From sprawling backyards in Florida to cozy balconies in Brooklyn, NY, Americans are practicing a quiet form of wellness that can’t be found in supplements or smoothies. It’s a reconnection with heritage, woven into the desire for a healthier lifestyle, and rooted in the leaves of moringa, the scent of Ruda, and the tart sweetness of guava ripening under the sun.

For many people—particularly those with Caribbean and Latin American roots—these plants represent more than just another health trend. They hold memories and the opportunity to pass on traditions to the next generation. 

“They remind people of home,” says Noah Aguiar, owner of Everglades Farm, a Florida nursery offering hard-to-find tropical fruit trees and plants. “Many of our customers are looking for the same plants their grandparents grew, or the teas their mothers made whenever someone was sick. They want to recreate those memories and remedies in their own backyards.” 

A Modern Approach to Ancestral Remedies 

Whether it’s Ayurvedic practices or island remedies, medicinal plants have long been a staple in many kitchens and gardens. Those same traditions are now reemerging in immigrant communities, not as innovation, but as inheritance. 

For example, Neem, known as the “village pharmacy” in India, has antimicrobial properties and is widely used for skincare and oral health. Another popular and fragrant herb is ruda, which has been used for digestive health and spiritual protection across the Mediterranean and Latin America for centuries. 

Moringa, often referred to as the “tree of life,” is a highly sought-after supplement that many immigrants simply remember as an ingredient their grandmother added to their favorite soup.  

The Nostalgia of Growing Your Own  

Aguilar says fruit trees like guava and papaya have a different kind of magic. “People tell me stories about eating their favorite fruits as kids, and they get so emotional when they discover that they can grow those same fruits in their own gardens.”   

That emotional connection explains the increased interest in growing medicinal and tropical plants. Everglades Farm reports that Miracle Fruit, neem, ruda, moringa, guava, and papaya are among their top sellers for 2025. In reality, these plants are a cross between wellness and cultural connection. The Miracle Fruit, for example, can naturally reduce sugar consumption because of its ability to make bitter and sour foods taste sweet. 

Wellness with Roots

Studies show that the U.S. herbal supplement market has reached over $12 billion, and searches for “medicinal plants” and “grow your own medicine” continue to trend on Google and other search engines. However, what’s happening in these niche communities feels less like a trend. It’s a desire to reconnect with what feels real, strengthening traditions across generations. 

For Aguilar, this intersection of heritage and health is what makes the work more meaningful. “We’re not just selling trees,” he says. “We’re helping people rediscover the stories that shape who they are—the memories, the healing, the connection.”

Because sometimes, wellness isn’t something you buy. It’s something you grow.

Written in partnership with Tom White