Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date: 2 May 2026

What makes Sunshine Boosters different

What makes Sunshine Boosters different

What makes Sunshine Boosters different

What makes Sunshine Boosters different

If your plants look stressed, slow, or inconsistent, the issue might not be your care - it might be how you're feeding them. Most fertilizers are harder to use than they should be. Once you understand why, everything starts to make sense.

Why fertilizers are so confusing?

If you've ever stood in front of a shelf full of fertilizers thinking "what do I even pick?" - you're not alone.
Most feeding programs are a mess. Different brands, different formulas, different schedules. One for growth, one for bloom, one for micros, one more "just in case".
And somehow it still feels like guesswork.
Easy to overfeed. Easy to underfeed. Easy to waste money.
That's exactly the problem Sunshine Boosters were built to solve.
The formulas are balanced and mild, so you can use them regularly without stressing about mistakes.
Now here's where it gets interesting.

The problem with traditional fertilizers

Most traditional fertilizers weren't made for how we actually grow plants today. Dry fertilizers are built for large field use. They often carry excess salts and don't work well in containers or soilless mixes. Many don't even include enough trace elements.
And over time, they can build up in the soil.
Sunshine Boosters works differently.

Why liquid feeding wins

First - it's liquid.
Plants don't eat nutrients, they drink them. Liquid feeding means nutrients are available right away. Every watering becomes feeding. No waiting, no uneven supply.

Amino-acid chelation - the real difference

Second - the way nutrients are delivered is completely different.
Most fertilizers use synthetic chelators like EDTA. They keep nutrients stable, but plants have to spend energy to use them.
Sunshine Boosters use amino-acid chelation instead.
That means nutrients come in a form plants already recognize and use naturally. Less effort for the plant, more energy for growth, flowers, and fruit.
And there's no salt buildup over time.

Low salt index - better water uptake

Speaking of salts - this is a big one.
High salt levels in fertilizers actually make it harder for plants to absorb water. That's why plants can look stressed even when the soil is wet.
Sunshine Boosters has a low salt index.
Less resistance, better water flow into the roots, better hydration, stronger plants.

Faster growth without the risk

Put it all together and you get faster growth, stronger structure, more flowers and fruit - without the usual risk of burning or overdoing it.
Because the nutrient levels are balanced and not overly concentrated, they do not affect the natural taste of fruits and edibles.
The products are also safe for regular use and friendly to pollinating insects, which is important for fruit production.

Feeding made simple

And the best part?
It's simple.
Mix Sunshine Boosters with water. Use it when you water. That's it.

Stay with us - next we'll break down how different formulas match different plant needs, so you can get even better results. More...

Get your plants real food

"
Learn more:
This changes how you feed your plants
Sunshine Boosters: Complete Plant Nutrition System
Frequently Asked Questions: Plant Nutrition & Fertilizer
Green Magic + SUNSHINE Boosters: A Complete System for Strong Plant Growth
Spring Nutrition Strategy: Is Your Garden Starving?
How to keep your house plants beautiful all year by feeding them right
Why do you need Sunshine Boosters?
Which dry fertilizer to use - slow release or controlled release?
Green Magic effect: before and after
The SECRET growers never tell you: simple trick how to bring plants back to life and keep green
" What are Sunshine Boosters

#Discover #Fertilizers #How_to

Join TopTropicals

Date: 10 Nov 2025

♥️ Honoring Veterans Day with Garden Savings

Two  anthropomorphic  cats  in  a  tropical  garden  at  sunset.  Smokey,  a 
 black  and  white  tuxedo  cat  wearing  a  blue  cap,  holds  an  American  flag. 
 Sunshine,  a  fluffy  orange  tabby,  rests  one  paw  on  a  blue  flower  pot  with  a 
 Thank  You  Veterans  sign  and  white  plumeria  blooms,  surrounded  by  red 
 hibiscus  plants.

Veterans Day is a time to honor those who served and protected our country. To show our gratitude, we are offering special discounts on plants, fertilizers, and garden supplies. It’s the perfect chance to add something new to your collection while celebrating those who made it possible for all of us to enjoy the peace of our gardens.

Celebrate Veterans Day with 20% OFF your entire order – our way of saying thank you.

Get 15% OFF tropical plants with code

VETERANS2025

Min order $100 (excluding S/H), valid online only, cannot be combined with other offers and not applicable to existing or past orders.

Hurry, offer expires November 15 2025!

Start shopping

Date: 9 Apr 2026

*️⃣ Stop Babysitting Your Trees - Grow Cold Hardy Avocados Instead

Smokey  the  black-and-white  cat  with  glasses  sits  on  a  patio  taking 
 notes  while  Sunshine,  a  fluffy  orange  cat  wearing  bunny  ears,  holds  a  small 
 potted  mango  tree  with  light  yellow  flowers.
Sunshine: I love these crazy guacamole donuts… but I’m tired babysitting trees during cold.

Smokey: Then stop planting trees that need babysitting. Plant cold hardy avocado.

Read more about Smokey & Sunshine

You always wanted an avocado tree. Not in Miami - right there in Central Florida, in your own yard. You planted one, it grew well for a few years, and it felt like you finally figured it out. Then 2026 hit. A few cold nights, temperatures dropped below what your area usually sees, and the tree was gone.

Avocado Plant Facts

Botanical name: Persea americana, Persea gratissima
Also known as: Avocado, Alligator Pear, Aguacate, Abacate
USDA Zone: 9 - 11
Highligths Large tree taller than 20 ftSmall tree 10-20 ftFull sunWatering: Regular. Let topsoil dry slightlyEdible plantSubtropical plant. Mature plant cold hardy at least to 30s F for a short time
Get personalized tips for your region

Here is the part most people miss: USDA zones are based on average minimums, not the worst freezes. One bad night can erase years of growth.

That does not mean avocado will not work. It means you planted the wrong variety. Cold hardy avocados are built for exactly this kind of surprise.

Florida  USDA  plant  hardiness  zone  map  showing  zones  8a  through  11a  with
   temperature  ranges

USDA zone map

This USDA Zone map makes one thing clear: all of Florida can grow avocado. The question is not if - it is which variety. From North Florida (8b) to South Florida (11a), there is always an option that fits your conditions.

If you are outside Florida - in Texas, Louisiana, California, or anywhere else - the same rule applies. Start with your USDA zone, then choose the right type of avocado for it. You can check your local zone here

So what does this mean for your yard? It is not about trying again and hoping for a warmer winter. It is about choosing a tree that actually matches your zone.

Cold Hardy Avocado Varieties for Reliable Harvests

Swipe left/right to see all data <->
🌡️ Threshold 🛡️ Resistance Profile Primary Varieties & Type Culinary Profile 📍 Geographic Best Fit
15°F+ High Resistance: Mexican-type selections. Short freezes near 15°F are survivable with minor leaf burn. Fantastic (A), Joey (B), Lila (A), Poncho (B) High Oil / Nutty USDA Zone 8b / 9a transition regions. Central/North Florida, Texas, Arizona
20°F+ Moderate: Brief freezes usually survivable. Full recovery may take an entire growing season. Bacon (B), Brogdon (B), Day (A), Fuerte (B), Mexicola Grande (A), Ulala "Super Hass" (A), Winter Mexican (B) Medium Oil / Creamy Coastal 9a. Inland Florida and colder microclimates.
25°F+ Light: Visible canopy damage and branch dieback are common. Survival depends on wind protection. Choquette (A), Oro Negro (B), Lula (A) Rich / "Black Gold" Zone 9b/10a. Coastal Central Florida and protected microclimates.
30°F+ Frost Tolerant Only: Even brief freezes cause rapid damage. Best for South Florida. Simmonds (A), Black Prince (A) Mild / Large Slicing USDA Zone 10a / 10b. S. Florida, Miami, Keys, Coast.
  Compact: Move inside during cold Dwarf Wurtz (A&B) and Fuerte (B) Rich / High Oil Patio Growers & Containers

See more varieties in our Master Avocado Varieties table

Microclimate matters more than your zone. The same yard can have warm and cold pockets. Plant near a south-facing wall, under light canopy, or in a spot protected from wind, and you gain a few critical degrees on cold nights.

Young avocado trees need protection during their first winters. They have not built enough wood or root strength yet, so even a short cold snap can damage them. Simple steps like frost cloth, wind protection, or temporary covers can make the difference between a setback and a loss.

You may see avocados labeled as Type A or Type B. This refers to how the flowers open, not cold hardiness. Some people mix both types to improve pollination, and while a single tree can still produce fruit, having two different types is beneficial and can increase your harvest.

Practical Planting Advice

  • Plant on a mound
    Raise the root zone 4-8 inches for fast drainage.
  • Avoid low spots
    Standing water is worse than drought for avocados.
  • Full sun
    Maximum light = stronger growth and better recovery.
  • Use microclimate
    South-facing wall, light canopy, or wind protection adds critical warmth.
  • Do not overwater
    Let the top layer dry slightly between watering.
  • Protect first winter
    Cover young trees during cold nights.

✅ Stop Guessing. Plant What Works.

Cold hardy avocados are not theory - they are proven to handle real conditions. Choose the right variety for your zone, plant it correctly, and you stop replacing trees after every cold snap.

🎥 Watch cold hardy avocado videos

✨ Grow More. Save More.

Get 10% off when you buy 2 or more 3 gal avocado trees. Mix varieties, combine Type A and Type B, and set yourself up for better pollination and bigger harvests.
Offer valid through 04/15/2026. No code needed - discount applied automatically at checkout.
Discount applies to 3 gal avocado plants only. Not valid on previous purchases and cannot be combined with other promotions or discounts. Offer subject to change without notice.
🛒 Shop cold hardy avocado

Avocado  tree  Joey,  Semi-Dwarf,  Cold  Hardy  (Persea  americana)  -  purple 
 and  green  fruit  on  a  branch

Joey is one of the most cold hardy Avocado trees with a compact habit and very pretty fruit. The flesh is nutty, smooth, and mildly sweet.

Date: 18 Feb 2026

🔥 Blazing into the 2026 with hot jasmines

Sunshine  the  orange  tabby  wearing  a  red,  white,  and  blue  wristband  sits
   laughing  on  a  jasmine-covered  horse  topiary  during  the  2026  Year  of  the 
 Horse,  while  Smokey  the  tuxedo  cat  trims  the  greenery  at 
 sunset.
Sunshine: I'm blazing into the 2026 Year of the Horse! Call me Mister Fahrenheit. Don't stop me now! 'Cause I'm having a good time — I'm a shooting star, leaping through the sky like a tiger, defying the laws of gravity!
Smokey: It's jasmine, Tiger. A shrub. Not Wembley. Calm down.

💮 2026 Year of the Horse - and the Plant I Trust Most

By Tatiana Anderson, Horticulture Expert at Top Tropicals

Every new year carries its own energy.

2026 is the Year of the Horse - a year of movement, fire, momentum, and bold decisions. It is not a quiet year. It pushes us forward.

When fellow gardeners ask me what to grow in a year like this, my answer is simple:
Grow something that balances strength with grace.

For me, that plant is Jasmine Sambac.

Sambac Plant Facts

Botanical name: Jasminum sambac
Also known as: Sambac
USDA Zone: 9 - 11
Highligths Large shrub 5-10 ft tallVine or creeper plantSemi-shadeShadeFull sunWatering: Regular. Let topsoil dry slightlyWhite, off-white flowersPlant attracts butterflies, hummingbirdsFragrant plant
Get personalized tips for your region

In many cultures, Sambac represents devotion, purity, and deep affection. In the Philippines it is the national flower - Sampaguita - woven into garlands for weddings and sacred ceremonies. In Hawaii, it becomes leis - a symbol of welcome and connection - Pikake. In India, it perfumes temples and homes.

This is not just a fragrant shrub.
It is a plant tied to love, loyalty, and continuity.

The Horse runs forward.
Jasmine anchors the heart.

In a fiery year like 2026, I believe we need both.

And that is why I always return to Jasminum sambac.

🛒 Explore Jasmine varieties

Jasmine  Sambac  Maid  of  Orleans  plant  growing  along  a  wall  with  clusters
   of  white  fragrant  flowers  in  bloom.

Jasmine Sambac thrives in hot, sunny locations

✅ Why Jasmine Sambac?

Over the years I have grown thousands of plants, but very few have the staying power of Jasmine Sambac.

It is not just fragrant. It is intensely, unmistakably fragrant. One open flower can perfume an entire patio. In the evening, the scent becomes deeper and richer.

But what makes Sambac truly special is its adaptability.

It can grow as a compact patio shrub, a flowering hedge, or a climbing vine. It performs beautifully in containers. It tolerates both full sun and partial shade. The more light you give it, the more flowers it rewards you with.

And unlike many tropicals, Sambac does not bloom just once. With proper care, it flowers in cycles throughout the warm season.

For gardeners, that combination is rare: beauty, perfume, flexibility, and repeat bloom.

That is why it has remained one of the most wanted fragrant plants in cultivation.

✍️ More About Jasmines from Blog

🛒 Explore Jasmine plants

Date: 22 Apr 2026

April 22 - Earth Day!

Cats Smokey and Sunshine at April 22 - Earth Day

Cats Smokey and Sunshine at April 22 - Earth Day

April 22 - Earth Day! 🌎

This is a simple reminder that every step counts!
You can go all in and plant a real tree, work the soil, and grow something that will last for years.
Or you can start small, with a single plant and a simple moment that gets you outside and thinking differently about your space.
Both matter.
The difference is not in the intention, but in what happens next.
A small start is fine - as long as it turns into something real.

Sunshine: It’s Earth Day - this counts as planting, right?
Smokey: I’m sure the Earth appreciates the thought.

📚 Learn more:


About Smokey and Sunshine

🛒 Shop tropical flowers and plants

#PeopleCats

🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals