Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date: 15 Dec 2016

SUNSHINE in a Bottle

SUNSHINE-H - plant booster for house plants specially formulated for plants grown indoors:
- protect from insects and improve disease resistance,
- improve tolerance of indoor plants to low light, and low humidity conditions;
- maintain healthy dormancy of seasonal species and help to rapidly break dormancy in Spring.



Directions:Mix with distilled water as follows: 2.5 ml to 1 gal. Spray traditional house plants - once in 2 weeks, tropical plants overwintering indoors, including woody ornamentals and potted fruit trees - once a week, leafy herbaceous perennials - once a month.

SUNSHINE in a Bottle - effective plant stimulant from new line of plant boosters, the representative of a new generation of agricultural chemicals. Developed by TT Laboratories LLC and designed specifically for applications on tropical plants. Can be used as well on seeds, seedlings, and small vegetable plants (completely organic and safe). It is proved to be a magic growth promoter, improves cold hardiness and heat tolerance of tropical plants.
,br> See page about SUNSHINE.

Order SUNSHINE boosters.

Date: 22 Oct 2016

Plant Horoscope. Scorpio Zodiac lucky plants: Nearly indestructible plants

Scorpio - 10/23-11/21. A WATER sign ruled by both Mars and Pluto.
Scorpio's plants are often found in remote places or on poor ground. They will likely have thorns, can be red in color, and grow under adversity. The good news is, most of these plants are nearly indestructible! This makes them desirable for every gardener.
The reproductive organs are ruled by Scorpio, so these are plants that balance the hormones, regulate the menstrual cycle, help with childbirth and pregnancy. Until this century, Scorpio was ruled by Mars, and the herbs associated with it had to do with the urogenital system and the colon. Many of the herbs related to Scorpio are cleansing and revitalizing. Now, astrologers assign Scorpio to Pluto, discovered in 1930 (Pluto is said by astrologers to be a higher octave of Mars). Physiologically, Scorpio involves the processes of catabolism and anabolism, the death and regeneration of body cells. Diseases of Scorpio are often involved with the slow buildup of toxic substances in the body (carcinogens, etc) or in the mind (anger, jealousy). Scorpio loves a spice with depth and complexity. Camphor Basil adds rich flavor to every dish it seasons, and its own aphrodisiac tendencies appeal to Scorpio's lusty nature.

Scorpio Zodiac lucky plants: Ceiba,  Baobab,  Pistachio,  Nutmeg, Black-eyed Susan Thunbergia, Combretums,  Dragon fruit,  Medinilla,  Camphor Basil,  Cuban Oregano, Vanilla orchid,  Hibiscus, Various  cacti and succulents,  Adenium, Honeysuckle,  Peppers,  Cordyline,  Spider plant,  Jasmine,  Gooseberries, Wild indigo,  Bougainvillea,  Aloe vera,  Raspberry,  Palmetto,  Horseradish tree,  Camphor,  Allspice and Bay Rum, Jujube,  Sweet Mimosa,  Agave, Milkweed,  Hong Kong Orchid Tree,  Pony Tail,  Dwarf Poinciana, Bottlebrushes,  Clusias,  Crocosmia,  Zig-Zag Cactus,  Dracaena,  Fire Bush,  Hoyas,  Jatropha,  Kalanchoe,  Sausage tree,  Devils Backbone, Pereskia, Red Plumeria,  Firecracker,  Rattlebox,  Rhoeo, Calendula, Geranium, Thistles, Mint, Sage, Catnip, Coriander, Sandalwood, Ginseng, Euphorbias, Acacias.

For other signs information, see full Plant Horoscope.

Date: 4 May 2026

🍲 Where the Garden Becomes the Kitchen

Close-up  of  Capsicum  annuum  x  chinense  Biquinho  pepper  plant  with 
 clusters  of  small,  bright  red,  teardrop-shaped  fruits  hanging  among  glossy 
 green  leaves,  some  still  green,  with  water  droplets  visible  after  rain.

Biquinho pepper loaded with fruit - small, beak-shaped peppers ripen from green to bright red, offering intense fruity habanero flavor with little to no heat on a compact, heavy-producing plant.

A lot of plants that thrive in Florida heat have deep roots in Mexico, and not just as ornamentals. Think coral vine or flame vine climbing a fence in summer, or bird of paradise sitting at the edge of a patio like it owns the place. These are not plants that need coaxing. They grow fast, full, and unapologetically. Then there are the plants you actually eat: peppers, prickly pear , sweetleaf, and fruit trees like avocado, guava, and sapodilla. They do not just decorate the yard. They change how the yard works, and how the kitchen feels all year.

That is the part that sneaks up on you. Gardening stops being about having a pretty yard and starts becoming a way of living. Mango tacos taste different when you picked the mango yourself. Everything does.

Four  Kent  mangoes  with  red,  green,  and  yellow  blush  arranged  on  a 
 plate.

Kent mango - classic late-season variety with smooth, fiberless flesh and rich, sweet flavor.

🍀Mexican Plants That Thrive With Minimal Effort

by Tatiana Anderson, Top Tropicals Garden Expert

Close-up  of  Lippia  dulcis  (Aztec  Sweet  Herb)  showing  small  white 
 button-like  flowers  with  pale  green  centers  surrounded  by  serrated  bright 
 green  leaves  on  a  low-growing  plant.

Lippia dulcis - Aztec Sweet Herb in bloom - a low-growing Mexican herb with tiny white flowers and remarkably sweet leaves that can be eaten fresh or added to fruit dishes, traditionally used since Aztec times for coughs and colds.

These Mexican plants are surprisingly easy to grow if you give them what they expect: sun, heat, and good drainage. Most of them are built for tough conditions and will grow fast with minimal care once established.

The one rule that matters: fill the planting hole with water. If it does not drain in 5-10 seconds, plant on a mound or use a container.

Flowering vines will take off quickly, edibles like peppers and sweetleaf lippia are very forgiving, and cactus types prefer to be left alone rather than overwatered.

For full, step-by-step growing tips and plant-specific advice, read our blog - we break everything down in practical, real-world terms.

📚 Top Tropicals Garden Blog

Large,  dense  Senecio  confusus  (Mexican  Flame  Vine)  covered  in  clusters 
 of  bright  red-orange  daisy-like  flowers  climbing  over  a  trellis  against  a 
 blue  sky.

Mexican Flame Vine in full bloom - a fast-growing, drought-tolerant climber that quickly covers fences with vivid red flowers, attracting pollinators and adding bold color with minimal care.

🛒 Shop heat tolerant plants

🌮 Sunshine’s Mango Taco 😺

Fresh  mango  tacos  loaded  with  juicy  chunks  and  bright  toppings, 
 surrounded  by  whole  and  sliced  mangoes  for  that  tropical  feel.

Mango Tacos

This is not cooking. This is assembly.

What you need

  • Tortillas
  • 1 ripe mango (diced)
  • Something warm (sweet potato, chicken, or leftovers)
  • A little onion (optional)
  • Lime (or bottled lime juice)
  • Sour cream or yogurt
  • Salt and pepper

How Sunshine does it

  1. Heat whatever you have in a pan
  2. Put mango in a bowl, add lime and a pinch of salt
  3. Mix sour cream with lime (this is your sauce)
  4. Put everything into a tortilla
  5. Enjoy with a margarita

Sunshine's rules

  • No measuring
  • No recipes
  • If it tastes good, it is correct

Want this to be normal?
Start with a mango tree. That is usually how it begins.

🛒 Plant your own mango tree

💌 Mother's Day is one week away

Still deciding? A gift card is the easiest option. With our bonus, it is also the best value.

Mother’s  Day  themed  Top  Tropicals  gift  certificate  with  a  pink 
 decorative  frame  filled  with  jasmine,  plumeria,  magnolia,  and  champaka 
 flowers,  tropical  fruits  across  the  center,  and  a  Happy  Mothers  Day  banner 
 at  the  top,  with  space  for  certificate  details  and  message.

Mother’s Day Top Tropicals gift certificate

🎁 Get a Gift Card

Date: 23 Dec 2023

Heat Pack will keep them snug!

cat  keeps  warm  on  the  stove

How to keep plants warm during shipping

Q: Can I buy tropical plants mail order during winter? I have a warm sunroom for plants but it is pretty cold outside, is it a problem for shipping plants?

A: If you are thinking of getting a tropical plant to brighten up your winter, but worried it might get too cold during delivery, no worries! We have a simple solution for you - the Heat Pack.

The Heat Pack, or Shipping Warmer, ensures that your plants stay warm and safe during their journey from Top Tropicals to your home. It keeps a cozy temperature for up to 72-96 hours (depending on outside temperature), making it a must-have if the weather drops below 40F in your area.

For larger orders, you might need 2-3 packs, and if you're ordering big 3-7 gallon plants, especially the extra-sensitive ones, consider using one pack per plant. Reach out to us for more details about specific plant species.

Hold locations. Also note that the carriers we use - FedEx and UPS - keep their boxes in temperature controlled rooms during transportation (unless it's a ground service). To ensure the box is not sitting on your cold porch all day, you may use temperature controlled FedEx Hold locations at FedEx stores, Walgreens, many Dollar General Stores and others. See more information on Hold locations.

Don't let the cold weather spoil the excitement of getting your new plants - grab a Heat Pack and keep them snug!

Heat  Pack,  Shipping  Warmer

Date: 24 Jul 2023

Easy, stress-free plants
for Summer planting

Cat  with  Bananas

Q: With the rising temperatures, I'm concerned about shipping my plants safely. Can they withstand the heat during transit? Also, is it okay to plant them in the ground now, or should I wait for cooler Fall weather?

A: Your concern about shipping plants in hot weather is valid. For sensitive plants, we'll delay shipping until conditions are more favorable in your area. However, there are plenty of heat-tolerant tropical plants that handle shipping well with minimal stress. These plants adapt easily when planted during the hot summer months. Simply follow the included planting instructions, gradually acclimate them to full sun, and they should thrive.

Certain flowering tropical plants, such as Allamandas, Calliandras, Caesalpinias, Adeniums, and Clerodendrums, are excellent options for shipping and establishing during the summer. Flowering vines like Jasmines also adapt well. Consider using Sunshine Booster fertilizers to promote robust growth, they are safe to use right after planting.

Additionally, many fruit trees flourish in heat. Mangoes, Avocados, Pomegranates, Pineapples, Loquats, Eugenias - Tropical cherries, Bananas, Jackfruits, Dragon Fruit, and Olive trees are great choices for summer planting. Noni trees are hardy survivors and usually ship and grow well during the summer, in spite of their lush tropical leaves.

Feel free to check with us about the specific plant you plan to order for its suitability in summer shipping. We're here to take care of your green babies and address your year-round planting needs!

Pitaya  Yellow  Dragon  Fruit,  Selenicereus  megalanthus

Pitaya, Yellow Dragon Fruit, Selenicereus megalanthus

Cat  with  Bananas

Jasminum sambac Maid of Orleans thrives and blooms in hot sun

Cat  with  Bananas

Kalanchoe synsepala Magnificent - Walking Cup Kalanchoe, spectacular plant, loves dry and hot conditions