Q: When is the best time to repot tropical
plants?
A: Repotting tropical plants is vital for their
overall health and growth. The best time to repot them is during the Spring
through early Summer, when they start active growth.
Start by selecting a well-draining soil mix that consists of equal parts
potting soil, peat moss, and perlite. Gather the necessary supplies,
including a slightly larger pot, the soil mix, and a good fertilizer
Carefully remove the plant from its current pot, trim any damaged
branches, and place it in the new pot with fresh soil mix. Be sure to position the
plant with the growth point slightly above the soil level. Water the plant
thoroughly but avoid overwatering. After repotting, find an appropriate
location with suitable lighting conditions for your plant. Monitor the moisture
levels and water when the top inch of the soil feels dry.
Additionally, apply the appropriate Sunshine Boosters fertilizer
according to the instructions on the packaging. Use Sunshine Boosters fertilizers for specific plant needs (Robusta for foliage, Megaflor for flowering, Ananas for pineapples, etc.). It is safe to apply Sunshine Boosters all
year around. Keep a close eye on the plant for any signs of stress or issues
and adjust your care routine as needed. Help the plant to cope with stress
by spraying with solution of Sunshine Epi.
Enjoy the beauty of your thriving indoor tropical
garden!
Everybody loves shopping online nowadays, and plants are no exception.
Buying plants by mail order is not uncommon anymore; it only takes one click,
and luckily, there are many sources - from big shopping malls like Amazon to
small backyard nurseries that sell their seedlings on eBay or Facebook - all
delivered to your door. But plants are alive... So when doing your online
plant shopping, you must ensure that you fully enjoy your experience and are
happy with a healthy plant that a) doesn't die; b) recovers quickly; and c)
starts growing fast, so you can see flowers and fruit as soon as possible.
The rule of thumb for shipping plants: bigger plants undergo shipping
better, experience less stress, less leaf drop, and recover quicker than plants
with smaller root systems. So when it comes to buying plants online, the
bigger, the better. Unfortunately, many mail-order plant sources may sell you a
tiny twig that has very few chances of surviving. Shipping is very expensive
today, so shipping a bigger size plant may cost more than the plant
itself.
Below is a piece of advice on how to make the best plant selection for
your garden...
1. Find a source with bigger plants. Check reviews, ask friends
for recommendations, inquire from the company about the size of their plants
and how they pack their plants for shipping. TopTropicals offers well-established, strong plants with developed root
system, in container sizes 1, 3, 7, 15 gallon, directly from a tropical
Florida growing farm. Our unique plant-packing techniques are state of the art!
2. Price not always reflects the size and quality of the plant
TopTropicals offers many deals, discounts and sales, while still
providing the biggest and strongest plants grown in real tropical conditions.
3. Most fruit trees must be grafted to produce good fruit. Make
sure you are not purchasing a seedling when it comes to Mango, Avocado,
Peaches and some other trees with named varieties that don't come true to seed. TopTropicals offers only grafted - Mango,
Avocado and a large number of other tropical cultivars.
4. Pick up when possible from the nursery your ordered from, or
get a delivery, instead of shipping the plants. A drive to the nursery will save you more time and money in the
future, plus you can hand-pick the biggest and healthiest specimens. TopTropicals is open 7 days a week for your convenience. Visit our Ft Myers Garden Center or Sebring Farm to select the biggest plants.
5. Take advantage of X-Large size plant material if you live
outside the tropical zone and are trying to zone-push your tropical garden.
Bigger plants will establish faster and have more chances to survive cold winters.
Again, it will save you money in a long run (although bigger plants may be
more expensive, but their survival rate is much higher when it comes to cold
nights). TopTropicals offers X-Large flowering and fruiting trees (7-15-25
gallons), and most of the varieties you see in our online
store can be custom-ordered in big sizes. Delivery and installation
available.
Photo above: Magnolia champaca - Joy Perfume Tree in 25 gal container.
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% discountto start your carefree tropical garden
today!
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!
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.
15% Off
Eugenias – Limited Time
Use code EUGENIA15 at checkout.
Excluding S/H. Offer expires 08/28/2025
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.”
Growing & Care
