Tropical Garden - Spring
My New Spring Tropical Garden
Here in Central Florida is the borderline between the temperate and tropical climates. We might just have the best of both worlds when growing a variety of plants. We can grow certain fruit trees that only need a short amount of cold days in the winter like the Anna apple trees and the trees that can tolerate a few cool nights like the Musa - Cavendish banana trees.
This is one of my banana trees. The Dwarf Cavendish - (Musa acuminata) Banana Tree.
This year, I'm trying to grow a new garden with tropical foods and tropical flowers. Here are some warm climate plants that I’ve started growing here in my Tropical Garden.
Vanilla Plant (Vanilla Planifolia - Variagata)
This is my very special vanilla plant. It grows like a vine and you care for it like an orchid. It needs warm temperatures, always above 60 degrees, lots of humidity, and to be in the shade. It will grow perfect here in Florida.
I planted it in a clay pot with potting soil that is specifically for orchids. After it gets to a certain height, it will flower and then grow the vanilla seed pods. The same vanilla that is used for cooking and baking.
It might take another 2 or 3 years for the plant to mature and flower. I’m so excited. I can’t wait to see the gorgeous flowers and the seed pods.
Black Pepper Plant (Piper Nigrum)
This is my black pepper plant. It grows the peppercorn seeds that you grind into ground black pepper and put on your food.
It grows like a vine and can be grown in a sunny spot indoors, or even in partial sun and shade outdoors. The temperature should always be above 60 - 65 degrees and they love humidity. Another perfect plant for here in Florida.
I’m planning to transplant this in a bigger pot and add something for it to climb. This is a slow growing vine so it may take 3 to 5 years before it matures and grows the flowers and then grows the peppercorn seeds.
Coffee Plant (Coffea arabica)
This is one of my coffee plants. I have 4 varieties and a total of 16 coffee plants.
Coffee plants need warm weather and rich soil. I hope these coffee plants grow well here in Florida.
They take about 3 to 4 years to mature and bear the cherry fruit that contains the coffee beans.
I’ve yet to decide on a perfect location to plant these in the ground because they prefer to be in the shade and grow better flavored coffee seeds while living in the shade.
Key Lime Tree
Key Lime trees grow well in our native Florida soil that has a lot of sand.
I have a perfect sandy sunny spot for this tree. It will take about a year to mature and up to three years to grow the key lime fruit.
I can't wait to make a fresh key lime pie with my home grown key limes. Yum!
Stay tuned to see my cocoa plants and cinnamon plants that I plan to add in my Tropical Garden!
