How to care for your new plant

Tropical Oregano (Plectranthus amboinicus)

This is an herbaceous plant often used for cooking. It smells very similar to the more familiar oregano. 

• For the first two weeks place in filtered sun.
• Water every few days, but let dry slightly between waterings.
• Plant out in the garden in an area that receives full sun.
• Water every few days until plant is established, then once a week.

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea)

Your peanut seed will germinate in a few days. Peanut plants grow 12-18" tall and form bright yellow flowers approximately 5 weeks after planting. Once flowers are pollinated, the plant will slowly send a small stem or "peg," under the soil and peanuts will form in about 5 months. The mature peanuts may be dried for a few days before they are roasted and eaten.

• Place in a spot with full or filtered sun.  Water every 2 or 3 days to keep moist, but not overly wet.
• Transplant into the ground or a large pot in order to grow their own peanuts.
  

Wild Coffee (Psychotria nervosa)

This species is a Florida native and can be found in the tropical hardwook hammock ecosystem. It has small flowers and red fruits which attract different bird and butterfly species. It usually grows into a dense, round shrub but can also grow to be a small tree.

• Best grown in filtered sun or shade.
• Water every few days, but let dry slightly between waterings.
• Plant in the garden under trees with other shrubs. It is sensitive to cold; use mulch around plant.
• Water frequently until plant is established.

Turnera (Turnera subulata)

This species is native to Mexico and Central America. It will grow into a small shrub and produce small white-yellow flowers.

• Keep in part shade as a seedling.
• Water every few days, keep soil moist but not wet.
• Plant out in the garden in an area that receive full sun to partial shade. Water every few days until plant is established.

Lipstick Tree (Bixa orellana)

Also called Annatto, this tree produces pink flowers and spiny, red fruit with hard, deep red seeds. The color on the seeds is used as a dye for food coloring, body painting and cosmetics. This species is native to Central and South America. The seeds should germinate in approximately 3 weeks. The tree will produce flowers and fruit in about 3 years.

• Plant at surface of the pot.
• Water every few days to keep soil moist.
• Plant out in the garden in an area that receives full sun. Water once a week until plant is established.

 

Brazilian Red Cloak (Megaskepasma erythrochlamys)
The Brazilian Red Cloak is a dense shrub that produces showy red flowers. It is fast growing 
and blooms during the winter. This species is native to South America.

• Keep in shade as a seedling. Water every few days to keep soil moist.
• Plant out in the garden in an area that receives full sun to partial shade. Water once a week until plant is established.
  

 

Sanchezia (Sanchezia speciosa)

This species is native to northeastern Peru and Ecuador and grows in the understory of tropical rainforests. It grows to be 6-8' and has yellow flowers and variegated leaves. Sanchezia grows
best outside but can also be grown as a house plant.

• Keep moist and in the shade as a seedling.
• Plant out in the garden in an area that receives full sun  to partial shade.
• Water every few days until plant is established, then once a week.
  

 

Eranthemum nigrum

This distinctive plant has dark burgundy, almost black leaves and blooms in warm months with a short inflorescence of white flowers. It is native to the Solomon Islands. This species can grow up to 4' in tropical areas and needs well drained soils.

• Keep moist and in the shade as a seedling.
• Plant out in the garden in an area that receives full sun. Water once a week until plant is established.
  

Terrariums

Watch your terrarium closely - the glass should alternate between being cloudy and clear. This represents the different stages of the water cycle. If the glass in your terrarium is only cloudy for 7 days, remove the lid for 1 day to allow some water to evaporate. If the glass is only clear for 7 days, add 1 teaspoon of water.

Terrariums should be:

• placed in light shade.
• monitored to make sure that water cycle is occuring correctly.