Welcome to Subtropica

Subtropical plant nursery and online store

We provide Subtropical fruit trees that have proven to be reliable in New Zealand's temperate/subtropical climate, plus a few of a more experimental nature, for the adventurous! We grow most of our plants ourselves, in organic potting mix, which contains organic slow-release fertiliser. Any treatment for pests or diseases is done with organically acceptable sprays, such as Eco oil, garlic and pyrethrum etc, and any subsequent fertiliser is also organic. A few plants may be bought in, and these have not been organically grown. The right time to plant subtropicals is when the ground is warm and they can get established. This will vary from region to region, and even from garden to garden, but the best time is from spring to late summer/early autumn. We also stock other plants that are hardy, and these can be planted at any time. Plants from the nursery are available by courier delivery within New Zealand or pick up from Waipu, by arrangement. 

 

Payment is by online banking, via paypal or cash if you are picking up.

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THE NURSERY IS WITHIN A PRIVATE RESIDENCE AND IS NOT OPEN FOR VISITORS.


Happy eating and planting - Mel.

 

About us

Subtropica is now owned and run by Mel and Carey who have taken over the nursery from Claire. Mel and Claire have been friends for years, with Mel working at the nursery for Claire during the past year. Mel was lucky enough to be the first in the queue when Claire decided to take things a bit easier and hand over her beloved nursery to someone else. Luckily, Claire remains close by and continues to offer advice and guidance based on her years of expertise with subtropical plants. 

Mel and Carey are lovers of nature, the outdoor lifestyle and enthusiastic gardeners so when the opportunity arose to own Subtropica Nursery, they seized it with both hands. Mel is a passionate advocate for a plant-based diet and vegan lifestyle and feels the nursery complements her beliefs and passions.

Once they have found their feet in the nursery, Carey and Mel plan to build the stock up, increase the variety of subtropical edibles available and manage the nursery using vegan organic methods.

They are always on the lookout for rare and unusual plants that can grow in NZ. If you have something we might be interested in, drop us an email.

Three good reasons to buy your plants from Subtropica

  • 1.

    Our plants are not grown in climate controlled conditions nor pampered with constant mist watering and unnatural levels of feriliser.

  • 2.

    Our plants are therefore hardy and well prepared for the sort of conditions in which they will eventually grow.

  • 3.

    Our plants are propagated in organic potting mix.

Subtropica supplies edible and ornamental subtropical plants to New Zealand. We provide banana,  casana, cherimoyas and unusual fruits that grow easily in our climate. Plants are grown organically without the use of chemical fertilisers or sprays. Plants include Misi Luki, Australian Ladyfinger,casana, cherimoya, casimiroa, white sapote, papaya, pawpaw, Rainbow Valley pawpaw,  lucuma, Chilean guava, tropical guava, babaco, passionfruit, vanilla passionfruit, ligularis, , macadamia, mulberry, tamarillo,, brugmansia, sugar cane, guava, ginger.    We also stock Davidson's plum, fig, Ventura, monstera, myoga,  inga, pepino, turmeric,  cardomom,  cardamom, pomegranate, , tea, kei apple, arrowroot, Chinese quince,  Surinam cherry,  Japanese raisin, lemon grass, Vietnamese mint,  Abyssinian banana, rose apple,  citrus,  lime,aloe vera, pitaya,