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
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
Canistel (Eggfruit)
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
Moringa
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
Java Plum (Jambolan)
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
June Plum
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
Red Hog Plum
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
Lisa Atemoya
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
PPC Atemoya
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
Gefner Atemoya
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
Preistley Atemoya
Large, custardy fruit with aromatic sweetness.
- Light: Full sun
- Cold tolerance: Protect below upper 30s
- Mature size: 10–15'
- Uses: Fresh eating, desserts
Strawberry Tree (Muntingia)
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
Anise
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)
Cinnamon
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
Arbequina Olive
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
Dragon Fruit (Pitaya)
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
Soursop (Guanábana)
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
Sweet Sop (Sugar Apple)
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
Caimito (Star Apple)
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
Santol
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
Black Pepper
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)
Arabica Coffee
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