Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date:

More than white: rare Butterfly Gingers. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

More than white: rare Butterfly Gingers

Hedychium - Butterfly Ginger

More than white: rare Butterfly Gingers
Looks like the classic white, but with soft yellow blooms and the same rich fragrance. Long, slightly fuzzy green leaves and flower spikes that light up late summer with scent and color. This variety grow fast and much bigger than plant also much bigger and vigorous than classic white Butterfly ginger.

🛒 Smell the difference - get your ginger trio

#Shade_Garden #Perfume_Plants
🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date:

Happy Independence Day!
4th of July Sale

Independent cat on Independence Day opening a can

"Independence is happiness." - Susan B. Anthony

Happy 4th of July from the tropics! Whether you're staying local or escaping for the long weekend, it's the perfect time to enjoy your garden, start something new, or grab that plant you've been eyeing. Red Desert Roses, white fragrant Gardenias and Jasmines, rare Blue Ginger - tropical blooms are showing off right now, and we are celebrating with a hot summer sale: 20% off everything with code HAPPY4TH25, plus extra savings on combined DEALS and BOGO! Add some color to your summer and let your garden do the fireworks!

Use the code below to save 20% on your entire order:

HAPPY4TH25

Min order $200. Excluding S/H. Exp. 7-7-25

Reminder: use our FREE and DISCOUNTED SHIPPING for qualified orders

Shop Now Bauhinia madagascariensis, Red Butterfly Orchid Tree

In the photo above: Bauhinia madagascariensis, Red Butterfly Orchid Tree - dazzles with bright red flowers striped in gold. A rare, fast-growing tropical that brings serious color to your garden, it is one of the most striking Orchid trees you can grow. It thrives in sun and rewards with nonstop color.

Date:

What are Health Benefits of Alpinia galanga (Galangal) A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Alpinia galanga (Galangal)

Alpinia galanga (Galangal)

What are Health Benefits of Alpinia galanga (Galangal)

🌿 Galangal, also known as Thai ginger, is more than just a fast growing ornamental ginger and flavorful root - it's also a powerful healing plant with centuries of use in both kitchens and traditional medicine. Here are some of its top health benefits:
  • Digestive aid - Galangal stimulates digestion, reduces bloating, and relieves nausea. It's especially helpful after heavy or oily meals.
  • Anti-inflammatory properties - Contains compounds like galangin that help reduce inflammation, making it useful for joint pain and inflammatory conditions.
  • Antioxidant rich - Packed with flavonoids and polyphenols that fight oxidative stress and may help slow aging and support overall wellness.
  • Immune support - Traditionally used to fight colds and infections thanks to its antimicrobial and antiviral properties.
  • Respiratory health - Used in Thai herbal remedies for clearing the lungs, soothing sore throats, and reducing coughs.
  • Brain function - Some studies suggest galangal may help protect brain cells and improve cognitive performance due to its antioxidant profile.
  • Circulatory support - Acts as a natural stimulant and may help improve blood flow and circulation.


🛒 Grow your own Thai ginger – fresh, healing, and flavorful!

#Food_Forest #Discover #Remedies

🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date:

Another Musk from Africa that came before Elon: the true Healer from Zulu. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Musk Bush - Iboza riparia, Misty Plume Bush, or Ginger Bush - flowers

Musk Bush - Iboza riparia, Misty Plume Bush, or Ginger Bush - flowers

Musk Bush - Iboza riparia, Misty Plume Bush, or Ginger Bush - flowers

Musk Bush - Iboza riparia, Misty Plume Bush, or Ginger Bush - flowers

Musk Bush - Iboza riparia, Misty Plume Bush, or Ginger Bush - flowers

Musk Bush - Iboza riparia, Misty Plume Bush, or Ginger Bush - flowers

Musk Bush - Iboza riparia, Misty Plume Bush, or Ginger Bush - leaves

Musk Bush - Iboza riparia, Misty Plume Bush, or Ginger Bush - leaves

🚀 Another Musk from Africa that came before Elon: the true Healer from Zulu.
  • 🚀 This African Musk has less hype and more goodness: it won't buy Twitter but it might cure your cough!
  • 🚀 Musk Bush (Iboza riparia) - also called Misty Plume Bush, or Ginger Bush, is a highly aromatic shrub with a long tradition of healing use in African herbal medicine. Its soft, velvety leaves release a sweet ginger-like scent when crushed and are packed with medicinal value.
  • 🚀 Medicinal uses

  • 💚 Respiratory relief: The Zulu people traditionally use Iboza as an inhalant for coughs, chest congestion, and even malaria. Crushed leaves are often inhaled or made into a steam bath to clear the lungs.
  • 💚 Natural relaxant: Often used alongside Psychotria viridis for calming effects, this plant is prized for its gentle sedative properties.
  • 💚 Headache and digestive aid: Inhaling the fragrance can ease headaches, and teas or infusions are used to soothe stomach aches.

  • 🚀 Plant facts

  • 💚 Growth: Fast-growing (up to 3 ft/year), up to 6 ft tall, with a full, bushy habit.
  • 💚 Leaves: Bright green, heart-shaped, covered in sticky aromatic hairs.
  • 💚 Flowers: showy mist-like white to lilac spikes hang in beautiful, fragrant dense clusters.
  • 💚 Fragrance: Leaves are scented like ginger with a musky twist - especially fragrant after light pruning.


🚀 Growing tips
  • 💚 Best in full sun or partial shade
  • 💚 Likes rich, well-drained soil and regular summer water, drought tolerant once established.
  • 💚 Prune hard after flowering to keep it compact and boost future blooms.
  • 💚 Grows well in pots in cold climates.


🛒 Order Musk Bush - natural remedy for body and mind

#Food_Forest #Remedies

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date:

What edible plants and herbs can reduce your blood pressure. Tropical fruit and plants that help keep blood pressure in balance. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Edible plants and herbs reducing blood pressure

Edible plants and herbs reducing blood pressure

💚 Tropical fruit and plants that help keep blood pressure in balance.
Part 2: What edible plants and herbs can reduce your blood pressure?

Continued from previous post ⤴️
  • 🌿 Moringa (Moringa oleifera, Horseradish tree) - Contains potassium and antioxidants, shown in studies to help reduce blood pressure.
  • 🌿 Curry Leaf (Murraya koenigii) - Traditionally used for blood sugar and blood pressure regulation; contains cardio-protective compounds.
  • 🌿 Hibiscus sabdariffa (Karkade) - Famous for hibiscus tea, clinically shown to lower blood pressure naturally.
  • 🌿 Camellia sinensis (Tea Plant) - Green and black tea can support vascular health and slightly reduce blood pressure over time.
  • 🌿 Turmeric (Curcuma) - Contains curcumin, which may support vascular relaxation and improve circulatory health.
  • 🌿 Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis)- Contains antioxidants and vasodilating compounds that may support blood pressure regulation.
  • 🌿 Bay Leaf (Laurus nobilis) - Traditional uses include heart and circulatory support, with mild diuretic properties.
  • 🌿 Piper sarmentosum (Vietnamese Pepper Leaf) and Piper betel (Betel Leaf) - Used traditionally to help with hypertension and circulation.
  • 🌿 Cinnamon (Cinnamomum sp.) - May improve insulin sensitivity and support vascular relaxation, contributing to lower blood pressure.
  • 🌿 Allspice (Pimenta dioica) - Contains anti-inflammatory compounds that support heart and circulatory health.
  • 🌿 Ginger (Alpinia, Costus, Zingiber, etc.)- Known to help relax blood vessels and improve blood flow, which can reduce blood pressure.
  • 🌿 Wiriwiri and Biquinho Peppers (Capsicum sp.) - Their capsaicin content may support vasodilation and improve circulation.


🛒Shop tropical herbs and spice plants that boost your health

📚 Learn more:
Tropical fruit health benefits guide
#Disover more #Remedies and #Fruit_Forest

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date:

TROPICAL FRUIT HEALTH BENEFITS GUIDE, Part 2: A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

TROPICAL FRUIT

TROPICAL FRUIT

🍑 What fruit and edibles can help with health issues and VITAMIN deficiencies

...Continued from previous post ⤴️

7. 💅 Beauty Enhancer
(Vitamin B7 - Biotin):
Banana, Avocado, Aloe Vera, Clitoria (Butterfly Pea), Patchouli.

8.Blood Builder
(Vitamin B9 - Folate):
Avocado, Guava, Papaya, Moringa, Chaya (Maya Spinach Tree), Mulberry.

9. Immunity Booster
(Vitamin C - Ascorbic Acid):
Guava, Pineapple, Carambola, Mango, Dragon Fruit, Loquat, Longevity Spinach (Gynura), Moringa, Allspice, Camphor Tree, Bay Leaf, Yerba Mate, Cherry, Peach, Passion fruit, Mulberry, Eugenia, Cinnamon, Piper sarmentosum (Vietnamese Pepper), Wiriwiri and Biquinho Pepper.

10. ✋ Skin Shield
(Vitamin E - Tocopherol):
Avocado, Sapote, Dragon Fruit, Moringa, Patchouli, Aloe, Annatto, Camphor Tree.

11. ❣️Clot Controller
(Vitamin K - Phylloquinol):
Moringa, Sauropus (Katuk), Chaya.

12. 🍲 Digestive Aid
(Enzymes):
Pineapple, Papaya, Ginger, Turmeric, Mango, Lemongrass, Cinnamon, Black Pepper, Bay Leaf, Betel Leaf, Peach, Eugenia, Jackfruit, Lippia dulcis, Allspice, Lippia alba (Poleo), Wiri wiri and Biquinho Pepper, Passion fruit.

📚 Learn more in our next posts about specific benefits of each fruit or plant...

🛒 Explore tropical fruit trees with benefits

#Food_Forest #Discover #Remedies #Bananas

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date:

Carambola Jam recipe. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

⭐️ Carambola Jam recipe

😁 Ingredients:

  • · 4 ripe carambolas, washed and thinly sliced
  • · 1 cup granulated sugar
  • · 1/2 cup water
  • · Juice of 1 lemon
  • · 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger (optional)


📞 Instructions:

  • · In a saucepan, combine the water, sugar, and lemon juice. Bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
  • · Add the sliced carambola and ground ginger. Reduce heat and simmer for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the fruit softens and the mixture thickens.
  • · Remove from heat, let cool slightly, then transfer to sterilized jars.
  • · Refrigerate and enjoy on toast, with yogurt, or as a glaze for meats.


🎁 This simple yet unusual jam highlights carambola’s unique star shape and tangy-sweet flavor! 😏

🛒 Plant your own Carambola Tree

#Food_Forest #Recipes

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date:

The first pictures ever! The rarest Ginger Borneo Pink (New Guinea) A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

The first pictures ever! The rarest Ginger Borneo Pink (New Guinea)

Riedelia coralina - Coral Ginger Borneo Pink (New Guinea)

Riedelia coralina - Coral Ginger Borneo Pink (New Guinea)

Riedelia coralina - Coral Ginger Borneo Pink (New Guinea)

Riedelia coralina - Coral Ginger Borneo Pink (New Guinea)

Riedelia coralina - Coral Ginger Borneo Pink (New Guinea)

Riedelia coralina - Coral Ginger Borneo Pink (New Guinea)

Riedelia coralina - Coral Ginger Borneo Pink (New Guinea)

Riedelia coralina - Coral Ginger Borneo Pink (New Guinea)

Riedelia coralina - Coral Ginger Borneo Pink (New Guinea)

Riedelia coralina - Coral Ginger Borneo Pink (New Guinea)

Riedelia coralina - Coral Ginger Borneo Pink (New Guinea)

Riedelia coralina - Coral Ginger Borneo Pink (New Guinea)

☄️ The first pictures ever! The rarest Ginger Borneo Pink (New Guinea)

👆 For the previous post: more pictures of the rarest ginger - Riedelia coralina - Coral Ginger Borneo Pink (New Guinea)

🔥 This variety is virtually unknown in mainstream horticulture, making it a prized collector's item. Any plants in cultivation likely come from very limited nursery sources or specialty plant imports.

🛒 Only a few plants available: Coral Ginger Borneo Pink

#Shade_Garden #Nature_Wonders #Container_Garden

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date:

Finally - the first image on Internet: rare ginger Borneo Pink (New Guinea) A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

Finally - the first image on Internet: rare ginger Borneo Pink (New Guinea)

Riedelia coralina - Coral Ginger Borneo Pink (New Guinea)

😱 Finally - the first image on Internet: rare ginger Borneo Pink (New Guinea)
  • ❤️ Riedelia coralina - Coral Ginger Borneo Pink (New Guinea)
  • ❤️ This super rare ginger finally bloomed for us! We grew this rare specimen from seeds form the collection of Mark Hooten, S. Florida horticulturist. The species close related to Burbidgea. Riedelia coralina is so rare that published information about this exact species is extremely hard to find. Most references to it appear in specialized collector circles rather than in widely available horticultural or botanical literature.
  • ❤️ We have only a few plants, ginger collectors, hurry up!

It is so rare you can't even find images on Internet. This will be the first one!

📚 Learn more about gingers from previous posts:

🛒 Get collectible Coral Ginger Borneo Pink

#Shade_Garden #Nature_Wonders #Container_Garden

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date:

Seven most popular low-growing plants
for small gardens

Alpinia purpurata - Dwarf Red Cone Ginger

Photo above: Alpinia purpurata - Dwarf Red Cone Ginger - is a medium-growing, compact option for your garden, offering vibrant red flowers with minimal space needed. Its tropical appeal and tolerance for partial shade make it perfect for adding color without overwhelming your garden. Grows up to 4-5 ft.

Easy plants that can stay compact and short!

Q: I am looking for a few compact plants that I don't need to trim all the time. Can you recommend some low-growing pretty shrub to plant along my driveway (sun) and under an oak tree (shade)?

A: Here are a few most popular showy shrubs for you that can stay compact and require minimal if any pruning or maintenance!

Osmoxylon lineare (variegated) - Miagos bush, Golden Feather

Osmoxylon lineare - variegated Miagos bush, Golden Feather - is a compact and striking shrub perfect for adding an exotic touch to a small garden or indoor space. Its hardiness and low-maintenance nature, combined with its tolerance for various light conditions, make it an ideal choice for a small, visually appealing addition to your garden. Full sun or light shade.

Capsicum annuum x chinense - Biquinho Pepper

Capsicum annuum x chinense - Biquinho Pepper - amazing showy pepper, both ornamental and useful! Vibrant, compact plant that combines ornamental beauty with culinary use. Its small, bright fruits offer a burst of fruity, habanero-like flavor, making it a unique addition to any garden or kitchen, with little to no heat. Full sun: the more sun - the more peppers!

Lippia dulcis - Aztec Sweet Herb, Sweetleaf

Lippia dulcis - Aztec Sweet Herb, Sweetleaf - not only showy, but also scented leaves and useful herb right at your doorstep! This fragrant, compact elegant plant adds both beauty and function to your garden. Its sweet-tasting leaves are perfect for snacking or enhancing fruit salads, while also serving as a natural remedy for colds and coughs.

Justicia carnea Alba - White Brazilian Plume Flower

Justicia carnea Alba - White Brazilian Plume Flower is a compact, tropical beauty that thrives in full to partial sun and attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. Its stunning white flowers and lush green foliage make it a perfect choice for adding a tropical touch to your garden, and its relatively cold hardy!

Pedilanthus tithymaloides - Devils Backbone

Pedilanthus tithymaloides - Devils Backbone - thrives in toughest spots! Hardy, low-maintenance plant, offering striking pink flowers and showy, unique ziz-zag foliage. Easy care requirements, full sun and minimal watering.

Ground Orchids

Ground orchids are a fantastic choice for exotic flower beds and colorful borders, growing just 2-3 feet tall and blooming year-round. They offer a wide selection of colors and bloom year-round. Sun or shade, they thrive in both! And yes, they grow in regular garden soil, which is why they are also called Terrestrial Orchids.

Shop small perennials

Next page >Most recent entryBlog table of contents