🌿 The Jungle Cactus with a secret life

Jungle cactus collage: top left Epiphyllum guatemalense Monstrosa (Curly Locks Orchid Cactus), top right Epiphyllum oxypetalum (Queen of the Night), bottom left Cryptocereus anthonyanus (Zig-Zag Cactus), and bottom right Disocactus ackermanni (Red Orchid Cactus)

Most people picture cactus as desert plants: hot sun, sharp spines, dry sand. But that’s only half the story. There’s another branch of the family that lives in the shade of rainforests. These are the jungle cacti — epiphyte plants that climb trees, trail from branches, and throw out flowers so big and showy they look closer to orchids than to cactus blooms.

See one up close and it’s a surprise. The stems can be flat, zig-zagged, or even curly. Some trail like ferns, others pile into a shaggy basket. And when the flowers open — often at night — they’re wide, fragrant, and gone by morning. It’s no wonder gardeners like them from a first sight.

✔️ Jungle Cactus Q&A

Aren’t all cacti desert plants?

Not these. Jungle cacti are epiphytes and grow in rainforests, clinging to trees and catching rain. They never touch desert sand.

What kind of light do they need?

Outdoors, filtered sun under a tree works best. Indoors, give them bright but indirect light — east or north windows are usually safe. Direct summer sun can scorch the stems, whether inside or out.

How much water is safe?

They take more water than desert cactus but still hate wet feet. Outdoors, a rain shower is fine if the pot drains fast. Indoors, water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Always use a loose mix like Adenium mix so roots get some air.

Do they bloom indoors?

Yes. In fact, many bloom better inside where conditions are steady. They set buds when a little root-bound, and cooler nights help. Outdoors in frost-free zones, flowers come with seasonal shifts. Indoors, expect surprise buds after a cool spell by the window.

Best way to display them?

Hanging baskets show off trailing stems both inside and out. Shallow pots work well on shelves or ledges indoors. In warm climates, they can even be tied to a tree branch outside — exactly how they grow in the wild.

Extra note on indoor vs. outdoor care?

Indoors, watch for dry heated air in winter — they like a bit of humidity. A tray of pebbles and water under the pot helps. Outdoors, protect from heavy midday sun and bring them in if nights dip below the mid 30s F.

Jungle cacti are easy to keep and full of surprises. Whether trailing from a basket or blooming after dark, they prove that not every cactus belongs in the desert.

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Adenium care

Care for adeniums is simple once you understand what they like. Think of them as half succulent, half tropical shrub. Keep their roots dry but never bone-dry, give them sun, and feed them during the warm months. Do that, and they will reward you with fat trunks and nonstop flowers.

• Soil and pot: Use a gritty, fast-draining Adenium Soilless Mix. Shallow wide pots work best — they let the caudex spread and show off its shape like a bonsai.
• Watering: Water in the morning. Let the surface dry before watering again. Never let pots sit in saucers of water.
• Foliage: Keep leaves dry. Wet leaves invite rot and fungus.
• Fertilizer: During active growth, feed with Sunshine Megaflor liquid fertilizer (flower booster); it promotes swollen trunk and sets flower buds.
• Light: Give them bright light year-round. Full sun in mild climates; filtered light if your summers are scorching.
• Winter rest: Cut water back when days shorten and let the plant rest. Dormancy is normal.
• Repotting trick: Each time you repot, lift the plant a bit so the crown roots peek above the soil. This encourages bigger caudex.

Desert roses are made for containers, easy enough for a beginner but rewarding enough for a collector.

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🌸 Exotic Adeniums Hot Deal

Colorful adenium hybrids in bloom at Top Tropicals

Desert roses (Adeniums) are not really roses at all. They are cousins of the plumeria, but gardeners prize them for that swollen base more than for the leaves. Want a little trick? Each time you repot, lift the plant slightly so the crown roots peek above the soil. Over time the base swells into odd shapes. Some look like bottles, others like bonsai elephants. That is half the fun of growing them.

At Top Tropicals we only sell grafted plants. Why? Because seed-grown plants do not keep flower color true, but they are the only ones that form the swollen caudex. With grafting you get the best of both worlds: reliable flower colors from named hybrids and the sculptural trunk from seedling rootstock. You can make hundreds of exotic colors. Tempting, isn’t it? Take advantage of this hot sale offer and and collect them all!

Use the code below to save 15% on any adenium:

ADENIUM15

No min order. Exp. 8-31-25

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🍒 Tropical Cherries – Eugenias

Tropical Tea Time with Grumichama

Eugenias have earned a spot in many Southern gardens because they’re easy, dependable, and surprisingly versatile. These small trees and shrubs grow well in the ground or in containers, and they don’t waste time before setting fruit.

15% Off Eugenias – Limited Time

Use code EUGENIA15 at checkout.
Excluding S/H. Offer expires 08/28/2025

👍 Popular Choices:

4148 Eugenia aggregata Fruit plant, Cherry of the Rio Grande

Grown in 6"/1 gal pot $49.95    Sale $39.95

1079 Eugenia brasiliensis fruit tree - Grumichama

Grown in 6"/1 gal or larger pot $39.95

1080 Eugenia luschnathiana Fruit plant, Pitomba

Grown in 10"/3 gal pot $49.95

6063 Eugenia uniflora Fruit plant, Black Surinam Cherry Lolita

Grown in 10"/3 gal pot $39.95

What Makes Eugenia Cherries Stand Out

• Start producing fruit in just a couple of years
• Compact size — easy to keep 6–12 ft tall, smaller in pots
• Low-care — tolerant of most soils and resistant to common pests
• Strong in hot weather, yet can handle a light frost down to the mid-20s °F
• Plenty of fruit for people and birds alike

Grumichama Tree in Bloom – Eugenia brasiliensis

Growing & Care

Outdoors

• Best in USDA Zones 9–11
• Sun or partial shade; more sun usually means sweeter fruit
• Plant in well-drained soil; avoid heavy, wet spots
• Withstands summer heat and humidity, and can take a light freeze

Container / Indoor

• Do well in 5–10 gallon pots on patios or balconies
• Need bright light indoors — a sunny window or grow lights
• Can flower and fruit in containers if kept warm and well lit
• In cooler zones, bring plants indoors for winter and back out in spring

General Care

• Water: Keep soil evenly moist; drought-tolerant once established but best yields with regular watering
• Soil: Use good potting mix - LINK TO SOIL
• Fertilizer: Balanced slow-release LINKL TO FERTILIZER Sunshine Boosters
• Pruning: Light trimming keeps plants bushy and productive
• Pollination: Self-fertile; one plant will fruit on its own

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🌟Repotting FAQ

Q: How big should the new pot be?

A: Only a few inches larger than the old one. Oversized pots hold too much moisture and may cause root rot.

Q: Why are plastic pots better than ceramic?

A: Plastic pots are lighter, easier to handle, and you can cut them if a root-bound plant is stuck. Ceramic pots are heavy, breakable, and often lack drainage.

Q: How do I safely remove a plant from its pot?

A: Turn the pot upside down and let gravity help. Never pull by the stems or leaves. If stuck, lay the pot on its side and squeeze or tap it. Cut the pot if needed.

Q: Should I remove old soil from the roots?

A: No. Roots have tiny hairs that absorb water and nutrients. Shaking off soil damages them and sets the plant back.

Q: Why must the plant sit at the same soil level?

A: Planting too deep suffocates the stem, and planting too high exposes roots. Keeping the same level protects the root crown.

Q: How soon should I water again after repotting?

A: Water thoroughly right after repotting, then wait until the top inch of soil dries before watering again.

🌱 Done! Your plant now has room to grow stronger before fall.

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