Florida has a unique climate that is unlike any other in the country. The levels of humidity and heat can provide challenges to gardeners that are seeking to find the best flowers and plants for their gardens.
If you have attempted to plant specific plants and haven’t seen success or have faced challenges due to Florida’s climate, we’ve put together a list containing some of the very best plants and flowers to plant that will thrive in Florida gardens.
These plants are naturally designed to do well in Florida! All the plants listed below are designed to grow best in hardiness zones 8-11, the growing zones specific to Florida.
1. Lantana
This is an absolutely stunning flower that is available in many colors. Lantana can be planted as an annual or a perennial. This flower is similar to verbena and has small, delicate blossoms that appear in a cluster. Each bloom contains a unique colored center eye. They are also known for their ability to attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to the garden. They require a good amount of watering after planted and will benefit from some light mulching or fertilizer. You can also deadhead the ends of the flower to extend the blooming time.
2. Buttercup
Buttercups are one of the most cheerful flowers. These bright yellow dazzlers have tiny blooms and waxy petals. As you likely heard, the old myth is that if you hold a buttercup up to your chin and there is a yellow shade it means you like butter. However, Buttercup is actually poisonous to humans and animals unless it is dry. Their genus name means “little frog.”
3. Mexican Heather
This plant consists of a profuse blooming of dainty purple flowers that grow on a shrub. This is an excellent choice for a border plant due to the fact that it is constantly re-blooming throughout the summer and fall season. It will grow about 2 feet in height and has a bushel of green foliage beneath the flowers. It is a fast-growing plant that thrives in zones 8-11.
4. Blue Daze
This bright blue flower consists of ruffled petals with a small, white center eye. The flowers reach about an inch in size. Blue daze thrives in heat and humidity, making it the perfect plant for Floridians to grow. It is an annual plant that blooms from summer into fall. Blue daze grows best in zones 9-11 and prefers full sun.
5. Bougainvillea
If you want an explosion of gorgeous color, bougainvillea is stunning flowering machines. They bloom almost all year long and look gorgeous against a fence or up against the side of the home. They require upwards of six hours of direct sunlight every day in order to gain maximum blooms and color. This plant prefers zones 9-11 and absolutely loves sun and humidity.
Read more about Growing Bougainvillea here
6. Periwinkle
This darling blue flowering plant makes an excellent creeping vine and is often seen running down hillsides. It is also referred to as creeping vinca. Periwinkle makes an excellent ground cover and is known as a major spreader. Periwinkle is often used to choke out weeds and will bloom best in an area that is partly shades.
7. Pentas
Planting pentas is an excellent way to ensure you have blooms and color that lasts close to the entire year. They are a tropical plant with five pointy petals on each bloom. Pentas come in a wide variety of colors and are excellent for any gardener wishing to attract butterflies and hummingbirds. The plant can grow up to six feet in height and will grow quite slowly. They will not thrive in zones lower than hardiness zone 10.
8. Bulbine
Bulbine is a highly unique-looking flower that makes for the perfect accent plant in a flower bed. The flower has star-shaped blooms that generally bloom most of the year in Florida. They typically come in yellow or shades of light orange. Bulbines are exceptionally easy to take care and will thrive in a multitude of various soil types. These plants look nice in rock gardens and will grow well in zones 9-11.
9. Black and Blue Salvia
These gorgeous blue-flowered blooms contain spikes of flowers that emerge from a bush of rich green foliage. It does well in even the most extreme heat, but it does require heavy watering. It will grow into a wide cluster that will reach about three feet in height. It is known for its showy flowers that bloom in the early summer through fall.
10. Persian Shield
Persian shield is an exceptionally hardy plant that will grow well with little to no care. It is a tropical shrub that has rich, deep purple foliage. It looks excellent next to shades of pink or white flowers that make the purple foliage stand out. It will also grow well in either sun or shade. However, it needs a good deal of watering or the foliage will begin to wither in the sun. It also benefits from a thin layer of mulch that will help keep the moisture in the soil. It is a great landscape shrub that does well in zones 9-10.
Read more about growing Persian Shield here.
