Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date: 24 Dec 2016

Plant Horoscope. Capricorn Zodiac lucky plants: Bamboo and Peach

Capricorn - 12/22 - 1/19. An EARTH sign ruled by the planet Saturn. Capricorn's plants usually have few flowers, or small flowers, are knobby or woody, and may have an unpleasant smell or taste. Saturn rules plants with long lives and slow growth, so plants with annual rings are also associated with the Goat.
Physiologically, Saturn rules the systems that give the body its structure and form: the skeletal system, and the skin, teeth, joints, and knees, so plants that are high in calcium can be very beneficial. Those can be woody plants and shrubs that show annual rings, as well as some poisonous or narcotic plants. Saturn plants are useful in treating arthritis and rheumatism. Traditional Capricorn appreciates a spice that is powerful but familiar. Black pepper adds flavor and a bit of heat to both food and life, creating movement without too much change.

Capricorn Zodiac lucky plants: Baobab, Peach Palm, Patchouli, Bamboo, Cordyline, Spider Lily, Serissa, Desert Rose, Croton, Aloe, Palms, Giraffe knee plant - Gonatopus boivinii, Adenanthera, Black Pepper, Solanums, Loquat, Aglaonema, Jacaranda, Rosemary, Shisham - Dalbergia sissoo, Neem Tree, Calendula, Brugmansia, Cannabis, Coca, Kava-Kava, Root Beer plant, Kratom, Banesteriopsis, Psychotria, Quince, Almonds, Ginkgo, Olive, Strophanthus, Bread Flower, Amorphophallus, Areca Palm, Anadenanthera, all Pipers, Brunfelsia, Chaya, Persimmons, Surinam Cherry, Bel Fruit, Ashoka Tree, Calla Lily.

For other signs information, see full Plant Horoscope.

Date: 5 May 2023

Severe weather:
How to help your plants survive

Beautiful  mango  tree

By Ed Jones, the Booster Guy

Q: A horrible hailstorm hit last night, damaging the majority of plants and trees on my property (piles of hail left like snow - crazy!). Do you have any advice on how to give plants some extra TLC while they recover? Any tips are appreciated.

A: Spring is here and in some areas of the country, so is severe weather season. So what can you do to give your plants a fighting chance when Mother Nature shows her ugly side? Here in Florida, spring and summer thunderstorms are a normal occurance. Unfortunately, those storms often come with small tornados, high winds and sometimes hail.

The photo below was from a hail storm that came through the north side of Sebring, Florida in April of 2022.

Hail  storm  in  Florida

So the question remains. What can we do to help our plants when this type of weather strikes? Well the short answer is that there is not much we can do to prevent it from happening. These storms usually strike pretty quickly and most of us, given some warning, will chose to make sure vehicles are in the garage if possible and that loose items in the yard are brought in to a safe place. If you have time to move potted plants, that would be great, but it is not worth risking your own safety to do so.

The good news is that most plants will recover on their own. Even though they may look ugly for a while, patience is the best cure for most of them. Of course, the healthier the plant, the better chance it will have when it suffers damage due to severe weather. A good fertilizer plan along with regular doses of micronutrients will help your plants to be at their best so that they can recover quickly. And here is what you can do... CONTINUE READING >>

tropical  plants  landscape

Date: 5 Jan 2026

☘️ What plants are easy to ship in Winter?

Lush  tropical  garden  with  a  bright  green  leafy  Magnolia  champaka  surrounded  by  flowering  shrubs,  such  as  Brunfelsia  grandiflora,  at  Top  Tropicals  nursery

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.

🌿Learn more: easy plants for Winter shipping

Date: 23 Nov 2025

📅 Mark Your Calendar - Holiday Plant Market

Holiday  Plant  Market  flyer  for  December  13  2025  showing  two  PeopleCats 
 in  a  festive  garden,  one  black  cat  in  an  apron  next  to  a  mango  tree  and  one 
 orange  cat  holding  a  basket  of  tropical  fruit,  with  event  details, 
 discounts,  and  Top  Tropicals 
 locations.

Holiday season in Florida means sunshine, green leaves, and cats on patrol. On Saturday 12/13/25, our PeopleCats are hosting a special Holiday Plant Market at TopTropicals, 9 am to 4 pm. This is not a regular nursery day. This is the one where you grab a donut in one hand, a mango tree in the other, and try not to trip over a cat giving you a tour.

We are bringing out the best plants we grew all year: big fruit trees with real branches, flowering and fragrant beauties, rare collectors plants, and vines that are ready to take off as soon as you get them home. December is perfect planting weather in Florida, so while the rest of the country is scraping frost from windshields, you can be choosing which banana, mango, or jasmine will perfume your yard next summer.

Holiday extras: 30% OFF online prices, free plant with purchase, 5 to 10 dollar specials, mini donuts and holiday treats, iced tea and citrus water, tropical Christmas music, and raffle prizes. If there is enough ripe fruit in the morning, we will set up a tasting table too. Our PeopleCats will be on duty all day, rearranging plants, checking on visitors, and occasionally allowing themselves to be petted between tours.

Event discounts and specials are valid at both locations:

Save the date, tell a friend, and plan your plant hunting route now. Come celebrate the holidays the Florida way: sunshine, rare fruit trees, happy cats, and a car full of tropical plants going home with you.

Facebook event page - Download invitation

to confirm attendance
RSVP on Facebook!

Learn More About The Holiday Plant Market

Date: 17 May 2026

9 awesome accent plants and vines that love heat and dry conditions

9 awesome accent plants and vines that love heat and dry conditions 9 awesome accent plants and vines that love heat and dry conditions 9 awesome accent plants and vines that love heat and dry conditions 9 awesome accent plants and vines that love heat and dry conditions 9 awesome accent plants and vines that love heat and dry conditions

☀️ 9 awesome accent plants and vines that love heat and dry conditions



The hardest spots aren’t for trees - they’re for everything else. The toughest areas are often smaller spaces - along walls, patios, containers, or rocky patches where soil dries out fast. This is where most plants fail quickly.
These picks don’t just survive - they stand out. They bring texture, color, and structure - without needing constant watering or perfect soil.


Why containers are the toughest of all in heat



Growing in pots in hot, dry conditions is a different game. The soil heats up fast, roots can literally overheat, and moisture disappears much quicker than in the ground. If you’re using containers, protect the root zone - group pots together, tuck them into partial shade, or shield the container itself from direct sun. Choosing drought-tolerant plants helps, but don’t assume they can go totally without water - even tough plants in pots can dry out quickly, so check regularly and don’t let them go bone dry.

🔥 9 best smaller plants and vines for hot, dry spots


  1. ☀️ 1. Adenium - Desert Rose 📸
    Stores water in its caudex and thrives in heat - one of the best flowering plants for dry conditions.

    Adenium Plant Facts

    Botanical name: Adenium sp.
    Also known as: Adenium, Desert Rose, Impala Lily
    USDA Zone: 9 - 10
    Highligths Plant with caudexLarge shrub 5-10 ft tallSmall tree 10-20 ftFull sunWater Requirement: Low. Allow soil to dry out between wateringsWatering: Moderate. Water when top soil feels dryYellow, orange flowersRed, crimson, vinous flowersUnusual colorBlue, lavender, purple flowersWhite, off-white flowersPink flowersToxic or Poisonous
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  2. ☀️ 2. Stapelia gigantea - Starfish Flower 📸
    Unusual and tough - thrives in dry soil and produces massive, eye-catching blooms.

    Zulu Giant Plant Facts

    Botanical name: Stapelia gigantea
    Also known as: Zulu Giant, Carrion Plant, Starfish Flower
    USDA Zone: 9 - 10
    Highligths Small plant 2-5 ftFull sunWatering: Moderate. Water when top soil feels dryUnusual colorPlant attracts butterflies, hummingbirds
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  3. ☀️ 3. Cissus quadrangularis - Veld Grape Vine 📸
    A succulent vine that handles heat and drought while adding a unique structural look.

    Veld grape Plant Facts

    Botanical name: Cissus quadrangularis, Vitis quadrangularis
    Also known as: Veld grape
    USDA Zone: 9 - 11
    Highligths Groundcover and low-growing 2ft plantVine or creeper plantSemi-shadeFull sunWatering: Moderate. Water when top soil feels dryOrnamental foliageEthnomedical 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.Subtropical plant. Mature plant cold hardy at least to 30s F for a short time
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  4. ☀️ 4. Jatropha podagrica - Gout Plant 📸
    Thick stems store water, making it surprisingly drought tolerant with a bold tropical look.

    Gout Plant Facts

    Botanical name: Jatropha podagrica
    Also known as: Gout Plant, Gout Stick, Buddha Belly, Guatemala Rhubarb, Tartogo
    USDA Zone: 9 - 11
    Highligths Plant with caudexPlant used for bonsaiSmall plant 2-5 ftSemi-shadeShadeFull sunWatering: Moderate. Water when top soil feels dryYellow, orange flowersRed, crimson, vinous flowersOrnamental foliageToxic or PoisonousPlant attracts butterflies, hummingbirdsSubtropical plant. Mature plant cold hardy at least to 30s F for a short timeSeaside, salt tolerant plant
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  5. ☀️ 5. Pedilanthus tithymaloides - Devil's Backbone 📸
    Extremely forgiving - thrives on neglect, heat, and dry soil.

    Devil's backbone Plant Facts

    Botanical name: Euphorbia tithymaloides, Pedilanthus tithymaloides
    Also known as: Devil's backbone, Zigzag plant, Jacob's ladder
    USDA Zone: 9 - 11
    Highligths Large shrub 5-10 ft tallSmall plant 2-5 ftSemi-shadeFull sunWatering: Moderate. Water when top soil feels dryOrnamental foliagePink flowersIrritating plantSubtropical plant. Mature plant cold hardy at least to 30s F for a short time
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  6. ☀️ 6. Agave species - Tequila Agave, Century Plant
    Classic drought plants - architectural, extremely tough, and almost maintenance-free.

    Century plant Facts

    Botanical name: Agave americana
    Also known as: Century plant
    USDA Zone: 8 - 11
    Highligths Large shrub 5-10 ft tallFull sunWater Requirement: Low. Allow soil to dry out between wateringsWatering: Moderate. Water when top soil feels dryThorny or spinySubtropical plant. Mature plant cold hardy at least to 30s F for a short time
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  7. ☀️ 7. Crocosmia species - Coppertips / Falling Stars
    Handles heat well once established and adds bright seasonal color with minimal care.

    Coppertips Plant Facts

    Botanical name: Crocosmia sp.
    Also known as: Coppertips, Falling Stars, Montbretia
    USDA Zone: 8 - 11
    Highligths Small plant 2-5 ftSemi-shadeFull sunWatering: Moderate. Water when top soil feels dryWatering: Regular. Let topsoil dry slightlyYellow, orange flowersRed, crimson, vinous flowersPlant attracts butterflies, hummingbirdsSubtropical plant. Mature plant cold hardy at least to 30s F for a short time
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  8. ☀️ 8. Ipomoea platensis - Caudiciform Morning Glory
    A rare vine with a swollen base - built to handle dry cycles and intense sun.

    Plata Ipomoea Plant Facts

    Botanical name: Ipomoea platensis, Ipomoea platense, Ipomoea lineariloba
    Also known as: Plata Ipomoea, Caudiciform Morning Glory
    USDA Zone: 9 - 11
    Highligths Plant with caudexVine or creeper plantSemi-shadeWatering: Moderate. Water when top soil feels dryWatering: Regular. Let topsoil dry slightlyPink flowersSubtropical plant. Mature plant cold hardy at least to 30s F for a short time
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  9. ☀️ 9. Plectranthus hadiensis tomentosus - Camphor Basil
    Soft, aromatic foliage that tolerates dry conditions better than most leafy plants.

    Camphor Plant Facts

    Botanical name: Plectranthus tomentosus, Plectranthus hadiensis var. tomentosus
    Also known as: Camphor Plant, Camphor Basil, Vicks Plant, Succulent Coleus
    USDA Zone: 9 - 10
    Highligths Groundcover and low-growing 2ft plantSmall plant 2-5 ftSemi-shadeFull sunWater Requirement: Low. Allow soil to dry out between wateringsWatering: Moderate. Water when top soil feels dryOrnamental foliageBlue, lavender, purple flowersPlant attracts butterflies, hummingbirdsSpice 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.Fragrant plant
    Get personalized tips for your region
    More details


🛒 Shop drought tolerant plants - for hot and dry spots

📚
Learn more:
Jatropha podagrica - in Plant Encyclopedia
7 tough shrubs that handle heat and dry soil
9 tough trees for hot, dry spots that actually thrive
9 best tropical shrubs that bloom all summer long or year around
The bizarre bloom you cant stop staring at
Coral-blooming bonsai with a bottle-shaped trunk - perfect container plant
Caudiciform Morning Glory
Grows in neglect: tough plant for tough spots

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