Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date: 18 Feb 2025

Unlock Your Carefree Tropical Paradise:
Discover Our Useful Succulent Sale!

Red plumeria flower

Beautiful flowers and Edibles

It's no secret that everyone's dream plant is the one that requires little to no care yet still blesses us with the beauty of flowers or the bounty of fruits. Does such a plant exist? Some might say, "Sure, get a plastic one!" But the truth is, some tropical plants, which typically need a lot of water and nourishment, can thrive with minimal effort.

Dive into our Useful Succulent Sale, where you'll find plants like the enchanting Plumerias, the striking Adeniums (Desert Roses) and Starfish Flower, fragrant Epiphyllums (Queen of the night), delicious Dragon Fruits, and exotic Barbados Gooseberries that promise a low-maintenance slice of paradise. These hardy succulents need just sunshine, occasional watering, and a splash of our liquid Sunshine Boosters for flourishing flowers and fruits. Take advantage of our INSTANT 15% discount on all these splendid succulents - one week only!

Instant 15% discount to start your carefree tropical garden today!

No code required!

No min order. Exp. 2-25-25

Reminder: use our FREE and DISCOUNTED SHIPPING for qualified orders

Shop Useful Succulents

Dragon fruit cat

Dragon Fruit, or Pitaya - a striking member of the cactus family known for its spectacular night-blooming flowers and vibrant fruit. This climbing cactus can stretch up to 30 feet, producing fruit with flesh in shades of white, red, or magenta. Rich in antioxidants, it offers health benefits such as reducing the risk of cancer and heart disease. A staple in both traditional and modern cuisine, it's featured in products from major brands like Tropicana and Snapple. According to the legend the fruit was created thousands of years ago by fire breathing dragons.

Epiphyllum oxypetalum - Queen of the Night

Epiphyllum oxypetalum - Queen of the Night - exotic cactus from tropical rainforests with large, meaty leaves and spectacular, huge white flowers that bloom nocturnally, filling the night with their powerful fragrance. A truly mesmerizing addition to any Southern or indoor garden.

Stapelia gigantea - Starfish Flower

Starfish Flower (Stapelia gigantea), or Zulu Giant - Large, up to 12"wide flowers in shape of Star Fish. The plant looks like a cactus, but it's really not, belonging to Milkweed family. Makes a stunning container plant and a conversation piece!

Date: 23 May 2025

What fruit can reduce your blood pressure?

Top ten tropical fruit that help reduce blood pressure

Q: Can you recommend trees which fruit are beneficial for balancing blood pressure? I have limited space, so I want to be selective and grow a food forest that truly supports my health.

A: You don't need to spend $$$ on doctors and medications to stay healthy and young. By eating right and adding a few powerful plants and fruits to your diet, you can naturally keep your blood pressure in check. If you plant them today - you can harvest your own medicine tomorrow. And don't forget - gardening itself is therapeutic! It keeps you active, reduces stress, and helps your whole body stay in balance.

💚 Top ten tropical fruit that help reduce blood pressure:

🍈 Jackfruit - Contains potassium and magnesium, which help relax blood vessels and regulate blood pressure.

🍉 Guava - Rich in potassium and fiber, supports vascular health and may help lower blood pressure.

🍊 Papaya - High in potassium and antioxidants, promoting healthy blood pressure.

🍌 Banana - Well-known for its high potassium content, which helps counteract sodium and lower blood pressure.

🍍 Pineapple - Contains potassium and bromelain, which may support circulation and reduce inflammation.

🍅 Persimmon - High in fiber and antioxidants, which can contribute to better heart and vascular function.

🍇 Mulberry - Contains resveratrol and other antioxidants linked to heart health and blood pressure support.

Tamarind - Rich in potassium and fiber, may help regulate blood pressure and support arterial health.

🍑 Loquat - Contains potassium, aiding in fluid balance and blood pressure control.

🍒 Tropical Cherry (Eugenia) - Contains antioxidants and supports healthy circulation.

Shop tropical fruit trees that boost your health

Date: 26 Jan 2026

Why Turmeric was named the 2026 Herb of the Year

Turmeric - Curcuma

Turmeric - Curcuma

🌷 Why Turmeric was named the 2026 Herb of the Year

  • 🌷 Turmeric was named the 2026 Herb of the Year by the International Herb Association, and it is easy to see why gardeners are paying attention. This tropical plant from the ginger family is best known for its bright orange underground rhizomes, used for centuries as a spice, natural dye, and traditional remedy.
  • 🌷Native to India, Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is closely related to Ginger and Cardamom. Its rhizomes are a staple in curry and widely used in Asian, African, and Caribbean cuisines. In recent years, turmeric has also gained attention for potential anti-inflammatory properties.

    • 🌷 Herb, spice or flower?


  • • Botanically, turmeric is a spice, since it comes from the plant’s rhizomes rather than its leaves. In the kitchen, however, it often functions like an herb. Fresh turmeric can replace powdered turmeric in most recipes and delivers brighter flavor and color.
  • • Beyond edible Turmeric, there are many Curcuma hybrids grown purely for ornament. These selections produce striking, long-lasting flower spikes in shades of pink, white, orange, red, and purple, rising above lush tropical foliage. Ornamental curcumas are popular as patio plants and indoor accents, adding dramatic color and texture even where they are grown strictly in containers.


🌷 Growing turmeric anywhere - even in cool climates



Although Turmeric is a tropical perennial, it grows very well in containers, making it suitable for gardeners everywhere. When grown in pots, turmeric is treated as a warm-season plant that can be moved indoors as temperatures cool.

    • 🌷 How to grow Turmeric



    Turmeric is a compact, but bold plant, reaching 3-4 feet tall and wide, so it needs a roomy container. It prefers:

  • • Rich, well-drained soil
  • • Slightly acidic conditions (around pH 6–6.5)
  • • Consistent moisture
  • • Warm temperatures and bright, indirect light

The plant produces flowers that do not set seed, so turmeric is grown entirely from rhizomes.

🌷 Harvesting and using Turmeric



As the season ends, turmeric naturally goes dormant and the leaves yellow and dry. This signals harvest time. Dig the rhizomes, clean them, and dry them in a cool, shaded place.

Rhizomes can be:
  • • Boiled, dried, and ground into powder
  • • Frozen whole and grated as needed
  • • Pickled for long-term storage

Some healthy rhizomes can also be saved and replanted the following season, making turmeric both productive and renewable.

Compact, bold, and useful, turmeric proves that tropical plants can thrive well beyond the tropics - especially when grown in pots.

🛒 Plant Curcuma for both flowers, spice and herb

📚 Learn more :

Chinese Keys Plant Facts

Boesenbergia rotunda, Curcuma rotunda
Chinese Keys, Fingerroot, Lesser Galangal, Chinese Ginger
USDA Zone: 9-11
Small plant 2-5 ftSemi-shadeModerate waterRegular waterWhite, off-white flowersPink flowersEdible plantSpice or herb plantEthnomedical plant. Plants marked as ethnomedical and/or described as medicinal, are not offered as medicine but rather as ornamentals or plant collectibles. Ethnomedical statements / products have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We urge all customers to consult a physician before using any supplements, herbals or medicines advertised here or elsewhere.

#Food_Forest #Container_Garden #Remedies #Discover

🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date: 21 Aug 2025

🍒 Tropical Cherries – Eugenias

Two cats enjoy Grumichama fruit indoors — a tuxedo cat picks berries from a potted tree while an orange fluffy cat smiles, sitting by tea cups and plates of fruit.

Tropical Tea Time with Grumichama

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

Close-up of Grumichama tree branches with clusters of small white flowers among glossy green leaves. 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

Read Garden Blog about Tropical Cherries

Shop Tropical Cherries

Date: 18 Jan 2017

10 plants that can make you happy.
3D garden ideas.

3D garden ideas.
Q: Can you make my yard bigger and prevent it from freezing?

A: Yes, we can make your backyard bigger by adding a 3rd dimension - trees as a upper level, shrubs as a second level, vines in between, low growing perennials below them. Add ground covers and potted plants as separate specimens in between in-ground planted trees and shrubs. One more separate dimension is orchids and other epiphytes that happily grow on the trees. This multi-level structure will allow you not only collect so many plants, but also maintain them in a natural environment, similar to how they grow in a wild.

As far as preventing from freezing - it depends. You can use greenhouse, cover plants, create microclimate under large canopies, etc. Some tropical plants are tolerant to light frost, once established. If it gets below freezing in your area for more than a few hours, and especially if you have numerous nights with frost throughout winter, we recommend to keep plants in pots (BTW, this way you save space and can collect even more!). Pots can be moved to protected area during cold nights. The more established the tree, the more chances to survive colder temperatures. You may also use propane heaters during cold nights.
We also use plant booster SUNSHINE boosters to increase plants cold tolerance.
Cold protection is a lengthy subject. Here is some more information on cold protection. Also, we recommend to check out our magazine Tropical Treasures (about pushing the limits of tropical gardening) for a detailed article on cold protection.
These are specific articles on Zone-Pushing in different issue #s regarding dealing with cold. See downloadable issues:
(#1) Growing Tropicals in Nontropical Climate, Three Freezing Nights in Southwest Florida
(#2) Temperature drops - an alert or a rehearsal?
(#5) Dealing with cold snaps, Cold hardy beauties
(#7) When winter is around the corner, Growing exotic Cordyline in colder climate
(#8) When the weather outside is frightful
(#9) Winter champions
(#11) Ready-for-winter checklist for in-ground plants
(#13) Winter checklist
(#18) Dealing with cold damaged plants
You may also order hard copies.
If temperatures drop below freezing in your area, remember to add Heat Pack to your order!

 

10 plants that will make you happy.

Everyone wants to be happy. Did you know that growing plants is not only fun but can also make you happy? In our new series we will introduce to you 10 plants for your tropical collection that will make you happy.
Visit our Facebook, YouTube Channel and stay happy!

Check out this video: 10 plants that will make you happy. Plant # 1 - Rose Apple.

Stay updated with TopTropicals Videos by subscribing to our channel at YouTube.com/TopTropicals and get our latest video news of what's fruiting and blooming!

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