9 Florida Native Plants for Your Garden
Ever wonder what type of plants are native to your area?
Native plants flourish in their natural, untouched environment
Non native plants may look pretty but they can be more difficult to maintain
Are you interested in native plants for your garden?
Non-native plants may be prettier but they can be more difficult to take care of. Here are 9 native Florida plants that will flourish in their natural environment and require minimal maintenance. These are the perfect choice if you want a low-maintenance, easy to grow plant!
Did you know? Florida has over 4,700 species of native or naturalized plants in Florida, including over 4,300 species of vascular plants and over 400 species of bryophytes (plants known only from cultivation are not included).
You'll love these beautiful, colorful flowers that attract butterflies and birds! They're also great at attracting pollinators which is important for our ecosystem. Plus they have deep roots so they help prevent soil erosion by holding onto nutrients and moisture while preventing weeds from growing too close to them. With all this said, it's clear why these natives are worth planting in your yard! So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and click on one of the links below to learn more about each plant!
Let's dive in and learn more about Florida Friendly Landscaping by Zone 9 Creations.
Florida Native Plants
Saw Palmetto - This native plant (palm) is found throughout the South East and thrives in well draining soil.
Buttonwood - A native plant (evergreen tree) that's native to Florida, buttonwood trees can handle salt spray so they're great for coastal areas . They also provide shade which means you won't have to worry
Seagrape - It grows in full sun or partial shade, and is very drought tolerant once established. It also tolerates salt spray and salty soils, making it a Florida-Friendly choice for beachfront homes.
Saw Palmetto - This native plant tolerates a range of conditions and provides wonderful textural interest beneath new or established trees. And it's highly salt-tolerant, making it ideal for coastal gardening.
Crown of Thorns - Crown of thorns likes it hot, dry and sunny - making it a perfect plant for spots where nothing else wants to grow. One of South Florida's most drought-tolerant plants, it flowers nearly year round.
Bromeliads - Bromeliads are standouts for their bold, often colorful leaves and for the exotic flower spikes that many produce. Most bromeliads are tropical or subtropical and can be grown outdoors in frost-free areas of Florida. If you live in North Florida, you can opt to grow them in containers and bring them in when frost threatens.
Rattlebox - Rattleboxes are native to South Florida and thrives in sandy, well-drained soils. It is resistant to salt and heat so it can be grown near the coast or out west where some other plants would not survive.
Bougainvillea - Bougainvilleas require full sun and actually perform better when their soil is left a little dry, making this a perfect plant for the drought-tolerant landscape. It needs to be protected from frost and freeze.
Ornamental Gingers - They're typically low-maintenance plants with attractive foliage and long-lasting, colorful blooms that make great cut flowers. Gingers do well in sun or shade.
Fakahatchee Grass - Fakahatchee grass brings a touch of native Florida into your landscape and adds texture to any yard. Sometimes called Eastern gamagrass, this plant forms a large clump that works well as an accent plant or planted as a border. As an added bonus, Fakahatchee grass is the larval food plant for the Byssus Skipper butterfly.
Want to attract butterflies to your native garden?
By planting food for butterflies, you can encourage them to come back again and visit your yard. Many caterpillars metamorphose into beautiful adults after eating the right type of plant!
Firebush - Closely related plants occur in the Caribbean and Central America. Yellow or orange flowering plants are not the Florida native.
Butterflyweed - Sometimes difficult to establish in new areas, but definitely worth the effort.
We hope our list of native Florida plants has given you some ideas on what to plant in your yard this spring. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance, easy to grow plant that will flourish in its natural environment and require minimal maintenance - these are the perfect choice! Contact us today for more information about how we can help create a custom design plan just right for you.
Zone 9 Creations, LLC is a full service horticultural company specializing in Residential Landscape Design, Installation & Gardening Services based in Belleair, FL.