Growing Rare-Tropical Plants in Northern Cold Climates: Growing Tropical Plants in Virginia: Zone 7

[@backyardplantlife3580]

I grew sugar cane last year and it did great. But it did not survive the winter outdoors. But I took a sprout and brought it inside as a house plant all winter and it did wonderful. It didn’t even get direct light. Then I transplanted it outside and it grew well. I didn’t grow any this year. But the kids enjoyed it when they tried it. I am not from the tropics, but I am from Florida and in Florida we walk barefoot. We pick oranges and bananas on the way to school. Sweet potatoes grew on the side of the road. Figs we’re everywhere. Now I’m in zone 7 northern South Carolina and it’s too cold here. So I feel your pain on wanting warm climates. I planted a pindo date palm and it died when it got to 7 degrees. But it came back from the root. It a a slow grower. But maybe you can try a pindo palm too

[@GardenForaged]

That's exactly what I'm planning to do with my sugar cane. Bring it indoors during the winter and regrow next year. I love Florida weather and all of the abundant fruit trees. I'm making it work here in Virginia though. I got lots of fruit trees. Thanks for the tip on the palm.

[@gelwood99]

We grew up not knowing the Passion Fruit was edible, just that when we stopped on them, they popped! We only knew them as May Pops but I have since started eating them as an adult, I love their tartness! I grow the Muse Bajoo and I had to move it because it was starting to grow up underneath the foundation of the house. It grows crazy well here in central NC zone 7b. Mine have bloomed from several clumps but I have not tried eating any because they are said to be a fiberous fruit so not just large seeds but very stringy fruit. I will try one from the next bunch.

[@GardenForaged]

My mom makes a delicious fresco (juice) out of passion fruit. Nice! Let us know what you think about the Musa basjoo banana once you try it 😀

[@holistichealinghomestead]

I've got the hibiscus in my yard too 😊

[@GardenForaged]

Nice. Do you have a lot of flowers forming?

[@holistichealinghomestead]

@@GardenForaged they are just starting to. Hope I can harvest some before it starts to get cold.

[@GardenForaged]

@@holistichealinghomestead that was the issue I had the first year I grew them. So this year I started them really early indoors 😂

[@justinskeans3342]

Congrats to El Salvador for cleaning up the trash that is L13 and other gangs. I pray South America takes this as an example.