LOW MAINTENANCE PLANTS

Dwarf Golden Tabebuia. Small tree, good for container culture. Late winter to spring the leafless tree is covered with bright yellow flowers. Perfect for small yard or patio.

One of the most spectacular and easiest orchids to grow, Orange Reed Ground Orchid produces brilliant clusters of orange and gold flowers atop upright reed-like stems. Unlike many orchids, it grows happily in the ground, thrives in heat and humidity, and can bloom for much of the year. The fiery flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds, adding movement and color to the garden.
Also known as the Crucifix Orchid because of the tiny cross-shaped structure in the flower, this orchid naturally produces roots along its stems, making it easy to propagate and form large, colorful clumps over time. A cheerful, low-maintenance plant that brings the warmth and energy of a tropical sunrise to your garden.
Epidendrum is a diverse neotropical genus that has flowers characterized by a frilly or fringed lip. This feature is occasionally diagnostic to distinguish between species. These orchids are widely cultivated and may be hybridized with Sophronitis, another South American genus. The flowers are usually small and delicately colored, and borne on a dense inflorescence. Many species have a fragrance.

This crazy little cactus makes a wonderful hanging basket specimen and quite the conversation piece with its twisted, arching limbs. A night bloom epiphytic cactus with curly twisting leaves, Epiphyllum curly locks is an example of a cactus that uses its stems to capture more moisture and light. The plant has curly, curved stems which are the result of a mutation of a plant called Epiphyllum guatemalense. The name for this mutated cactus is Epiphyllum monstrosa - a jungle cactus native to Guatemala and will attach itself to a tree and live off of the composting debris that collects in the crook of the tree. Commonly called Orchid Cactus due to the blooms resembling orchid blossoms. The flowers are fragrant and usually open at night. Oval, bright pink seedy fruits form once blooms are pollinated. These fruits are juicy and edible. The plant is also self-pollinating and fruits can form even without the intervention of insects and mammals.
Epiphyllum are sensitive to being moved so choosing spot in bright, indirect light would work best. Epiphyllum will also only bloom when root bound, so take this into consideration when repotting.

Surinam Cherry, Pitanga - vigorous and quick to fruit, often producing the same year or by the next. This plant is a seedling from Black Surinam Cherry Lolita, known for its very sweet, juicy fruit with no aftertaste. The fruit is relatively large at about 1-1.2 inches, starting red and turning deep black when fully ripe. In our garden, these seedlings have come true to seed with black fruit, though some reports suggest they may occasionally produce red fruit as well.
Pitanga is a reliable producer with an upright, freely branching growth habit. It is also quite cold hardy, tolerating short periods of frost. Once established, the plant can handle temperatures in the upper 20s without damage.
See video about Pitanga.
Learn more: Surinam Cherry and Bermuda Christmas Pie

Bo-Tree, Sacred Ficus. This large deciduous tree is sacred to the Hindus and Buddhists, under which Budda received enlightenment. This fast growing tree usually begins as an epiphytem (air plant, grows on trees) but develops roots to support its height of ninety plus feet. The Bo-Tree has purple figs and is different from other species, because of its slender, long leaf tip. Can be grown as bonsai.

Fire Bush, full size variety. Grows into a small tree. Small, tubular red-orange flowers. Pruning inhibits the blooms, which appear at the ends of the branches. One of the best butterfly attractors.

If you're looking for a hibiscus that makes a statement, President Red delivers. This classic tropical hibiscus produces enormous, brilliant red flowers measuring 5 to 7 inches across, creating a spectacular display from spring through fall. The bold blooms stand out against glossy dark-green foliage, bringing instant tropical color to the garden.
Unlike many tropical hibiscus varieties, President Red has demonstrated impressive cold tolerance. During the historic Florida freeze of February 2026, established plants in our garden survived two nights at 25F and nearly two weeks of unusually cold weather (when all tropical hibiscus was killed by that cold), recovering and resuming growth when warmer temperatures returned. While protection is still recommended during severe freezes, this variety has proven tougher than many tropical hibiscus selections.
President Red is a fast-growing evergreen shrub with a dense, upright habit that can reach 6 to 10 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide when planted in the ground. Its large, trumpet-shaped flowers often feature a deeper red eye and prominent red pistil, adding even more drama to each bloom.
Butterflies and hummingbirds are naturally attracted to the nectar-rich flowers, making this variety an excellent choice for pollinator-friendly gardens. Whether planted as a specimen, hedge, flowering screen, or patio container plant, it quickly becomes a focal point wherever it grows.
President Red performs best in full sun, where it produces the heaviest bloom display. It prefers rich, well-drained soil and regular watering, especially during dry weather. Routine fertilization during the growing season encourages continuous flowering and lush growth.
With its giant scarlet blooms, vigorous growth, and surprising cold hardiness, Hibiscus President Red remains one of the most rewarding tropical flowering shrubs for warm-climate gardens.

Wax Hearts, Sweetheart Hoya, Valentine Hoya, Heart leaf. Hoya kerrii - Sweetheart Plant - makes an ideal houseplant. It has become increasingly popular in recent years. Unusual and quirky "heart" shape leaves appeal to anyone looking for that special novelty gift for their plant enthusiast friend.

Variety with variegated leaves with neon-green center variegation of the leaf.
Wax Hearts, Sweetheart Hoya, Valentine Hoya, Heart leaf. Hoya kerrii - Sweetheart Plant - makes an ideal houseplant. It has become increasingly popular in recent years. Unusual and quirky "heart" shape leaves appeal to anyone looking for that special novelty gift for their plant enthusiast friend.

Variety with variegated leaves with white outline border or large white spots.
Wax Hearts, Sweetheart Hoya, Valentine Hoya, Heart leaf. Hoya kerrii - Sweetheart Plant - makes an ideal houseplant. It has become increasingly popular in recent years. Unusual and quirky "heart" shape leaves appeal to anyone looking for that special novelty gift for their plant enthusiast friend.

Coral Jatropha - small, miniature tree or medium size shrub. Red flowers look like corals, followed by curious yellow fruit. Exotic looking specimen plant, easy to grow, very tropical look. Drought tolerant. Can be grown in a pot, makes a nice palm-looking house plant.

Jatropha (Gout plant) is an attention grabber and a must in every tropical garden. It has a large bottle-like caudex and huge leaves up to 10-12 inches in diameter. The more shade, the bigger the leaves. Great natural bonsai. Makes a good potted plant but can also be used as a conversation piece specimen in a small garden.

Bryophyllum proliferum, Kalanchoe prolifera - Blooming Boxes. A very interesting giant specie, inch thick jointed stems are waxy, as are the opposite pairs of fleshy, succulent leaves. Terminal inflorescence of yellow flowers from dangling four-sided box-like bracts yields a multitude of plantlets.

Sausage tree - curious specimen tree with large 1-2 ft long fruit hanging on long ropes, and red tulip-like flowers opening at night. Fast grower, hard-to-kill plant!
Tall trees may be topped for shipping

Sausage tree - curious specimen tree with large 1-2 ft long fruit hanging on long ropes, and red tulip-like flowers opening at night. Fast grower, hard-to-kill plant!
Tall trees may be topped for shipping

Very cold hardy! Transform your garden with the Chinaberry Tree - a fast-growing, fragrant beauty that doubles in size in just one season! Its lilac flowers and sweet vanilla-like scent will fill your garden with elegance, while its hardy nature ensures it thrives even in colder climates. Enjoy lush, green foliage and a lovely shade canopy, all with minimal care. Plus, it's low-maintenance, pest-resistant, and has medicinal benefits.
Very cold hardy tropical, survived 3 nights of 25F in our garden without protection.
See article about Melia azedarach.

PKM1 variety for earlier and increased fruit-bearing, increased leaf yield and better taste! A hybrid variety, PKM1 was derived from Moringa oleifera and it is grown for its heavy biomass and tender leaves.
PKM1 (Periyakulam 1) is a popular, high-yielding variety of Moringa oleifera, the drumstick tree, known for its rapid growth, abundant, nutrient-rich leaves, and fast production of long, fleshy pods, making it ideal for both home gardens and commercial farming, especially in India where it originated, thriving in warm, sunny spots with well-drained soil. It offers superior nutritional content, pest resistance (like to hairy caterpillars), and quicker harvests compared to traditional types, often producing fruit within months.
Horseradish tree, one of the most useful trees in the world, produces long green pods that have been compared to a cross between peanuts and asparagus. The roots are used as a substitute for horseradish and the edible leaves make a highly nutritious vegetable. The roots have also been used in many folk remedies.

Bridal veil, Horseradish tree, Ben Oil Tree. Beautiful flowering tree, and one of the most useful trees in the world, it produces long green pods that have been compared to a cross between peanuts and asparagus. The roots are used as a substitute for horseradish and the edible leaves make a highly nutritious vegetable. The roots have also been used in many folk remedies.
Learn more about Moringa tree: How to grow a happy Moringa Tree

Showy bright lavender flowers, butterfly attractor. Takes sun or shade.

Firespike. Showy bright red flowers, butterfly attractor. Will take sun or shade.
Plants are beautiful in bloom.

Rare small ornamental foliage plant from Thailand with beautiful unusual foliage, dark green, variegated with gold. Can be grown in a pot and indoors. Relatively cold hardy for subtropical areas.

Devil's backbone, Zigzag plant, Jacob's ladder. Curious plant with showy growth habit - zig-zag stems, and interesting pink flowers. Drought tolerant, easy in cultivation, and as a houseplant.

Radiator plant, False Philodendron. This perfect houseplant has bright emerald leaves and is a very fast grower and requires minimum care. It has glossy elongated heart-shaped foliage evenly spaced along long stems. Leaves resemble those of Philodendron scandens, hence the common name. This plant makes a great hanging basket or cascade in a planter. Great for beginners!
Allow getting slightly dry between waterings.