TOP TROPICALS ONLINE STORE: Container garden

Auntie Lilli's South Sea Salad Tree, known by the Latin name of Abelmoschus manihot, isn't a tree at all. It is in the botanical family Malvaceae, same as okra and the woody-stemmed hibiscus. It may have the growth of a shrubby tree due to its tropical nature, as it is native to tropical portions of Asia and also northern Queensland and can grow up to 9 feet tall when given the right conditions.
The South Sea Salad Tree has been a traditional green vegetable in Fiji for some time. It is grown as an tender ornamental perennial in Hardiness Zones 8-10. It does have a beautiful flower, but lesser known is the fact that both its flowers and leaves are delicious as well as nutritious! The laves are high in Vitamins A and C and Iron, and have 12% protein by dry weight. Leaves and flowers can be eaten raw in salads, and the leaves can also be lightly cooked similarly to spinach. Delicious, nutritious and a beautiful flower - talk about a perfect edible plant for tropical/subtropical landscapes and temperate annual gardens and patios.

Also known as A. x hybridum Fireball, and Abutilon Biltmore Ballgown, this is one of the many lovely hybrids between A. darwinii and A. striatum, with maple-like leaves and bell-flowers whose petals are recurved, turning in slightly at the bottom. Flowers are fiery red, as one would imagine, with prominent red veins accenting the surface. Happy plants can reach 8-10 ft tall, though pruning easily adjusts the size. Best with plentiful summer water and fertilizer. Less hardy than many, preferring temperatures that only occasionally drop into the 20s F, USDA zone 9. Placement out of wind with overhead protection and plentiful mulch help in less than balmy climates.

Dwarf Cat Tails, Kitten's Tail, Trailing Acalypha. A spectacular plant for a hanging basket, container or ground cover. Foxtail-shaped bright red flowers year around!

Toothache Plant is a medicinal herb that has been used for generations to manage the pain of toothaches. Both the leaves and the attractive golden flowers can be used as a natural anesthetic. Simply chew the leaves or flowers for a few seconds then you will experience a tingling and numbing sensation in your mouth. Cooked leaves lose their strong flavor and may be used as leafy greens. Both fresh and cooked leaves are used in dishes such as stews in northern Brazil. Flavor is described as having an odor of citrus, herbal, tropical or musty odor, and its taste can be pungent, cooling, tingling, numbing, or effervescent. Acmella Oleracea extract is considered a natural alternative to Botox. Applied topically, Acmella Oleracea reportedly reduces muscle tension, reducing facial wrinkles caused by tense or contracted facial muscles.
The plant is a small, erect, it grows quickly and bears gold and red inflorescences. It is frost-sensitive but perennial in warmer climates. Can be grown in a container and as a houseplant.

Prolific Hardy Kiwi is valued for its self fertility. Prolific fruit is dark green all the way through. Hardy Kiwi likes half day to full sun and well-drained soil. The plants need a strong trellis and can spread 10-12 ft when mature. Prolific Kiwi, a self-pollinating variety, is early ripening and produces abundant crops of medium to large, sweet and tasty fruit. The cultivar is sometimes used as a pollinator for other female cultivars. Fruits are flavorful with reddish/violet on the skin and flesh when ripe. Minimum chilling requirements 300 hours. These Kiwi have smooth-skinned fruits so there is no need to peel the skin of the fruits unlike the fuzzy fruit species Actinidia deliciosa. Fruits vary in size and are similar to several varieties of grapes. Plant stems and fruit buds are more cold tolerant than the A. deliciosa species and are mainly grown in colder areas where the cold temperatures can range from 10-18F. Fruit flavors are of course different with every cultivar, similar to all fruits.
The Hardy Mini Kiwi Prolific can bear fruit the first year after planting. It produces smooth-skinned fruit the size of large grapes in late summer to early fall, great for fresh eating, salads, dessert or jelly. Kiwi plants are attractive growers that require a sunny location, preferably with wind protection. They can be grown in different types of soils; however, the soil must be well drained. Kiwi plants are very pretty when used to cover a wall or fence or used in landscape design. Less aggressive than other kiwi varieties, Prolific is easily trained and ideal for trellises or fences.

Aeschynanthus speciosus is perhaps the most spectacular species within its genus. Flowers may be 4 inch long, are orange with the inside of the mouth orange-yellow and with a dark red bar across the lower lobes which also have scarlet borders. The plant is displayed to best advantage in a hanging basket, where the broad surface area allows the trailing stems to root down at intervals and send out abundant side-shoots, perfect as hanging or trailing plant.
These plants require high humidity and warmth throughout the growing season, as well as strong, but not direct, light. These plants are perfect for a greenhouse, sunroom or conservatory.
Perfect for hanging baskets/pots to best display their lovely cascading stems and attractive flowers or in containers placed on a pedestal or windowsill. The plant can be kept in a bathroom window sill or kitchen for increased humidity.

Grains of Paradise, African Cardamom. Seeds of this rare Ginger are similar in flavor to cardamom and used as a pungent spice. This Ginger has many bioactives, great for digestive and intestinal health. The plant has many other medicinal values: anti-diabetic and anti-obese mechanisms, aphrodisiac and testosterone boosting properties. Aframomum melegueta may be promising for a spice to add to a diet in hopes of body recomposition. Studies show this spice increases sexual behavior.

Chinese Perfume Plant, Chinese Rice Flower, Mock Lemon - the fragrance is outstanding! The plant is slow growing, big size of the plant is hard to find.
See Article about this plant.

Allspice, Jamaica Pepper, pimento tree. Leaves and bark also contain the allspice scent. Excellent container plant for indoor or greenhouse culture. This spice scent will be with you right away and will stay all the time, don't have to wait till bloom or fruit...
This plant has antimicrobial properties.

Boa is an exciting new upright Alocasia that features enormous leaves and remarkable serrated leaves with marbled stems.
It has snakeskin-like stems and serrated leaves. This variety makes an excellent container plant as well as a beautiful landscape plant for the tropical garden. Boa produces many suckers which makes for an attractive container. This is an excellent mid-size Alocasia for the centerpiece of mixed combination pots. There is something so intriguing and beautiful about the Alocasia boa. With its massive, green leaves which have highly-serrated edges and robust stems, it is a favorite for many homeowners.

Frydek makes an outstanding potted plant for the home or garden. The mature, broad, velvety black leaves have striking white veins making this easy-care plant a real beauty. The juvenile leaves appear as bright lime-green and the pale leaf stems have a purplish jagged banding which adds even more intrigue to this eye-catching species. Strong grower resisting many of the winter decline issues that other Alocasias have.

One of the most beautiful and difficult to care for Jewel Alocasia, Alocasia nebula is a rare and high maintenance plant that will reward all of your efforts with dark green, silvery, thick leaves with impressive veining. It looks wildly exotic, and so are it's care requirements. Alocasias are among the most alien-looking houseplants you can get your hands on.
Give your Alocasia nebula plenty of indirect light, but avoid direct sunlight at all costs. Its delicate leaves are very prone to sunburns, and you definitely don’t want to sacrifice their majestic beauty. This plant needs the soil to be somewhere between semi-moist and semi-dry. This means watering quite often, but not with a lot of water. Then, I wait for the soil’s top to become dry to the touch and water again.

Alocasia Imperial Red has big ruffled green leaves and striking deep red stems. A wonderful plant that is always losing a leaf and gaining a leaf. Native to tropical regions of Australia and Asia, Alocasias are known for beautiful large and delicate leaves with interesting patterns.

Purple Sword features dark purple sword shaped leaves and purple stems.

Black stems and veins adorn this extraordinary form of Alocasia macrorrhiza. This very rare and unusual elephant ear is quite different from the typical. The huge thick sculpted forest green leaves with are held upright on dramatically rigid black stems. Reaching a mature height of 4-5 ft, it loves high light with only moderate shade. Black Stem Upright Elephant Ears are among the most eye catching. Beautiful on their own or planted as a back drop for your favorite blooms, these landscaping plants provide a bold, tropical effect in nearly any garden.

Silver Dragon, Grey Dragon. Extremely rare and valuable collectible, this is a dwarf alocasia with silver gray leaves that are highlighted by its rough, almost fingerprint-like texture. The leaves are round, between five and eight inches in size, and with a unique silvery-green color. As the leaves mature, they start to harden and develop a veiny texture, giving them the appearance of, as the name suggests, dragon scales. This is an unusual dwarf aroid from the jewel alocasias group that stays a reasonable size. Since this plant thrives in high humidity, it is a wonderful choice for a bathroom or a kitchen.
One of the rarest varieties of Alocasia you will find.

With purple and stems and leaves underneath, this is the most purple Alocasia. While not the largest leaf, its leaves feature a glossy metallic shine.

Alocasia Regal Shields has nearly black leaves with a burgundy underneath; a dark green topside and purple underside with lime green veins.

Black Velvet or Jewel Alocasia donning big, lush, almost black leaves and contrasting, silver veins. This black beauty is perfect to add the oomph to your aroid collection. It is a compact variety with a leaf you can not help but touch. Ideal for small pots and terrariums.

This very fast growing and easy care plant is an unusual looking Alocasia. It originates from Thailand. The rounded leaves have the normal lobed rear but come to a long point and truly resemble the body of a stingray complete with tail. Grows to 6 feet Dying back in colder climate. This still doesn't kill it. According to different sources it's hardy to Zone 8 or 9.

Alocasia Tiny Dancers is an unusual aroid that only grows about 14" tall with bright green stems and leaves that have a slightly cupped form. Its growth habit, however, gives the appearance of a full bushy plant as the stems emerge at different times, giving it a tiered effect. One of the best houseplants for its ease of care. Keep it moist, go light on the fertilizer and grow in a partially sunlit window if it is an indoor houseplant. It also makes an ideal plant for an outdoor patio due to its unique form.

Narrow-Leaf Cinnamon Ginger. The plant is a low mounding ginger with glossy leaves, and amazingly fragrant foliage. Gently brushing the leaves is all it takes to release a spicy cardamom-like aroma. Rhizomes are ginger-scented with a touch of Cinnamon. The flowers are quite beautiful, and resemble those of shell ginger to which it is closely related. In a shady tropical garden, the glossy dense foliage is lush and beautiful.
Hardy to zone 7, it is very easy to grow, and will grow from a small rhizome division into an enormous specimen in just a couple of years. If not protected from freezes, it will die back to the ground, but it will re-emerge from the rhizomes in the Spring, as long as the ground doesn't freeze. Southeast Asian medicinal plant used to control hypertension, as diuretic, antifungal, and antiulcer. In Japan it is used as food preservative.

One of the most desirable symbols of Tropics, Alpinia purpurata, also called ostrich plume and pink cone ginger, are native Malaysian plants with showy flowers on long brightly colored pink bracts. They look like the bloom, but the true flower is the small white flower on top. Red Ginger grows in Hawaii, and many Central American nations, including Belize. It is also found in Samoa, where it is the national flower, and is locally called "teuila." It prefers partial shade and moist humid conditions, although it can tolerate full sun in some climates. It tends to like to be well watered and not left to dry out. Ginger can also be grown as a houseplant and its cut flowers can be used in arrangements.