2025 TPIE Cool Products Awards announced

The Garden Center Group recognized 15 plants and products in its annual Cool Products Awards recognition at TPIE 2025.

The winners showed a unique mix of innovation and invention based on necessity. They included spectacularly showy plants and problem-solving products from big names and small businesses alike. 

This year's winners are:

AgriStarts: Sunshine State Vanilla (Self-pollinating Vanilla planifolia)

The tissue culture lab is producing a vanilla vine with self-fertility for production of vanilla beans. It has a good leaf shine and can be grown without substrate on various materials and even in low light conditions. The beans will usually arrive in the third year.

Aroid Greenhouses: Variegated money tree 

The family-owned Aroid has produced a money tree with dappled variegation. Its vivid variegation shows brightly on the the umbrella-like leaf clusters. Sold in 4- and 6-inch pots, it will be available this spring.

Drain Drawer Pots: Drain Drawer Pots

The drain drawer was designed because the couple who invented it struggled with plants filling their sinks during watering day. The pot has both bottom and top watering. Overflow water drains into a drawer that can be removed so the water can be reused. But the drawer can also be positioned to keep water in the plant rather than draining.   

Flori-Design Inc.: Glass purse, slipper and wine bottle terrariums

Glass slippers, purses and wine bottles feature terrariums and space for arrangements and decorative plants. The products come pre-planted (or landscaped) and are retail-ready, and they're available now for Mother's Day sales.

ForemostCo: Tradescantia zebrina 'Pink Paradise'

Pink Paradise has a cascading habit and grows very fast. The neon purple pops in bright light, and it's perfect for combo potters and combination pots. It's also ready for orders now. 

Grant's Farm Nursery: Androlepis 'Party Dress'

Party Dress is the last plant to be bred by Lisa Grant's father, Steve Grant, who ran the business and passed away a week before TPIE. It was designed in memory of the party dresses Grant's mother would wear while dancing. It will be available in late 2026.

Living Colors Nursery: Medinilla magnifica

This Philippines-originating beauty is available in limited numbers in 14-inch pots. It grows very fast, and the flowers arrive at least twice a year. It enjoys sitting in wet conditions in low light, and the showy blooms are a showstopper. A red selection will be available in late 2025.

Mossify: Everlasting Memories Rose (with necklace)

Mossify's latest is a preserved rose just in time for Valentine's Day. The real rose, available in either red or pink, comes with a pendant necklace micro-engraved with the words "I love you" in multiple languages. It comes in a package that's easy to merchandise, but quantities are limited.

Northland Floral: Dieffenbachia 'Big Ben'

Big Ben has yellow marbled variegation and can grow up to 6.5 feet tall. Available in 8-, 10- and 14-inch pots, this dieffenbachia for easy interiorscaping is ready for April and May delivery.

Penang Nursery: Philodendron 'Red Congo' variegated

Available as both 4-inch and 6-inch plants, this philodendron hybrid features bright red new leaves and stems that mellow to green as the plant ages.

The Plant Company: Peperomia 'Crème Brulee'

Found with a collector and developed by The Plant Company, Crème Brulee will be available for fall. 

The Plant Company: Anthurium 'Dark & Handsome'

This Dr. Jeff Block-created anthurium will be added to the leafjoy line soon. Availability is very limited, but work is underway to introduce additional quantities as quickly as possible.

PlantDoc: Water-wicking biodegradable moisture meter

A paper-based moisture indicator absorbs water at the same rate as the plant. It becomes colorful when wet and slowly loses color as the plant dries. The are affordable, and depending on the moisture of the plant can last up to six months. At the end of their life, they break down in the soil, leaving no waste. Company founders Daphne and Austin Peters, who also own Portland (Oregon) plant shop Daphne's Botanicals, got the idea from their son's bathtime book that changed colors when exposed to water, as well as diapers with a color-changing feature. 

R&D Nurseries: Philodendron Florida Ghost

Florida Ghost is unique in that the new white leaves do not contain chlorophyll and so do not feed the plant. They turn green later as chlorophyll develops. It's available this year in 4-inch to 10-inch pots. 

Treleaf: Leaf-shaped plant supports and extendable trellises

Treleaf has created 3-D-printed plastic plant supports shaped like leaves that add more interest than saucers that commonly come with plant pots. They feature internal baffles that store drainage water, keep the bottom of the pot dry and act as a humidity tray. The baffles also keep water from sloshing. They come in 3-, 6- and 10-inch sizes.

Watch a video of the awards ceremony below:

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