Common Name
and Description

Actinidia arguta

Baby Kiwi/Hardy Kiwi - Miniature, green-skinned kiwi fruit to 1" long. The fruit is similar in taste to the kiwifruit, but sweeter. Vining plant, fast-growing, very hardy, to -25F. #166 more info...

Actinidia kolomikta

Arctic Kiwi - One of the hardiest kiwi's known, this species is also yields a number of ornamental vines. Plants can show varying levels of variegation, often white and sometimes a beautiful pink. Yields edible kiwi fruits, smaller than a normal kiwi. Fruits have a similarly tart-sweet flavor. This beautiful vine is also known for its extreme hardiness, surviving temperatures to 0F and much lower. #1589

Adansonia digitata

Baobab - The famous baobab tree of Africa is known for its huge trunk, which can reach 80ft in girth. The tree has an unmistakable appearance, and bears fruits containing a powdery edible pulp that is made into lemonade-like drinks. Hardy to about 30F. more info... #947

Aegle marmelos

Bael Fruit - Aromatic fruit with a sticky pulp that is eaten or used medicinally. The bael fruit is an important fruit in parts of Asia. Subtropical tree, withstanding short freezes, long droughts, and very high temperatures. #131 more info...

Akebia trifoliata

Three Leaf Akebia - A delightful climbing vine featuring both edible fruit and ornamental scented flowers! The fruits grow to about 4" and have a sweetish flavor. The leaves can be used to make tea. The vine is hardy to well below 0F and will grow in most climates. Makes a beautiful ornamental and edible addition to any garden. Three-Leaf Akebia is similar to the Chocolate Vine and the two are often grown together as they cross-pollinate and produce more fruits. #989

Akebia quinata

Chocolate Vine - A delightful climbing vine featuring both edible fruit and ornamental chocolate and vanilla-scented flowers! The fruits grow to about 4" and have a sweetish flavor. The leaves can be used to make tea. The vine is hardy to well below 0F and will grow in most climates. Makes a beautiful ornamental and edible addition to any garden. #985

Aleurites moluccana

Candlenut - Very important medicinal and industrial plant throughout Asia and the Pacific. The hard candlenuts are used for numerous purposes from extraction of their oils to pieces of jewelry. Tropical tree. #157 more info...

Annona glabra

Pond Apple - Common Annona fruit in wet swampy areas. Flavor is generally inferior to its commercially grown cousins, but is edible and has some admirers. Trees are tropical to subtropical, and can withstand prolonged flooding, making the pond apple a useful rootstock for other Annona's in wet areas. #195 more info...

Annona purpurea

Soncoya - Large-fruited Annona, up to 6-8", with orange, creamy flesh suggesting the flavor of a mango. Trees grow to 20-30ft, and do best in warm, humid climates. Soncoya's are not freeze hardy. #946 more info...

Annona reticulata

Custard Apple - Red skinned, pink fleshed cherimoya/sugar apple relative. Fruits are very large, up to 4-6lbs, with soft flesh having tones of apricot and berries. Seeds are from better flavored varieties. Small tree to 10-15ft, hardy to about 30-32F. Limited. #646 more info...

Annona squamosa

Sugar Apple - Large, creamy fruit with aromatic flesh. Similar to the cherimoya but with a sweeter taste, sometimes with a hint of mint. Fruit is excellent quality and can be grown indoors in a container. The sugar apple requires a more tropical climate than the cherimoya. Limited. #124 more info...

Arbutus unedo

Strawberry Tree - Bumpy red skinned fruit usually used to make an alcoholic beverage. Trees are often planted for their ornamental flowers and fruit. Hardy to 15-18F. #667 more info...

Asimina triloba

Pawpaw, Paw Paw - Although not technically a tropical fruit, the native U.S. pawpaw has all the makings of one. Fruits grow to 2-6", with an excellent aromatic flavor of banana and pineapple. Trees grow to 10-15ft, and are hardy to well below 0F. Native to much of the Eastern U.S., and north to the Canadian border. Fruits remain little-known, and are not grown commercially as they last only 2-3 days once picked. Three undried seeds per pack. #937 more info...

Averrhoa bilimbi

Bilimbi - Yellow/green fruit about the size of a pickle, closely related to the star fruit. The bilimbi has a very acidic taste and is often cooked with fish or other meals as flavoring. Fruit is very juicy. Small tree, prefers year-round warmth and humidity. Limited supply. more info... #126

Avverhoa carambola

Star Fruit - Juicy fruit with a subtle, acidic flavor. When cut, the slices look like stars. Tree is small, subtropical, and can be grown in a container. Makes an attractive ornamental specimen as well, with its small leaflets and profuse purple blooms in season. Hardy to about 26-28F. 3-5 seeds per pack. #141 more info...

Azadirachta indica

Neem - Historically one of the most important tropical trees, the Neem tree retains countless edible and medicinal uses today. All parts of the tree are used for a number of health benefits, as an important insecticidal, and in numerous soaps and cosmetics. The young shoots can be eaten. Trees are hardy into the upper 20's (F) and can be grown in sun and part-shade. more info... #982

Azara integrifolia

Azara - Medium sized, shrubby tree native to Chile. Similar to A. petiolaris, the tree bears large clusters of white and purple tinted fruits. Fruits are very popular with birds and are of unknown edibility. Hardy to frosts, shrubby growth habit to 20-25ft. #1576

Azara petiolaris

Azara - Medium sized, shrubby tree native to Chile. Bears small white fruits that are presumably edible, and popular with birds. Tree is mildly drought hardy, and frost hardy, surviving temperatures into the low 20's. #788 more info...

Berberis gracilis

Mexican Barberry - A medium-sized, bushy barberry native to Mexico. Small, edible, dark-blue/purple fruits are produced in summer, preceded by ornamental flower clumps. This plant is distinguished by its growing environment---it does very well in shady and drier locations. Hardy into the mid 20's. more info... #1520

Camellia sinensis

Tea - This plant produces the tea of commerce. The dried young leaves are green tea, and the fermented leaves are black tea. The tea plant is a low-growing bushy shrub to 15ft. Hardy to 20F. Grows well in part-shade. Undried seeds, 3 per pack. #974

Capsicum pubescens

Manzano Pepper - Extremely hot, orange colored pepper looking much like the habanero. This pepper is a rocoto tree pepper relative and is noted for its cold hardiness, as it naturally grows on Andean mountain slopes, this pepper will survive several degrees below freezing. Plants grow to 2-6ft, can live for many years. #559

Carica papaya 'Aussie Red'

Papaya 'Aussie Red' - A popular, though somewhat rare type of papaya grown in parts of Australia. Bears nice fruits, weighing a pound or two, with deeper, reddish flesh. Hardy to 32F, generally likes warm weather for optimal growth. #1581 more info...

Carica papaya 'Brazilian Sunshine'

Papaya 'Brazilian Sunshine' - Medium sized fruit, this is a strain of the Solo variety having increased disease resistance and red/orange colored flesh. Flavor is very good. Produces bisexual plants. Easily grown herbaceous tree to 10-12ft. Very fast-growing, can produce fruit from seed in just 9 months. Hardy to 32F, generally likes warm weather for optimal growth. #649 more info...

Carica papaya 'Caribbean Red'

Papaya 'Caribbean Red' - Large, red pulped papaya. Fruits are slender, up to 12+" long with flavorful fruity flesh. Very fast-growing, can produce fruit from seed in just 9 months. Hardy to 32F, generally likes warm weather for optimal growth #669 more info...

Carica papaya 'Strawberry'

Papaya 'Strawberry' - Red-orange fleshed papaya with juicy, sweet flavor. Similar in outward appearance to the Solo variety, but the flesh is a deeper red. Easily grown herbaceous tree to 10-12ft. Very fast-growing, can produce fruit from seed in just 9 months. Hardy to 32F, generally likes warm weather for optimal growth. From Hawaii. more info... #948

Carica pubescens

Mountain Papaya - Interesting, and little-known papaya species from the Andes mountains. Fruits are 3-6", with a tart flavor, and are often used to flavor drinks within its native range. Fast-grower, hardy to the mid 20's (F). #941 more info...

Chenopodium quinoa

Quinoa - Beautiful grain-crop annual. Seeds are used like wheat, but can also be sprouted and eaten. It is a highly popular crop in parts of South America. Plants are also known for their pretty ornamental appearance, blooming large red and purple flower bracts. #785

Chenopodium quinoa

Brilliant Rainbow Quinoa - A vibrant, multi-colored quinoa with blooms in red, burgundy, orange, yellow, cream and green! A 4-6ft tall annual, quinoa is popular both as an ornamental and for culinary uses. Seeds can be used as a grain. #1590

Chenopodium quinoa

Cherry Vanilla Quinoa - Beautiful both in flower and seed, this variety features elegant pink and cream flower heads. Seeds are ghost white, with the usual mix of quinoa uses. A 4-6ft tall annual, quinoa is popular both as an ornamental and for culinary uses. Seeds can be used as a grain. #1591

Chenopodium quinoa

Red Quinoa - Seeds are from a red-seeded variety. A beautiful grain-crop annual. Seeds are used like wheat, but can also be sprouted and eaten. It is a highly popular crop in parts of South America. Plants are also known for their pretty ornamental appearance, blooming large red and purple flower bracts. #963

Chrysophyllum cainito

Star Apple (Purple)- Beautiful purple skinned fruit the size of a baseball. Flesh is very soft, with a mild sweet flavor. Pulp is white-purple. Foliage is also ornamental, having a golden tinge on the underside of leaves. Will stand light frosts. 3 seeds per pack. #631 more info...