Q: We just moved to Florida and our yard is
currently just plain grass. I want to add some beautiful tropical plants, but I'm not sure
where to start. Can you suggest easy-to-care-for plants that look nice in winter, preferably with flowers? Considering it's Winter
time and some trees look dormant... But I can't wait to start my tropical garden!
A: Florida residents are blessed to have mild
winters, and many tropical and subtropical plants enjoy this climate year around. Just be mindful of your location's specific conditions (sun-shade, wet-dry, cold sensitive or hardy). Here
are some recommendations for easy-to-grow, evergreen plants that love
Florida and look great even in winter. They'll establish well during cooler months, add a splash of color to your garden with their flowers, and even treat you with fruit!
By Tatiana Anderson, Horticulture Expert at Top
Tropicals with
Smokey & Sunshine help
Sunshine Boosters for different types of plants
Here is why SUNSHINE Boosters are the smart choice for your garden this
spring:
Amino Acid Stability: Unlike traditional fertilizers that
use synthetic EDTA chelators, our formulas are amino-acid based. This means
100% of the nutrients are bioavailable and consumed by the plant, leaving
zero
toxic residues or salt build-up in your soil.
Safe for Every Watering: Because our concentrations are
scientifically balanced and mild, they are safe for daily use. This
eliminates the "feast or famine" cycle of dry fertilizers and prevents
accidental root burn.
Pure Taste for Edibles: Our delicate formulas do not
contain excess salts, urea, or ammonium salts that can ruin the flavor of
your harvest. Your fruit and vegetables will retain their pure, natural
taste.
Pollinator Friendly: Our boosters are designed to be safe
for honeybees and other beneficial insects, making them the responsible
choice for an organic-style garden.
🌿For Potted Plants: Breaking the "Foodless" Cycle
Schlumbergera - Christmas cactus - after boosting
flowers with Sunshine
Megaflor
Container-grown plants are trapped in soilless mixes (peat, bark,
perlite) that are structurally great but naturally nutrient-deficient.
Total Nutrition: Since pots lack the natural "buffet"
of the ground, SUNSHINE Boosters™ provide every
essential mineral the plant cannot find on its own.
No Salt Build-up: Our amino-acid based formulas are
consumed entirely by the plant, leaving zero toxic residue or root-burning
salts behind.
Daily Safety: Our mild concentrations eliminate the
"feast
or famine" cycle of dry fertilizers, making them safe for use with every
single watering.
Even in the ground, plants often struggle to absorb what they need
because soil compounds can "lock up" nutrients.
Enhanced Solubility: SUNSHINE Boosters create a
slightly acidic environment that helps dissolve stubborn salts in the soil,
making them accessible to roots again.
Precision Delivery: We provide mobile elements like
Nitrogen precisely when the plant needs to push new spring growth.
🌿The Foliar Advantage: Direct-to-Leaf Delivery
Did you know a plant leaf can absorb nutrients even more efficiently than
the roots? Foliar feeding is your "emergency button" for instant results.
Quick Fix: Foliar applications with Sunshine
Superfood are the fastest way to correct yellowing leaves or visible
deficiencies.
Metabolism Boost: Sprays like SUNSHINE-Epi act
as a bio-regulator, helping plants recover from the stress of spring
temperature swings.
Better Fruit:SUNSHINE Honey is applied to
leaves to naturally move sugars to the fruit, increasing sweetness and
flavor.
🌿The Calcium Problem: Solved
As your plants wake up this Spring, they need structural strength. Think
of Calcium as the "cement" that holds plant cells
together. Without it, new spring growth is doomed to fail.
Signs Your Plant is Starving for Calcium:
Deformed Leaves: New growth looks twisted, hooked, or
curled.
Blackened Tips: The very edges of young leaves turn white,
then quickly blacken and die.
The Industry Secret: The "Missing" Mineral
Most fertilizers, both dry and liquid, completely skip Calcium. Why?
Because it’s a chemical nightmare to keep stable in a concentrated
solution. Most manufacturers rely on your irrigation water to deliver
Calcium, but tap water is inconsistent and often fails to provide what a
hungry, growing plant needs.
The SUNSHINE Boosters: Stable Calcium in Every Bottle
We have successfully stabilized Calcium directly into every single
Sunshine Booster formula.
Whether you are using Bombino, Robusta, or Megaflor, you are delivering a
precise, stable dose of Calcium with every watering. No lockout, no
sediment, and no relying on the "luck" of your tap water. Just strong,
healthy cell walls and perfect spring growth.
🌿SUNSHINE-Epi: The Year-Round Bio-Regulator
Whether it’s the transition of spring, the extreme heat of summer,
or the dry air of indoor wintering, SUNSHINE-Epi is your
plant’s primary defense. This natural Brassinosteroid acts as a
powerful immune booster, helping plants navigate stress wherever it comes
from.
Universal Stress Shield: Protects against temperature
swings (both heat and cold), drought, and transplant shock.
Vigorous Development: Dramatically improves root growth
and speeds up the metabolism of young seedlings and cuttings.
Eco-Safe: 100% non-toxic to humans, pets, and
pollinators.
Note: While Epi is highly effective, it is a
performance booster, not a substitute for proper care. It works best when
paired with the right light, water, and a consistent feeding program. It
won't bring a dead plant back to life, but it will help a struggling one
find its footing.
Don't
let your garden wake up to an empty nutrition plate.
Smokey: Save your gas money for donuts. We're
shipping the boosters for free. Sunshine: Agreed. My charm covers the delivery
cost.
No coupon code required: The free shipping is automatically applied
at checkout.
Complete Nutrition: Stock up on Robusta, Superfood, and Epi for the Spring
growth push.
Offer
valid through 03/14/2026. Free shipping offer is valid on
SUNSHINE Boosters liquid products only. Not valid on previous purchases and
cannot be combined with any other offers, coupons, or discounts. Offer
subject to change or cancellation without notice.
Sunshine Boosters micro
elements and supplements - Superfood micro-element complex, Sunshine Epi
biostimulant and Sunshine Honey supplement for better fruit
❓Frequently Asked Questions: SUNSHINE Boosters™
What water should I use for foliar spraying?
Tap water works perfectly for most. However, if your water is very "hard"
(leaving white mineral spots on leaves), switch to distilled water for a
cleaner finish and better absorption.
How long does a diluted solution last?
For maximum potency and to avoid nutrient degradation, try to use your
diluted mixture
within a few hours of preparation. Keep away from direct sun. Fresh is
always best!
Can I use SUNSHINE Boosters as a daily foliar spray?
Yes! You can mist your plants daily to maintain high vigor, but you must
reduce the dosage (use half the recommended strength) to avoid over-feeding.
Can I mix boosters with pesticides or fungicides?
It is best to apply them separately. Mixing fertilizers with chemical
pesticides in one tank can trigger reactions that "lock out" nutrients or
reduce the efficacy of the treatment.
Will the liquid stain my patio or hands?
No. Unlike traditional fertilizers with heavy blue or pink dyes, our
solutions are clear or very light-colored. If you spill it, simply rinse
with water—no stains, no mess.
Can I mix different SUNSHINE Boosters together in one sprayer?
Yes. All SUNSHINE Boosters are chemically compatible. You can combine a
"growth" booster like Robusta with a "micro-element" complex like Superfood
in the same water to save time.
Are these products safe to use around my pets?
Absolutely. Our formulas are 100% non-toxic and amino-acid based. Just ask
Smokey and Sunshine—they are perfectly safe for households with
curious cats, dogs, and children.
Can I use these boosters on indoor plants?
Yes. They are ideal for indoor use because they don't produce a "fertilizer
smell" and won't cause salt crusting on your decorative pots or furniture.
Is it safe to use on fruit and vegetables I plan to eat?
Yes. Because our formulas contain no urea, nitrates, or harsh salts, they
don't leave a "chemical" aftertaste. They actually help improve the natural
sugars and flavor profile
of your harvest.
What is the best temperature for foliar spraying?
Apply when temperatures are below 85°F. Early morning or late evening
is best; this allows the leaves to remain wet longer, giving the plant more
time to absorb the nutrients.
What Fertilizer to Use and How?
Green
Magic controlled release fertilizer keeps plants green during active
growth season - apply only once in 6 months.
Sunshine: Smokey, you saved my coffee tree. But what do I
do now so it stays happy?
Smokey: Simple. Spray Sunshine Robusta every five days
during active growth.
Sunshine: Five days? Smokey, I barely remember where I left
my coffee
mug five minutes ago.
Smokey: That is exactly why we use Green Magic.
Sunshine: Fertilizer for forgetful gardeners?
Smokey: Controlled release. Sprinkle once and it feeds the
plant for six months.
Sunshine: Six months? I can have a very good nap in that
time.
Smokey: Exactly. The plant keeps eating slowly while you
keep napping.
Sunshine: Perfect. Remember, I will bring the coffee. You
bring the donuts.
Smokey: And next week we will show you exactly how Green
Magic works and why plants love it. Stay tuned.
Why is it called Passion flower and Passion fruit?
Passion flower - Passiflora
Passion fruit - Passiflora
Passion fruit - Passiflora
☸️ The truth about Passion flower and Passion fruit.
Passion vines, passion flowers, and passion fruits - these are all Passiflora - fascinating plants with a rich history. These vines come from tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas.
Medicinal: Various parts of the passion vine have been used in traditional medicine to treat ailments such as anxiety, insomnia, and hypertension.
Host for Butterflies: Passion vines serve as host plants for several butterfly species.
Passion of Christ: the passion flower's complex structure with five sepals, five petals often used to symbolize the Passion of Christ in Christian tradition. Spanish Christian missionaries in South America saw the flower's structure as a representation of Christ's crucifixion, which led to the name Passion Flower.
Passion Fruit (Passiflora edulis) - Maracuya - is highly nutritious, rich in vitamins A and C, fiber, and antioxidants.
Delicious pulp: the fruit is popular in many cuisines around the world, used in beverages, desserts.
Two main types of passion fruit: the purple sweeter variety (Passiflora edulis) and the yellow variety larger and more acidic (Passiflora x flavicarpa).
Fast growing vine in no time: known for their rapid growth, Passifloras need strong support as they can quickly cover large areas.
Collecting clerodendrums: big color, little effort
Clerodendrum collage
🎨 Collecting clerodendrums: big color, little effort
🎨 Collector hook
If you love plants that look rare, unusual, and a little dramatic - but do not want high-maintenance divas - Clerodendrums belong in your collection. Clerodendrums are a surprisingly diverse group of plants, ranging from flowering vines to shrubs and even small trees. What they all share is bold, colorful blooms and an easygoing nature that makes them far less fussy than they appear. This combination of exotic looks and forgiving care is exactly why collectors gravitate toward them.
Many clerodendrums bloom repeatedly through the year in warm climates, and several tolerate lower light better than most flowering plants. That makes them flexible - happy in the garden, in containers, on patios, or even indoors near a bright window. Their flowers come in striking combinations of red, white, blue, pink, and purple, often with unusual shapes that stop people mid-walk.
🎨 Why clerodendrums earn collector status
✦ Uncommon, eye-catching flowers
✦ Long or repeat bloom cycles in many varieties
✦ Vines, shrubs, and small trees in one genus
✦ Excellent performance in containers
✦ More tolerant of lower light than expected
🎨 Clerodendrum care made simple
Give clerodendrums bright filtered light to partial sun, regular watering with good drainage, and light feeding during active growth. A little pruning keeps them tidy and encourages fresh blooms. That is it. No complicated routines, no constant fixing.
For collectors who want maximum visual payoff without constant effort, clerodendrums deliver exactly what the title promises - big color, very little work.
Q: Our anniversary is on the 4th of July. Do you
have anything that might be a good gift? Maybe something flowering that has
red, white and blue flowers... I know that is a lot to ask but maybe you have
an idea?
A: We appreciate your intriguing question and
extend our heartfelt congratulations on your approaching anniversary. Numerous
tropical plants lend themselves beautifully to a captivating blend of red,
blue, and white hues.
Here are our top recommendations for the most delightful combination:
Quisqualis
Indica - Rangoon Creeper. Spectacular bloom, flowers change color from white
to pink to red. Sweet fragrance. Very fast growing, perfect for covering a
fence or pagoda.