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.
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Eugenias – Limited Time
Use code EUGENIA15 at checkout.
Excluding S/H. Offer expires 08/28/2025
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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
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!
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!
Date: 22 Sep 2025
Dragon Fruit Plant Care – Tips
from the Garden Expert
Dragon fruit is one of those plants that look exotic but are surprisingly
easy once you know the basics. Here is what works best in the garden:
Soil: They hate wet feet. A sandy, fast-draining soilless-mix
is
your friend. If water sits around the roots, rot comes fast.
Watering: Deep watering is better than frequent sips. Let the
soil dry between
waterings. In rainy season they cope well, but in pots you need to be
careful.
Sunlight: Full sun is great, but in very hot places a touch of
afternoon shade keeps them happy.
Support: They are natural climbers. A wooden post, concrete pole,
or trellis will give them something to grab and makes harvest easier.
Fertilizer: Feed lightly but often. A gentle liquid like Sunshine
C-Cibus liquid booster with every watering, or Green
Magic controlled release fertilizer
every 5-6 months. It encourages strong roots, lush growth, and lots of
flowers.
Pruning: Trim off tangled or weak stems. This guides energy into
strong branches that will flower and fruit.
Think of it as training a cactus vine into a small tree. Once it settles
in, it almost takes care of itself — and pays back with fruit you
can’t buy in stores.
🌱 Dragon Fruit
Plant Care – Outdoors and Indoors
Outdoors: Dragon fruit thrives in USDA Zones 10–11
year-round. In warm
regions like Florida, Texas, California, and Hawaii, you can grow it outside
in the ground. Give it fast-draining soil, full sun with a little afternoon
shade in the hottest months, and
a sturdy trellis or post to climb. Deep watering with drying periods in
between keeps roots healthy. A yearly pruning shapes the plant and boosts
flowering.
Indoors or Patio Pots: Gardeners in cooler zones can still enjoy
dragon fruit in containers. Use a large pot with sandy, well-draining mix or
soilless-mix
and a pole for support. Place the pot in the brightest
spot — a greenhouse, sunroom, or patio that gets 6+ hours of light
daily.
Move pots inside when temperatures drop below 40F. Even indoors, a healthy
plant can bloom and fruit if it has enough light and warmth.
❓
Dragon Fruit FAQ
How soon will a dragon fruit start producing?
Cuttings can flower and fruit in as little as 2–3
years. Seed-grown plants take longer, often 4–6 years. Large developed
specimens can start flowering and fruiting within a year or even the same
season.
Do I need more than one plant for pollination?
Some varieties are self-fertile, others need a second plant
for cross-pollination. Even self-fertile types usually set more fruit with a
partner nearby.
How big do they get?
In the ground, dragon fruit can climb 15–20 ft if you
let it. With pruning and a trellis, you can keep it shaped like a small
tree, 6–8 ft tall.
Can I grow it in a pot?
Yes. A large container with sandy mix or soilless-mix
and a pole for climbing works well. Indoors it will need
bright light or a grow lamp.
What does a dragon fruit taste like?
Sweet and juicy, like a blend of blackberry and raspberry.
Varieties differ: flesh can be white, pink, deep red, or purple, wrapped in
skins of red, pink, or yellow. White flesh is mild and refreshing, red flesh
is sweeter, and yellow flesh is the sweetest with a honey-pineapple flavor.
What zones can I grow dragon fruit outside?
USDA Zones 10–11 are best for year-round outdoor
planting. In cooler areas, grow it in containers and bring inside for
winter.
How often should I water?
Deep water, then let the soil dry. Too much water causes
root rot. Think “desert cactus with a taste for rain.”
Is dragon fruit easy to grow?
Yes. Pitayas grow like cactus trees on strong supports, but
they are easy to care for — little water, sun or semi-shade, and they
thrive.
How long do they live?
A healthy dragon fruit cactus can produce for 10 years or
more with proper care.
What are the health benefits?
Dragon fruit is high in fiber, supports digestion, and is
low in calories. It is rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, making it good
for immunity and overall wellness. Many gardeners enjoy it as a healthy
snack or in smoothies.
Ordering plants in winter is often easier than people expect - and for
many plants, it is actually better. Lush foliage plants like philodendrons
and medinilla,
fine-leaved trees such as moringa, jacaranda,
and poinciana,
and even sensitive fruit trees like papaya, jackfruit
or starfruit
ship more safely in cool weather without
overheating stress.
Winter is also ideal for subtropical and cold-tolerant plants, dormant or
deciduous plants like plumeria and adenium, orchids - including ground
orchids and vanilla
orchids, and winter bloomers that flower their best right now. Winter
care is simple: water less, use gentle liquid amino-acid fertilizers like Sunshine
Boosters, and monitor insects.
In mild climates, many tropicals can be planted anytime, while
extra-tender plants can stay potted until spring. Winter is a
perfect time to bring tropical warmth indoors and enjoy greenery when you
need it most.
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.”
Grumichama Tree in Bloom – Eugenia brasiliensis
Growing & Care
