Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date: 9 May 2025

Why we love Jocote

😊 Why we love Jocote: the Hog Plum health benefits.


Sound on! 🎤

🍊 The Hog Plum tree (Spondias purpurea), that you saw blooming in March in this post, set the fruit by May in ABUNDANCE and we can't wait to see them ripe and harvest them! Hog Plum is one of our favorite fruits at Top Tropicals. It is also known as Purple Mombin, Jocote, or Spanish Plum. It’s popular in Central America and the Caribbean, and it's not just tasty and super productive - it's packed with health benefits!

❤️ HEALTH BENEFITS OF THE HOG PLUM FRUIT:
  • Rich in Vitamin C. Helps boost your immune system, supports skin health, and acts as a powerful antioxidant.
  • Good Source of Fiber. Aids digestion, helps prevent constipation, and supports gut health.
  • Anti-inflammatory Properties. Traditionally used to relieve swelling, inflammation, and minor skin infections.
  • Supports Heart Health. Contains antioxidants and nutrients that may help reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
  • Hydrating and Refreshing. The fruit has high water content and is often eaten fresh during hot weather for hydration.
  • May Help Regulate Blood Sugar. Some studies suggest that Spondias species may have a mild effect on blood sugar levels.


🛒 Sweet, tangy, and good for you - grow Hog Plum!

📚 Learn more:


This is how the flowers of a Hog Plum look like
The Hog Plum tree fruit
What fruit tree is full of fruit year around

#Food_Forest #Discover

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Date: 25 Jun 2025

What are Health Benefits of Alpinia galanga (Galangal)

Alpinia galanga (Galangal)

Alpinia galanga (Galangal)

What are Health Benefits of Alpinia galanga (Galangal)



🌿 Galangal, also known as Thai ginger, is more than just a fast growing ornamental ginger and flavorful root - it's also a powerful healing plant with centuries of use in both kitchens and traditional medicine. Here are some of its top health benefits:
  • Digestive aid - Galangal stimulates digestion, reduces bloating, and relieves nausea. It's especially helpful after heavy or oily meals.
  • Anti-inflammatory properties - Contains compounds like galangin that help reduce inflammation, making it useful for joint pain and inflammatory conditions.
  • Antioxidant rich - Packed with flavonoids and polyphenols that fight oxidative stress and may help slow aging and support overall wellness.
  • Immune support - Traditionally used to fight colds and infections thanks to its antimicrobial and antiviral properties.
  • Respiratory health - Used in Thai herbal remedies for clearing the lungs, soothing sore throats, and reducing coughs.
  • Brain function - Some studies suggest galangal may help protect brain cells and improve cognitive performance due to its antioxidant profile.
  • Circulatory support - Acts as a natural stimulant and may help improve blood flow and circulation.


🛒 Grow your own Thai ginger – fresh, healing, and flavorful!

#Food_Forest #Discover #Remedies

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Date: 7 Sep 2025

10 reasons to grow this Indian secret tree - the miracle Fruit of the Gods you never knew about: Syzygium cumini - Jambolan

Syzygium cumini - Jambolan, Java plum, Malabar plum, Black Plum, Jamun, Jaman, Jambul, Duhat, Lilly Pilly

🍆 10 reasons to grow this Indian secret tree - the miracle Fruit of the Gods you never knew about

  • Sacred and secret Indian divine Berry - Jambolan (Syzygium cumini) - goes by many names: Java plum, Malabar plum, Black Plum, Jamun, Jaman, Jambul, Duhat, even Lilly Pilly! Which one do you know it by?
  • Sweet-tart and healthy fruit. The tree is a heavy producer of juicy, sweet-tart black fruits that can be eaten fresh or turned into tarts, sauces, and jams. In Ayurveda and Chinese medicine, both the fruit and plant are valued for their powerful health benefits. The flavor is unique, with a mile herbal note (maybe Oregano?).
  • A tree steeped in tradition. According to Hindu belief, Rama survived on this fruit during his 14-year exile, which earned it the title Fruit of the Gods. Lord Krishna himself is often described as having skin the color of jambul. In India, its leaves are still used to decorate marriage pendals.


♥️ Jambolan health and life benefits

  • 1. Fights diabetes - helps manage blood sugar naturally.
  • 2. Weight loss - low in calories, high in fiber, keeps you full and curbs cravings.
  • 3. Fiber-rich digestion aid - improves gut health, prevents constipation, and soothes indigestion.
  • 4. Vitamin C boost - strengthens immunity, brightens skin, and supports healthy hair.
  • 5. Controls heart rate and blood health - potassium regulates heart rate and blood pressure, while iron supports hemoglobin and circulation.
  • 6. Slows aging - loaded with antioxidants, it protects cells and supports vitality.
  • 7. Liver and kidney detox - traditionally used for cleansing and protection.
  • 8. Skin and oral care - helps with acne, blemishes, mouth ulcers, and freshens breath.
  • 9. Respiratory relief - eases coughs, asthma, and colds.
  • 10. Quick privacy screen! Here's what most gardeners don't realize: Jambolan is the ultimate low-maintenance, fast-growing tree with dense glossy leaves. It thrives in any soil, stays pest free, and in just a couple of seasons can grow into a dense, bushy privacy screen - perfect if you want quick shade, an ornamental barrier, or a living fence with health benefits that practically takes care of itself!


🛒 Plant Jambolan: shade, fruit, beauty, and health - all in one tree!

📚 Learn more:
The Divine Berry - large, bushy, exotic fruit tree in no time

#Food_Forest #Remedies #Hedges_with_benefits

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Date: 21 Dec 2022

Noni, the Superfruit

Nature's Food and Pharmacy

Noni  fruit  painting

At our Christmas Plant Market a few days ago, many guests purchased a Noni tree. Everybody loved its large, beautiful leathery leaves, and were buying Noni as a present. It was appreciated as ornamental, for example as a showy specimen tree with a tropical look for a pool area. But very few people actually knew that this tree was a source of a famous Noni Juice - a unique remedy from Mother Nature... Some were surprised the plant had so many health benefits! So we promised to tell more about Noni in our newsletter.

Noni  fruit  on  a  branch

The Noni tree - Morinda citrifolia - is a beautiful ornamental tree because of its glossy green leaves and curious fruit. The tree is prized for its medicinal fruit.
The Noni is considered to be a "superfruit" because of its high levels of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. The fruit, leaves, and roots of the Noni tree are used in traditional medicine to treat a wide variety of ailments, including pain, inflammation, and infections. Some people also use Noni fruit and juice as a natural health supplement because of its potential health benefits.
Additionally, the Noni tree is easy to grow and care for, making it a popular choice for both gardens and houseplant collections.

Noni  fruit

For more information on health benefits of Noni, download pdf of Noni article (from our Magazine Tropical Treasures) and watch the video: Doctor Noni.

Noni  tree  houseplant  indoors

In the photo: Noni as a houseplant. So much better than a boring ficus!

Noni  tree  producing  in  a  pot

In the photo: Noni is happily fruiting in 7 gal pot. It's a beautiful ornamental and a conversation piece.

Date: 28 Apr 2021

Macadamia Goodness

Macadamia nuts are rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, and healthy fats. Their potential benefits include weight loss, improved gut health, and protection against diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and heart disease.
Native to Australia, Macadamia trees are now grown in various places around the world, such as Brazil, Costa Rica, Hawaii, and New Zealand.
Like most other nuts, Macadamia nuts are rich in nutrients and beneficial plant compounds. They are also linked to several benefits, including improved digestion, heart health, weight management, and blood sugar control.

10 health benefits of macadamia nuts

1. Rich in nutrients
2. Loaded with antioxidants
3. Boost heart health
4. Reduce risk of metabolic syndrome
5. May aid weight loss
6. Improve gut health
7. Providing anticancer properties
8. Boosting brain health
9. Bumping up your longevity
10. Easy to add to your diet
Learn more...

Delicious Macadamia nuts are loved by everyone, but they are so expensive from a grocery store... If you are excited about this nut, start saving: get your own tree and harvest your own goodness!

Macadamia are very handsome trees. They are easy to grow, require very little care and are relatively cold hardy. The are slow growing, compact bushy trees that start fruiting within 2-3 years from seed. Macadamias trees are reliable producers. The most important in Macadamia cultivation - do not over-fertilize this plant, it is very sensitive to regular fertilizer. Use only liquid plant food, and provide Micro-elements on regular basis.

Read more about this plant >>