New Video:
Secrets of Longevity

Best Hot Humid Weather Spinach Crops:
Longevity and Okinawa Spinach

by David Mortimer, Tropical Edibles Expert

...This video is all about the greens. Most find it difficult to grow vegetables year round in hot climates. In this video we show you two different spinach varieties that not only handle the heat but thrive in it...

Even more: Longevity Spinach recipes!

...Can healthy food taste delicious? Healthy Longevity Spinach... it tastes like... spinach. You can add it to your salads, but let's face it, you can only eat so much of... a salad. So try it cooked!..

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Bauhinias: Orchid trees with Butterfly leaves

by Alex Butova, the Witch of Herbs and Cats

...Have you seen butterflies? Yes, of course. Have you seen orchids? Yes, of course. And have you seen a tree with flowers that look like both a butterfly, and an orchid?...
...Bauhinias are beautiful and diverse. Their flowers are showy and slightly perfumed; their leaves always cleft in the characteristic Bauhinia manner... And they are gorgeous - all together and each in their own way... They turn your garden into a colorful paradise and make you feel like living on exotic island...
...Some of them are everblooming and start flowering in 1-3 gal pots!...

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Barbados Cherry:
equal to 65 oranges!

by Alex Butova, the Witch of Herbs and Cats

...If you are looing for a low-growing tropical fruit tree that's quite colorful in fruit and starts fruiting right away - plant Barbados Cherry...
...Small, bright red, berry-sized fruit has a vitamin C content up to 65 times that of an orange! A single fruit contains the minimum daily recommended vitamin C requirements...
...Barbados Cherry is very easy to grow and is generally free of pests, diseases, and any problems. It is drought tolerant and requires very little care. And the best part is, it will fruit for you right away! As small as 2" tiny plant can bear fruit!..

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Aglaia odorata:
A present from the Greek Goddess

by Alex Butova, the Witch of Herbs and Cats

...The plant's genus name comes from Greek mythology. Aglaia was the name of one of the three Graces. Aglaia is the Greek goddess of beauty, splendor, glory, magnificence, and adornment...
...Aglaia odorata produces highly perfumed, tiny yellow flowers almost year round - each about the size and shape of a grain of rice. They grow in panicles about 2-4" long and are shaped like tiny balls but do not open when the flowers bloom. The scent exuded by Chinese Perfume Tree flowers is sweet and lemony, with spicy undertones... Aglaia is a must have for every fragrant plant lover!

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Never-never be without one! Ctenanthe lubbersiana variegata

Stevie's Pick: what's special today?

Our exotic plant grower Steven Gowdy spotlights the most interesting plants he discovers and recommends today while working in TopTropicals greenhouses.

Year 2021 is celebrated as a Year of Variegated Foliage plants, and I have something special for those rare plant collectors. Besides exclusive Monstera variegata Thai Constellation, there are a few less expensive plants that are as much beautiful and yet fit into any budget.

Known as the Never-never plant, this beauty is native to Brazil. I think in South Florida a shade garden should never-never be without one!
Ctenanthe lubbersiana variegata has deep variegation, with branching bamboo-like stems and oblong green, veined leaves that are mottled with cream and gold. Needing high humidity and indirect, bright filtered light, it just screams tropical and fun! Ctenanthe is a close relative of showy Marantas grown for the beauty of their foliage, and also makes a great house plant in cooler climates.
In warmer climates, it can be planted as an under story plant. The plant is growing to 2-3 feet high and 4-6 feet wide, with leaf patterns of indistinct cream and green marbling. It does have a rapid growth rate and liking soil moist, but not soggy. In the winter, water should only be given when the dirt is somewhat dry. Watch out for mealy bugs, spider mites, and aphids and apply Sunshine NoBug if you notice any - they will be easy to get rid of.

Give it a liquid fertilizer SUNSHINE Robusta - Rapid Growth Booster and divide as needed.

This plant is one of my favorites. I planted a nice specimen at TopTropicals entrance gate last year, and now we finally have beautiful baby plants propagated from it, looking great!