Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date: 22 Jul 2022

Callisia fragrans, Golden Tendril:
Holistic Medicinal Plant

Callisia  fragrans

by Alex Butova, the Witch of Herbs and Cats

...This beautiful, low-maintenance plant has been living in our homes for over two hundred years. The name of Callisia speaks for itself - Callisia from the Greek is kallos meaning beauty and fragans means fragrant. It is not only an easy ornamental plant for both garden and indoor collection, it has wide medicinal use in Europe. Its active biological substances that can fight infections, stimulate metabolism, strengthen immunity and circulatory system...
...Moreover, the leaves and flowers of Callisia fragrans are edible, the plant has been used as a food source in tropical countries. The rhizomes are also edible and can be boiled or roasted... Every garden or indoor plant collection should have this easy and useful plant!..
CONTINUE READING >>

Callisia  fragrans

Date: 10 Aug 2025

Tuxedo  cat  planting  tropical  tree  with  Sunshine  Boosters  bag,  orange  cat  waving  to  kitten  with  backpack  by  school  bus  in  sunny  garden 
 scene.

🌺 Back to School and Back to Planting – Cats in the Garden

Back to School, Back to Planting – Why August Works for Tropicals

Planting Season Isn't Over Yet

August is still a good month for planting tropicals in warm climates. The soil stays warm enough to push root growth, and late-summer weather gives plants time to settle in before winter. In drier areas, regular watering will keep them moving along just fine.

Tropicals in warm climates aren't usually harmed by cooler Winter weather, but as days get shorter, growth may slow down. This is why planting in late Summer-Fall lets roots grow during this last warm stretch, so the plant enters winter already established.

By spring, those roots are ready to drive new shoots, flowers, and fruit. There's no lost time to transplant shock - plants can get straight to blooming and fruiting earlier in the season.

August Planting FAQ

How can heat be prevented from harming new tropicals?

Water in the morning so plants start the day hydrated. Warm soil is good for root growth, but don't let it dry out.

How should new plants be protected from strong sun?

For the first couple of weeks, use a shade cloth or even a white bed sheet to soften midday sun and prevent leaf scorch.

What fertilizer works best for planting in summer heat?

Controlled-release types are best. We use professional grade Green Magic. You may pair it with Sunshine Boosters for steady, gentle feeding through the warm months.

Which tropicals grow best when planted in August?

Most tropical plants do well when planted in warm end-of-summer conditions, including Mango, Avocado, Guava, Jackfruit, Annona, Bananas, Orchid Trees, Jasmines, Allamanda and most of flowering trees, shrubs and vines.

Can tropical trees planted in August produce fruit next year?

Many can, especially fast growers, since they have established roots by the time spring growth begins.

How can tropicals be kept healthy when planting in August?

Mulch around the base to help prevent soil from drying out too quickly. Water deeply in the morning to help plants handle the heat.

Shop Flowering trees

Shop Fruit trees and edibles

Date: 8 Nov 2024

Six colorful plants for your indoor garden

Sanchezia stenomacra - Blood Red Feather

Sanchezia stenomacra - Blood Red Feather

Anthurium vittariifolium- Long Leaf Anthurium

Anthurium vittariifolium- Long Leaf Anthurium

Clinacanthus nutans - Snake plant, Phaya-Yor

Clinacanthus nutans - Snake plant, Phaya-Yor

Aeschynanthus speciosus - Lipstick Plant

Aeschynanthus speciosus - Lipstick Plant

Tibouchina multiflora (grandifolia) - Glory bush, Quaresmeira

Tibouchina multiflora (grandifolia) - Glory bush, Quaresmeira

Calathea zebrina - Zebra Plant

Calathea zebrina - Zebra Plant

🌈 Six colorful plants for your indoor garden



🎶 Q: I've read your post about growing tropicals indoors and you got me inspired! Can you recommend something unusual, colorful and bright, preferably with flowers, that I can grow as house plants?

🌸 A: House plants don't have to be boring and just green! Below are a few excellent choices for your indoor garden that will brighten your sunroom. Just make sure to follow the 10 key tips for growing tropical plants indoors.
  1. Sanchezia stenomacra - Blood Red Feather - spectacular red feathery blooms and and soft, fussy leaves.
  2. Anthurium vittariifolium - Long Leaf Anthurium - super rare, an eye stopper, with long leaves up to 2 ft long, and bright pink fruit.
  3. Clinacanthus nutans - Snake plant, Phaya-Yor - exotic flower from Thailand resembling snake's open mouth.
  4. Aeschynanthus speciosus - Lipstick Plant - popular house plant with bright showy orange blooms.
  5. Tibouchina multiflora (grandifolia) - Glory bush, Quaresmeira - can be grown outside in Southern gardens, as well as in a pot indoors. Showy purple flowers, velvet leaves are wonderfully soft 6-8"in diameter!
  6. Calathea zebrina - Zebra Plant - the brightest zebra-striped large leaves up to 1 ft long.


👍 What flowering plants do you grow in shade? Share in comments⬇️

🛒 Shop indoor garden

#Container_Garden

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date: 28 Dec 2025

🎉 2026 Gardening Resolution That Actually Works

According to our experts: Smokey and Sunshine. When we say experts, we do not mean consultants or trend writers. We mean two real gardeners. Smokey watches patterns. Sunshine notices when people rush. Together, they explain what actually works.

Smokey  the  tuxedo  cat  writes  gardening  plans  for  2026  at  a  table  while 
 Sunshine  the  ginger  cat  rides  a  hobby  horse  holding  coffee,  with  donuts, 
 plants,  and  a  fireplace  in  a  winter 
 room.
Sunshine: Smokey, thank you for the Christmas present. I am riding this hobby horse straight into the Year of the Horse!
Smokey: I am making the plans for 2026. Planning makes gardening successful.
Sunshine: Coffee and donuts help too, so please include them in your plan.

Smokey: Hello gardeners. 2026 is the Year of the Horse.

Sunshine: Horses do not garden.

Smokey: Please do not interrupt me. No, they do not. That is just the calendar. What matters is what gardeners do at the start of every new year. They often rush and repeat the same mistakes.

Sunshine: The biggest one is rushing the garden before morning coffee.

Smokey: Correct. Rushing looks like effort, but it is usually just impatience. Gardens punish impatience very reliably.

Most early-season problems come from doing things too soon:
- watering before roots are active
- fertilizing before growth begins
- planting before conditions settle
- poking plants daily to check how the roots are growing

Sunshine: If you are poking the roots, the plant was fine until you started poking it.

Smokey: Good gardening is not constant action. It is knowing when to act and when to stop interfering.
- Plant when the timing is right.
- Let roots work quietly.
- Leave resting plants alone.

Sunshine: Coffee first. Donuts optional, but highly recommended.

Smokey: One last thing, while you are not rushing.

Our gift cards are still on promotion. They do not need planting, watering, or timing decisions today.

A gift card is a symbol of patience. Buy it now. Use it when the moment is right.

Smokey and Sunshine:
Our resolution for 2026 is simple: stop rushing the garden. Wishing you a calm, steady, coffee-fueled 2026 garden 🐾🌿

Date: 12 Dec 2025

PeopleCats Garden Tours

🎉 PeopleCats Garden Tours





🎄 It is almost here! December 13, 2025 - Holiday Plant Market, proudly hosted by the #PeopleCats of TopTropicals.
Our big end-of-season Plant Day. All year we grow the rare and unusual plants that will be featured at this event, and Saturday is the day they finally meet their new homes. The garden turns into a small holiday escape: fresh air, bright colors, music, snacks, and the PeopleCats greeting everyone like they have known you for years.

📱 Event discounts and specials valid at both locations:



🎁 Learn more about this Event, Holiday deals and extras

#PeopleCats

🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals