Florida Native Plant Profiles

One of Earth's oldest plant species, Coontie was historically harvested for its starchy roots by both Native Americans and early settlers. Once nearly eradicated, it's now thriving again thanks to conservation gardeners. Excellent under oaks and pines where grass won't grow.

Plant in well-drained, sandy or loamy soil. Avoid standing water. Once established — typically after one full growing season — it thrives on neglect. No fertilizer needed. Excellent companion to beautyberry and wild coffee.

Statewide — Central and South Florida year-round. North Florida may see occasional cold damage but recovers from the roots.

One of Florida's most visually spectacular native shrubs. The berries emerge in late summer and hold through winter — providing critical food for migratory and resident birds. The leaves contain callicarpenal, a natural mosquito and tick repellent. Crush a few leaves and rub on your skin.

Cut back hard in late winter — to about 12–18 inches — for bushier growth and more berry clusters. Tolerates sandy or clay soil. No fertilizer needed. Deer resistant.

Big-box stores often sell "African Firebush" (Hamelia patens var. glabra), which is NOT a Florida native and provides less wildlife value. Always check the tag for Hamelia patens and buy from a Florida native nursery.

Heat-loving and drought-tolerant once established. Will freeze to the ground in North Florida but returns from the roots. In Central and South Florida it can grow to 12 feet. Prune in early spring to shape.

Multiple native Coreopsis species grow in Florida, all exceptional for pollinators. Lanceolata is the most common and easiest to grow. Florida selected it as the state wildflower in 1991 after a statewide highway beautification program.

Direct sow seed in fall for spring blooms. Thrives in poor, sandy soil — rich soil causes floppy growth. Allow seed heads to remain for birds and self-seeding. Deadhead to prolong bloom.

Perfect for the understory beneath live oaks and palms. One of the few native shrubs that actually prefers full shade. Despite the name, it's not related to coffee plants — though it is in the same Rubiaceae family.

Train on a fence, trellis, or arbor. Blooms most heavily in spring but continues intermittently all year in Central and South Florida. Much better behaved than its invasive Japanese cousin. Deer resistant.

Tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) is sold everywhere but keeps Monarchs from migrating south by providing year-round food. Native Florida milkweeds die back naturally in fall, which is critical for migration. If you have tropical milkweed, cut it to the ground in late October.

Low-growing and spreading, Gopher Apple forms mats up to 8 feet wide over time. Survives fire, drought, and total soil neglect. Essential for Florida scrub and sandhill habitats.

Native to Florida swamps and wet flatwoods, this holly tolerates standing water and grows into a beautiful, full-canopied tree. You need male and female trees for berries — most nurseries sell them in pairs.

Native to wetlands and stream margins throughout Florida. Spreads by rhizomes to form impressive clumps over time. Can be grown in standing water up to 4 inches deep — perfect for rain gardens and pond edges.