Tropicals – The Home & Garden Center

The #1 Reason New Plants Fail (And How To Fix It)

in Perennials, Planting, Trees & Shrubs, Tropicals

The success of newly planted trees and shrubs hinges on one simple truth: they can only drink from the pot-sized...

Tropical Giants

in Fun Ideas and Articles, Planting, Trees & Shrubs, Tropicals

Photo Credit: Kirk & Jimmie Green and their AWESOME Borneo Giants. The Borneo Giant Elephant Ear (Alocasia macrorrhizos ‘Borneo Giant’) is...

How Much Weekly Rain Your Landscape Actually Needs

in Annuals, Drainage, Perennials, Planting, Trees & Shrubs, Tropicals

A quick East Texas shower may make the pavement look wet, but it rarely delivers the deep, soaking moisture your...

Why Drip Irrigation Works So Well In East Texas

in Annuals, Drip Irrigation, Ground Cover, Perennials, Planting, Prepping for the Season, Trees & Shrubs, Tropicals

Drip irrigation is one of the smartest ways to water plants in East Texas. Our hot summers, clay‑leaning soils, and...

Growing Banana Plants: A Quick Guide

in Fun Ideas and Articles, Planting, Pruning & Cutting, Tropicals

Banana “trees” look tropical and dramatic, but they aren’t actually trees—they’re the world’s largest herb. What appears to be a...

Why Understanding Sun vs. Shade Needs Is Essential For Plant Health

in Annuals, Fun Ideas and Articles, Ground Cover, Perennials, Planting, Prepping for the Season, Trees & Shrubs, Tropicals

Knowing whether a plant needs sun or shade isn’t just a gardening detail — it’s the single biggest factor that...

Powdery Mildew: On The Rise In East Texas

in Annuals, Pest & Disease Solutions, Trees & Shrubs, Tropicals

Warm, humid days followed by cool nights have created the perfect storm for powdery mildew, a fungal disease now showing...

Plant it high, it won’t die.

in Annuals, Ground Cover, Perennials, Planting, Prepping for the Season, Trees & Shrubs, Tropicals

In East Texas, planting trees and shrubs slightly above the natural soil line is one of the most important steps...

Protecting Plants In Sleet/Ice

in Mulch & Soil Amendments, Perennials, Prepping for the Season, Trees & Shrubs, Tropicals

1. Cover BEFORE precipitation starts Once ice forms, you cannot safely cover plants. • Use frost cloth, sheets, or blankets. • Anchor edges...

What Mid-Teen Temperatures Do To Plants

in Mulch & Soil Amendments, Perennials, Prepping for the Season, Trees & Shrubs, Tropicals

1. Evergreen shrubs (camellia, azalea, gardenia, pittosporum, Indian hawthorn) • Leaf burn: foliage turns bronze, brown, or black. • Bud kill: spring...