Based in Zone 7B Tennessee, TN Tropics focuses on growing and testing cold hardy palms and tropical plants in real-world conditions across Zones 6–8.

I began with a simple fascination—the tropical landscapes of Florida.  Frequent trips to these areas sparked a desire to recreate that same lush, tropical feel back home in a much cooler climate. At first, the approach was straightforward: build a tropical look using plants that were known to grow in colder regions. Bananas and elephant ears became the foundation, transforming the space around the pool into something that felt tropical, even if it wasn’t fully there yet.

But that was just the beginning. As the interest deepened, I discovered something unexpected—certain palm trees could actually survive and grow in colder climates. That realization changed everything. It opened the door to a completely new level of gardening and led him to begin researching cold hardy palms in depth.

Around 2017, I joined the PalmTalk community, where I connected with palm enthusiasts from around the world. There, I learned the critical details that make or break success in marginal climates—cold hardiness limits, proper planting timing, microclimates, and long-term care strategies.

During the 2020 COVID lockdowns, I spent even more time experimenting and gaining hands-on experience, particularly with species like Trachycarpus fortunei and other cold hardy palms. Through trial, observation, and real-world conditions, I developed practical methods that actually worked in Zone 7B and similar climates.  Since then I have helped over 100 gardeners grow palms in colder areas.
That experience ultimately led to the creation of the TN Tropics YouTube channel.