Plants for Warm Tropical Greenhouses
Important Note: Most of the seeds on this page will
benefit greatly from using the CAPE Smoke Seed
Germination Primer that we use in our own greenhouses. We
find we receive significantly better germination results when we
use this primer on these types of seeds.
We recommend the plants below for tropical climates and heated greenhouses. These plants should not be grown in areas where the minimum temperature will reach 65 degrees or lower.
RHM111 Star Apple Chrysophyllum cainito
Beautiful tropical tree with round, purple skinned fruit with a
star pattern in pulp. From a great distance the tree is easily
seen because the reverse side of the green oval leaves is a
satiny - shining gold color. Makes an excellent ornamental and
can be kept pruned to desired height.
Star apples must not be bitten into. The skin and rind
(constituting approximately 33% of the total) are inedible.
When opening a star apple, one should not allow any of the
bitter latex of the skin to contact the edible flesh. The ripe
fruit, preferably chilled, may be merely cut in half and the
flesh spooned out, leaving the seed cells and core. A
combination of the chopped flesh with that of mango, citrus,
pineapple, other fruits and coconut water is frozen and served
as Jamaica Fruit Salad Ice. An attractive way to serve the
fruit is to cut around the middle completely through the rind
and then, holding the fruit stem-end down, twisting the top
gently back and forth. As this is done, the flesh will be felt
to free itself from the downward half of the rind, and the
latter will pull away, taking with it the greater part of the
core.
RHM034 Silk Cotton Tree Ceiba pentanira
This large tropical tree grows to 160' and develops many thin buttresses extending to 30' while the trunk has spines to a 9' height. Its 6" leaves are digitately compound. The flowers are rosy yellow and fragrant in dense clusters. Soft cottony fibers develop from the leathery fruits, commercially known as Kapok.
RHM153 Hornstedtia reticulata
This spectacular ginger is sure to provoke comment. It is widespread in Borneo and produces leafy shoots to 3 m (10 ft.) tall from rhizomes often held above ground on stilt roots. The red flowers are borne in little vases formed by the reddish purple inflorescence bracts that fill with liquid like little fairy pools on picks. It is very strange indeed to see a colony of senggang blooming in the rainforest. The fruit of this species is absolutely delicious. It is a juicy berry that tastes like a very sweet tangerine or pineapple. Like other Hornstedtia, this plant has great potential as an ornamental, as a cut flower, for its fruit and as a spice. It appreciates a tropical climate and is as easy to grow as most gingers.
BN10 Tineo( weinmannia trichosperma )
Shrubby evergreen tree that can reach 65 in Chile. As a timber tree it is known as "Tineo" and is used as a hardwood veneer. It is found mainly at an altitude of 2,200 feet where the temperature is 68F. It survives coolness to 58F. The region is quite misty with abundant rain. The handsome leaves are leathery, palmate opposite and finely toothed and the small red flowers appear in spike-like racemes. Loamy soil is reccommended and the very small seed should be broadcast onto the soil surface and grown in filtered sunlight.
Requires high humidity at all times and filtered sunlight. Use loamy soil mixture ( not heavy, dense soil )and broadcast the fine seeds onto the soil surface.
BN11 Giant Palm Lily ( Cordyline mannerssuttoniae )
A palm lily native to coastal Queensland, Australia, where it is found in rainforests, often in swampy situations. It produces a slender trunk to nearly 5 m (17 ft.) tall, its leaves are dark green, stalked, to 65 cm (26 in.) long and 12 cm (5 in.) wide. In spring or summer it produces an attractive panicle of white flowers, followed by bright red berries. It is best suited to a tropical climate.
BN12 Forrest Cabbage Tree ( Cordyline banksii )
A good container and patio shrub. A shrub or small tree reacing 6 metres.. Leaves 1-2.5m. long 4-10cm broad that droop towards the tips and have a long channeled or fluted petiole. Flowers in large panicles. Berry 1cm white or purple.
This cabbage tree likes growing in scrub or deeper forest in it's native habitat. It sometimes has an orange midrib.
As a young plant this cabbage tree is suggestive of a flax with its long drooping leaves, but after a few years it will grow a single trunk and adopt the cabbage tree form. The red mid rib and the parallel bands of yellow and green on the leaves which make it a striking garden feature.
RHM133 Badminton Ball Tree Parkia
biglandulosa
A beautiful African tree with thin mimosa-like leaflets and
wide spreading canopy. Large red seed balls dangle from the
stems. Ornamental-Arid/tropic.
RHM126 Tree of Life ( Lignum-Vitae ) Guaicum
officionale
An evergreen tree, indigenous to the West Indies and the
northern coast of South America, It grows slowly, up to 55 feet
tall although it seldom grows taller than 30'. It has a twisted
trunk; opposite oval compound leaves and blue flowers with five
petals. It has bright yellow-orange fruits with red flesh and
black seeds. . The wood is one of the hardest; has several fats
and resins that makes it self lubricating and almost impervious
to water. Best suited for zones 9-11.
RHM062 Pacara Earpod Tree Enterolobium
contortisilioum
Fast growing Brazilian tree to 100' similar to E. cyclocarpum.
Has broader leaflets and smaller ear shaped seed pod. Produces
a wide spreading canopy and a seed pod that is 3" wide and ear
shaped. It is grown as a shade tree and as an ornamental but is
also a valuable timber tree. For warm tropical regions or as
tubplant when young.
RHM122 Jack in the Box Tree Hernandia
ovigera
Also called Sea Cups for its cup type flowers. Height to 40'
with broadly ovate peltate leaves that are leathery and
decorative. Flowers yellow/green. From tropical Africa. Makes a
decorative tub plant with tropical look when young.
RHM053 Egyptian Hempwood Sesbania sesban
A shrubby tree to 20' indiginous to tropical Africa and other
warm regions. It is used as a windbreak, fuelwood, erosion
control, and as a trellis tree for various vining plants and
fodder for livestock. Easily grown.
3235 Natal Plum Carissa grandiflora
The Carissa, or natal plum, Carissa grandiflora, is native to South Africa and is one of the most popular seaside hedge plants in South Florida because of its tolerance to salt spray and resistance to damage by wind. This large shrub grows to about 15 feet and has very thick, shiny, dark green leaves on thick branches heavily armed with sharp, branched thorns.
This plant grows relatively slowly compared to other shrubs but makes up for it by its many uses. Carissa is excellent as a barrier or security hedge because of the large thorns; a large dense hedge of this is almost impenetrable. The plant also has white fragrant flowers about 1-1/2 to 2 inches in diameter for most of the year. The heaviest bloom is during the warmer months, and many varieties form large numbers of large--up to 2 inches long--oval-to-elliptical-shaped reddish fruits.
The thin skin of the fruit encloses a reddish pulp with several small, almost circular seeds, and while the pulp has a white milky latex, this in no way interferes with the eating of the fruit. The fruits are eaten fresh but are most often used for sauces, jellies, and even ice cream. Sauce made from carissa is often said to taste almost like that made from cranberries.
Due to the wide tolerance of soil types, carissa can be grown almost anywhere there is good drainage and sufficient light. Carissa is not easily damaged by cold weather either, and can be used well into Central Florida with no problems.
Many landscapers use carissa more for its ornamental value than for its fruits, and allow birds and other animals to enjoy the fruits, but some people have developed quite a liking for the fruits and purposely buy natal plum for that purpose. Carissa can also be grown well in containers and because of its attractive leaves, flowers and fruit, makes an excellent container specimen or even bonsai.
Package of 10 seeds $2.95
3236 Dwarf Yesterday-Today-Tomorrow Brunfelsia floribunda
dwarf
A dwarf variety of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow with fragrant
flowers. When in bloom, the plant will fill a large area with
it's sweet fragrance.
Flowers start dark purple then fade to lavender then to almost
white. All 3 colors are displayed on 1 plant
simultaneously.
This shrub will do well in any location between full sun to
filtered light. Avoid too much shade.
It blooms for a long time during the warm weather.
The plant produces the flowers at the end of the new growth,
therefore the more branches you have the more flowers you get.
To accomplish that, the plant should be trimmed in order to
achieve a round shape which can be done anytime of the year,
except between September and November when the flowers start to
develop and open.
The plant will survive temperatures in the low 30°s for
short periods.
The soil needs to be a little bit on the acidic side.
3250 Pink Orchid Tree ( Bauhinia monandra )
Tropical tree to 20' known for lobed leaves and 5" pink
orchid-like flowers with overlapping petals.Fast growing. May
be grown indoors with warmth and bright light and kept pruned
to a small size.
FA47 Butterfly Tree ( Bauhinia purpurea )
Bauhinia purpurea is a species of flowering plant in the family
Fabaceae, native to South China (which includes Hong Kong) and
southeastern Asia. In the United States of America, the tree
grows in Hawaii, coastal California, southern Texas, and
southwest Florida. Common names include Hong Kong Orchid Tree,
Purple camel's foot, and Hawaiian orchid tree.
It is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree growing to 17 m
tall. The leaves are 10-20 cm long and broad, rounded, and
bilobed at the base and apex. The flowers are conspicuous, pink
and fragrant, with five petals. The fruit is a pod 30 cm long,
containing 12 to 16 seeds. For zones 9-10.
RHM041 Indian Shot Canna indica
Very popular in most tropical zones. Produces large flowers -
bright red with bright orange lips. The stems are slender to
3-1/2' with attractive ribbed leaves extending another 1-1/2'
being 8" wide and boat shaped having some resemblance to
Strelitzia. For landscape in warmer zones or indoors with high
intensity lighting.
The seeds are small globular black pellets, hard and heavy
enough to sink in water. They resemble shotgun pellets giving
rise to the plant's common name of Indian Shot. They are widely
used for jewelry.
BM34 Bloodwood Tree Haematoxylon
campechianum
This is a fast growing ornamental tree to 25' when grown
outside in warm climates, but is most commonly grown as an
excellent container plant in the USA, it can be pruned to size
and can be used as bonsai plant. Produces numerous delicate
round leaflets and extremely fragrant yellow flowers. Trunk
becomes gnarled with age. The heartwood is used in making a red
dye.
RHM043 Sword Bean Canavallia gladiata
A twining nearly erect annual to 6'. Very similar to C.
ensiformis. Not edible. Sometimes grown as an ornamental with
very attractive pink/purple papilionaceous flowers. Requires a
long, warm growing season. The 1" seeds are bright pink.
3243 Pigeon Pea Cajanus cajon
Widely cultivated in tropical countries for the edible beans.
Conspicuous purple flowers in racemes. A very prolific bearer
and will require support. Requires constant warmth. This
pea-like legume is widely propagated in the tropics for the
edible seeds and pods. Although an important food plant in the
West Indies, they are not grown in gardens or commercially to
any great extent in the United States. However, in 1950 there
were 10,000 acres of pigeon peas in Hawaii reported. The pigeon
pea plant is an erect annual or short-lived perennial reaching
a height of 3-10 feet. Because the coarse bush is deeply
rooted, it has wide adaptability and grows well on semiarid
land. It has slender, pointed trifoliate leaves and yellow or
yellow and red flowers. Pods are similar to English peas, green
and pointed with a bit of reddish mottling. Several pods are
produced in clusters on an upright stem.
D9807 Baby Woodrose Argyeria nervosa
A very popular tropical climber with wide heart shaped leaves
and beautiful rose pink flowers.
SO317 Hawaiian Woodrose Ipomoea
A very interesting vine with deep cut 5-7 lobed foliage that
can easily be grown inside. The yellow flowers are followed by
woody pod fruits that when opened, resemble a wooden rose.
Cannot ship to AR, AZ, PR
D9809 Herald's Trumpet Beaumontia
grandiflora
This is a long leaved woody vine to 20 ft. with huge fragrant
white trumpet flowers.
D9810 Angel's Trumpet Tree Brugmansia
sanguinea
A small shrubby tree from the Andes with large pendulous
flowers up to 10" long. Flowers are tubular, bright red at the
mouth, fading to yellow at the base. Bears long, ovate leaves
up to 10" long.
2242 Spikes Cordyline indivisa
Curving 3- to 6-foot foliage is a key filler for planters, and
an excellent center accent for color bowls. Landscape plant in
drier parts of Zones 8-10. Fast-growing when young.
RHM142 Toog Tree Bischofia javanica
Malaysian timber tree to 75 ft. Ornamental green leafets and clusters of pea sized fruits. The dark red, dense wood is used as a building material. The fruits are used in making wine. The seeds, which are edible, contain 30-54% oil, which is used as a lubricant.
The bark is used as a source of red dye. The roots are used medicinally.
D9815 Balsa Wood Ochroma pyramidale
A tropical tree to 90' with large white flowers up to 6" in
size. Attractive foliage. This tree produces one of the
lightest and strongest woods available. Much grown for it's
commercial value in the tropics.
D9817 Tree Fern Schizolobium parahyba
A fast growing tropical tree from Brazil that can be pruned to
size for warm greenhouses. 3 ft. long fernlike leaves makes
this a distinctive plant.
Z1810 Edible Ornamental Banana Musa
sapientum
An unusual type of ornamental banana that produces large,
edible bananas, but the fruit is full of large black seeds and
is not raised commercially for this reason. Can be raised in
large tubs inside or zone 9 and higher outside. Inside, it
rarely grows over 6 ft. tall, but can reach 10 ft. or more
outside.
Price per pack: $4.95
Z2450 Darjeeling Banana Musa sikkimensis (= M.
hookeri)
Wow! A rare and little known large banana species, new to
cultivation, that sports a massive pseudo-trunk to 4,5m (14ft)
tall and 45cm (18in.) in diameter., tinged with red, and purple
new leaves and leaf-midribs. A percentage of plants even
exhibits beautifully dark red mottled leaves. The Darjeeling
Banana is very hardy to cold (i.e. in the sense of Musa basjoo)
coming, as it does, from mountain forests up to 2000m (6000ft)
in the Himalayas of NE-India. First trials outdoors in the US,
Britain, Germany and Switzerland have shown an excellent
resistance to cold and frost. Like all bananas, it is extremely
fast growing, given rich soil and an abundance of water. The
fruits have a sweetish pulp but are hard and contain a few
large seeds. An absolute novelty that shows great promise as an
ornamental for the temperate as well as the cooler tropical
garden. We think this plant that has more potential than any
other cold tolerant Musa in cultivation at the moment.
Z2093 Cold Hardy Chinese Dwarf Banana Musella
lasiocarpa
Musella lasiocarpa is an exciting banana relative that comes
from high altitudes (to frosty 2800m / 9200ft!) in the Yunnan
province in China. The maximum height of the plant is only
about 1.5m / 5ft, half of which is a very stout, conical trunk,
topped by a crown of handsome, slightly glaucous, broad leaves.
From early age, the rhizome produces many suckers. The
"flower", which is big and bright yellow, appears in its second
year, and grows upright at the top of the trunk. As the
inflorescence grows in size, tiny 'bananas' begin to appear
under each bract which curls back to reveal the fruits.
Unfortunately inedible, the 2" long bananas each contain dozens
of small, shiny jet black seeds. The seed requires cool
stratification (abt. 5°C) but then germinates easily, and
subsequent seedling growth is as you might expect, very fast.
Musella appreciates heavy watering and feeding and a place in
full sun. It will flourish in all climates from cool tropical
down to temperate, where it will be found to be root hardy,
enduring even cold winters with its underground rhizome, just
like the well known "Hardy Banana", Musa basjoo. It also makes
a perfect conservatory plant which will be a true conversation
piece that certainly will not outgrow its location.
Bulk Pack of 25 seeds. $17.95
Z2306 Velvet Banana Musa velutina
Good container type of banana with dark green leaf blades to 3
ft. Produces erect spikes of white flowers, followed by softly
hairy, pink fruit. Good for zone 9 and higher outside.
Price per pack: $4.95
Bulk Pack of 50 seeds: $17.95
Z2007 Balbisiana Banana Musa balbisiana
Obscure but exciting 'new' Banana from North-east India, the
Musa balbisiana is perhaps one of the progenitors of the
commercial banana. It grows at some altitude so may tolerate
cool conditions and a little frost, but its main characteristic
is its huge flower. As with others in the genus, rich soil is
required for maximum growth together with plenty of fertilizer
and an adequate supply of water. Given these and some summer
warmth, it is almost dangerously fast growing!
Z2115 Giant Nepal Banana Ensete glaucum
This exciting but little-known banana relative is also known as
Musa nepalensis and Ensete giganteum, hinting at the plants
giant size. It grows in China (Yunnan 800-1100m a.s.l.), Nepal,
India, Burma, Thailand and possibly also in Tibet, Indonesia,
Malaysia and Papua New Guinea. It has a thick, waxy and blue,
solitary trunk, huge bluish leaves up to 10ft/3m long, and a
huge nodding banana-producing inflorescence. It is extremely
fast growing and so requires a good supply of fertilizer and
water and is best planted in rich soil. In cold climates it
would make an astonishing bedding plant during the Summer.
Z1705 Ornamental Christmas Banana Musa
sumatrana
A very striking dwarf banana that reaches a mature height of
only 1,5 to 2m (5 to 7ft) with narrow leaves that are dark red
below and striped with red and green above. Subtropical to
tropical. Ideal houseplant.
1A005 Screw Pine Pandanus utilis
A slow growing tree type plant with long leathery sword leaves
sharply serrated at edges and arranged in a spiral manner. The
tree will develop stilt roots. Requires warmth and bright light
as an inside plant. We recommend soaking seeds in warm
water/CAPE Seed Primer for 24 hours before sowing.
1A010 Wild Almond Terminalia
A tropical shrub to small tree that should be raised in the
greenhouse for its unique ornamental appearance. Its bright
green leaves turn red to pink at different times of the year.
It has a profusion of flowers which are followed by edible
nuts.
D2902 St. John's Tree Ceratonia
An evergreen tree that grows to 50 ft. Has stout, leathery
foliage and can be grown in containers. Grows well in dry
soils. The edible pods can be made into flour, which makes
delicious candies, cakes, pastries and drinks.
D2905 Jacaranda Tree Jacaranda mimosifolia
An easily grown tropical tree that can be grown in containers.
Has mimosa type leaves and lavender blue flowers in
clusters.
1A006 Teakwood Tree Tectonia grandis
The famous hardwood tree native to Malaysia, the wood is
heavier than water. A tall tropical tree with large, rough,
leathery leaves and small mauve flowers.
SO545 Gourd Tree Cujete
A tropical tree spreading to 30 ft. or more. Produces a large
gourd fruit similar to the Calabash tree. Flowering is
nocturnal and occurs on the branches and trunk throughout the
year.
SO350 Indian Banyan Tree Ficus
benghalensis
Outside it is a huge tropical tree with heart shaped ovate
leaves. As it gets older, it will develop silt roots which give
it a very interesting appearance. This tree can easily be
raised inside if kept properly pruned.
NW44 Jojoba Tree Simmondsia chinensis
A unique sub-tropical shrub growing to 12 ft. with light
green-gray oval foliage. Bears the seeds that produce the
Jojoba oil that is much in demand. Good container plant.
NW26 Heavenly Bamboo Nandina Domestica
A member of the barberry family that has a striking resemblance
to bamboo. Has leathery, bluish green leaves that are blushed
with purple, bronze and red when new. Has attractive long
clusters of white flowers in spring and very ornamental red
berries in winter. Likes full sun to partial shade. Cold hardy
to 5 degrees outside. Makes a good container plant inside.
Start some now for a jump on next year.
NW10 Giant White Bird of Paradise Strelitzia
nicolai
This is the famous giant plant reaching 12
ft. or more in height and bearing loads of brilliant white
flowers. Can be container grown if desired.
D2911 Golden Rain Tree Koelreuteria
A stunning tree with bright yellow flowers. Necklaces are made
from the seeds and the flowers are thought to have medicinal
properties in China.
D2921 Princess Tree Paulowinia
A stunning tree with purple trumpet shaped leaves. Good shade
tree. To 40 ft.
D2925 Pineapple Guava Feijoa
A beautiful evergreen shrub that is easy to grow. Has dark
green leaves with silvery underneath. The flowers are very
attractive. The fruit is yellow green and has a pleasant pear
like taste.
D2959 Cockscomb Coral Tree Erythrina
A shrub that is often grown in pots and brought inside during
the coldest times of the year. Has brilliant green leaves and
vivid red flowers resembling waxed sweet peas. Its tropical
type foliage makes for a nice houseplant.
D2977 Ginko Biloba
A unique tree with a leaf shape unlike any other. Its nuts are
regarded as a delicacy in the Orient. In fall the leaves turn a
golden yellow. A favorite bonsai specimen.
For more info on the Ginko, please visit the Ginko Page
D2980 Flame of the Forest Delonix regia
It is called the tropics most glorious flowering tree. The
flowers are vivid scarlet and borne copiously all over the
shallow, domed crown.
D9611 Derris Robusta
A tropical tree that can be container grown if giver lots of
warmth and light. Has gray branches and paired 2 inch leaflets
that are silky/hairy underneath. Flowers are white in dense
clusters. Very different.
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