! People passing by often stop to admire it and ask what it is. It's truly a miracle plant!
  • 💮 Bridal Bouquet Plumeria - Plumeria pudica - is evergreen, unlike most plumeiras, that drop leaves in winter. It has vibrant, fiddle-shaped leaves! It's a tropical beauty that stays ornamental even when it's not in bloom.
  • 💮 Plumeria pudica blooms almost non-stop with large clusters of 3" white flowers with small yellow centers, forming a beautiful bouquet on the plant. It's like having your own tropical garden show every day!
  • 💮 Unique Growth Habit: This plumeria is versatile - it can grow as a small tree or as a dense, clumping bush, making it perfect for small yards or patios. The plant can be shaped to fit the space, growing rapidly and upright.
  • 💮 Low Maintenance: Easy to care for and tolerant of drought, Plumeria pudica thrives without the need for special attention. It's resistant to insects and fungus, unlike other plumerias. Simply plant and enjoy!
  • 💮 We have in our collection very interesting variety of Plumeria pudica from Thailand. It has variegated leaves! Plumeria pudica variegata - Snow Bridal Bouquet, or White Arrow Leaf - has variegated leaf margins. Like regular Plumeria pudica, it is evergreen, never drops leaves, and grows into a beautiful, dense multi-stem bush. Great for container culture.


🛒 Shop Bridal Bouquet - Plumeria pudica

📚
Learn more:
Plumeria pudica variegata, Snow Bridal Bouquet - the most unusual Plumeria

#Container_Garden #Nature_Wonders #Trees

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Date:

🌸 Plumeria Power: The Signature Scent of the Tropics

Plumeria collage

Q: What is the most fragrant variety of Plumeria? Are some colors more fragrant than others? How do you keep Plumeria blooming?

A: From Kristi, TopTropicals Flower Expert: At Top Tropicals, we used to think yellow Plumeria was the most fragrant. That was until we discovered multi-colored hybrids and stunning "rainbow" varieties! These rare beauties are prized not just for their sweet, strong fragrance but also for their dazzling mix of tropical colors.

We just received new arrivals of stunning new Plumeria varieties - but quantities are limited, so don't wait! Choose your favorite colors and bring home the irresistible scent of the tropics.

Plumerias are famous for their rich colors and unforgettable fragrance. With just a few simple steps, you can grow your own blooming tree and enjoy flowers just like in the pictures.

5 simple rules how to grow a fragrant Plumeria

1. Use well-drained soil. Choose a potting mix rich in perlite, bark, and coconut fiber. We recommend Sunshine Abundance professional soil mix for best results.

2. Choose the right container. Use a pot just slightly larger than the root ball to prevent water-logging. Plumeria prefers dry conditions - water only when the soil is slightly dry.

3. Give it full sun. Plumeria needs plenty of light to bloom. If grown indoors, place it in the brightest spot and bring it outside for sunbathing whenever possible.

4. Let it rest in winter. Plumeria drops its leaves and goes dormant during the cooler months. When this happens, reduce watering to a minimum and let the plant rest until new growth begins.

5. Feed it to bloom. Plumeria is a heavy feeder and needs fertilizer to flower well. Use a plant food high in phosphorus, like Sunsine Megaflor Bloom Booster liquid fertilizer. It's safe to use with every watering, all year round.

"> Plumeria video

New Video of Exotic Plumeria Hybrids

Check out different varieties of Plumerias in full bloom. Just look at these colors in this ">short video !

Date:

How to enhance your garden with hardy tropical: Fast Growing White Orchid Tree

Bauhinia alba (candida) - White Orchid Tree

🪚 How to enhance your garden with hardy tropical: Fast Growing White Orchid Tree
  • 💮 Bauhinia alba (candida) - White Orchid Tree - is the most cold hardy of all bauhinias. It is a medium-sized, fast-growing tree with short trunk and spreading branches that provide excellent shade.
  • 💮 Abundant, fragrant white flowers adorned with subtle lemon-green markings, blooming from winter through spring and intermittently in summer.
  • 💮 Cold Hardy: Among the most frost-tolerant Bauhinias, thriving in temperatures as low as 26F. ​
  • 💮 Rapid Growth: Grows quickly, reaching heights of 15 to 30 feet, ideal for creating a lush, shaded area. ​
  • 💮 Attracts Pollinators: The large, showy flowers attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies, enhancing your garden's ecosystem.​
  • 💮 Low Maintenance: Drought-tolerant once established and thrives in well-drained soil with full sun exposure. ​


📚 Orchid trees from previous posts:

🛒 Enhance your garden with White Orchid Tree

#Hedges_with_benefits #Trees #Butterfly_Plants

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Whats inside this bumpy Annona fruit? Delicious Health benefits!

Annona squamosa - Sugar Apple, Sweetsop

🎃 What's inside this bumpy Annona fruit? Delicious Health benefits!
  • 🍏 Annona squamosa - Sugar Apple or Sweetsop, is not related to Apple at all; in fact it's in the same family with Ylang Ylang perfume trees - Annonaceae!
  • 🍏 Sugar Apple is considered by many to be the most delicious tropical fruit. The fruit is a true treat, with pulp that resembles creamy custard, offering a flavor experience that's hard to beat. Some cultivars like Vietnam Sugar Apple Nadi - have pulp virtually melting in your mouth!
  • 🍏 Sugar Apple tree starts fruiting within 3 years from seed and has compact growth habit, making it ideal for small gardens and containers. Beyond its delightful flavor and ornamental appeal, this fruit offers a variety of health benefits:

· Digestive Aid: High fiber promotes digestion and alleviates constipation.
  • · Antioxidant Properties: Combats oxidative stress, reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
  • · Mood Enhancement: Vitamin B6 boosts mood and helps fight depression.
  • · Eye Health: Rich in vitamin A, supports healthy vision.
  • · Blood Pressure Regulation: Potassium and magnesium help regulate blood pressure.
  • · Skin Health: Antioxidants protect skin from oxidative damage.
  • · Weight Management: Low in calories, high in fiber, promotes satiety.
  • · Immune Support: Vitamin C boosts the immune system.
  • · Anti-inflammatory: Reduces inflammation linked to chronic conditions.


📚 More about Annonas:

🛒 Plant

#Food_Forest #Discover

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Date:

Smell the Little Gem

Magnolia grandiflora - Southern Magnolia

Magnolia grandiflora - Southern Magnolia

💎 Smell the Little Gem

🕊 Get up close with the Magnolia grandiflora - Southern Magnolia - its huge, creamy white petals look like sculpted wax, and the scent is fresh, lemony, and unforgettable!

📚 Learn more:

🛒 Plant the Iconic Southern Magnolia

#Perfume_Plants #Trees

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Date:

Chayas health benefits: a must-have tropical leafy vegetable for sustainable gardening

Chaya, Maya Spinach, Kikilchay, Chaykeken - Cnidoscolus aconitifolius

🌱 Chaya's health benefits: a must-have tropical leafy vegetable for sustainable gardening
  • 🌿 What is Chaya?

· Chaya (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius) is a little-known, nutrient-packed leafy green.
  • · It is a small perennial tree or shrub, native to the Yucatan Peninsula.
  • · Also known as Maya Spinach, Kikilchay, or Chaykeken.
  • · Younger leaves and stems are used like spinach: cooked and served with oil or butter.

  • 🌿 Health Benefits:

· Rich in protein, calcium, iron, and vitamins A & C.
  • · Aids digestion, improves circulation, and supports lactation.
  • · Used in folk medicine for diabetes, high blood pressure, and anemia.

  • 🌿 Important Tip:

· Always cook the leaves (boil for 10-15 minutes) to neutralize toxins and make them safe to eat.
  • 🌿 Growing Chaya:

· Fast-growing perennial, thriving in full sun to partial shade.
  • · Perfect for food forests or backyard gardens.
  • · Propagate easily from 6-12 inch stem cuttings and make more to eat!
  • · Can grow up to 6-8 feet tall and be continuously harvested with proper care.


🌿 Garden Benefits:
  • · Pretty white flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
  • · Resilient to drought and thrives in various soil types. Heat and cold tolerant.


🛒 Start growing your Chaya today for a sustainable garden!

#Food_Forest #Remedies #Discover

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