Our Story
Rooted in Spring Hill, Florida
Grow Native Florida is a community-built resource dedicated to helping Florida residents grow native plants, eat local food, and restore the natural beauty of the Sunshine State — one yard at a time.
"Plant Florida. Feed Florida. Love Florida."
We believe that growing native plants and growing your own food aren't separate hobbies — they're the same act of love for this remarkable state. Grow Native Florida exists to make both accessible, practical, and joyful for every Florida resident.
The Origin
A Garden Coordinator's Passion Project
Grow Native Florida started with a simple observation: Florida is one of the most biodiverse states in the country, with a climate that allows year-round growing — and yet most Florida yards are planted with non-native grass, invasive hedges, and ornamentals that support almost no wildlife.
Michael Bonanno, community garden coordinator at the Om Grown Community Garden in Spring Hill, Florida, started this project to change that — one yard, one gardener, one native plant at a time.
The goal isn't to lecture anyone about what to plant. It's to make Florida native plants so beautiful, practical, and well-documented that choosing them becomes the obvious move.
What We Believe
Our Values
These aren't slogans. They're the actual principles behind every plant profile, guide, and community post we publish.
Native Plants First
Florida's native plants evolved here. They support the insects, birds, and wildlife that evolved alongside them. We lead with native plants because they work — and because they're beautiful.
Grow Your Own Food
Florida's growing season is one of the longest in the country. We believe everyone — renter or homeowner, rural or suburban — can grow at least some of their own food.
Community Over Competition
Gardeners share seeds, divisions, and knowledge freely. That generosity is baked into how we operate — everything we publish is free, and we credit our community constantly.
Practical Conservation
We're not preachy. We believe the best conservation message is a gorgeous native garden that's half the work of a conventional lawn. Lead with beauty; the ecology follows.
Science-Grounded
We collaborate with UF/IFAS, the Florida Native Plant Society, and Master Gardener networks to make sure our guidance is accurate and regionally appropriate.
Accessible to Everyone
Whether you have a 1-acre yard or a 10-inch balcony planter, there's something here for you. Our content is written in plain language — knowledgeable neighbor, not professor.
The Roots
Om Grown Community Garden
The Om Grown Community Garden in Spring Hill, Hernando County, Florida is the hands-on heart of this project. It's a real working community garden where organic methods are tested, food is grown for local families, and beginner gardeners learn alongside experienced growers.
Everything we publish on Grow Native Florida is informed by what we actually see growing (and failing) at Om Grown. That ground-truth connection is what makes our guidance reliable.
Learn More About Om Grown →Questions, Ideas, or Just Want to Say Hello?
We read every message. Whether it's a plant question, a content suggestion, a partnership idea, or just sharing what's growing in your yard — reach out.