💕How would you like to give a Valentine plant gift?
Choose the plant
If you already know what feels right, choose the plant now.
Sweetheart Hoya is a favorite for a reason, and there are other Valentine
plants to explore if you want options.
A good choice when you feel confident, love plants, or are gifting something
meant to live indoors.
Let your Valentine choose
If timing, weather, or choice feels uncertain, a Gift Card keeps the moment simple. Your Valentine can choose the
perfect plant when the time is right.
Especially helpful for gardeners up north, or when you want the gift to
unfold later.
About shipping and timing
We ship live plants with care and pay close attention to weather along the
way.
If conditions are not right, we may hold a shipment briefly to keep plants
safe.
If timing or weather makes you hesitate, a Gift Card is an easy way to give a Valentine gift now and choose the
plant later, when conditions are perfect.
Valentine Day Gift Card Bonus
To make Valentines Day a little sweeter, we are offering a special gift
card bonus for a limited time.
When you purchase a gift card, we add 15% extra
value. Just add Valentine greeting in gift card message field.
For example, a $100 gift card becomes $115 to spend.
Offer valid through 02/15/2026.
The bonus value is not valid with other promotions or discounts. Gift
cards cannot be used to purchase other gift cards. Bonus value is added at
the
time of purchase.
Vanilla planifolia Vine, Flower, and Cured Vanilla
Beans
How to Grow Vanilla: quick how-to
Vanilla is not complicated, but it does have preferences. Start with a
pot and regular, well-draining mix. It does not need anything exotic. Give
it:
Bright, indirect light
Warm temperatures
Good humidity
Air movement
Most importantly, give it something solid to climb. A wooden trellis, a log,
or a burlap-covered board works well. The surface should be porous so the
aerial roots can grip.
As it grows, guide the vine gently. You can prune it to control size.
Vanilla is slow to mature. That is normal.
The Bloom Secret
Vanilla does not bloom just because it looks healthy. It blooms when it
feels secure.
This is a climbing orchid. It must attach firmly to a solid, porous
support such as a wood log, trellis, or burlap-covered board. When the
aerial
roots grip and the plant reaches maturity, flowering becomes possible.
Once the flowers appear, they usually need to be hand pollinated to
produce pods. Each flower stays open for only a short time, so timing
matters.
How to pollinate vanilla: In this video, we show you
exactly how to pollinate vanilla step by step
❓Vanilla care: quick FAQ
Does Vanilla planifolia really produce vanilla
beans?
Yes. Vanilla planifolia is the commercial source of vanilla. After
flowering, it can form long green pods (vanilla beans). The aroma develops
later during curing.
What is the secret to getting vanilla to bloom?
Let it climb. Vanilla is a climbing orchid and usually will not bloom until
its aerial roots attach firmly to a solid, porous support like a wood log,
trellis, or burlap-covered board.
Do I need to pollinate vanilla flowers?
Yes. In most home growing conditions, vanilla flowers must be hand
pollinated to produce pods. Each flower is open for only a short time, so
timing matters.
Can I grow vanilla indoors?
Yes, if you can provide bright, indirect light, warmth, humidity, and a
support to climb. A sunny room with filtered light and a trellis or log can
work well.
What should I use for support?
Use a sturdy trellis, a wood log, or a burlap-covered board. The key is a
porous surface that aerial roots can grip. Avoid chemically treated wood.
Check out this very unusual way to
grow Vanilla Orchid over a wall.
What potting mix should I use for Vanilla plant?
Start in a pot with a regular, well-draining potting mix such as Sunshine
Abundance. As the plant matures, it relies more on its support and
aerial roots than the soil.
What fertilizer should I use? Sunshine
Boosters Orchidasm is formulated specifically for orchids and will work
perfecty for Vanilla orchid as well.
How big will it get?
As big as you let it. Train it and prune it. Vanilla grows according to the
structure and space you provide.
How long until it flowers?
Typically a few years. Vanilla is a long-term project, but it is very
rewarding once established.
For Collectors and Enthusiasts:
Vanilla dilloniana in Bloom - Rare Florida Native
Orchid
We also offer Vanilla dilloniana, a rare
Florida native species with distinctive flowers.
One remarkable specimen of this species, grown by our friend Robert
Riefer, became so vigorous over many years that it outgrew a 100 gallon
container and was eventually moved into a 250 gallon pool on wheels.
The plants we offer are propagated from that very specimen:
That kind of growth reflects deliberate cultivation and ideal conditions
- not something that happens unintentionally.
Vanilla grows according to the space and structure you provide.
For gardeners focused on producing real vanilla beans for the kitchen,
Vanilla planifolia remains the right place to
start.
Plumeria
Orange KLS stands out with a rare mix of five colors - peach, yellow,
orange, white, and crimson - all blending into one vivid bloom. Fragrant and
eye-catching, it’s a truly unique plumeria.
Practical Growing Tips (Keep It Simple)
Sun: Full sun is key. 6+ hours daily for best
blooms.
Soil: Fast-draining mix. In pots, use cactus mix or add
perlite and sand. The best soil for Plumerias is a
50:50 mix of
Abundance potting soil with coarse sand.
Watering: Water well, then let soil dry out before
watering again.
Containers: Excellent for pots. Easier control and
mobility.
Airflow: Good airflow keeps plants healthy and
clean.
Spacing: Give each plant room - better shape and more
flowers.
Blooming plumeria plants in pots after rain.
Winter Care (Very Important)
Temperature: Protect from freeze. Below 40F they need
protection.
Dormancy: Leaves drop in winter. This is normal.
Watering: Almost dry during dormancy.
Indoors: Move containers inside if frost is
expected.
Light: Bright spot is enough. No need for full sun in
dormancy.
No feeding: Do not fertilize during winter rest.
Restart: Resume watering when new growth appears in
spring.
Potted plumeria in bloom.
About Plumeria Rust (Florida Reality)
If you are growing plumerias in Florida, you will likely see plumeria rust
at some point. It shows up as orange powdery spots on the
underside of leaves and can cause leaves to yellow and drop early. It is
driven by high humidity and is most common in the fall, right before the
plant naturally starts dropping its leaves.
It looks alarming, but it is mostly a cosmetic issue and does not harm the
plant long term. Good airflow, full sun, and avoiding overhead watering help
reduce it. If needed, you can remove affected leaves or use a simple
fungicide (in our experience, the most effective one for Plumeria rust is
Southern Ag Garden Friendly Fungicide), but in most cases the plant
grows
right through it and comes back clean with fresh growth.
White and
Yellow Plumerias are the most fragrant.
Plumeria Fragrance - Bring It Anywhere
That scent does not have to stay in the garden. Fresh plumeria flowers can
be brought inside and placed in a small bowl of water they will float and
gently perfume the room. You can make a simple lei, keep a few blooms
on a table, or even place a flower in your car on a hot day - the warmth
releases the fragrance.
Bowl with Plumeria flowers
creates a scented space anywhere
Red Plumeria is not just fragrant, it is one of the
most spectacular trees when in full bloom
Build Your Plumeria Paradise - Save
10%
Get 10% off with coupon code PLUMERIA2026
on plumeria trees.
Offer valid through 04/15/2026.
Discount applies to plumeria plants only. Not valid on previous purchases
and cannot be combined with other promotions or discounts. Offer
subject to change without notice.
Date: 4 Sep 2025
📅 Do not
miss: September 6 - Fall Plant Market!
Saturday, September 6, 2025: 9 am - 4 pm
Fall is just around the corner, but Florida is still full of sunshine and
growing energy!
It’s one of the best times to plant - cooler days are coming, but
there are still months of warmth ahead for your garden to thrive. Our
nursery is bursting with big, healthy plants that grew all summer long -
loaded with blooms, fruit, and lush foliage, ready to shine in your
yard.
Come stroll the gardens with our PeopleCats,
enjoy the most beautiful season for planting, and let us help you find the
perfect picks for your space. Bring your friends and family for a weekend of
fun, color, and fresh ideas - this is your moment to plant, grow, and
enjoy!
30% OFF online prices
FREE plant with any purchase (including Guava)
Gift bags for first 25 customers with $50+ order
Special deals on select plants
Exciting raffle prizes
Green Magic fertilizer FREE samples
The LAST PERFORMANCE of the Famous Hand Pan Lady! (She is moving from
Florida)
See her previous performance at Top Tropicals - here
and here.
When northern gardens fade into gray, our tropicals wake up. Winter is
color season here - and even if you live up north, you can still enjoy these
same flowering trees indoors or on a sunny patio.
From the fiery Royal
Poinciana to the golden Tabebuia and
violet Jacaranda,
these eight trees prove that winter can bloom anywhere
How to Care for Winter-Flowering Trees
We're often asked, at Top Tropicals, “Can I really grow tropical
trees in winter?”
Yes — with the right light and care, you can.
Here’s what works best both outdoors and indoors, according to our
expert, Tatiana Anderson.
🌡️ Fall Planting Guide
Let’s talk about timing, because that’s the part most people
get nervous about.
Everyone asks: “Isn’t it too cool to plant now?” —
and the answer is no!
Fall and early winter are actually the best months for tropicals in Zones 9
to 11.
Here’s why: the air has cooled off, but the soil is still warm.
Roots love that combination. They quietly spread underground while the rest
of
the plant takes a break.
By spring, those roots are ready to feed a burst of new growth — and
that’s when you’ll see the first big flush of flowers.
Pick a sunny spot that gets plenty of light — six to eight hours
if you can.
Loosen the soil and mix in compost or pine bark so it drains well.
Dig a hole about twice as wide as the pot and just as deep.
Set the plant level with the ground, backfill, and water it deeply to
settle everything in.
Then add mulch — two or three inches is plenty — but keep it
away from the trunk so it can breathe.
Tatiana’s tip: “Fall planting builds roots while everyone
else is resting. By spring, your tree wakes up ready to grow.”
🌳 Outdoor Care (Warm Climates Zones 9–11)
Now, let’s talk about what happens after planting — because
real gardening starts once the plant is yours. Tropical trees thrive on
routine: steady sunlight, deep watering, and just a bit of attention.
Water them about once a week when the weather is mild, more often if
it’s dry or windy.
Always check the soil first — if it feels dry two inches down, go
ahead and water.
Mulch helps more than most people realize — it keeps roots cool in
summer and warm in winter, and it saves you from watering as often.
Now, for those of you in Zone 9, here’s the truth: your trees can
take a chill, but they don’t love surprises.
A quick night in the upper 20s F won’t hurt mature plants, but young
ones appreciate a little help — a frost cloth or being planted at the
south side.
And don’t underestimate the wind. Cold, dry gusts can burn leaves
faster than frost.
Use fences, hedges, or taller shrubs as windbreaks, and take advantage of
microclimates — those warm pockets next to the house, brick patios, or
corners that get extra afternoon sun.
Tatiana’s tip: “A tropical garden in Zone 9 isn’t
about fighting nature — it’s about cooperating with it. Find the
warm corners, protect from the cold wind, and your trees will thank you with
flowers all winter.”
🏚️ Indoor & Patio Care (Cooler Climates)
For our northern friends — yes, you can grow tropicals indoors!
You just need good light, warm air, and a little attention.
Pick a large pot, with drainage holes and a light tropical soil mix.
Place it in a bright window — south or southwest if you can —
or under grow lights for about 12–14 hours a day.
Keep temperatures between 65 and 85 F, and water when the top inch of soil
dries out.
Misting helps keep leaves clean and adds humidity.
Rotate the pot every couple of weeks so all sides get sun. In summer, move
your plant outdoors gradually so it can enjoy real sunlight — then
bring it back in before nights drop below 40 F.
Tatiana’s tip: “Don’t be afraid of growing trees in
pots. They adapt beautifully — just select the right trees and pay
attention to their needs.”
Practical Growing Tips (Keep It Simple)
Winter Care (Very Important)
Build Your Plumeria Paradise - Save
10%
