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Index > Garden Blog

Date:

πŸŽ€ Five plant gifts she'll love this Mother's Day

Q: My mother loves gardening and I am thinking to buy her a live plant to make her happy. What plant do you recommend?

A: At Top Tropicals, we have a big selection of wonderful gift plants . Below are a few suggestions for you, these plants are large, developed and ready to bloom or fruit!

1. Joy Perfume Tree

Magnolia (Michelia) champaca, Joy Perfume Tree, Champaka

The Champaka or Joy Perfume Tree (Magnolia champaca) - is a top choice for Southern landscapes, prized for its striking columnar shape and fragrant, fruity bubble gum-scented blooms - you won't be able to stop sticking your nose in this flower! A signature plant at Top Tropicals, it's known for producing the world's most expensive perfume, Joy. The Joy Perfume Tree blooms on and off year-round and is currently in full bloom at our farm in Sebring, FL, filling the air around with fantastic sweet scent. This tree thrives in both pots and the ground, growing bushy and full as it matures. At Top Tropicals, we have beautiful Champaka trees in all sizes, from 3-4 ft tall (ready to bloom in a year) to 6-10 ft tall (already bloomed) for local pick up or delivery.
Learn more, with a short video.

2. Tropical Raspberry Mysore

Raspberry Mysore Tropical, Rubus albescens (niveus)

Tropical Raspberry Mysore (Rubus albescens) - is the perfect solution for those missing Northern fruit in hot climates. Unlike traditional raspberries that can't handle the heat, this fast-growing Raspberry from India thrives in humid, hot conditions and produces juicy, sweet fruit almost year-round! The clusters of purple-black fruit are packed with flavor, and the plant is perfect for large containers, producing plenty of fruit in no time. Cold-hardy to the upper 20s F, it's an easy-to-grow, fast producer. We have beautiful, fruit-ready 3 gal Raspberry bushes, ready to add a burst of sweetness to your garden!
Learn more, with a short video.

3. Fragrant Jasmine Sambac

Jasminum 
sambac

Jasminum Sambac is widely regarded as the most fragrant jasmine, cherished by tropical gardeners and plant collectors alike. Native to India, this jasmine is the source of jasmine perfume oil and the signature ingredient in jasmine tea. With various varieties offering unique flower sizes, shapes, and growth habits, it’' perfect for both sun and shade, thriving as a container plant or indoor favorite. Its delightful fragrance fills the air, and with the help of Sunshine Pikake plant booster, you can enjoy even more blooms. Jasmine Sambac, along with Champaka, is another signature plant of Top Tropicals. Through the decades, we've collected all the available varieties in cultivation - check them out!
Learn more about Jasmine Sambac varieties, with a short video.

4. Everbearing mulberry

Mulberry tree Dwarf Everbearing (Morus 
sp.)

The Dwarf Everbearing Mulberry (Morus sp.) - is the perfect way to enjoy fruit year-round! This beautiful, cold hardy bush produces sweet, juicy mulberries starting from the very first year - often the same season you plant it. With its dwarf habit (easily maintained at 4-6 ft), it's perfect for containers and small spaces. Cold-hardy and drought-resistant, this productive plant thrives in various climates, from USDA zones 5 to 10! The fast-growing Mulberry will provide fruit year-round, and with minimal care, it will flourish in almost any soil. Our Everbearing Mulberry bushes produce enough fruit for both birds and breakfast - we pick a handful every day!
Learn more, with a short video.

5. Medinilla Coral Spike

Medinilla scortechinii - Orange Coral Spike

Rare Medinilla scortechinii - Orange Coral Spike - is a rare gem that brings a touch of the ocean to your garden! With bright orange stems bursting into star-shaped blooms, it looks like something straight from a coral reef. Compact and easy to grow, this plant stays under 2-3 ft tall, making it perfect for pots, hanging baskets, or as an epiphytic accent. The glossy dark leaves contrast beautifully with the vibrant orange panicles, and it thrives in bright shade. A must-have for collectors of unusual tropical plants, this coral spike adds a bold pop of orange wherever it grows - but hurry, it doesn't stay in stock for long!
Learn more, with a short video.

Date:

πŸ’ 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:

🌸 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:

Did you have this on your Wishlist?

Don't miss your chance - wishlist favorites are now in stock, limited quantities!

Cat with Adenium in a pot

We just received a lot of exciting New Arrivals - check out the big list below! Many of these plants had multiple wishlist requests from our valued customers.

Remember: all limited-quantity, hot-seller plants are sold on a first come - first serve basis. Don't wait too long to order! Take a moment to browse the New Arrivals list and make sure you don't miss the plant you've been waiting for. Once we send you an availability confirmation email to your wishlist request, the item will be removed from your wishlist. If you missed your chance to grab it, you'll need to add it to your wishlist again.

Never miss a chance to grab your favorite or hard-to-find plants at Top Tropicals! Looking for a specific plant? Add it to your wishlist and we'll notify you when it's back in stock!

Use Earth Day Discount - it's the last day!

Get 10% OFF everything in our store using this code:

EARTH2025

Min order $100, excluding S/H. Exp. Exp 4-28-25.

Date:

Low-Maintenance Bloom for Your Patio

Desert Rose - Adenium in pot

Q: I'm looking for compact, low-maintenance plants for my patio - something colorful, unusual, and not like the boring crotons. I need several for my lanai, preferably flowering, showy, and easy to care for since I often forget to water. Do such plants even exist?

A: Sounds like you need Adeniums - also known as Desert Roses. They're perfect for patios and lanais, and they check every box: compact, low maintenance, drought-tolerant, and bursting with color. You can grow them in sun or shade, and they don't mind if you forget to water now and then. Plus, they're real conversation pieces - people collect them like art! Adeniums look like living sculptures thanks to their thick, swollen caudex.

At Top Tropicals, we grow over 200 hybrid varieties of Adeniums, and usually have 100+ in stock. You'll find doubles, reds, purples, yellows, even striped, dotted, rainbow, and black flowers. With so many options, you'll want more than just one!

Desert Roses - Adeniums in pots

Want that iconic fat base? Here's the trick:

Every time you repot, raise the plant slightly to expose more of the upper roots. This encourages downward root growth and thickens the caudex over time. Just use a well-draining mix, water only when dry, and feed with Sunshine Megaflor Booster to support both blooming and trunk growth.

Adeniums aren't just low-effort - they're living art for your lanai!

The First Video of Exotic Adenium Hybrids

Our Desert roses - Adeniums - were planted in March - and now, at the end of April, they're in full bloom. Just look at these colors in this short video!

Desert Roses - Adeniums flowering different varieties

Date:

Celebrate Earth Day - Plant a Tree, Power the Planet!

Earth Day April 22

This Earth Day, join the world's largest civic movement for the planet! Celebrated every April 22, Earth Day brings over a billion people together in support of a greener future. The 2025 theme, "Our Power - Our Planet ", encourages bold action - like planting trees that clean our air, feed our families, and brighten our landscapes.

Ready to grow your impact? Grow something powerful!

Get 10% OFF everything in our store using this code:

EARTH2025

Min order $100, excluding S/H. Exp. Exp 4-27-25.

Cat with trees in nursery

Date:

Want Constant Blooms? Plant Clerodendrums

Your Shortcut to a Colorful Garden

Cat with Bleeding Heart Clerodendrum

Q: Q: I live in Florida, and while everything is green, I want more color in my garden and patio. What low-maintenance perennials can add nonstop blooms without constant care? I'm tired of annuals that don't last. Do such plants even exist?

A: Yes, they do - and your perfect solution is Clerodendrums. These colorful tropical perennials grow fast, bloom for most of the year, and thrive in both sun and shade. They're easy to care for, relatively cold-tolerant, and come in many shapes: shrubs, vines, and even small trees. Ideal for both garden beds and containers.

Why Grow Clerodendrums?

Clerodendrum philippinum - Cashmere Bouquet

Clerodendrums are tough, reliable, and visually striking plants:
- Fast-growing with a compact habit
- Available in many forms: shrubs, vines, and small trees
- Colorful flowers, many of them are sweetly fragrant!
- Thrive in sun or shade; cold tolerant; not picky about soil
- Bloom repeatedly or continuously
- Excellent for pots, patios, or indoors

Clerodendrums as Shrubs

Clerodendrum ugandense and mastacanthum

- Clerodendrum bungei - Glory Bower: fragrant pink blooms, spreads quickly
- Clerodendrum incisum - Musical Note: unique buds shaped like musical notes
- Clerodendrum inerme - Wild Jasmine: salt-tolerant, good for seaside areas
- Clerodendrum mastacanthum - Pink Butterfly Bush: long-blooming, eye-catching pink
- Clerodendrum paniculatum - Pagoda Flower: layered red-orange towers of flowers
- Clerodendrum philippinum - Cashmere Bouquet: double fragrant flowers, shade-tolerant
- Clerodendrum ugandense - Blue Butterfly: delicate blue blooms that attract pollinators

Clerodendrums as Vines

Clerodendrum thomsoniae - Bleeding Heart

- Clerodendrum thomsoniae - Bleeding Heart: classic red-and-white contrast, climbs easily
- Clerodendrum speciosum - Red Bleeding Heart: vivid magenta blooms, great on trellises

Clerodendrums as Small Trees

Clerodendrum quadriloculare - Winter Starburst

- Clerodendrum minahassae - Fountain Clerodendrum: upright, white flower sprays
- Clerodendrum sahelangii - Champagne Clerodendrum: cascading white blooms
- Clerodendrum quadriloculare - Winter Starburst: purple leaves, late winter blooms
- Clerodendrum schmitii - Chains of Glory: dangling flower clusters, unusual look
- Clerodendrum wallichii - Bridal Veil: long white flowers, graceful arching branches

Clerodendrum minahasse

Date:

How to Plant a Perfume Hedge
And What Does a Champaka Tree Look Like?
Practical Growing Guide

Champaka tree in landscape

Photo above: Magnolia champaka (Joy Perfume tree) in landscape. This tree was planted 3 years ago from a 7-gal pot. The tree is now 5 years old from seed and has been covered with flowers for two seasons in a row. Check out short video.

Q: How big does the Champaka tree grow, tall and wide? And what is the growth habit? I'm thinking of planting a perfume hedge along my property with several of these beautiful trees (8-10 trees). How far apart should I plant them and what container size should I start with? And how soon will they start blooming?

A: Magnolia champaka, or Joy Perfume tree is the most desirable perfume tree for Southern landscapes - and a Signature Plant of Top Tropicals! You can see several of these stunning trees around our B-Farm in Sebring, including the one right by the office front door.

The flowers are used to make the world's most expensive perfume, Joy - and they smell like fruity bubble gum... you won't be able to stop sticking your nose in this flower! The Joy Perfume Tree blooms on and off year-round.

The lemon-lime, light green leaves are lush, soft, and tropical-looking, with a unique and beautiful color.

The Champaka tree has a striking columnar shape and becomes very bushy and full when established - whether in a pot with a proper fertilizer program or in the ground. In Florida, mature trees can reach 20-25 ft tall, although in true tropical environments they may grow much taller. Check out short video of a mature tree. It doesn't get very wide, and if you are planning to plant several trees as a perfume hedge, you can space them as close as 10 ft apart. This tree - light green, fragrant, evergreen, fast-growing, bushy, and dense - makes the perfect perfume hedge!

Champaka trees begin flowering within 2-3 years from seed. Singing birds love this tree and often build nests in its bushy crown during spring. The tree is relatively cold-hardy and can withstand light freeze for short periods once established. Just make sure to provide regular watering.

We have beautiful Champaka trees in all sizes:

3 gal pot: 3-4 ft tall - ready to bloom within a year, can be shipped
7 gal pot: 5-6 ft tall - ready to bloom, can be shipped
15 gal pot: 7-8 ft tall - have already bloomed, pick up or delivery*
25 gal pot: 10 ft tall - have already bloomed, pick up or delivery*
* Free delivery for qualified orders - contact us for estimate

Plant Your Perfume Hedge Today!

Imagine walking along a path lined with Champaka trees - Joy -fragrant blossoms drifting through the air, lush green leaves swaying gently, and birds singing above. With just a few trees, you can create your own heavenly hedge of joy and fragrance. Let your garden bloom with elegance, beauty, and the world's most luxurious scent!

Champaka flower

Date:

Hop into Easter Week Sale - Plant Joy and Save!

Happy Easter Week, Tropical Gardeners!

Spring is here - and so is your chance to grow your own magic. Eggs may be pricey... but guess what? You can grow your own food instead! Plant a fruit tree this Easter and watch it hatch into something better than chocolate - like juicy Mangoes, Dragon Fruits and Carambolas, sweet Papayas and Bananas, healthy Avocados and Jackfruits or your very own exotic Sugar Apples hanging from the branches!

Easter is about hope, renewal, and starting fresh - just like your garden! Whether you're planting your first tree or adding a rare gem to your edible jungle, now is the perfect time. Get 15% OFF everything in our store using this code:

EASTERWEEK

Min order $150, excluding S/H. Exp. Exp 4-20-25.

Hop to it! Don't put all your eggs in one basket... unless it's a basket full of fruit trees of flowering shrubs. Let's plant some hope together - one tree at a time.

Date:

Secret Banana Daiquiri Recipe:
Healthy Never Tasted So Good!

Banana Daiquiri Recipe

Q: What can I do with a lot of Bananas? All three trees I got from you last year produced lots of bananas and I can eat only so much. Any exotic recipes?

A: When we get lots of bananas (which happens every year!), we make banana bread or banana pudding for the whole team. But those are pretty common recipes. Try Banana Daiquiri!

Banana Daiquiri Recipe Ingredients:

1 ripe banana
2 ounces light rum

  1. tablespoon sugar
    1 ounce lime juice
    1/2 ounce triple sec (optional for added depth)

Ice cubes
Slice of lime or banana for garnish>

Instructions:

Prepare the Banana: Peel the banana and cut it into chunks.
Blend the Ingredients: In a blender, combine the banana chunks, light rum, sugar, lime juice, and triple sec. Add a handful of ice cubes. Blend on high until the mixture is smooth. If the mixture is too thick, you can add a small amount of water or more lime juice to adjust the consistency.

Garnish and Serve:

Pour the mixture into a chilled glass. Garnish with a slice of lime on the rim of the glass or a small wheel of banana. Serve immediately and enjoy the refreshing tropical flavors!

This Banana Daiquiri is not only refreshing but also offers a creamy texture and a perfect balance of sweetness and citrus. It's a fantastic choice for hot days or when you're in the mood for something a bit exotic. Cheers!