Tropical & Subtropical Plants
Explore our tropical collection—from annonas and stone fruits to spices and coffee. Each entry below includes a quick overview plus a Details & Care accordion with light, cold tolerance, size, and uses.
Abiu
Abiu is well suited for USDA Growing Zones 9A and 9B—ideal for St. Augustine and Northeast Florida gardens. Buttery-sweet pulp with caramel notes; prized in the tropics.
- Light: Full sun with wind protection
- Cold tolerance: Sensitive; protect below ~35°F
- Mature size: 15–25'+
- Uses: Fresh eating, desserts
Watering Guidelines · Planting Guidelines
Canistel (Eggfruit)
Canistel (Eggfruit) is well suited for USDA Growing Zones 9A and 9B—ideal for St. Augustine and Northeast Florida gardens. Custardy, egg-yolk texture; rich and sweet for smoothies and custards.
- Light: Full sun
- Cold tolerance: Brief dips to mid 30s; protect
- Mature size: 15–25'
- Uses: Fresh eating, baking, smoothies
Watering Guidelines · Planting Guidelines
Moringa
Moringa is well suited for USDA Growing Zones 9A and 9B—ideal for St. Augustine and Northeast Florida gardens. Fast-growing "miracle tree" valued for edible leaves and pods.
- Light: Full sun
- Cold tolerance: Top may frost; regrows from roots
- Mature size: 10–20'+ (prune to keep small)
- Uses: Leaves & pods for cooking/tea
Watering Guidelines · Planting Guidelines
Java Plum (Jambolan)
Java Plum (Jambolan) is well suited for USDA Growing Zones 9A and 9B—ideal for St. Augustine and Northeast Florida gardens. Dark, astringent-sweet fruit for juices, jams, and fresh snacking.
- Light: Full sun
- Cold tolerance: Brief light frost once established
- Mature size: 20–35'+
- Uses: Fresh eating, preserves, beverages
Watering Guidelines · Planting Guidelines
June Plum
June Plum is well suited for USDA Growing Zones 9A and 9B—ideal for St. Augustine and Northeast Florida gardens. Crisp, tart-sweet fruit eaten green or ripe; great for pickles and chutneys.
- Light: Full sun
- Cold tolerance: Protect below ~34°F
- Mature size: 12–25'
- Uses: Fresh eating, pickling, sauces
Watering Guidelines · Planting Guidelines
Red Hog Plum
Red Hog Plum is well suited for USDA Growing Zones 9A and 9B—ideal for St. Augustine and Northeast Florida gardens. Small, tangy fruit for fresh use, jams, and Caribbean-style sauces.
- Light: Full sun
- Cold tolerance: Light frost once established
- Mature size: 10–20'
- Uses: Fresh eating, preserves
Watering Guidelines · Planting Guidelines
Lisa Atemoya
Lisa Atemoya is well suited for USDA Growing Zones 9A and 9B—ideal for St. Augustine and Northeast Florida gardens. Annona hybrid with creamy, berry-vanilla flavor; reliable producer.
- Light: Full sun; some wind protection
- Cold tolerance: Mid–upper 30s; protect when young
- Mature size: 10–15'
- Uses: Fresh eating, desserts
Watering Guidelines · Planting Guidelines
PPC Atemoya
PPC Atemoya is well suited for USDA Growing Zones 9A and 9B—ideal for St. Augustine and Northeast Florida gardens. Popular annona selection with sweet, custard-like flesh.
- Light: Full sun
- Cold tolerance: Protect below ~36°F
- Mature size: 10–15'
- Uses: Fresh eating, smoothies
Watering Guidelines · Planting Guidelines
Gefner Atemoya
Gefner Atemoya is well suited for USDA Growing Zones 9A and 9B—ideal for St. Augustine and Northeast Florida gardens. Well-known for dependable fruiting and excellent flavor in Florida.
- Light: Full sun
- Cold tolerance: Upper 30s; protect when young
- Mature size: 10–15'
- Uses: Fresh eating, desserts
Watering Guidelines · Planting Guidelines
Preistley Atemoya
Preistley Atemoya is well suited for USDA Growing Zones 9A and 9B—ideal for St. Augustine and Northeast Florida gardens. Large, custardy fruit with aromatic sweetness.
- Light: Full sun
- Cold tolerance: Protect below upper 30s
- Mature size: 10–15'
- Uses: Fresh eating, desserts
Watering Guidelines · Planting Guidelines
Strawberry Tree (Muntingia)
Strawberry Tree (Muntingia) is well suited for USDA Growing Zones 9A and 9B—ideal for St. Augustine and Northeast Florida gardens. Cherry-sized red fruit with cotton-candy sweetness; fast grower.
- Light: Full sun
- Cold tolerance: Very tender; protect from chill
- Mature size: 10–20'+
- Uses: Fresh snacking, wildlife-friendly
Watering Guidelines · Planting Guidelines
Anise
Anise is well suited for USDA Growing Zones 9A and 9B—ideal for St. Augustine and Northeast Florida gardens. Fragrant ornamental (star-anise types) valued for foliage and spice.
- Light: Part shade to sun
- Cold tolerance: Light frost tolerant
- Mature size: 8–15'
- Uses: Ornamental, culinary spice (verify species)
Watering Guidelines · Planting Guidelines
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is well suited for USDA Growing Zones 9A and 9B—ideal for St. Augustine and Northeast Florida gardens. Spice tree grown for its aromatic bark and glossy leaves.
- Light: Bright shade to morning sun
- Cold tolerance: Tender; protect below ~38°F
- Mature size: 8–15' in Florida
- Uses: Culinary spice, ornamental
Watering Guidelines · Planting Guidelines
Arbequina Olive
Arbequina Olive is well suited for USDA Growing Zones 9A and 9B—ideal for St. Augustine and Northeast Florida gardens. Compact olive tree for warm climates; productive with proper chill.
- Light: Full sun
- Cold tolerance: Hardy to light freezes when established
- Mature size: 8–15'
- Uses: Olives for curing/pressing; ornamental hedging
Watering Guidelines · Planting Guidelines
Dragon Fruit (Pitaya)
Dragon Fruit (Pitaya) is well suited for USDA Growing Zones 9A and 9B—ideal for St. Augustine and Northeast Florida gardens. Night-blooming cactus with spectacular flowers and colorful fruit.
- Light: Full sun to bright partial
- Cold tolerance: Brief dips to mid 30s; avoid frost
- Mature size: Trellised vine
- Uses: Fresh eating, smoothies, ornamental blooms
Watering Guidelines · Planting Guidelines
Soursop (Guanábana)
Soursop (Guanábana) is well suited for USDA Growing Zones 9A and 9B—ideal for St. Augustine and Northeast Florida gardens. Creamy, tangy-sweet annona for juices and desserts; tender to cold.
- Light: Full sun with wind protection
- Cold tolerance: Very tender; protect below ~40°F
- Mature size: 12–20'
- Uses: Smoothies, ice creams, fresh eating
Watering Guidelines · Planting Guidelines
Sweet Sop (Sugar Apple)
Sweet Sop (Sugar Apple) is well suited for USDA Growing Zones 9A and 9B—ideal for St. Augustine and Northeast Florida gardens. Sweet, segmented annona with custardy texture; loves summer heat.
- Light: Full sun
- Cold tolerance: Protect below upper 30s
- Mature size: 10–15'
- Uses: Fresh eating, desserts
Watering Guidelines · Planting Guidelines
Caimito (Star Apple)
Caimito (Star Apple) is well suited for USDA Growing Zones 9A and 9B—ideal for St. Augustine and Northeast Florida gardens. Jelly-like sweet pulp; attractive foliage and fruit.
- Light: Full sun, wind-sheltered
- Cold tolerance: Tender; protect from chill
- Mature size: 15–30'
- Uses: Fresh eating
Watering Guidelines · Planting Guidelines
Santol
Santol is well suited for USDA Growing Zones 9A and 9B—ideal for St. Augustine and Northeast Florida gardens. Unique Southeast Asian fruit with sweet-sour pulp.
- Light: Full sun
- Cold tolerance: Very tender; protect from chill
- Mature size: 15–30'
- Uses: Fresh eating, preserves
Watering Guidelines · Planting Guidelines
Black Pepper
Black Pepper is well suited for USDA Growing Zones 9A and 9B—ideal for St. Augustine and Northeast Florida gardens. Tropical vine producing peppercorns; excellent for trellises and patios.
- Light: Bright shade or filtered sun
- Cold tolerance: Tender; protect below ~45°F
- Mature size: Climbing vine
- Uses: Culinary spice (peppercorns)
Watering Guidelines · Planting Guidelines
Arabica Coffee
Arabica Coffee is well suited for USDA Growing Zones 9A and 9B—ideal for St. Augustine and Northeast Florida gardens. Glossy-leaved shrub with fragrant blooms and red coffee cherries.
- Light: Bright shade to morning sun
- Cold tolerance: Tender; protect below ~40°F
- Mature size: 4–8' (container-friendly)
- Uses: Home coffee harvest, ornamental
Watering Guidelines · Planting Guidelines
