The Coontie & the Atala Butterfly: A Florida Love Story
Discover the remarkable co-evolution between Florida's ancient Coontie plant and the nearly-extinct Atala butterfly — and how your garden can help save them both.
Florida's Native Gardening Guide
Grow Florida,
Wild & Beautiful
Discover the native plants that make Florida breathtaking, learn to grow your own food, and become part of a community restoring the natural beauty of the Sunshine State — one yard at a time.
Florida-native focus
Spring Hill, FL based
Community-grown knowledge
What You'll Find Here
Everything You Need to Garden in Florida
Whether you want to attract butterflies, grow your own food, or transform your yard into a native habitat — you're in the right place. Pick a topic and start exploring.
Native Florida
Native plants, pollinators, invasive species, and Florida-friendly landscaping.
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Gardening
Grow food in Florida's unique climate — vegetables, herbs, soil, and season guides.
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Advanced Methods
Hydroponics, aquaponics, plant propagation, and smart irrigation systems.
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Tools & Resources
Plant databases, growing guides, pest identification, and free downloads.
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Community
Blog, events, the Om Grown Community Garden, and ways to get involved.
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About Us
Our story, mission, and the people behind Grow Native Florida in Spring Hill.
Our Story
Seasonal Spotlight — Summer 2026
What to Plant (and Love) This Florida Summer
Florida summers are hot, humid, and surprisingly productive — if you know what to grow. Heat-lovers like firebush, porterweed, and beautyberry are hitting their stride, while gardeners shift to heat-tolerant vegetables and vigorous native groundcovers.
Best Native This Month
🔥 Firebush
Best Vegetable to Plant
🍠 Sweet Potato
Watch Out For
🐛 Whitefly on tomatoes
Wildlife Highlight
🦋 Atala Butterfly
Firebush in Full Bloom
Hamelia patens — summer's best pollinator magnet
Plant Profiles
Florida's Most Beloved Native Plants
Each native plant has a story — and a vital role in Florida's ecosystem. Explore our detailed profiles to find the right plants for your space.
Native
🦋 Host Plant
Coontie
Zamia integrifolia
Florida's only native cycad — an ancient, drought-tolerant gem that serves as the sole host plant for the endangered Atala butterfly. Perfect for shady, dry spots under oaks.
Full–Part
Sun
Low
Water
2–3 ft
Height
About
One of the oldest plant species on Earth, Coontie once covered Florida in vast thickets. Historically ground into starchy flour by Native Americans and settlers. Today it's a must-have native groundcover for dry shade — almost no maintenance required.
Wildlife Value
Grow Notes
Plant in well-drained soil. Avoid overwatering — this plant is extraordinarily drought-tolerant once established. Excellent under pine trees and live oaks. Pairs beautifully with beautyberry and wild coffee.
Tags
Native
🐦 Wildlife Magnet
American Beautyberry
Callicarpa americana
Few plants stop people in their tracks like Beautyberry in fruit. Those clusters of vivid purple berries are jaw-dropping — and irresistible to over 40 species of birds.
Part Sun
Sun
Medium
Water
5–8 ft
Height
About
Native across the entire southeastern US, Beautyberry thrives in Florida's sandy soils and high humidity. Its leaves also have a folk use as a natural insect repellent — crush a handful and rub on exposed skin.
Wildlife Value
Grow Notes
Cut back hard in late winter to about 12 inches — it will come back fuller with more berries. Tolerates clay and sandy soils. Very low-maintenance once established.
Tags
Native
🌸 Now Blooming
Firebush
Hamelia patens
Named for its blazing orange-red flowers, Firebush is a Florida hummingbird's favorite — blooming relentlessly through summer and into fall when most plants have given up.
Full Sun
Sun
Low–Med
Water
6–10 ft
Height
About
True Florida native firebush (not the non-native "African Firebush" commonly sold at big-box stores — check the tag for "Hamelia patens" to be sure). Fast-growing, heat-loving, and nearly pest-free. Will freeze back in north Florida but rebounds in spring.
Wildlife Value
Tags
From the Garden
Stories, Tips & Garden Updates
Real-world Florida gardening knowledge, written by someone who works in the dirt every day.
5 Native Plants That Hummingbirds Can't Resist
Ruby-throated hummingbirds pass through Florida every year — and some stay year-round in the south. Here's exactly what to plant to bring them to your yard.
Florida's Official Wildflower — and Why Every Garden Needs It
Coreopsis is the state wildflower of Florida, and for good reason. It's easy to grow, feeds pollinators all season, and transforms an ordinary patch of ground into something extraordinary.