TROPICAL LOOKING PLANTS - Other Than Palms

11,336 topics in this forum

1. 

   Rhododendrons

   February 11 by SeanK

   • 1 follower
   • 4 replies
   • 195 views

   Well, this time of year, our orange box stores get Rhododendrons in stock and, for 2026 they've arrived. I picked up two 1-gal plants and one 2-gal plant. The smaller ones will get a lot of sun, but I planted now when the sun angle is low. My zone minimum is 10°F and these are rated z6.

   

   Last reply by happypalms, February 16

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3. 

   How early/late is too early/late to safely plant Carolina cherry in Middle Tennessee?

   February 14 by L.A.M.

   • 2 followers
   • 4 replies
   • 169 views

   I planted three here on the Highland Rim in February 2022, and they bloomed in March and weathered the immense heat and drought that summer without incident. In December 2022, we got down to two degrees Fahrenheit below zero one morning with an afternoon high of two above zero, killing them down to the stumps, although they did regrow starting in March 2023. Our January 2024 winter that dropped to thirteen below zero yielded the same result; they were killed to the stumps but did survive and regrow the following spring. However, we had a very bad drought lasting from June to September 2024 that didn't give them a chance to really recover; instead, the soil up here on the …

   

   Last reply by L.A.M., February 16

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4. 

   Growing Citrus in Marginal (colder) Zones 1 2

   May 24, 2017 by Matthew92

   • 2 followers
   • 63 replies
   • 11.8k views

   Several years ago, I had a dream to grow citrus trees. It started with a Ponkan tangerine my Dad got. I planted it myself, and my desire for more grew. We now have in our side yard 5 citrus trees total. Oldest being the Ponkan planted in 2009, Glen navel orange 2009, Meyer lemon 2009, Ruby Red grapefruit 2010, and Parson Brown orange 2011. This is a very marginal zone here in the Florida Panhandle for citrus. There are only a handful of citrus that are Bulletproof for such areas that receive upper teens every few years. Unfortunately, the first winter my citrus experienced was pretty bad. January 2010 got to 17 degrees. I wasn't as experienced with protecting t…

   

   Last reply by csuehs, February 15

   • citrus

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5. 

   Cycad I’d request

   February 6 by happypalms

   • 5 replies
   • 270 views

   Once again a leak in the irrigation all summer had produced a cone in this cycas sp, and I have no idea as to what this. Thanks in advance.

   

   Last reply by happypalms, February 14

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6. 

   Found somewhat rare Cuban Mahogany tree

   February 13 by epicure3

   • 0 replies
   • 132 views

   This was spotted in Barbados today.

   

   Last reply by epicure3, February 13

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7. 

   What pretty red plant is this?

   February 8 by DoomsDave

   • 7 replies
   • 329 views

   Maybe you can tell me.

   

   Last reply by DoomsDave, February 13

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8. 

   My Picea Abies

   February 13 by coconut2024

   • 0 replies
   • 81 views

   Hey!! I planted a 2m tall Norway spruce on north side of my backyard so its not sheltered by cold winds which is actually good, but I am wondering, how long can it grow with my care( deep watering every week in summer, mulching the roots and spraying the whole plant during the hottest evenings to reduce the trees internal evaporation). If you think the spruce looks weird, i bought it that way, sorry.

   

   Last reply by coconut2024, February 13

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9. 

   Cycad species minimum temperatures

   February 13 by Dan64

   • 0 replies
   • 103 views

   I couldn’t find a thread like the palm minimum temperature one so thought I’d start one with the recent cold weather in Florida. How did everyone’s cycads do with the recent or past winter temperatures

   

   Last reply by Dan64, February 13
10. 

    Cactus ID

    February 18, 2024 by SEVA

    • 2 replies
    • 840 views

    Growing near the beach in Hampton, VA.

    

    Last reply by PAPalmtrees, February 12

    • opuntia
    • cactus
    • (and 1 more)

      Tagged with:

      • opuntia
      • cactus
      • virginia

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11. 

    Heliconia Thread 1 2 3 4 5

    April 1, 2021 by Dartolution

    • 4 followers
    • 170 replies
    • 17.4k views

    Who here grows Heliconias (all species), and what species do you grow and where. I love these plants and have for years. I have a few varieties of psittacorum (choconiana, sassy, and lady di), a lingulata, and have a hybrid on the way from Ricon PR (etsy). These are easily one of my favorite tropicals, but I have struggled with them at times here. They are exceedingly difficult to overwinter even indoors in a warm room with a grow light above them (PFW640, or HB1500). The biggest issue I have faced is root rot, and getting the right soil for them. I have read that they like bone meal? Can anyone attest to this?

    

    Last reply by Than, February 11

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12. 

    Where can I get hardy agave from?

    July 12, 2024 by Colin1110082

    • 23 replies
    • 1.2k views

    From what I’ve seen, agave havardiana is the hardiest type. I’m in zone 6, and the agave I mentioned is viable down to zone 5A. Where can I get one besides paying a lot from plants delights nursery, anyone have any ideas or experiences with nurseries? Thanks. Also is there any other agave that might work in 6A? We have wet winters so I would have to put a plastic box over it.

    

    Last reply by TropicsEnjoyer, February 11

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13. 

    A bit of an exotic look in the local botanical gardens

    January 31 by happypalms

    • 4 replies
    • 214 views

    The regional botanical gardens in my are has certainly been improving of the last few years, with the curator Rick ackland doing a wonderful job. Full credit to Rick and his staff on this project!

    

    Last reply by happypalms, February 11

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14. 

    Tree ID

    February 10 by John2468

    • 1 follower
    • 3 replies
    • 135 views

    Hello, what are these trees growing at the edge of the water? Thanks!

    

    Last reply by Silas_Sancona, February 10

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15. 

    Anyone else growing papayas in zones colder than 10a? 1 2 3

    September 1, 2025 by Ben G.

    • 80 replies
    • 2.1k views

    I like to grow papayas as annuals every once in a while to fill in spaces quickly and provide large tropical foliage. I like to sprout them from seed in July or August. I keep them in pots over the winter, then plant the following spring. I planted four of them at a former home in zone 7a Oklahoma City some years ago. I got 13 pounds of green fruit though, because I ran out of time to ripen before our first freeze was coming. They were really nice looking plants, even without getting ripe fruit. It had been several years since I had grown any, so I sprouted a few seeds last summer. I planned to keep two to fill out a bed near my pool, but one suddenly died on me…

    

    Last reply by JohnAndSancho, February 8

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16. 

    Mimetes Cuculatus

    February 6 by Gardner

    • 5 replies
    • 167 views

    Trying to hide in the background. Doesn't get much attention but really cute flowers.

    

    Last reply by happypalms, February 6

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17. 

    Little Zamia nana gets planted

    February 2 by happypalms

    • 3 replies
    • 172 views

    A great little Zamia to have hanging around in the garden. A wonderful dwarf Zamia!

    

    Last reply by happypalms, February 5

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18. 

    Yellow Leaves

    February 1 by Gardner

    • 7 replies
    • 158 views

    I bought a Paucidentatus seedling growing a new leaf. When the leaf had put on a couple of inches it started yellowing and remained this colour. I have fed the plant at the start of our growing season and it is starting to put on a new leaf but this again appears to be yellow. Any suggestions what this could be? Nutrient deficiency, I've heard this can happen with lack of iron uptake, maybe chelated Iron? Any observations / advice would be appreciated. Initial condition Matured leaf New season leaf yesterday

    

    Last reply by Dan64, February 4
19. 

    Fatsia japonica as a dieback shrub in zone 6?

    February 1 by Ohiopalmloverz6

    • 5 replies
    • 145 views

    I’m thinking of adding an evergreen sort of whimsical but also SOME native plant shade border of the neighbors yard. I am in zone 6a/6b in NE Ohio. It’s covered with trees and there shouldn’t be any sort of property line problems. I’m thinking of adding a Fatsia japonica. I read online that they can be used as dieback shade shrubs here if heavily mulched. This winter has been a bad one. A few nights of -9 and one even got to -10. Usually it isn’t like that though. This has to be one of the worst winters we’ve had in years. I want to know other peoples experiences with Fatsia japonica in zone 6 as a dieback shrub. Will they get somewhat tall? I want them to preferably be a…

    

    Last reply by Chester B, February 4
20. 

    Inga edulis roots: damaging?

    December 13, 2025 by Than

    • 1 follower
    • 8 replies
    • 253 views

    In May, I planted my Inga edulis about 2m away from my house (that's 6 ft). It's been growing rapidly. ChatGPT is now telling me that Inga has an aggressive root system that can damage buidling foundations and should be at least 10m (30 ft) away from the house! Anyone has any experience? I don't trust chatGPT, it often talks rubbish.

    

    Last reply by Than, February 2

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21. 

    A less common variety of calla lily (Zantesdeschia aethiopica 'African Gold')

    May 12, 2020 by Hillizard

    • 30 replies
    • 4.4k views

    Couldn't resist mail ordering this less common calla lily (Zantesdeschia aethiopica 'African Gold') for palm understory planting. Is supposed to do well in zones 8b to 10b. Definitely different than the usual spotted leaf types!

    

    Last reply by Hillizard, February 1

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22. 

    Eucalyptus deglupta growth pace

    November 25, 2023 by Than

    • 2 followers
    • 24 replies
    • 1.8k views

    I have got this one from seed. It sprouted in May. The medium is coco coir but I also added manure tea and light fertilizer 2-3 times. Growth rate is appalling. Is this normal? It was outside mostly in shade during the summer. Hasn't seen any serious heat and no serious cold either. Humidity this year was overall high. Sometimes very high. Is this amount of growth normal? I also have many other seedlings of the same age all together in the same pot (the purple pot in the photo). Growth rate about the same.

    

    Last reply by SoulofthePlace, February 1

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23. 

    Plant I’d needed please

    January 29 by happypalms

    • 4 replies
    • 162 views

    I don’t know what this small tree is or shrub or whatever it is, all I know is it’s tougher than nails. Extremely dry conditions through to soaking wet conditions extremes of heat and cool weather. Thanks in advance.

    

    Last reply by happypalms, January 31
24. 

    Tropical species in Oppido Mamertina (Calabria)

    July 23, 2025 by Oppido

    • 1 follower
    • 6 replies
    • 371 views

    Hello everyone. I'm starting this thread to discuss the tropical plants grown in Oppido Mamertina (not just by me or my parents). The first I'll post are the bananas that have grown on my brother's land. I don't know the exact variety, but it's not Orinoco (it could be what's called the "common banana" in Italy, but I'm not sure). I put the two bananas that appear to be commercial varieties (the fully yellow ones) for comparison and they come from a supermarket and not from the ground.

    

    Last reply by Oppido, January 31

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25. 

    Meryta sinclairi 1 2

    January 11, 2024 by Than

    • 2 followers
    • 49 replies
    • 1.7k views

    Another amazing species from NZ. Apparently Meryta species can be surprisingly cold tolerant. Anyone has tried this plant?

    

    Last reply by Than, January 30

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26. 

    What plants can be grown in an area where the pineapple plant does well?

    May 8, 2025 by Oppido

    • 1 follower
    • 6 replies
    • 2.1k views

    Hello everyone. For some time now, looking at the results of some users with the coconut palm, the question has arisen: how far is the winter hardiness of the coconut palm compared to the pineapple? So now I would like to ask you: to what extent and to what extent can I consider the pineapple as a reference for other tropical plants and palms? If in the same area where I have the pineapple plant that, in terms of winter temperatures, thrives and you can also see an evident growth of leaves (although much more limited than in other seasons obviously), what chances would I have if I grew the following plants: Coconut Palm, Mango, Papaya, Musa Dwarf Cavendish, Musa Dwarf R…

    

    Last reply by rockinrickyfox, January 30

    • ananas
    • pineapple
    • (and 3 more)

      Tagged with:

      • ananas
      • pineapple
      • avocado
      • mango
      • cocos nucifera

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