By John Banta. The rarity of African gingers is only matched by their beauty. The rarest, and most costly is the remarkable blue flowered, Siphonchilus beachystemon. It was discovered in Kenya in 1957 by an English tourist. It reminded her of the beautiful blue Himalayan poppy, Meconopsis grandis, she often admired at the Edinburgh Botanical Garden so she had her guide collect a plant or two that she took back to Edinburgh. The few plants available in horticulture today come from that original collection over 50 years ago.
Fortunately there are about 15 species of Siphonchilus found in Africa and some of most outstanding ones make grand additions to our gardens. Listed in order of their vigor and availability they are:
Siphonochilus decorus. The large butter yellow flowers only last for a day but they continue to develop for weeks. In Zimbabwe it is considered one of the outstanding native plants. It is closely related to the next ginger and forms hybrids with it that are usually sterile. Read more...
Date: 23 Nov 2025
📅 Mark Your Calendar - Holiday Plant
Market
Holiday season in Florida means sunshine, green leaves, and cats on
patrol. On
Saturday 12/13/25, our PeopleCats are hosting a special Holiday Plant Market
at TopTropicals,
9 am to 4 pm. This is not a regular nursery day. This is the one where you
grab a donut in one hand, a mango tree in the other, and try not to trip
over a cat giving you a tour.
We are bringing out the best plants we grew all year: big fruit trees
with real branches, flowering and fragrant beauties, rare collectors
plants, and vines that are ready to take off as soon as you get them home.
December is perfect planting weather in Florida, so while the rest of the
country is scraping frost from windshields, you can be
choosing which banana, mango, or jasmine will perfume your yard next
summer.
Holiday extras: 30% OFF online prices, free plant with purchase, 5 to 10
dollar specials, mini donuts and holiday treats, iced tea and citrus water,
tropical Christmas music, and
raffle prizes. If there is enough ripe fruit in the morning, we will set up
a
tasting table too. Our PeopleCats will be on duty all day, rearranging
plants,
checking on visitors, and occasionally allowing themselves to be petted
between tours.
Event discounts and specials are valid at both locations:
Save the date, tell a friend, and plan your plant hunting route now. Come
celebrate the holidays the Florida way: sunshine, rare fruit trees, happy
cats, and a car full of tropical
plants going home with you.
Botanical name: Mangifera indica Also known as: Mango
USDA Zone: 9 - 11
Highligths
All mango trees are naturally vigorous and, if planted in the ground, they all can grow into full-size trees reaching 15-20 ft or more. The term "Condo Mango" refers to varieties with a more compact growth habit that can be kept small in containers with light pruning. In a pot, their size is controlled by root space and regular trimming, allowing them to stay manageable and productive for many years. Here is how:
🥭 Condo mango = mango trees that stay compact in containers with light pruning.
✔️ In ground: 15–20+ ft ✔️ In pots: keep them 6–8 ft
🥭 Best pot sizes
· 3-7 gal - starter (3–6 months) · 7-5 gal - young tree (1–2 years) · 15-25 gal - ideal long-term · 25-40 gal - faster growth, more pruning
👉 Smaller pot = easier care 👉 Bigger pot = more growth + more work
🥭 Best mango types for containers
True dwarf (easiest)
Minimal pruning, perfect patio trees
· Keep tree 6–8 ft with pruning · Use fast-draining soil (critical) · Full sun = fruit · Feed regularly - Green Magic + Mango Tango · Repot or root-prune every few years
Forget the Tropics: These 5 Condo Mango Varieties Thrive in Your Living Room
Mngo tree in a pot
Forget the Tropics: These 5 "Condo Mango" Varieties Thrive in Your Living Room 🥭
A tropical orchard in your living room? It’s more possible than you think. While wild mango trees can tower at 60 feet, "condo mango" varieties allow you to harvest juicy, sun-ripened fruit right next to your sofa.
Mango Plant Facts
Botanical name: Mangifera indica Also known as: Mango
USDA Zone: 9 - 11
Highligths
If you have a sunny window and a bit of patience, here is exactly how to grow a potted mango tree indoors.
🌳 Why "Condo Mangoes" are the Secret to Success
Most people fail because they plant a seed from a grocery store mango. Don't do that. Seeds take up to a decade to fruit and grow far too large.
Instead, look for grafted, dwarf varieties. These are bred to: • Stay compact (6–10 feet). • Fruit within 1–3 years. • Thrive in the limited root space of a container.
🌳 The 5 Best Mango Varieties for Indoor Pots
Choosing the right cultivar is 90% of the battle. These five are the gold standard for indoor growers:
• Pickering: The #1 choice for pots; naturally tiny. Rich, fiberless, and coconut-heavy. • Cogshall: Slow-growing and easy to prune. Classic, ultra-sweet tropical taste. • Ice Cream: Extremely compact; thrives in small spaces. Creamy texture, like mango sorbet. • Carrie: High disease resistance; very productive. intense, spicy-sweet aroma. • Mallika: A semi-dwarf Indian favorite. Exceptional, honey-like sweetness.
Mangoes are sun-worshippers. They need at least 8 hours of direct light daily.
The Pro Move: Place your tree in a south-facing window. If you live in a cloudy climate, a high-quality LED grow light isn't optional - it’s a necessity to prevent leaf drop and encourage flowering.
The Rule: Let the top 2 inches of soil dry completely before watering deeply.
3. Temperature & Humidity
Keep your room between 65F and 90F. If you are comfortable, the tree is likely comfortable. Avoid placing it near drafty AC vents or heaters that sap humidity.
4. The "Bee" Factor (Pollination)
Indoors, you lack wind and insects. When your tree flowers, gently shake the branches or use a small paintbrush to move pollen between blooms to ensure fruit sets.
👉 Quick Tips for a Better Harvest
• Pot Size: Start with a 15-inch wide container and "up-pot" every two years. • Pruning: Don't be afraid to snip! Pruning the tips encourages branching, and more branches mean more fruit. • Fertilizer: Use a balanced organic fertilizer with micronutrients (like magnesium and iron). We recommend Sunshine Mango Tango specifically formulated for mango trees, and a micro element supplement - Sunshine Superfood - these are safe to use with every watering.