Date: 28 Dec 2018
How to get a Jasmine to bloom.
Caring for jasmines as container plants during Winter
Locate the jasmine plant where it will receive bright filtered light at least six hours every day.
Put a few pebbles in a shallow plate or tray and pour fresh water over the pebbles. Set the pot on the pebbles, but don't let the water level touch the bottom of the pot. This increases the humidity in the air around the jasmine. Keep the plant away from wood stoves, heat vents and radiators.
Water the jasmine when the top 1/2 inch of the soil feels dry. Don't let the soil get soggy, and never let the pot sit in water. Water the plant sparingly during the winter.
Feed jasmine twice a month between Spring and early Fall, using a granulated slow-release, or water-soluble houseplant fertilizer mixed at half strength. Don't fertilize during the winter months.
Prune the jasmine as needed to maintain the desired shape. Never prune in winter, as the plant will be preparing to bud.
Encourage the jasmine to bloom by putting it in a cool room at night for four to five weeks during Fall to Early Winter. The plant should get plenty of sunlight during the day, but during the night, move it to a pitch-dark room where the temperature is between 40 and 50 degrees F. After four to five weeks, leave the plant in its regular, daytime location. The plant should start blooming in mid-Winter to early Spring.
See all jasmine plants...
Date: 27 Jun 2018
TROPICAL GARDENING: How to grow Brugmansia (Angel Trumpet) in the ground outside.
Q: I recently moved from New Jersey to Florida and I brought with me my Brugmansia that I used to have as a house plant. Can I plant it in the ground now?
A: Angel Trumpet - Brugmansia - is a very popular container plant
valued for its large, stunning fragrant flowers. Originated from South
America, it will be happy to grow in tropical to subtropical climate outdoors.
These are a few useful tips to get the most out of this beautiful plant:
1) Light. Plant it in full sun - the more sun, the more flowers
you get, although Brugmansias tolerate shade. If the plant was previously
grown in container indoors, to avoid leaf burn, keep it protected with a shade
cloth or simply white sheet for a while and gradually open to adjust to full
sun.
2) Soil and fertilizer. Use fertile soil with lots of organic
matter (add compost to existing soil). It must be very well drained, Angel
Trumpet won't tolerate waterlogged conditions. Plant it on a little "hill"
elevated 3-4"above the surrounding area. Brugmansias are very heavy feeders. Once
the plant is established, fertilize on regular basis with Slow Release Fertilizer - a handful once a
month.
3) Water. Water daily until established. Once the root system is
well developed, the plant is drought tolerant and won't require too much
care. But at the beginning, watch the leaves - the lush foliage droops quickly
if the plant is thirsty.
4) Plan space. Brugmansia is a short tree, but it needs a lot of
room to spread branches with its heavy hanging flowers. Think 12" wide and
maybe almost as much tall.
5) Support. Being widespread plant, Brugmansia can be blown with
strong winds. Stake with strong support until established.
6) Propagation. Brugmansia is one of the few plants that
propagates with semi-woody cuttings; soft green cuttings usually have little
success. Other than that, it is pretty easy!
Check out our Brugmansia collection
Date: 6 Jan 2017
6 easiest fruit trees and 5 spices to grow in containers indoors
Q: This is why I want to move so that I can grow absolutely anything I want from your catalogue. Prefered Puerto Rico. Right now I live in New York and there is absolutely nothing I can grow there.
A: Of course living in Puerto Rico brings more opportunities to grow tropical species. However, you can create your unique tropical paradise even living in New York. We have many customers from up North who successfully grow tropical species (and get them to flower and fruit) in greenhouses, and even indoors.
Here are a few suggestions of tropical fruit trees that adapt well for container/indoor culture - for both beginners and advanced gardeners.
Top 6 fruit trees great for indoors / container culture / beginners
1. Mango (Mangifera indica). Select from one of smaller mango varieties
2. Sugar Apple (Annona squamosa)
3. Guanabana, Soursop (Annona muricata)
4. Miracle Fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum)
5. June Plum (Spondias cytherea)
6. Guava (Psidium guajava)
5 top spice plants (the spice will be with you right away, you don't have to wait for it to grow)
1. Allspice (Pimenta dioica)
2. Cinnamomon or Campor tree
3. Bay Leaf (Laurus nobilis)
4. Mint Tree (Satureja vimenea)
5. Vanilla orchid (Vanilla planifolia)
See a brief article of growing tropicals outside of tropics.
Don't forget to get some SUNSHINE boosters for your plant collection - for both successful indoor culture and cold protection!
See also our magazine Tropical Treasures
Date: 23 Nov 2016
Growing tropical fruit trees in containers in winter
Q: Please give me your advice. The winter is here. I bought mango tree, jackfruit tree, sugar apple tree and planned them for spring. What can I do to keep them no frost bite? My home in Bonifay FL.
A: In
subtropical areas with occasional hard freeze in
winter, we recommend you to keep tropical plants in
pots. The plants you purchase are tender to frost. For
cold protection, container growing has several
advantages:
1) easy to move into wind-protected and sun-exposed
locations as needed: for example, on a different side
of the house. In many areas, seasonal prevailing winds
have opposite directions in Summer and Winter.
2) easy to cover with frost cloth, sheets, or blankets
in case of immediate cold spells. Container plants'
growth is easier to control and trim, and those plants
naturally stay more compact.
3) easy to move indoors, inside garage, or in covered
lanai/patio.
We also recommend to keep these trees in their
original pots until Spring, in containers size of the
rootball. Step them up in Spring, when plants start
active growth of root system. This will help you to
avoid root rot due to possible overwatering in Winter.
Reduce watering in any case, and keep your plants in
bright, wind-protected spot. Do not fertilize until
Spring. Protect from cold when night temperature drops
below 35-40F.
Use SUNSHINE plant boosters
to provide additional cold tolerance.
Cold protection is a lengthy subject. You may also use
propane heaters during cold nights.
Here is some more information on cold
protection
Date: 3 Aug 2025
What is the most popular and easiest tropical fruit tree to grow indoors?
No doubt about it - it's the Coffee Tree.
- Coffee is shade-loving and easy to grow with regular water
- It grows into a dark green shrub or small tree (about 3 to 5 feet tall in a pot)
- Its fragrant, star-shaped flowers resemble gardenias
- The whole fruit is edible and turns green to yellow to red
- The seeds are real "coffee beans" that can be dried, roasted, and ground at home.
Five Reasons to Grow a Coffee Plant
- Perfect Indoor Fruit Tree: Thrives in filtered light and stays compact
- Low Maintenance: Forgiving, adaptable, and ideal for new gardeners
- Aesthetic Appeal: Glossy green leaves and clusters of white blooms
- Homegrown Coffee: Yes, you can roast your own beans.
- Year-Round Beauty: Evergreen with seasonal fragrance
Coffee Plant Care Tips
- Light: Bright, indirect light is best. Avoid harsh afternoon sun.
- Water: Keep soil lightly moist but not soggy. Let the top inch dry out before watering again.
- Humidity: Loves higher humidity. Mist regularly or place on a pebble tray.
- Fertilizer: Use a balanced, gentle fertilizer like Sunshine Boosters C-Cibus every few weeks during growing season.
- Soil: Loose, rich, and well-drained. High in organic matter and slightly acidic. For potted plants, use a quality indoor tropical mix, such as Top Tropicals Abundance mix
- Repotting: Refresh soil and size up the pot every 1–2 years to keep roots healthy.
- Can I grow it outdoors?: Yes - bring it outside in warm months and back indoors before frost. It's best suited for USDA zones 10-11, but container growing gives you flexibility in cooler climates.
- How long until I get beans?: Expect flowers and fruit within 3 to 4 years from seedling stage - often sooner if you start with a young tree.
- What does the fruit taste like?: Mild and sweet-tart, like a mix between a cherry and a cranberry. You can eat it fresh.
How to Make Coffee from Your Own Tree
- Harvest: Pick the ripe red cherries
- Pop and Soak: Squeeze out the beans and ferment 1-2 days to remove pulp
- Dry: Spread out to dry for 1-2 weeks until hard and papery
- Husk: Remove the thin shell to reveal green beans
- Roast: Use a dry skillet or oven until fragrant
- Grind and Brew: Cool, grind, and enjoy the freshest coffee you've ever had.
Learn more: How to make your own coffee from homegrown beans
Coffee Health Benefits
- Rich in antioxidants - supports heart and brain health
- Boosts focus and mental alertness
- Supports metabolism and fat-burning
Why Coffee Makes the Perfect Gift Plant
- Long-living and beautiful
- Symbolic, useful, and personal
- Great for coffee lovers, gardeners, and the "person who has everything"