Best plants for Florida
These species reliably perform in Florida's climate — a blend of regionally-adapted ornamentals and native plants that don't need babying once established. Start with this short list, then expand once you know your specific microclimate (slope, shade, drainage).
- Hibiscus
- Bougainvillea
- Citrus
- Mango
- Avocado
- Plumeria
- Coontie palm
- Bird of paradise
- Tomato (winter)
- Coconut palm (south)
Native plants of Florida
Natives evolved alongside Florida's soils, pollinators, and weather patterns, so they need almost no supplemental water or fertilizer once established. Mixing 30-50% natives into a garden dramatically improves its drought resilience and its value to local birds and pollinators.
- Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens)
- Live oak
- Coontie
- Beautyberry
- Firebush (Hamelia patens)
For zone-specific timing and a fuller plant palette, see the gardening guide for USDA zone 8.
Your plant advisor can filter the full database to species suited to your Florida zone.
Frost dates and timing in Florida
Average last spring frost: rare (south) to mid-March (Panhandle). Average first fall frost: rare (south) to mid-November (Panhandle). Growing season runs about 260-365 days. As always, average dates are starting points — set seedlings out a week or two later than the average last-frost for high-value crops like tomatoes and peppers, and have row cover or frost blankets ready for an unseasonable late freeze.
Use the fall planting schedule by zone to plan your second crop, and the vegetable garden planting schedule for week-by-week spring timing.
Soils and amendment in Florida
Sandy, low-organic-matter, fast-draining soils across most of the state; muck in the Everglades agricultural area.
Challenges specific to Florida
Hurricanes, year-round high humidity, sandy soils that need heavy amendment, salt spray in coastal areas, and invasive plant pressure from escaped exotics.
For drought-prone parts of Florida, see the drought-tolerant garden design guide. If your yard sits low and stays wet, the drainage fix without regrading guide covers raised beds, French drains, and bog-tolerant planting palettes.
Design your Florida garden in 3D
Sketch your beds, place plants to scale, and see the whole design in 3D before you buy a single one-gallon pot. The free designer filters plants by USDA zone, so anything you place is already suited to the climate in Florida.
Design your Florida garden in 3D
Free, no signup required. Filter plants by USDA zone 8b-11a and see your design rendered to scale before you buy.
Open the free 3D garden designerFrequently asked about gardening in Florida
›What USDA hardiness zones is Florida in?
Florida spans USDA zones 8b-11a. The Panhandle sits in zone 8b-9a, central Florida is 9b-10a, and the Keys reach 11a — one of the warmest states in the lower 48. Match plant cold-hardiness ratings to your local zone — pushing into warmer-rated species is a gamble against the next hard winter.
›When is the last spring frost in Florida?
Average last spring frost in Florida is around rare (south) to mid-March (Panhandle), and the first fall frost typically arrives rare (south) to mid-November (Panhandle). That gives a typical growing season of 260-365 days. Average dates are starting points — set seedlings out a week or two later than the average for safety.
›What plants grow well in Florida?
Reliable choices for Florida include Hibiscus, Bougainvillea, Citrus, Mango. These species are matched to Florida's climate and soils — a blend of regionally-adapted ornamentals and natives that perform without babying once established.
›What plants are native to Florida?
Native plants in Florida include Saw palmetto, Live oak, Coontie. Natives evolved alongside local soils, pollinators, and weather, so they typically need no supplemental water or fertilizer once established — and they support local birds and pollinators in ways non-native ornamentals can't.
›What's distinctive about gardening in Florida?
Florida's winter is its prime vegetable season — tomatoes, peppers, and lettuce thrive from October to May while the rest of the country is frozen. Hurricanes, year-round high humidity, sandy soils that need heavy amendment, salt spray in coastal areas, and invasive plant pressure from escaped exotics.