Garden Blog - Top Tropicals
Date:
🌿 Bring the Jungle Inside: Winter Survival Guide Part 1 ❄️
Smokey: "Winter lighting must be precise. I need this light exactly at 14
inches."
Sunshine: "Sure. I am holding this… little number thing."
Smokey: "It reads humidity. Your main job is to look cute."
🌞 LIGHT, TEMPERATURE, PLACEMENT
Winter indoors is a different kind of battlefield. Dark rooms. Dry air. Cold windows. Random drafts. Weak light. Sad plants. We spent the last mail-lists talking about keeping your tropicals alive outdoors. But some of you have no choice this time of year. You have to bring the jungle inside.
If that is you, then this is your survival training. Get Part 1 right, and the rest of winter becomes easy.
☀️ LIGHT: THE WINTER LIFELINE
Light advice here comes straight from our in-house expert, Michael Dubinovsky, a high-tech lighting engineer with over 30 years of hands-on experience. If he says brightness beats hours, trust him.
Here is the truth. Winter indoor light is weak. Even a big bright window gives only a fraction of what tropicals expect. Short days, low sun, cold glass... it all adds up. If you want your plants to stay happy, you must give them real brightness, not long hours of dim light.
What to use:
LED shop lights or utility lights, 5000K to 6500K, high lumens. Clamp lamps
with a bright daylight bulb work fine for single plants. You do not need
purple grow lights. You do not need expensive fixtures. Bright daylight LEDs
from any hardware store will do the job.
How to set it up:
Keep the light 12 to 18 inches above the leaves. Too close burns. Too far
stretches. Aim the light directly at the plant. If leaves reach upward like
they are begging, the light is too weak or too high.
Intensity beats hours:
Adding more time does not fix weak light. A few hours of strong brightness
beats all-day dim light. Bright + short is always better than weak +
long.
Quick check:
Download any free phone lux app. Most indoor corners read 50 to 200 lux.
Tropical plants want much, much more. A cheap LED shop light solves the
problem instantly.
Simple plan:
Bright daylight LED. 12 to 18 inches above leaves. Timer set for 10 to 12
hours. No fancy gear. No purple lights. Just good clean brightness.
Simple rule: Short duration but bright is always better than long duration but weak. - by Michael, Top Tropicals lighting expert
Read more about lighting in our Garden Blog
🌡️ TEMPERATURE: THE TROPICAL DORMANCY LINE
Temperature: The Dormancy Line
Most tropicals slow down or stop growing below 70 to 75 F. They stay green, but their engine shuts off. If you want winter growth, you need warmth plus light. If you let temperatures drop, expect plants to go into dormancy.
What happens below 70 F:
Roots slow, water intake drops, fertilizer becomes risky, leaf drop becomes
common.
Watch for hidden cold zones:
Cold windows, drafts, garage entryways, and pots sitting on tile. The room
may say 72 F while the soil is 55 F. Always elevate pots on boards or foam
to
keep roots warm.
Heaters:
Space heaters are fine if used safely. Oil-filled radiators are the best
choice. Do not blow hot air directly on plants or cords.
Humidity:
You do not need a humidifier for survival, but it helps with growth and
prevents mites. Do not point mist at leaves. Keep the unit lower than the
plant
canopy.
Simple plan:
Aim for 72 to 75 F, avoid drafts and vents, warm the root zone, and keep
lights bright. Warm + bright = steady winter plants. Cool + dim =
dormancy.
Read more about temperature control in our Garden Blog
PLACEMENT: MICROCLIMATE RULE
Indoors, every spot is a tradeoff. By a window you may get light but also cold air. Away from the window you get warmth but not enough brightness. The goal is to combine both: warm room plus supplemental light.
Best winter zones:
South or east windows with added LED light, warm living areas, bright
bathrooms with natural humidity.
Worst winter zones:
Behind curtains, on cold windowsills, near heater vents, against exterior
walls, and in dark corners without supplemental lighting.
Simple plan:
Warm room, bright light, pots off cold surfaces, and no direct blasts from
vents. If a plant keeps dropping leaves on one side, that side is too
cold.
Read more about indoor microclimate in our Garden Blog
💨 ACCLIMATION
Bringing plants inside is a shock. Light drops, humidity drops, airflow stops, and soil cools fast. Even healthy plants may drop some leaves for a few weeks. This is normal.
Before you bring them in:
Rinse the foliage, check for ants, trim weak branches, and treat soil if
fungus gnats are present. Do this before the first cold front if you
can.
What to expect:
Some leaf drop, slower growth, and a short adjustment period. If you keep
light bright and temperature warm, the transition stays easy.
Simple plan:
Clean the plant, warm the roots, add bright light, and avoid drafts. Give
it two to three weeks to settle.
Read more about plant acclimation in our Garden Blog
Cat Bob is inspecting his indoor garden around the tub with a bright skylight
✔️ WINTER INDOOR FAQ: LIGHT, TEMPERATURE, PLACEMENT
Q: I am in Home Depot. Which light do I buy?
A: LED shop light, daylight (5000K to 6500K), high lumens. Skip fancy plant
bulbs.
Q: Can I use clamp lamps or floor lamps for plants?
A: Yes. Clamp lamps with a bright daylight LED bulb work great for winter
holding.
Q: How far should the light be from the plant?
A: About 12 to 18 inches above the leaves.
Q: Can I run weak lights for long hours instead of using a
bright one?
A: No. Brightness matters more than duration.
Q: I have a huge window. Why do I still need LEDs?
A: Winter sun is weak, short, and filtered. Plants need intensity.
Q: My window faces north. Now what?
A: North windows are decorative only. Use LEDs.
Q: Why are leaves dropping on the window side?
A: Cold glass. The room is warm but the window surface is much colder.
Q: Why is my plant not growing even though the room feels
warm?
A: Check the soil temperature. Pots on cold tile can be 10 to 20 F colder
than the air.
Q: Can plants sit directly on the floor?
A: Not on cold tile. Elevate on boards, stands, or trays.
Q: Is a cold room OK for tropicals?
A: They survive, but growth stops below about 65 to 70 F.
Q: Can I keep plants near a heater or vent?
A: No. Hot, dry airflow causes crispy leaves and mites.
Q: My plant is dropping leaves after coming indoors.
Why?
A: Normal acclimation to lower light and humidity.
📚 Learn more:
How to overwinter tropical plants indoors
6 easiest fruit trees and 5 spices to grow in containers indoors
What Timo hides in the bathroom
🐈📸 Cat Timo is a big fan of tropical plants. He guards them in the bathroom with a big skylight - lots of light and Green Magic - that's the key to his green thumb secret!
TopTropicals PeopleCats.Garden
#PeopleCats
🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals
What Avocado is better - Mexican or Guatemalan?
Avocados come from three main regions, and each group has its own special look, taste, and growing habits. The three types are Mexican, Guatemalan, and West Indian. Many of today’s popular varieties are hybrids, mixing traits from these types.
Mexican type:
Guatemalan type:
West Indian type:
These avocados are small, with thin skin and rich flavor. The skin often turns dark green or black when ripe. The flesh is very buttery, with high oil content (up to 30%), and the leaves smell like anise. Mexican types are also the most cold-hardy, so they do well in cooler areas.
Popular Mexican avocado varieties: Anise, Bacon, Brazos Belle (Wilma), Brogdon (Brogden), Fantastic, Florida Hass (Haas), Lila (Opal), Mexicola, Mexicola Grande, Ulala (Oh La La, Super Hass).
Hybrids Mexican x Guatemalan: Winter Mexican, Buck, Wurtz (True Dwarf), Maria Black, Fuerte, Hall, Ettinger, Thomson Red.
These are medium to large avocados with thicker, sometimes bumpy skin. They have a creamy texture and rich flavor with plenty of healthy fats. The fruit is usually pear-shaped and ripens in winter or spring. Guatemalan types are commonly grown in both Florida and California.
Popular Guatemalan avocado varieties: Black Prince, Booth 8, Joey, Nishikawa, Reed, Tonnage, Yamagata
Hybrids Mexican x Guatemalan: Winter Mexican, Buck, Wurtz (True Dwarf), Maria Black, Fuerte, Hall, Ettinger, Thomson Red
Hybrids of West Iundian and Guatemalan: Beta, Catalina, Choquette, Day, Hardee Red, Kampong (Sushi), Loretta, Lula, Marcus Pumpkin, Miguel, Monroe, Oro Negro.
These avocados are the biggest, with smooth, shiny green skin and a lighter, more watery taste. They have less oil but lots of pulp, perfect for salads and guacamole. The fruit can weigh up to 2 pounds! They grow best in tropical climates like Florida, the Caribbean, and the Bahamas, but not in California.
West Indian avocado varieties: Bernecker, Donnie (Doni), Hialeah Red, Pollock, Poncho (Pancho), Red Russell, Russell, Simmonds, Waldin.
Florida originated varieties: Catalina, Hardee Red.
Hybrids of West Iundian and Guatemalan: Beta, Catalina, Choquette, Day, Hardee Red, Kampong (Sushi), Loretta, Lula, Marcus Pumpkin, Miguel, Monroe, Oro Negro.
✍️ In short:
- ✦ Mexican - small, rich, cold-hardy
- ✦ Guatemalan - medium, creamy, thick skin
- ✦ West Indian - large, smooth, tropical
✔️ Check outAvocado Variety Guide interactive chart. Sort them by flower type A or B, tree habit, fruit shape and quality, cold hardiness, origin, season and more!
🛒 Explore Avocado varieties
📖 Our Book: Avocado Variety Guide, Snack or Guacamole?
- ·
📚Learn more:
- · Avocado Variety Guide
- · Posts about #Avocado
- · Avocado tree in plant encyclopedia
#Food_Forest #Avocado #How_to
🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals
Meet PeopleCats of TopTropicals
🐈📸 Cat Charlie - she climbs fence poles, supervises the garden center, and wins hearts from above at TopTropicals PeopleCats.Garden
#PeopleCats
🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals
SOS!
Magnolia champaca, the Joy Perfume Tree
- ✔️ Magnolia champaca, the Joy Perfume Tree, can look a little rough in Winter through early Spring. The leaves may yellow, drop, and make the whole tree look tired. Many gardeners think something went wrong, but this is completely normal. Champaka is semi-deciduous, which means it sheds leaves for a short period during cooler months, even in warm climates.
- ✔️ This is also the time when the tree sets its seeds for spring. As long as you keep your regular watering routine and don’t overreact with extra fertilizer or pruning, the tree rebounds in Spring. Within a few weeks it pushes fresh new foliage and starts blooming again, filling the air with that unmistakable sweet fragrance.
- ✔️ Champaka isn’t declining - it’s just taking a winter nap!
🛒 We always have them for you: Joy Perfume Champaka trees
📚 Learn more:
- 🟡Which Champaka tree is better - White or Golden?
- 🟡Golden and White Champaka side-by-side
- 🟡What does Joy Perfume flower smell like?
- 🟡What does a mature Champaka Tree look like? Practical Growing Guide
- 🟡How to grow Magnolia champaca and get some Joy
- 🟡When does Champaka tree start blooming?
- 🟡Why Champaka is such a popular perfume tree
- 🟡Flower of the most expensive perfume
- 🟡White Champaka
- 🟡Article about Champaka
📱
#Perfume_Plants #Container_Garden #Trees
🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals
Soursop freezer whip: quick-n-fun exotic recipes
Soursop freezer whip
Guanabana, Soursop (Annona muricata)
- 🔵Blend frozen soursop (Annona muricata) pulp with a splash of coconut milk.
- 🔵Freeze 15 minutes, then stir for a soft, slushy whip.
- 🔵Perfect for a hot day, this whip is instantly refreshing and cooling, like a little tropical breeze in a bowl.
- 🔵And on a cold winter day? It still tastes amazing - like a quick escape to the tropics!
🛒 Grow your own delicious Guanabana Soursop
📚 Learn more:
- ▫️Annona muricata in Plant Encyclopedia
- ▫️Guanabana - Soursop fruiting in apartment
- ▫️The most delicious Annona fruit: Guanabana
#Food_Forest #Recipes
🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals
Cluck like a chicken before you roar like a lion - sound on!
Cats Cash and Bob
"Sometimes you gotta cluck like a chicken before you roar like a lion."
- Albert Einstein, "Play is the highest form of research'
🐈📸 Cash and Bob cat circus at TopTropicals / PeopleCats.Garden
#PeopleCats #Quotes
🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals
Can Poinsettia grow for years? 5 most common mistakes with new container plants
Poinsettia - Euphorbia pulcherrima tree
Poinsettia - Euphorbia pulcherrima colorful leaves
Poinsettia - Euphorbia pulcherrima in a pot
Poinsettia - Euphorbia pulcherrima bush
You buy a beautiful plant from a big garden center, or maybe you received one as a holiday gift. It looks perfect - lush, bushy, colorful, spotless. But a few weeks later… what happened? It is dropping leaves, getting leggy, or simply dying. Think about poinsettias after Christmas - most end up in the trash like annuals. But poinsettias are actually perennial shrubs that live for many years in their native environment!
So what went wrong? Here are simple ways to avoid these disappointments and keep your new plants as happy as they were in the greenhouse - and even help them grow bigger and nicer for a long time.
- ❌ Do not put a plant directly into hot, bright sun.
Most nursery plants are grown in filtered light under shade cloth, and sudden full sun can burn the leaves.
✅ Move sun-loving plants gradually into full sun.
- ❌ Do not rely on the original container.
Holiday and gift plants often come in decorative pots that have issues:
- no drainage holes
- glazed or heavy plastic that traps moisture and causes root rot
- dry, porous terra cotta that loses moisture too fast
- cone-shaped pots that hold water and create waterlogging
- pots that are simply too big or too small for the root system
✅ Use simple black nursery pots with straight sides.
They:
- hold moisture at the right level
- are made of safe professional-grade plastic
- make it easy to remove the root ball when stepping up
For a fancy display, place the black pot inside a decorative planter. It will also act as a saucer to collect excess water - no stress, no mess.
- ❌ Do not skip checking the soil. Even plants from professional growers can hide surprises:
- the plant may be buried too deep. Large nurseries sometimes add extra soil on top to make the pot look full, but burying the stem can kill the plant in days.
- soil type on top may be wrong. They may pack peat moss or sphagnum on top to keep stems tight for display.
- the entire soil media might be temporary. Many orchids in stores, for example, sit in glazed pots stuffed with soggy sphagnum - not how orchids should grow.
✅ Take the plant out of the pot and inspect the roots and soil.
Remove excess peat or sphagnum. Use a quality, well-drained mix like Abundance and repot into a container that matches the root size or is just slightly larger.
- ❌ Do not forget fertilizer.
Your plant came from a professional nursery where it likely received constant feeding through a liquid injection system - almost like being on life support. Once removed, it can decline within weeks.
✅ Put your plant on a regular fertilizer schedule.
When repotting, mix in Green Magic controlled-release fertilizer and refresh it every 6 months. Simple and easy! You can also apply liquid Sunshine Boosters - safe to use with each watering.
❌ Do not ignore individual plant needs.
✅ Take a moment to ask what the plant prefers and what to avoid, when buying from a nursery where you can talk to a grower, like Top Tropicals. The grower knows exactly how it was grown and what it likes. Getting a plant is like adopting a baby - knowing its habits makes all the difference!
🛒 Select plants for containers
#How_to #Container_Garden
🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals
Meet Onikas cats
Cat Tigerlilly
🐈📸 Meet Onika's cats from TopTropicals PeopleCats.Garden:
Tigerlilly. She is the matriarch of her little clan and expert in grass tasting tests.
#PeopleCats
🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals
Lemon Candy Tree
🟡 Garcinia edulis - Lemon Drop Mangosteen, Madrono. Tiny yellow-orange globes, golf-ball size, with clear, juicy pulp, and when you taste it, you understand the name instantly. Sweet and tart at the same time, like someone turned a lemon drop candy into a tropical fruit. Today Chiane and Ashley are going to taste the fruit and share with your their experience!
📱
#Food_Forest #Container_Garden
🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals