Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date: 18 Feb 2025

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

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, 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 - 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.

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: 14 Jul 2019

A Cup of Tea Plant

By Onika Amell, tropical plant specialist

A: I live in Ave Maria, Florida. I want to try my hand at growing my own tea. Which plant do I need?

A: Most people do not realize they are actually enjoying camellias when they sip their cup of tea. True tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant, an evergreen shrub or small tree.
In the fall and winter, the plant will produce small white flowers with a lovely fragrance. The foliage is shiny and dark green with a very nice informal and open look. Camellia sinensis (or tea plant, as it is commonly known) prefers a temperature between 65 and 86 degrees, which makes Florida an ideal area to grow them. However, if you live in colder zones, you can certainly succeed growing your own tea plants using a greenhouse. Alternatively, you can use containers which can be brought inside when temperatures start falling. Tea plants will usually survive a very slight freeze, though the leaves may be damaged or killed. It will not tolerate a hard freeze. They prefer full sun or light shade in the garden.
Tea plants will become small trees or large bushes if not pruned. Hardcore tea growers trim back the shoots repeatedly to a height of around 4 feet to encourage new growth and to contain the size.
Make sure to pick an area of your landscape where it does not flood or remain wet during our rainy season. Camellia sinensis does not like wet feet at all. They prefer well-drained, sandy and slightly acidic soil. If grown in a container, add some sphagnum moss to the potting mix. They will benefit from frequent applications of small amounts of fertilizer.
You will need some patience, too. Your plant should be around 3 years old before you start harvesting leaves.

Recommended fertilizers:

Tropical Greenhouse Plus - Plant Booster
Tropical Allure - Smart-Release Booster

Harvesting recipes

Now that you know how to grow the Tea, you need to check this out: the Harvesting recipes how to harvest and make different kinds of real tea: Green Tea, Japanese Style Green Tea, Oolong Tea, Black Tea, Orthodox Indian Tea... Continue reading...

Date: 27 Apr 2024

Top Tropicals is now in Telegram!

Top Tropicals is now in Telegram!

🌴 Top Tropicals is now in Telegram!

TopTropicals.com - the World's leading authority on tropical plants - is now in Telegram. If you grow a tropical garden or indoor collection of rare plants, this is your channel!

Join to get exclusive updates on tropical gardening:

Fun Facts and Nature Wonders
🌺 How to make your plants flower and stay happy
🥭 How to get the biggest fruit crop
🏆 Sweepstakes and Contests
Butterfly and Container Garden
Food Forest
⚜️ Perfume Plants
🍲 Exotic Recipes and Remedies
...and of course, your favorite -
🐾 PeopleCats in the Garden!

JOIN and share with friends! 👇

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We Grow Happiness

Date: 3 Jun 2024

Craving a Mojito? Beat the Summer heat with Mojito Elephant Ears!

Colocasia sculenta Mojito

Colocasia sculenta Mojito

Colocasia sculenta Mojito

Colocasia sculenta Mojito

Mojito

Mojito

Colocasia sculenta Mojito

Colocasia sculenta Mojito

🍹 Craving a Mojito? Beat the Summer heat with Mojito Elephant Ears!

Colocasia sculenta Mojito, a spectacular variety of Elephant Ears, is a must for a rare plant collection:

🐘 Striking variegation: bold, mottled leaves in shades of green and dark purple, reminiscent of a refreshing mojito!
🐘 Large, impressive leaves: massive, heart-shaped leaves that create a dramatic and tropical look.
🐘Versatile: thrives in both sun and partial shade, making it adaptable to various garden locations.
🐘 Water-loving: ideal for bog gardens, ponds, or as a stunning addition to water features.
🐘 Container friendly: perfect for pots and containers, allowing you to bring its tropical charm to patios and balconies.
🐘 Fast growing: quickly establishes, providing lush foliage and rapid visual impact.
🐘 Low maintenance: minimal care once planted, making it a great choice for both beginner and experienced gardeners.
🐘 Heat and cold tolerant: performs well in warm climates. During cool winters, leaves may die back and regrow in Spring.
🐘 Edible tubers: produces edible corms (roots) that are a staple in many cuisines, adding a functional aspect to its beauty.
🐘 Unique garden accent: an eye-catching focal point or accent plant.

🛒 Get some Mojito for your garden

#Nature_Wonders #Food_Forest #Container_Garden #Shade_Garden

🏵 TopTropicals

Date: 26 Aug 2024

What is the best flowering bush that everyone loves?

Calliandra schultzii - Dwarf Powderpuff

💑 What is the best flowering bush that everyone loves?

Calliandras, commonly known as powderpuffs, are vibrant and delightful additions to any garden. Their distinctive, fluffy flower heads and ease of care make them a favorite among gardeners. Calliandras are an excellent choice for anyone looking to enhance their garden with minimal effort while enjoying the beauty and benefits they bring.

💖 Striking Blooms: Calliandra's unique, powderpuff-like flowers come in shades of red, pink, and white, adding a splash of color.
💖 Attracts Wildlife: These flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
💖 Low Maintenance: Calliandras are tough plants that require minimal care. Once established, they are quite drought-tolerant, ideal for water-wise gardening.
💖 Year-Round blooms: Many varieties bloom multiple times a year.
💖 Planting Options: Suitable for hedges, borders, or container planting, offering flexibility in garden design.
💖 Pest Resistant: Generally resistant to common pests and diseases.

🎥 Calliandra schultzii - Dwarf Powderpuff
📚 More Calliandras from previous posts:

🛒 Shop Calliandras - Powderpuffs

#Hedges_with_benefits #Butterfly_Plants

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