Desert roses (Adeniums) are not really roses at all. They are cousins of the plumeria, but gardeners prize them for that swollen base more than for
the leaves. Want a little trick? Each time you repot, lift the plant slightly
so the crown roots peek above the soil. Over time the base swells into odd
shapes. Some look like bottles, others like bonsai elephants. That is half the fun of growing them.
At Top Tropicals we only sell grafted plants. Why? Because seed-grown
plants do not keep flower color true, but they are the only ones that form the
swollen caudex. With grafting you get the best of both worlds: reliable
flower colors from named hybrids and the sculptural trunk from seedling rootstock.
You can make hundreds of exotic colors. Tempting, isn’t it? Take advantage of this hot sale offer and and collect them all!
The Lolita is a special form of Surinam cherry. Fruits ripen nearly black, turning sweet and rich without the resinous bite of the common red type. The taste is often compared to a mix of grape and cherry with a tropical twist.
Fruit Season: Mainly spring into early summer, often with a smaller second crop in fall
Plant Size: Usually 6–8 ft in the ground, 4–5 ft in containers
Container Friendly: Thrives in larger pots, stays compact with pruning
Pollination: Self-fruiting — no partner tree needed
Health Benefits
High vitamin C content for immunity and skin health
Antioxidants that help reduce inflammation
Fiber to support digestion
A versatile kitchen fruit — eaten fresh, made into jams, sauces, or desserts
Eugenias have earned a spot in many Southern gardens because they’re
easy, dependable, and surprisingly versatile. These small trees and shrubs
grow well in the ground or in containers, and they don’t waste time
before setting fruit.
15% Off
Eugenias – Limited Time
Use code EUGENIA15 at checkout.
Excluding S/H. Offer expires 08/28/2025
👍 Popular
Choices:
What Makes Eugenia Cherries
Stand Out
Start producing fruit in just a couple of years
Compact size — easy to keep 6–12 ft tall, smaller in
pots
Low-care — tolerant of most soils and resistant to common
pests
Strong in hot weather, yet can handle a light frost down to the mid-20s
°F
Plenty of fruit for people and birds alike
Grumichama Tree in Bloom – Eugenia brasiliensis
Growing & Care
Outdoors
Best in USDA Zones 9–11
Sun or partial shade; more sun usually means sweeter fruit
Plant in well-drained soil; avoid heavy, wet spots
Withstands summer heat and humidity, and can take a light freeze
Container / Indoor
Do well in 5–10 gallon pots on patios or balconies
Need bright light indoors — a sunny window or grow lights
Can flower and fruit in containers if kept warm and well lit
In cooler zones, bring plants indoors for winter and back out in
spring
General Care
Water: Keep soil evenly moist; drought-tolerant once established but
best yields with regular watering
Soil: Use good potting mix - LINK TO SOIL
Fertilizer: Balanced slow-release LINKL TO FERTILIZER Sunshine
Boosters
Pruning: Light trimming keeps plants bushy and productive
Pollination: Self-fertile; one plant will fruit on its own
A: Only a few inches larger than the old one. Oversized pots hold too much
moisture and may cause root rot.
Q: Why are plastic pots better than
ceramic?
A: Plastic pots are lighter, easier to handle, and you can
cut them if a root-bound plant is stuck. Ceramic pots are heavy, breakable,
and often lack drainage.
Q: How do I safely remove a plant from its
pot?
A: Turn the pot upside down and let gravity help. Never
pull by the stems or leaves. If stuck, lay the pot on its side and squeeze or
tap it. Cut the pot if needed.
Q: Should I remove old soil from the
roots?
A: No. Roots have tiny hairs that absorb water and
nutrients. Shaking off soil damages them and sets the plant back.
Q: Why must the plant sit at the same soil
level?
A: Planting too deep suffocates the stem, and planting too
high exposes roots. Keeping the same level protects the root crown.
Q: How soon should I water again after
repotting?
A: Water thoroughly right after repotting, then wait until
the top inch of soil dries before watering again.
🌱 Done! Your plant now has room to grow stronger before fall.
After a busy summer of growth, many potted plants are bursting out of their containers. Now is the perfect time to step them up into a slightly larger
pot.
🌱 Why now in August?
Repotting before fall gives roots room to expand, while
there’s still warmth for active growth. Plants have time to sprout new shoots, fill out, and build strength before cooler weather slows them down.
✂️ Trim and Shape
This is also your last chance to give plants a light trim.
Pinching or cutting back helps them branch, bush out, and get denser — exactly what you want going
into fall.
👉 Watch our
on how to step up your plant the right way, then check your pots
— some of your summer growers are ready to move up!
⚠️ Important Note on Timing
This advice is for gardeners in warm climates or for anyone who still has at least a month of warm weather left. Tropical plants go dormant when
temperatures drop below 75F, so planting in a larger pot at that time may cause root rot — roots stop growing in dormancy, and extra moisture in the soil can lead to rotting.
Pick a pot just a few inches larger than the old one.
✅ Make sure it has good drainage — tropical plants hate sitting in water. A pot without drainage holes can cause waterlogging and root rot.
Why plastic pots are better than fancy ceramic
Ceramic pots may look pretty, but they are heavy, breakable, and often lack proper drainage. Plastic pots are lightweight, easier to handle, and — most importantly — if a plant is root-bound and stuck, you can simply cut the plastic pot
to free it without harming the roots. For looks, slip the plastic pot inside a decorative cover pot.
Why turn it upside down? Gravity helps loosen the plant, and it
slides out more easily without tugging.
Never pull a plant by its head (stems or leaves). That can damage the crown and tear
roots.
If it doesn’t come out easily: lay the pot on its side and
gently squeeze or tap the pot to dislodge the soil. If it is really stuck,
cut the old pot instead of forcing the plant.
Check the Root System
If roots are circling tightly (pot-bound), gently untangle or
loosen the outside layer so they will grow outward into the new soil.
Do not shake off or remove old soil from the root ball. Roots have
tiny hairs that absorb water and nutrients, and damaging them will set the
plant back. Keep the root mass intact and disturb as little as possible.
Set at the Same Level
Place the plant in the new pot so it sits at the same soil level as
before.
👉 This is important: burying the stem too deep can suffocate it,
while setting the plant higher than before may expose roots and cause drying.
Keeping the level the same protects the root crown.
Fill and Firm
Add more soil and fertilizer around the sides. Press lightly around the
edges to remove air pockets.
Water Thoroughly
Give it a deep watering to help roots settle.
Aftercare
Don’t water again until the top inch of soil feels dry.
Freshly repotted plants are vulnerable to soggy soil and root rot if kept too
wet.
Growing & Care
