Tropical and Subtropical Plant Encyclopedia

Smokey the tuxedo cat studies a tropical flower beside a computer showing a plant encyclopedia, while Sunshine the ginger tabby cat plays with a butterfly among potted blooming plants.
Smokey: I am trying to identify this flower. Be quiet, Sunshine.
Sunshine: I am quiet! The butterfly is the noisy one.
Smokey: That is exactly why you never get any work done.

About Top Tropicals Plant Encyclopedia

he Top Tropicals Plant Encyclopedia helps gardeners identify tropical and subtropical plants and understand how they grow in real conditions. Plant entries include verified botanical names and synonyms, growth habit, light and water needs, cold tolerance, and practical notes drawn from Top Tropicals hands-on growing work and research.

The encyclopedia is built from plants cultivated and documented at Top Tropicals, combined with observations from field expeditions and trusted growers worldwide.

Start exploring over tropical plants and photos, including plants grown by Top Tropicals, trusted growers, and field expeditions worldwide(as of today, )

Tropical fruit trees, flowering plants, foliage species, and palms growing together in a lush garden setting

Browse Popular Plant Types

Fruiting and edible plants
Tropical fruit trees

Mango, avocado, guava, jackfruit, and rare edibles for your home garden.

Explore
Fragrant plants
Fragrant Plants

Tropical bloomers for fragrance.

Explore
Shade tolerant plants
Shade tolerant tropical plants

Shade tolerant tropical plants for your home garden.

Explore

Search by a Single Plant Characteristic

Click any icon to run a quick search by a single characteristic. This opens results immediately in the search tab.

❓ Full pictogram guide

Most of plants in Top Tropicals Plant Encyclopedia are tropical or subtropical, which means they are cold/frost sensitive. Cold hardiness depends on many factors, including duration of cold period, wind protection, sun exposure, plant maturity, etc.

Subtropical; cold hardy at least to 30's F for a short time (Cold hardiness information is based on our own experience in South Florida)
Subtropical
 Ultra tropical, min. temp. 55F
Ultra tropical
 Deciduous or semi-deciduous during dormancy
Deciduous

The absence of "poisonous" or "irritating" pictograms doesn't imply a plant is safe to eat.

Thorny or spiny plant
Thorny or spiny
Parts of plant are poisonous or toxic
Poisonous or toxic
 Parts of plant are irritating
Irritating

Plants marked as Ethnomedical and/or described as medicinal, are not offered as medicine but rather as ornamentals or plant collectibles. We are not responsible for any improper use of these plants. These statements / products have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We urge all customers to consult a physician before using any supplements, herbals or medicines advertised here or elsewhere

Ethnomedical plant
Ethnomedical

Advance Characteristic Search

You can search by plant name, by traits, or both. Enter a name (optional), choose any traits you want, and press Search. This will show results matching all selected filters.

Search with selected characteristics

Search for a word(s) in plant names, botanical families, or descriptions:

Size and growth habit

Light requirements

Water needs

Flower color and fragrance

Cold hardiness

Most of plants in Top Tropicals Plant Encyclopedia are tropical or subtropical, which means they are cold/frost sensitive. Cold hardiness depends on many factors, including duration of cold period, wind protection, sun exposure, plant maturity, etc.

Fruit and edible

Other characteristics

Thorny, poisonous or irritating

The absence of "poisonous" or "irritating" pictograms doesn't imply a plant is safe to eat.

Ethnomedical

Plants marked as Ethnomedical and/or described as medicinal, are not offered as medicine but rather as ornamentals or plant collectibles. We are not responsible for any improper use of these plants. These statements / products have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We urge all customers to consult a physician before using any supplements, herbals or medicines advertised here or elsewhere

 

A-Z List of Botanical Families

Open full Botanical Family Index

Local Fruit Names of Asia

Cross-reference of local fruit names with scientific names and encyclopedia entries.

Top Tropicals Plant Encyclopedia FAQ

The Top Tropicals Plant Encyclopedia is a practical reference for identifying and understanding tropical and subtropical plants. It is built from plants grown and documented by Top Tropicals, combined with field observations and trusted grower knowledge from around the world.

This is an information resource first. The encyclopedia focuses on plant identification, growth habits, and care. Some pages may include links to the online store; however, the encyclopedia itself is educational, not a sales catalog.

USDA hardiness zones are provided as general guidelines. Local factors such as microclimate, soil, wind exposure, humidity, and winter protection can strongly affect results, especially for marginal plants. Local growing experience always matters.

Top Tropicals specializes in tropical and subtropical plants. Many plants listed are marginally cold hardy and need protection below freezing. Each plant page includes cold tolerance information to help growers understand limits and risks.

While the main focus is tropical and subtropical species, some plants in the encyclopedia can grow in colder climates. When applicable, USDA hardiness zones are listed for each plant.

Not always. Some plants from colder zones require winter chill hours to flower or fruit. In warm climates, these plants may grow leaves but never bloom or produce fruit.

Information is based on hands-on growing experience, field research, and reliable horticultural sources. Botanical names and synonyms are updated when changes become widely accepted.

You can search by plant name, botanical family, or keyword. You can also browse by plant type, family, or characteristics using the filters.

Yes. The Advanced Characteristic Search allows you to combine multiple traits such as light, size, water needs, and cold hardiness.

Icons indicate plant traits such as size, light needs, water needs, cold tolerance, edibility, or potential irritation. Missing icons do not automatically mean a plant is edible or safe. Read more about pictograms used in the Encyclopedia.

Many plants are grown and photographed at Top Tropicals locations. Others come from trusted growers and field expeditions, with proper photo credit.

The encyclopedia is actively maintained and expanded. Plant and photo counts reflect the collection as of the date shown on the page.

If a plant is available for purchase, a link to the Top Tropicals online store may appear on the plant page. Availability changes seasonally, and many plants in the encyclopedia are shown for reference only.

Photos are protected by copyright unless noted otherwise. Usage and licensing details are explained on the Image Use and License page.

The encyclopedia is published by Top Tropicals and maintained by the editorial team with contributions from growers, photographers, and plant experts.

Please contact us using the contact form . Corrections are reviewed before updates are applied.

Yes. Entries are written for home gardeners and plant enthusiasts, focusing on practical, real-world growing conditions.

About Top Tropicals Plant Encyclopedia

The Top Tropicals Plant Encyclopedia helps gardeners identify tropical and subtropical plants and understand how they grow in real conditions. Each entry includes verified botanical names and synonyms, care requirements, cold tolerance, growth habit, and high-quality photos.

Text information in the encyclopedia is based on Top Tropicals own growing experience, field observations, and trusted horticultural sources.

Project Credits

Publisher: Top Tropicals LLC

Encyclopedia Editor: Marina Rybka

Photography:

  • Tatiana Anderson (c) TopTropicals.com
  • Marina Rybka (c) MR
  • and other photographers as credited on individual images

Image Use and License

Unless otherwise noted, photos are property of Top Tropicals or the credited photographer. For usage terms, attribution requirements, and commercial licensing, see our Image Use and License page.