What Are These Small Bananas on My Florida Banana Tree?

After trying a fresh banana off the banana trees in our Florida yard, I wondered why it looked and tasted different than the grocery store bananas. It had seeds! And instead of being long, slender, and rounded, it was short and chunky, almost squared off hard edges. And when it ripened to yellow, they all … Continue reading What Are These Small Bananas on My Florida Banana Tree?

Our First Staghorn Fern is in Place

I kept seeing these cool plants suspended from trees around the neighborhood, and learned they were called staghorn ferns. Staghorn ferns derive their name from their distinctive fronds, which resemble the antlers of a stag. I'd been wanting one for a while, and a neighbor dropped one off, with the growing medium still attached to … Continue reading Our First Staghorn Fern is in Place

Growing the Amaryllis Red Barbados Lily in Florida

Every Easter our yard lights up with bright red Amaryllis flowers with yellow centers. Because of that, I've always called them Easter Lilies. I've since learned they are actually not a lily at all, but an Amaryllis or Hippeastrum puniceum, a stunning flowering plant native to the Caribbean region, particularly Barbados, hence the popular name … Continue reading Growing the Amaryllis Red Barbados Lily in Florida

Caring for Your Money Tree Plant

This Valentine's Day my son and husband got me a Money Tree plant. I've been telling them for a while that I'd prefer live plants to cut flowers, so I was pretty excited about it. I've never had a Money Tree plant before, so I had to look up how to care for it and … Continue reading Caring for Your Money Tree Plant

Tropical Beauty: Hawaiian Ti Plant Care, Growth and Propagating

Our Hawaiian Ti plant is flowering for the first time after relocating it to a very sunny spot! If you have these vibrant leafy plants in your yard, you might have wondered how to care for the Hawaiian Ti plant and encourage more to grow. Read on for tips on growing and caring for your … Continue reading Tropical Beauty: Hawaiian Ti Plant Care, Growth and Propagating