🎃 Thanksgiving Weekend Deal

Photo above: A long-blooming holiday classic, Schlumbergera New Deal, an heirloom Thanksgiving-to-Christmas cactus with cascades of oversized pink flowers. Blooms from Thanksgiving through Easter!

As our way of saying thank you for growing with us all year long, here is your exclusive holiday code. Use it for 15% off any order over $100 (excluding shipping and handling):

THANKS2025

Ends November 30th, 2025 (Sunday) at midnight.
Min order $100 (exculuding S/H).
One use per customer.
Cannot be combined with other discounts.
Cannot be applied to previous orders.

Check out our specials below - hand-picked by our horticulturist for size, beauty, and vigor! These are the biggest, fullest plants you'll see all year! Take advantage of this Holiday discount code and get them now at their best and fullest point!

🛒 Shop Tropical plants

Gloxinia sylvatica - Bolivian Sunset. A perfect fall-winter standout: it bursts with glowing blooms and makes a great holiday gift as a flowering start.

Gardenia nitida, Shooting Star: a rare African gardenia with sweet fragrance and star-shaped blooms that appear several times a year. Soft diamond-shaped leaves. This true collectors gem blooms in dramatic waves, filling the air with a strong, sweet scent.

☃️ Winter is choosing season

Smokey: "December is for planning, not planting."
Sunshine: "Gift card now. Perfect plants later."
Smokey: "You surprise me sometimes. Must be the donuts."

This time of year always feels special to us. The days are shorter, the garden slows down, and we finally have a moment to pause, look at our wish lists, and dream a little about spring.

As gardeners, we know winter is not really planting season. It is choosing season.

It is when ideas take shape. When we think about what we want to grow next, what we want to add, and what we want to do differently when warm days return. That is why, in winter, the best plant gift is not a plant itself. It is the promise of one.

Cold weather and holiday shipping can make winter plant deliveries stressful, especially for tropical plants traveling north. A gift card lets plants wait for the right moment, and lets the gardener enjoy the fun part now: planning, choosing, and imagining.

It also solves something we all know too well. Every gardener is wonderfully different. Some dream of fruit trees, others of flowers, rare collectors, or easy growers. Some plant in containers, some in the ground. Guessing is hard. A gift card lets them choose exactly what fits their garden and their vision.

🎁 Holiday Gift Card Bonus

To make the season a little brighter, we are offering a holiday gift card bonus through 12/31/2025.

When you purchase a gift card, we add 15% extra value. Just add Christmas greeting in gift card message field. For example, a $100 gift card becomes $115 to spend.

The bonus value is not valid with other promotions or discounts. Gift cards cannot be used to purchase other gift cards. Bonus value is added at the time of purchase.

🎁 Get a gift card

When the Black Bat Lily decides to bloom

Every so often a plant blooms and the whole greenhouse seems to slow down.

That is what happened this week with the Black Bat Lily, Tacca chantrieri. We have grown Taccas for years, but when the black ones open properly, it still feels special. The flowers are dark and quiet, almost unreal up close. They do not shout for attention. They make you lean in.

Right now, we have a lot of them blooming at the same time. If you have never seen one in person, photos only get you part of the way there. The wings are darker than you expect, and the whiskers seem to go on forever. People walk into the greenhouse, stop, stare, and usually ask the same question: "Is that real?" - Yes. It is.

A quick honest note, because this matters. The blooms themselves are delicate and may not travel well. That is just the nature of this plant. The plants, however, are strong, well established. With the right conditions, they bloom again. This is not a one-time trick.

Black Tacca is not a beginner houseplant, but it is also not impossible. It likes filtered light, steady warmth, and humidity. It does especially well in a greenhouse or a bright indoor spot where you already keep plants that enjoy moisture. It is the kind of plant you keep close, not one you forget in the corner.

We are offering them now simply because they are ready and looking their best. If you have been waiting for one, this is a good moment.

You can see the Black Bat Lily here: https://toptropicals.com/store/item/2345.htm

Just wanted to share something we are enjoying in the greenhouse right now. Some plants come and go. Some stay with you.

Tacca (Bat Lily) FAQ

What is Tacca?

Tacca, also known as Bat Lily or Devil Flower, is a tropical plant grown for its unusual bat-shaped flowers with long whisker-like filaments. The most popular species is Tacca chantrieri, the Black Bat Lily.

Is Tacca hard to grow?

Tacca is not a beginner plant, but it is not impossible. It does best with warmth, humidity, and filtered light. Gardeners who already grow orchids, calatheas, or other humidity-loving plants usually do well with Tacca.

Does Tacca need a greenhouse?

A greenhouse is ideal, but not required. Tacca can be grown indoors in a bright spot with indirect light and good humidity, such as near a humidifier or in a bright bathroom with a window or skylight.

Will my Tacca arrive in bloom?

Plants may be blooming in the greenhouse, but flowers are often removed before shipping because they are delicate and do not travel well. The plants are well established and capable of blooming again with proper care.

How often does Tacca bloom?

Tacca does not bloom constantly. It may take time to establish before flowering, but once settled, it can bloom seasonally and may produce multiple flowers in warm, humid conditions.

Does Tacca grow from a bulb?

Tacca grows from a rhizome, not a bulb. The rhizome stores energy and allows the plant to regrow and bloom again.

Why does Tacca have long whiskers?

The long filaments are thought to help attract pollinators such as flies by mimicking the look of decaying organic matter. While unusual, this is part of the plant's natural pollination strategy.

💕How would you like to give a Valentine plant gift?

Choose the plant

If you already know what feels right, choose the plant now. Sweetheart Hoya is a favorite for a reason, and there are other Valentine plants to explore if you want options.

A good choice when you feel confident, love plants, or are gifting something meant to live indoors.

Let your Valentine choose

If timing, weather, or choice feels uncertain, a Gift Card keeps the moment simple. Your Valentine can choose the perfect plant when the time is right.

Especially helpful for gardeners up north, or when you want the gift to unfold later.

About shipping and timing

We ship live plants with care and pay close attention to weather along the way. If conditions are not right, we may hold a shipment briefly to keep plants safe.

If timing or weather makes you hesitate, a Gift Card is an easy way to give a Valentine gift now and choose the plant later, when conditions are perfect.

More Valentines Gift Plants

• Valentines plants from around the world that symbolize love, connection, and appreciation. 👉Learn
• Top nine plants of love, desire, and the senses: aphrodisiacs and sensory connections. 👉Learn
• Four popular plants of friendship, appreciation, and shared connection. 👉Learn
• Eight favorite plants of romance, affection, and emotional connection. 👉Learn

SUNSHINE Boosters: The Professional Advantage

By Tatiana Anderson, Horticulture Expert at Top Tropicals with Smokey & Sunshine help

Here is why SUNSHINE Boosters are the smart choice for your garden this spring:

• Amino Acid Stability: Unlike traditional fertilizers that use synthetic EDTA chelators, our formulas are amino-acid based. This means 100% of the nutrients are bioavailable and consumed by the plant, leaving zero toxic residues or salt build-up in your soil.
• Safe for Every Watering: Because our concentrations are scientifically balanced and mild, they are safe for daily use. This eliminates the "feast or famine" cycle of dry fertilizers and prevents accidental root burn.
• Pure Taste for Edibles: Our delicate formulas do not contain excess salts, urea, or ammonium salts that can ruin the flavor of your harvest. Your fruit and vegetables will retain their pure, natural taste.
• Pollinator Friendly: Our boosters are designed to be safe for honeybees and other beneficial insects, making them the responsible choice for an organic-style garden.

🌿For Potted Plants: Breaking the "Foodless" Cycle

Container-grown plants are trapped in soilless mixes (peat, bark, perlite) that are structurally great but naturally nutrient-deficient.

• Total Nutrition: Since pots lack the natural "buffet" of the ground, SUNSHINE Boosters™ provide every essential mineral the plant cannot find on its own.
• No Salt Build-up: Our amino-acid based formulas are consumed entirely by the plant, leaving zero toxic residue or root-burning salts behind.
• Daily Safety: Our mild concentrations eliminate the "feast or famine" cycle of dry fertilizers, making them safe for use with every single watering.

For In-Ground Plants: Unlocking the Soil

Even in the ground, plants often struggle to absorb what they need because soil compounds can "lock up" nutrients.

• Enhanced Solubility: SUNSHINE Boosters create a slightly acidic environment that helps dissolve stubborn salts in the soil, making them accessible to roots again.
• Precision Delivery: We provide mobile elements like Nitrogen precisely when the plant needs to push new spring growth.

🌿The Foliar Advantage: Direct-to-Leaf Delivery

Did you know a plant leaf can absorb nutrients even more efficiently than the roots? Foliar feeding is your "emergency button" for instant results.

• Quick Fix: Foliar applications with Sunshine Superfood are the fastest way to correct yellowing leaves or visible deficiencies.
• Metabolism Boost: Sprays like SUNSHINE-Epi act as a bio-regulator, helping plants recover from the stress of spring temperature swings.
• Better Fruit: SUNSHINE Honey is applied to leaves to naturally move sugars to the fruit, increasing sweetness and flavor.

🌿The Calcium Problem: Solved

As your plants wake up this Spring, they need structural strength. Think of Calcium as the "cement" that holds plant cells together. Without it, new spring growth is doomed to fail.

Signs Your Plant is Starving for Calcium:

• Deformed Leaves: New growth looks twisted, hooked, or curled.
• Blackened Tips: The very edges of young leaves turn white, then quickly blacken and die.

The Industry Secret: The "Missing" Mineral

Most fertilizers, both dry and liquid, completely skip Calcium. Why? Because it’s a chemical nightmare to keep stable in a concentrated solution. Most manufacturers rely on your irrigation water to deliver Calcium, but tap water is inconsistent and often fails to provide what a hungry, growing plant needs.

The SUNSHINE Boosters: Stable Calcium in Every Bottle

We have successfully stabilized Calcium directly into every single Sunshine Booster formula. Whether you are using Bombino, Robusta, or Megaflor, you are delivering a precise, stable dose of Calcium with every watering. No lockout, no sediment, and no relying on the "luck" of your tap water. Just strong, healthy cell walls and perfect spring growth.

🌿SUNSHINE-Epi: The Year-Round Bio-Regulator

Whether it’s the transition of spring, the extreme heat of summer, or the dry air of indoor wintering, SUNSHINE-Epi is your plant’s primary defense. This natural Brassinosteroid acts as a powerful immune booster, helping plants navigate stress wherever it comes from.

• Universal Stress Shield: Protects against temperature swings (both heat and cold), drought, and transplant shock.
• Vigorous Development: Dramatically improves root growth and speeds up the metabolism of young seedlings and cuttings.
• Eco-Safe: 100% non-toxic to humans, pets, and pollinators.

Note: While Epi is highly effective, it is a performance booster, not a substitute for proper care. It works best when paired with the right light, water, and a consistent feeding program. It won't bring a dead plant back to life, but it will help a struggling one find its footing.

🛒 Feed your plants

❓Frequently Asked Questions: SUNSHINE Boosters™

• What water should I use for foliar spraying?
  Tap water works perfectly for most. However, if your water is very "hard" (leaving white mineral spots on leaves), switch to distilled water for a cleaner finish and better absorption.
• How long does a diluted solution last?
  For maximum potency and to avoid nutrient degradation, try to use your diluted mixture within a few hours of preparation. Keep away from direct sun. Fresh is always best!
• Can I use SUNSHINE Boosters as a daily foliar spray?
  Yes! You can mist your plants daily to maintain high vigor, but you must reduce the dosage (use half the recommended strength) to avoid over-feeding.
• Can I mix boosters with pesticides or fungicides?
  It is best to apply them separately. Mixing fertilizers with chemical pesticides in one tank can trigger reactions that "lock out" nutrients or reduce the efficacy of the treatment.
• Will the liquid stain my patio or hands?
  No. Unlike traditional fertilizers with heavy blue or pink dyes, our solutions are clear or very light-colored. If you spill it, simply rinse with water—no stains, no mess.
• Can I mix different SUNSHINE Boosters together in one sprayer?
  Yes. All SUNSHINE Boosters are chemically compatible. You can combine a "growth" booster like Robusta with a "micro-element" complex like Superfood in the same water to save time.
• Are these products safe to use around my pets?
  Absolutely. Our formulas are 100% non-toxic and amino-acid based. Just ask Smokey and Sunshine—they are perfectly safe for households with curious cats, dogs, and children.
• Can I use these boosters on indoor plants?
  Yes. They are ideal for indoor use because they don't produce a "fertilizer smell" and won't cause salt crusting on your decorative pots or furniture.
• Is it safe to use on fruit and vegetables I plan to eat?
  Yes. Because our formulas contain no urea, nitrates, or harsh salts, they don't leave a "chemical" aftertaste. They actually help improve the natural sugars and flavor profile of your harvest.
• What is the best temperature for foliar spraying?
  Apply when temperatures are below 85°F. Early morning or late evening is best; this allows the leaves to remain wet longer, giving the plant more time to absorb the nutrients.

🛒 Feed your plants

✍️ Learn more about fertilizers