Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date: 13 Feb 2026

Last-minute Valentine idea: let them choose!

Last-minute Valentine idea: let them choose!
👩‍❤️‍💋‍ Last-minute Valentine idea: let them choose!

If timing, weather, or plant selection feels uncertain, a Gift Card keeps things easy. Your Valentine can choose the perfect plant when the time is right - especially helpful for gardeners up north or when you want the gift to unfold later.

👩‍❤️‍💋‍ Valentine’s Day Gift Card Bonus

To make Valentine’s Day a little sweeter, we are adding 15% extra value to every gift card for a limited time.
Just include a Valentine greeting in the gift card message field.

💵 For example, a $100 gift card becomes $115 to spend.

Offer valid through 02/15/2026. The bonus value is not valid with other promotions or discounts. Gift cards cannot be used to purchase other gift cards. Bonus value is added at the time of purchase.

🎁 Get a Gift Card
🛒 Explore gift plants

📚 Learn more:

#Shade_Garden #Container_Garden

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Date: 12 Feb 2026

Hoa Mai and the Year of the Horse - why yellow flower Ochna is the luckiest plant of 2026?

Hoa Mai and the Year of the Horse - why yellow flower Ochna is the luckiest plant of 2026? Hoa Mai and the Year of the Horse - why yellow flower Ochna is the luckiest plant of 2026? Hoa Mai and the Year of the Horse - why yellow flower Ochna is the luckiest plant of 2026?
🔥 Hoa Mai and the Year of the Horse - why yellow flower Ochna is the luckiest plant of 2026?

Ochna integerrima - Vietnamese Mickey Mouse plant, Hoa Mai has seeds and sepals that resemble the face of Mickey Mouse, hence the common name.

  • 💖 On February 17, 2026, the Lunar New Year begins - welcoming the Year of the Fire Horse


    • And if there is one plant that perfectly captures the bold, bright energy of a new zodiac cycle, it is Ochna integerrima, known in Vietnam as Hoa Mai. This cheerful yellow bloomer is not just decorative. In Vietnam, it is the flower of Tet - a living symbol of luck, prosperity, and fresh beginnings.

  • 💖 Does Vietnamese New Year start on a different date in 2026?


    • No. In 2026, Tet - the Vietnamese Lunar New Year - begins on the same day as the Chinese Lunar New Year: February 17. Tet follows the lunar calendar, just like Chinese New Year, so both celebrations align this year.
    Tet, officially called Tet Nguyen Dan, marks the arrival of spring and is the most important holiday in Vietnam. And nothing represents Tet in southern Vietnam more than Hoa Mai in full bloom.

  • 💖 Why Hoa Mai is the flower of Tet


    • Hoa Mai literally means "yellow blossoms". In southern Vietnam, these bright yellow flowers open right around Lunar New Year, often covering the entire plant.
    The color yellow symbolizes:

· Wealth
  • · Prosperity
  • · Happiness
  • · Good fortune


    • Families display flowering Hoa Mai trees in homes, courtyards, and businesses during Tet. The more blossoms, the more luck the coming year is believed to bring.

  • 💖 Why it is called the Mickey Mouse plant


    • After flowering, Ochna integerrima produces glossy black berries that sit on bright red sepals. The combination looks surprisingly like a tiny cartoon face - two black "ears" and a round head - which is how it earned the nickname Vietnamese Mickey Mouse plant.

    It is playful, unusual, and a total conversation starter.

  • 💖 A perfect plant for Year of the Fire Horse energy


    • The Fire Horse year is associated with:

· Passion
  • · Independence
  • · Bold action
  • · Fast movement

    • And honestly? A plant that explodes into golden blooms in the middle of winter feels exactly right for that kind of year!
    If you have been waiting to start something new - planting a rare shrub, reshaping your garden, training a miniature tree - this zodiac cycle carries that "go for it" momentum.

  • 💖 Can you grow Hoa Mai outside Vietnam?


    • Yes - and that is part of its appeal. Ochna integerrima - Hoa Mai - is:

· A slow-growing, medium shrub
  • · Trainable into a small tree or bonsai form
  • · Suitable for containers
  • · Relatively tolerant of light frost

It blooms in winter, when many tropical collections feel quiet. That alone makes it valuable in warm-climate gardens like Florida.

To encourage winter blooms, steady feeding before and during the cooler season helps stimulate bud formation. Consistent light, good drainage, and balanced fertilization are key.

💖 A living symbol of luck for 2026

Every Lunar New Year carries its own theme. The Year of the Fire Horse is about bold growth, forward motion, and courage.
Hoa Mai blooms exactly at the moment when people reset intentions, clean their homes, and welcome fresh energy. It is not just a plant - it is a seasonal signal that a new chapter has begun.

And if you want to invite a little more golden luck into your garden this February, few plants say "new year, new beginning" better than Hoa Mai in full bloom.

🛒 Plant your own lucky Mickey Mouse Plant

📚 Learn more:

#Horoscope #Hedges_with_benefits #Nature_Wonders #Fun_Facts

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Date: 11 Feb 2026

Glory in overcoming

Glory in overcoming
🐱 Glory in overcoming

"The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it." - Moliere

🐈📸 Cat Philemon climbing a tree at TopTropicals PeopleCats.Garden.

#PeopleCats #Quotes

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Date: 10 Feb 2026

Cold-hardy avocado survival groups - what the numbers really mean

Cold-hardy avocado survival groups - what the numbers really mean
Cold-hardy avocado survival groups - what the numbers really mean

Avocado cold hardiness is often misunderstood. Temperature numbers do not mean a tree stays untouched - they describe survival, not appearance. Leaf burn, twig dieback, and temporary setbacks are normal even on hardy varieties. The difference is whether the tree recovers.
Below are cold-hardy avocado varieties grouped by minimum reported survival temperatures, along with what growers typically observe after a freeze.

  • 🌡 Hardy to 15F:

    • Brazos Belle (Wilma), Fantastic, Joey, Lila (Opal), Day.
    Best freeze survivors. Minor leaf burn possible, but trees usually recover quickly with little structural damage. These are among the most cold-tolerant avocado varieties when fully established and exposed to short-duration freezes.
    What to expect: Trees in this group often survive temperatures near 15F with little to moderate leaf damage. Some tip dieback is possible, but major limb loss is uncommon. Recovery is usually strong once warm weather returns, especially in dry winter conditions.

  • 🌡 Hardy to 20F:

    • Bacon, Brogdon (Brogden), Fuerte (Dwarf), Mexicola, Miguel, Ulala (Super Hass), and Waldin.
    Reliable survivors in cold-prone areas. Expect leaf damage and some setback, but established trees typically rebound.
    These varieties perform well in marginal climates and are commonly grown where freezes are expected but not extreme.
    What to expect:
    Leaf burn is common at or below 20F, and young shoots may be damaged. Trees typically survive, but may need a full growing season to regain canopy density. Established trees usually rebound well with good drainage and protection from wind.

  • 🌡 Hardy to 25F:

    • Black Prince, Choquette, Hall, Hardee Red, Lula, Marcus Pumpkin, Mexicola Grande, Nishikawa, Oro Negro, Poncho (Pancho), Tonnage, Winter Mexican, Wurtz (Dwarf) and Yamagata.
    Moderate cold tolerance. Leaf drop and branch dieback are common after freezes, though trees usually survive.
    This group includes moderately cold-tolerant avocados that handle light freezes but are more easily damaged during prolonged cold.
    What to expect:
    Expect noticeable leaf drop and some branch dieback when temperatures fall near 25F. Trees usually survive but may look rough for weeks or months. Proper placement and drainage greatly influence recovery speed.

  • 🌡 Hardy to 30F:

Bernecker, Catalina, and Florida Hass (Haas).
Frost-tolerant only. Damage occurs quickly, and repeated freezes can cause serious stress without protection.
Actual results depend on tree age, freeze duration, wind, moisture, and microclimate. Lower numbers do not mean damage-free - they mean the tree lived to grow again.
These avocados are best suited to areas with only occasional frost and minimal freeze exposure.
What to expect:
Leaf damage occurs quickly near 30F, and unprotected trees may suffer significant canopy loss. Survival is possible during brief cold events, but repeated freezes can cause lasting damage. These varieties benefit most from proactive protection.

❗️Important reminder
All temperature figures are approximate and experience-based, not guarantees. Survival depends on tree age, duration of cold, wind, moisture, and microclimate. Cold tolerance improves significantly as trees mature, while young trees remain vulnerable across all groups.
Understanding the difference between survival and damage is the key to choosing the right avocado for colder climates.

🛒 Explore cold hardy Avocado varieties

📖 Our Book: Avocado Variety Guide, Snack or Guacamole?

📚Learn more:

🎥 These Avocados survived 25F hard freeze 3 nights of Florida Record Freeze

#Food_Forest #Avocado #Discover #How_to

🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date: 10 Feb 2026

Cold-hardy avocado survival groups - what the numbers really mean

Cold-hardy avocado survival groups - what the numbers really mean
Cold-hardy avocado survival groups - what the numbers really mean

Avocado cold hardiness is often misunderstood. Temperature numbers do not mean a tree stays untouched - they describe survival, not appearance. Leaf burn, twig dieback, and temporary setbacks are normal even on hardy varieties. The difference is whether the tree recovers.
Below are cold-hardy avocado varieties grouped by minimum reported survival temperatures, along with what growers typically observe after a freeze.

  • 🌡 Hardy to 15F:

    • Brazos Belle (Wilma), Fantastic, Joey, Lila (Opal), Day.
    Best freeze survivors. Minor leaf burn possible, but trees usually recover quickly with little structural damage. These are among the most cold-tolerant avocado varieties when fully established and exposed to short-duration freezes.
    What to expect: Trees in this group often survive temperatures near 15F with little to moderate leaf damage. Some tip dieback is possible, but major limb loss is uncommon. Recovery is usually strong once warm weather returns, especially in dry winter conditions.

  • 🌡 Hardy to 20F:

    • Bacon, Brogdon (Brogden), Fuerte (Dwarf), Mexicola, Miguel, Ulala (Super Hass), Dwarf, and Waldin.
    Reliable survivors in cold-prone areas. Expect leaf damage and some setback, but established trees typically rebound.
    These varieties perform well in marginal climates and are commonly grown where freezes are expected but not extreme.
    What to expect:
    Leaf burn is common at or below 20F, and young shoots may be damaged. Trees typically survive, but may need a full growing season to regain canopy density. Established trees usually rebound well with good drainage and protection from wind.

  • 🌡 Hardy to 25F:

    • Black Prince, Choquette, Hall, Hardee Red, Lula, Marcus Pumpkin, Mexicola Grande, Nishikawa, Oro Negro, Poncho (Pancho), Tonnage, Winter Mexican, Wurtz, and Yamagata.
    Moderate cold tolerance. Leaf drop and branch dieback are common after freezes, though trees usually survive.
    This group includes moderately cold-tolerant avocados that handle light freezes but are more easily damaged during prolonged cold.
    What to expect:
    Expect noticeable leaf drop and some branch dieback when temperatures fall near 25F. Trees usually survive but may look rough for weeks or months. Proper placement and drainage greatly influence recovery speed.

  • 🌡 Hardy to 30F:

Bernecker, Catalina, and Florida Hass (Haas).
Frost-tolerant only. Damage occurs quickly, and repeated freezes can cause serious stress without protection.
Actual results depend on tree age, freeze duration, wind, moisture, and microclimate. Lower numbers do not mean damage-free - they mean the tree lived to grow again.
These avocados are best suited to areas with only occasional frost and minimal freeze exposure.
What to expect:
Leaf damage occurs quickly near 30F, and unprotected trees may suffer significant canopy loss. Survival is possible during brief cold events, but repeated freezes can cause lasting damage. These varieties benefit most from proactive protection.

❗️Important reminder
All temperature figures are approximate and experience-based, not guarantees. Survival depends on tree age, duration of cold, wind, moisture, and microclimate. Cold tolerance improves significantly as trees mature, while young trees remain vulnerable across all groups.
Understanding the difference between survival and damage is the key to choosing the right avocado for colder climates.

🛒 Explore cold hardy Avocado varieties

📖 Our Book: Avocado Variety Guide, Snack or Guacamole?

📚Learn more:

🎥 These Avocados survived 25F hard freeze 3 nights of Florida Record Freeze

#Food_Forest #Avocado #Discover #How_to

🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals
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