🌸 Secrets of Blooming Plumerias

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.
• Feeding: Light feeding during active growth helps more blooms. Use liquid Sunshine Boosters Megaflor for profuse blooming and controlled release Green Magic fertilizer every 6 months.
• Airflow: Good airflow keeps plants healthy and clean.
• Spacing: Give each plant room - better shape and more flowers.

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.

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.

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.

🎥 Watch Plumeria videos

📚 Learn about Plumerias from our Blog

Build Your Plumeria Paradise - Save 10%

⭐ The Winter Stars: 8 Flowering Trees That Steal the Show

8 Best Flowering Trees That Bloom in Winter: Royal Poinciana with red-orange canopy, Dwarf Pink Tabebuia, Dwarf Golden Tabebuia, Pink Butterfly Orchid Tree, Golden Rain Tree, Weeping Red Bottlebrush, Hong Kong Orchid Tree, and Jacaranda with purple flowers.

Royal Poinciana (Delonix regia)

The diva of tropical trees. Huge red-orange flowers blanket the branches from late winter through summer. If you’ve ever seen one in full bloom, you know — it stops traffic. Best in large yards or open spaces, but young ones do great in big pots for a few years. 🛒 Shop
Tatiana: “If you want a tree that makes people say ‘wow,’ this is it.”

Tabebuia chrysotricha – Dwarf Golden Tabebuia

Small tree, big drama. It turns solid gold just before new leaves appear. Blooms while completely bare — a stunning contrast of yellow on brown wood. Perfect for patios, courtyards, and containers. Handles cool nights down to the mid-20s F. Bright, cheerful, and forgiving — the kind of tree that always looks like it’s celebrating. 🛒 Shop

Tabebuia impetiginosa – Dwarf Pink Tabebuia (Pau D’Arco)

The Florida “cherry blossom.” Pink-lavender flowers smother the branches each winter, often before any leaves return. Thrives in sandy soil, tolerates drought, and grows beautifully in large planters or pots indoors near a sunny window. Ideal for seasonal residents or anyone who wants color when everything else is asleep. 🛒 Shop

Jacaranda mimosifolia

If color had music, this would be jazz. Soft, fern-like leaves and cascades of violet-blue trumpet flowers — airy, elegant, unforgettable. Outdoors, it makes a graceful shade tree; in containers, it stays compact with regular pruning. Jacarandas reward patience — they bloom bigger each year. 🛒 Shop

Koelreuteria paniculata – Golden Rain Tree

A favorite for its surprises — golden blooms in summer, pink paper lantern pods in fall, and bronze leaves before rest. Fast-growing, tough, and easy. Loves full sun and moderate water. Great for open lawns or patio tubs. The kind of tree that gives you something new to look at every month. 🛒 Shop

Callistemon citrinus – Bottlebrush Tree

The hummingbird magnet. Bright red, brush-shaped flowers bloom several times a year — sometimes even in cool weather. The dwarf form, ‘Little John,’ stays about 4 feet tall, perfect for pots or small borders. Trim lightly after flowering to keep it compact and colorful. 🛒 Shop
Tatiana: “If you’ve never grown a tropical tree before — start here. It’s the friendliest one.”

Bauhinia variegata – Pink Butterfly Tree

Graceful, fragrant, and forgiving. Its pink-lavender orchid-like flowers open from late winter through spring, filling the garden with color and pollinators. It’s fast-growing, drought-tolerant, and excellent for both ground and pots. Even the buds are edible — a fun bonus for adventurous gardeners. 🛒 Shop

Bauhinia blakeana – Hong Kong Orchid Tree

The queen of them all. Huge magenta-purple blooms that last for months, from fall through spring. Fragrant, clean (no messy seed pods), and perfect for patios or large decorative containers. Give it sun, a little water, and it will reward you with bloom after bloom. 🛒 Shop
Tatiana: “It’s the one tree that never lets winter win.”

A note on grafted Hong Kong Orchid Trees: Most Hong Kong Orchid Trees are grafted, and that’s actually a big advantage. Because they don’t grow from seed, grafted plants mature faster and begin blooming while still small — sometimes within the first year. That makes them perfect for patio pots or small gardens where space is limited.

Bringing the Tropics Home

Whether your garden faces the Gulf or your window faces the snow, these trees let you live in color year-round. Plant them outdoors in warm zones or grow them in pots indoors — they adapt, they bloom, they brighten every corner.

Gardening isn’t about waiting for spring — it’s about finding joy in every season. And when a tree blooms in January, that joy feels twice as sweet.

🛒 Shop Winter Flowering Plants

✍️ Winter Bloomer Q&A

Q: Can these trees really bloom indoors?

Yes! Smaller species like Bottlebrush ‘Little John,’ Dwarf Tabebuias, and many Bauhinias bloom beautifully in pots with bright light or grow lamps.

Q: Do they lose their leaves in winter?

Some, like Tabebuias and Jacarandas, drop leaves right before blooming — it’s normal and part of their charm. Others, like Bottlebrush, stay evergreen.

Q: What fertilizer works best?

We use Sunshine Boosters — gentle, balanced, and perfect for tropicals. Feed every 2–3 weeks during active growth.

Q: How do I know when to water?

Touch the soil! If it’s dry an inch or two down, water deeply. Overwatering is the main mistake with tropicals.

Q: Can they handle frost?

A quick dip into the upper 20s F is fine for most mature trees. Cover young ones or move containers under shelter if colder.

Q: Which are best for beginners?

Start with Bottlebrush ‘Little John’ or Golden Tabebuia — compact, colorful, and nearly foolproof.

Q: When will they bloom?

Usually within few years if they get enough sun and warmth. Grafted plants blooms much sooner

Q: Which of these trees are best for pot growing?

For patios, balconies, or indoor sunrooms, choose the compact or grafted types:

• Tabebuia chrysotricha, Dwarf Golden Tabebuia, bright and easy.
• Tabebuia impetiginosa, Dwarf Pink Tabebuia, hardy and long-blooming.
• Callistemon ‘Little John’ – stays neat and flowers all year.
• Grafted Bauhinia blakeana – blooms while young, perfect for pots.

🎥 Watch videos of Dwarf trees in bloom:

Dwarf Golden Tabebuia

Dwarf Pink Tabebuia

🛒 Shop Winter Flowering Plants

Go Bananas!
10 good reasons to plant bananas in your garden

Adding banana plants to your subtropical garden or plant collection can enhance the aesthetics of your outdoor and indoor space, provide fresh and nutritious fruits, and offer a fun gardening experience with relatively low maintenance requirements. It's a delightful way to connect with nature and enjoy the benefits of homegrown produce.

1. Tropical Ambiance: Banana plants bring a touch of the tropics to your subtropical garden. Their large, lush leaves create a lush and exotic atmosphere that can transform your garden into a tropical paradise.

2. Homegrown Flavor: Growing your own banana trees allows you to enjoy the freshest, most flavorful bananas right from your garden. Homegrown bananas often have a superior taste compared to store-bought varieties.

3. Nutritional Benefits: Bananas are packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. By cultivating your own banana trees, you gain access to a nutritious and healthy snack option right in your backyard.

4. Quick Results: Banana plants are known for their fast growth. In subtropical climates, they can produce fruit in as little as one to two years. This means you don't have to wait long to savor the fruits of your labor!

5. Low Maintenance: Banana trees are relatively low-maintenance once established. They require regular watering, but their hardy nature makes them a relatively easy addition to your garden. They are not messy in a landscape.

6. Versatility: Bananas offer versatility in your garden. You can choose from dessert bananas for snacking, cooking bananas like plantains for culinary experiments, or even ornamental banana varieties to enhance your garden's aesthetics. There are so many varieties to enjoy! You can't find this big selection in a grocery store.

7. Sustainable Living: Growing your own bananas reduces your reliance on store-bought produce, contributing to a more sustainable lifestyle. It also minimizes the carbon footprint associated with transporting fruits to market.

8. Educational Value: Cultivating banana plants can be an educational experience for both adults and children. It offers insights into tropical horticulture and can foster an appreciation for gardening and botany.

9. Landscaping Appeal: Beyond their fruit-bearing potential, banana plants add visual interest to your garden. Their unique form and striking leaves make them an excellent choice for landscaping and providing shade in your outdoor space.

10. Resilience: While bananas thrive in tropical conditions, many banana varieties are hardy enough to withstand cooler climates, making them a durable addition to your garden.

Easy, stress-free plants
for Summer planting

Kristi's Loquat Tropical BBQ sauce

Loquat trees are famous for their abundant fruit production. Many customers who purchased this tree from us, soon end up with some serious crops and start asking if we have any special recipes for loquat fruit - because you can only eat so much out of hand! Here is our manager Kristi's favorite Loquat recipe - not only delicious and tropically-aromatic, but also good for you. Happy Tropical Meal!

Ingredients

2 lbs loquat fruit

1. cup soft brown sugar
2. cups malt vinegar
   1 onion chopped
3. cloves garlic

Instructions

Wash the fruit, cut them in half and remove stones. The loquats will lose about a third of their weight once stoned (3 lbs of whole fruit = 2 lbs of fruit, stones removed). Add loquats and all remaining ingredients to a large saucepan. Bring to a low boil, then simmer for about an hour, stirring occasionally. The liquid will have reduced quite a bit and the fruit will be collapsed and very soft. Allow to cool slightly, then liquidize the sauce in a blender or a food processor. Be careful, hot sauce really burns!
This delicious tropical sauce is great for any BBQ - with meats or fish. Enjoy!