15 May

Plants that Thrive in the Florida Sun

Plants that Thrive florida

Plants that Thrive in the Florida Sun

One of the best parts about living in Florida is the abundance of bright, colorful flowers and plants that thrive in the hot, humid climate. Beautiful bulbs and tropical trees can easily adorn your yard with the proper care and nutrition. Some of the best plants to try this year include:

  • Coreopsis

No Florida yard is complete with our state flower, Coreopsis. These bright yellow, Daisy-like blooms are drought-tolerant, can be enjoyed almost all year, and will be a sure hit with the local butterflies. Visit a plant breeder, and you may even find coreopsis in different colors.

  • Pentas

Pentas are low maintenance, cute, and bloom constantly. They’re available in a variety of colors and sizes to complement your outdoor color scheme. Butterflies and hummingbirds both love these!

  • Heuchera

Flowers get all the credit in the garden, and heuchera is looking to change that. As a west coast native, its bright foliage is stiff competition for any Florida bloom, and it can be found in several colors. Heuchera provides a much-needed departure from all green leaves and adds intrigue to your design. Variants that are bred, especially for humid climates, do best here in FL.

  • Lavender

Lavender has many uses that make it a no-brainer for any garden, but its good looks don’t hurt either. Despite the accepted belief that all lavender is, well, lavender, it can actually come in variants of purple, pink, and white. Its leaves do well dried in potpourri, sachets, essential oils, and even food! Plus lavender adds a beautiful fragrance to your garden that is sure to get noticed.

  • Evolvulus (Blue Daze)

These delightful little true-blue blooms are a pop of color every garden needs and deserves. Let evolvulus blanket the ground of your flower beds, and you’ll get several hours of enjoyment each morning, but be sure to check them out before noon, or you’ll have to wait until the next day! They also tend to like pretty hot temperatures, so they may die off and need to be replanted in northern Florida, but they tend to come back each year further south.

  • Blue Salvia

Pollinator gardens will appreciate the addition of Blue Salvia even though it’s not native to us here in Florida. The name is a little misleading. The blooms are violet-purple or white, but that won’t stop the bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies from checking them out. Blue Salvia blooms most of the year and is perfect for low-maintenance landscapes and container gardens. Indoor centerpieces and bouquets are also on its resume.

  • Crown of Thorns

Crown of Thorns thick, deep green leaves stick out around dainty, twisted red or yellow petals in clusters. These guys love the full sun and can bloom all year long, especially further south. 

  • Bolivian Sunset Gloxinia

These dramatic orange blooms are essential for Florida gardeners who want color in the year’s later months. The dark, shiny green leaves provide a deep contrast for the bright orange flowers, so these are sure to draw attention from across the yard.

  • Purslane (Portulaca)

Purslane is made for the Florida heat, doing its best as a mounding, annual ground cover in hot, dry areas or pots and hanging baskets. Purslane’s blooms can be pink, orange, yellow, or white traditionally, but new color combos are being developed, so your local nursery might have some interesting variations of purslane from which to choose.

  • Mexican Heather

Another annual ground cover that requires almost no care at all, Mexican Heather shines with deep green foliage and adorable lavender, pink, or white flowers. It blooms almost all year and looks great as cover in large plants or to edge a flower bed.

  • Garvinea Gerbera Daisy

Not all Gerbera Daisies love the hot Florida weather, but the Garvinea line does exceptionally well. These versatile yet traditional flowers bloom all year in southern Florida and come in a wide variety of colors. They thrive in both landscaping and container gardens and don’t be afraid to put them in a centerpiece either, as they hold up well indoors.

  • Agave

Agave does exceptionally well in hot climates, especially in dry patches. Their color can range from subtle green to a funky bluish color. While they do have some presents in the food industry, you won’t want to turn your agave plant into sweetener or tequila, as this will definitely ruin their aesthetic.

  • Areca Palm

These tall, clumping palms can be seen all over central and southern Florida. Once an endangered species, the Areca Palm has made an impressive comeback. They are sure to give your yard a tropical feel.

  • Citronella Grass

With the size of the mosquitoes here in Florida, having citronella grass planted in your yard is almost a must. These plants will add a fresh fragrance to your landscaping that mosquitoes and some other bugs tend to avoid.