Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date: 2 Apr 2016

Erblichia or Flor de Fuego - Apricot fragrance and sunny color

Q: I saw this wonderful flower Flor de Fuego on your website and I would like to buy this plant. I am wondering how big this tree will grow and how long will it take until I can smell the lovely flowers? I have a big garden and not much space left, but I still have a few spots available for smaller trees. Also any special care info will be appreciated.

A: Flor de Fuego is a small tree and will fit in any small yard situation. It is very rare in cultivation. This is the newest, most exciting tree to be introduced in the last decade. It said to be one of the most beautiful flowering trees in Central America. It has long narrow leaves and large flowers 6-8"across that smell like apricots. It blooms from late fall through early winter and sometimes through spring. Normally it starts blooming in 2-3 years after planted in the ground. Surprisingly for such a delicate plant, it tolerates poor soils. Once established, it doesn't require any special care other than regular watering and fertilizing during hot months. It does take some effort sometimes to make the tree happy in its new habitat. After planting in the ground, keep your eye on irrigation schedule and do not let soil stay wet, young trees don't like wet feet. In natural habitat, the plant prefers to have a dry period that is beneficial for profuse blooming.

See full size picture of Erblichia tree in full bloom

Click here to buy Flor de Fuego

Date: 25 Mar 2026

Forget the Tropics: These 5 Condo Mango Varieties Thrive in Your Living Room

Mngo tree in a pot

Mngo tree in a pot

Forget the Tropics: These 5 "Condo Mango" Varieties Thrive in Your Living Room 🥭

A tropical orchard in your living room? It’s more possible than you think. While wild mango trees can tower at 60 feet, "condo mango" varieties allow you to harvest juicy, sun-ripened fruit right next to your sofa.
If you have a sunny window and a bit of patience, here is exactly how to grow a potted mango tree indoors.
  • 🌳 Why "Condo Mangoes" are the Secret to Success



    Most people fail because they plant a seed from a grocery store mango. Don't do that. Seeds take up to a decade to fruit and grow far too large.

    Instead, look for grafted, dwarf varieties. These are bred to:

•  Stay compact (6–10 feet).
  • •  Fruit within 1–3 years.
  • •  Thrive in the limited root space of a container.


🌳 The 5 Best Mango Varieties for Indoor Pots



Choosing the right cultivar is 90% of the battle. These five are the gold standard for indoor growers:
  • •  Pickering: The #1 choice for pots; naturally tiny. Rich, fiberless, and coconut-heavy.
  • •  Cogshall: Slow-growing and easy to prune. Classic, ultra-sweet tropical taste.
  • •  Ice Cream: Extremely compact; thrives in small spaces. Creamy texture, like mango sorbet.
  • •  Carrie: High disease resistance; very productive. intense, spicy-sweet aroma.
  • •  Mallika: A semi-dwarf Indian favorite. Exceptional, honey-like sweetness.



🌳 4 Essentials for Indoor Mango Care



1. Light: The "Make or Break" Factor

Mangoes are sun-worshippers. They need at least 8 hours of direct light daily.

The Pro Move: Place your tree in a south-facing window. If you live in a cloudy climate, a high-quality LED grow light isn't optional - it’s a necessity to prevent leaf drop and encourage flowering.

2. Strategic Watering

Mango trees hate "wet feet." Use a fast-draining potting mix and a pot with large drainage holes.

The Rule: Let the top 2 inches of soil dry completely before watering deeply.

3. Temperature & Humidity


Keep your room between 65F and 90F. If you are comfortable, the tree is likely comfortable. Avoid placing it near drafty AC vents or heaters that sap humidity.

4. The "Bee" Factor (Pollination)

Indoors, you lack wind and insects. When your tree flowers, gently shake the branches or use a small paintbrush to move pollen between blooms to ensure fruit sets.
  • 👉 Quick Tips for a Better Harvest


  • •  Pot Size: Start with a 15-inch wide container and "up-pot" every two years.
  • •  Pruning: Don't be afraid to snip! Pruning the tips encourages branching, and more branches mean more fruit.
  • •  Fertilizer: Use a balanced organic fertilizer with micronutrients (like magnesium and iron). We recommend Sunshine Mango Tango specifically formulated for mango trees, and a micro element supplement - Sunshine Superfood - these are safe to use with every watering.


🛒 Dicover Condo Mango

📚 Learn more:
#Food_Forest #How_to #Discover #Mango

Plant Facts

Mangifera indica
Mango
USDA Zone: 9-11
Large tree taller than 20 ftSmall tree 10-20 ftFull sunModerate waterYellow, orange flowersPink flowersEdible plantSeaside, salt tolerant plant
🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date: 24 Sep 2025

The SECRET growers never tell you: simple trick how to bring plants back to life and keep green

Green Magic Fetilizer makes plants green

🌳 The SECRET growers never tell you: simple trick how to bring plants back to life and keep green

  • 💚 Green Magic is plant food that really works. It keeps your plants green, strong, and growing steady.
  • 💚 We call it Magic - because it even brought back plants we thought were gone! So thу Green Magic can bring dead to live!
  • 💚 The secret is slow release. Most dry fertilizers dump everything at once, burn the roots, then disappear. Green Magic feeds little by little for six months straight. No burn, no guesswork, just steady food that plants love.
  • 💚 It's perfect for potted fruit trees, ornamentals, and houseplants. One handful is all it takes, and your plants stay fed for half a year.


✔️ How to use:


Mix in 1 teaspoon per gallon of soil when potting, or sprinkle on top once every six months. That's it!

✔️ Why it works:

  • Feeds slowly and evenly for six months
  • Keeps leaves green and plants healthy
  • Strong growth, even for weak or struggling plants
  • Works in any climate, indoors or out
  • Great for containers, trees, and ornamentals
  • This isn’t a flower booster. It’s a growth booster. The kind of steady food that builds strong plants for life.

  • 👉 Watch your plants come back to life and thrive with this professional-grade, controlled-release fertilizer - Green Magic. Even struggling plants can turn lush and green again.
Give it a try - your plants will thank you!

🛒 Buy once, feed for 6 months!

📚 Learn more


#Fertilizers #How_to
🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date: 22 May 2025

Watch Joy Perfume in full bloom - filling the air!

🏵 Watch Joy Perfume in full bloom - filling the air!



📱

#Perfume_Plants #Container_Garden #Trees

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date: 3 Aug 2025

Four  stages  of  Coffee  Tree  growth:  a  young  potted  plant,  a  mature  tree  in  the  ground,  white  star-shaped  blooms,  and  a  branch  full  of  ripening  red  and  green  coffee  cherries.

What is the most popular and easiest tropical fruit tree to grow indoors?

No doubt about it - it's the Coffee Tree.

  • Coffee is shade-loving and easy to grow with regular water
  • It grows into a dark green shrub or small tree (about 3 to 5 feet tall in a pot)
  • Its fragrant, star-shaped flowers resemble gardenias
  • The whole fruit is edible and turns green to yellow to red
  • The seeds are real "coffee beans" that can be dried, roasted, and ground at home.

Five Reasons to Grow a Coffee Plant

  • Perfect Indoor Fruit Tree: Thrives in filtered light and stays compact
  • Low Maintenance: Forgiving, adaptable, and ideal for new gardeners
  • Aesthetic Appeal: Glossy green leaves and clusters of white blooms
  • Homegrown Coffee: Yes, you can roast your own beans.
  • Year-Round Beauty: Evergreen with seasonal fragrance

Coffee Plant Care Tips

  • Light: Bright, indirect light is best. Avoid harsh afternoon sun.
  • Water: Keep soil lightly moist but not soggy. Let the top inch dry out before watering again.
  • Humidity: Loves higher humidity. Mist regularly or place on a pebble tray.
  • Fertilizer: Use a balanced, gentle fertilizer like Sunshine Boosters C-Cibus every few weeks during growing season.
  • Soil: Loose, rich, and well-drained. High in organic matter and slightly acidic. For potted plants, use a quality indoor tropical mix, such as Top Tropicals Abundance mix
  • Repotting: Refresh soil and size up the pot every 1–2 years to keep roots healthy.
  • Can I grow it outdoors?: Yes - bring it outside in warm months and back indoors before frost. It's best suited for USDA zones 10-11, but container growing gives you flexibility in cooler climates.
  • How long until I get beans?: Expect flowers and fruit within 3 to 4 years from seedling stage - often sooner if you start with a young tree.
  • What does the fruit taste like?: Mild and sweet-tart, like a mix between a cherry and a cranberry. You can eat it fresh.

How to Make Coffee from Your Own Tree

  • Harvest: Pick the ripe red cherries
  • Pop and Soak: Squeeze out the beans and ferment 1-2 days to remove pulp
  • Dry: Spread out to dry for 1-2 weeks until hard and papery
  • Husk: Remove the thin shell to reveal green beans
  • Roast: Use a dry skillet or oven until fragrant
  • Grind and Brew: Cool, grind, and enjoy the freshest coffee you've ever had.
    Learn more: How to make your own coffee from homegrown beans

Coffee Health Benefits

  • Rich in antioxidants - supports heart and brain health
  • Boosts focus and mental alertness
  • Supports metabolism and fat-burning

Why Coffee Makes the Perfect Gift Plant

  • Long-living and beautiful
  • Symbolic, useful, and personal
  • Great for coffee lovers, gardeners, and the "person who has everything"

Read Garden Blog about Coffee

Shop Coffee Plants