Native Plants for Florida - What to Plant, and When
Florida spans 2 ecoregions:Eastern Temperate ForestsTropical Wet Forests
209 plants on this site are native to Florida, 42 of them keystone species that feed the most caterpillars and bees. Florida spans 2 ecoregions (Eastern Temperate Forests, Tropical Wet Forests), and the plants here are the ones that evolved in them. Hardiness zones in the state run 8a to 11a, which is why the list sorts by zone rather than by state.
Start with the keystones (an oak or native cherry if you have room, then goldenrods, asters and milkweeds), and plant in early fall or early spring, at least six weeks before a frost. Pick your zone above and each plant shows its own sowing and bloom window for where you garden.

Beach Sunflower
Helianthus debilis
Zones 8a–11b · native to 8 states
Blooms Mar – Dec in zone 9b

Black Cherry
Prunus serotina
Zones 3a–9a · native to 46 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 9b

Black Oak
Quercus velutina
Zones 4b–9a · native to 36 states and provinces

Black-Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta
Zones 3a–9b · native to 50 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Dec in zone 9b

Boxelder
Acer negundo
Zones 2a–9b · native to 48 states and provinces

Calico Aster
Symphyotrichum lateriflorum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 9b

Campfire Rudbeckia
Rudbeckia hirta 'Campfire'
Zones 3a–7b · native to 50 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Dec in zone 9b

Camphorweed
Heterotheca subaxillaris
Zones 6a–10b · native to 31 states
Blooms May – Jul in zone 9b

Chickasaw Plum
Prunus angustifolia
Zones 5a–9b · native to 16 states
Blooms Jan – Feb in zone 9b

Coastal Plain Willow
Salix caroliniana
Zones 6a–10b · native to 23 states
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 9b

Cowpen Daisy
Verbesina encelioides
Zones 5a–10b · native to 26 states
Blooms Mar – Dec in zone 9b

Elliott's Aster
Symphyotrichum elliottii
Zones 8a–11b · native to 7 states
Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 9b

Frostweed
Verbesina virginica
Zones 6a–9b · native to 20 states
Blooms May – Jul in zone 9b

Giant Ironweed
Vernonia gigantea
Zones 5a–9b · native to 35 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 9b

Goldenrod
Solidago canadensis
Zones 3a–9a · native to 57 states and provinces
Blooms May – Dec in zone 9b

Groundsel Tree
Baccharis halimifolia
Zones 5a–9b · native to 20 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 9b

Highbush Blueberry
Vaccinium corymbosum
Zones 4a–7b · native to 34 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 9b

Leavenworth's Tickseed
Coreopsis leavenworthii
Zones 8a–11b
Blooms Mar – Dec in zone 9b

Loblolly Pine
Pinus taeda
Zones 6a–9a · native to 15 states

Longleaf Pine
Pinus palustris
Zones 7a–9b · native to 9 states

Maryland Golden-aster
Chrysopsis mariana
Zones 5a–9a · native to 18 states
Blooms May – Jul in zone 9b

Narrowleaf Silkgrass
Pityopsis graminifolia
Zones 6a–10a · native to 17 states
Blooms May – Jul in zone 9b

New York Ironweed
Vernonia noveboracensis
Zones 5a–9a · native to 20 states
Blooms May – Jul in zone 9b

Overcup Oak
Quercus lyrata
Zones 5b–9b · native to 19 states

Post Oak
Quercus stellata
Zones 5b–9a · native to 29 states

Prairie Willow
Salix humilis
Zones 2a–8b · native to 45 states and provinces
Blooms Dec – Feb in zone 9b

Red Maple
Acer rubrum
Zones 3a–9b · native to 40 states and provinces
Blooms Jan – Feb in zone 9b

River Birch
Betula nigra
Zones 4a–9a · native to 27 states

Seaside Goldenrod
Solidago sempervirens
Zones 4a–10b · native to 23 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 9b

Shiny Blueberry
Vaccinium myrsinites
Zones 8a–10b · native to 4 states
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 9b

Shumard Oak
Quercus shumardii
Zones 5b–9b · native to 24 states and provinces

Silver Maple
Acer saccharinum
Zones 3a–9a · native to 40 states and provinces

Slash Pine
Pinus elliottii
Zones 8a–10b · native to 6 states

Southern Crabapple
Malus angustifolia
Zones 5b–9a · native to 12 states
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 9b

Southern Live Oak
Quercus virginiana
Zones 7b–10b · native to 9 states

Tall Tickseed
Coreopsis tripteris
Zones 4a–9b · native to 28 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 9b

Tickseed
Coreopsis lanceolata
Zones 3a–9b · native to 38 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 9b

White Oak
Quercus alba
Zones 3b–8b · native to 38 states and provinces

Wild Aster
Symphyotrichum pilosum
Zones 4a–8b · native to 40 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 9b

Willow Oak
Quercus phellos
Zones 6a–9b · native to 20 states

Wingstem
Verbesina alternifolia
Zones 4a–8b · native to 31 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jun in zone 9b

Wreath Goldenrod
Solidago caesia
Zones 4a–8b · native to 36 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Dec in zone 9b

Adam's Needle
Yucca filamentosa
Zones 5a–10b · native to 10 states
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 9b

Allegheny Spurge
Pachysandra procumbens
Zones 5a–9a · native to 11 states
Blooms Jan – Feb in zone 9b

American Beautyberry
Callicarpa americana
Zones 6a–10b · native to 15 states
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 9b

American Beech
Fagus grandifolia
Zones 3b–9a · native to 37 states and provinces

American Elm
Ulmus americana
Zones 3a–9a · native to 46 states and provinces

American Hornbeam
Carpinus caroliniana
Zones 3a–9a · native to 38 states and provinces

American Linden
Tilia americana
Zones 3a–8b · native to 42 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 9b

American Lotus
Nelumbo lutea
Zones 4a–10b · native to 30 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 9b

American Persimmon
Diospyros virginiana
Zones 4b–9b · native to 28 states

American White Water Lily
Nymphaea odorata
Zones 3a–11b · native to 56 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Jul in zone 9b

American Wisteria
Wisteria frutescens
Zones 5a–9b · native to 24 states
Blooms Mar – May in zone 9b

American Witch Hazel
Hamamelis virginiana
Zones 3a–8b · native to 36 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 9b

Amsonia
Amsonia tabernaemontana
Zones 3a–9a · native to 29 states
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 9b

Arrowwood Viburnum
Viburnum dentatum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 37 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 9b

Atamasco Lily
Zephyranthes atamasca
Zones 7a–10b · native to 8 states
Blooms Jan – Mar in zone 9b

Bald Cypress
Taxodium distichum
Zones 4a–10b · native to 19 states

Big Bluestem
Andropogon gerardii
Zones 3a–9b · native to 44 states
Blooms May – Aug in zone 9b

Big Bluestem 'Holy Smoke'
Andropogon gerardii
Zones 3a–9b · native to 44 states
Blooms May – Aug in zone 9b

Black Gum
Nyssa sylvatica
Zones 4a–9b · native to 32 states and provinces

Black Walnut
Juglans nigra
Zones 4a–9a · native to 34 states and provinces

Blazing Star
Liatris spicata
Zones 3a–9a · native to 37 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 9b

Bloodroot
Sanguinaria canadensis
Zones 3a–8b · native to 42 states and provinces
Blooms Jan – Feb in zone 9b

Blue Mistflower
Conoclinium coelestinum
Zones 5a–9b · native to 30 states
Blooms May – Aug in zone 9b

Blue Porterweed
Stachytarpheta jamaicensis
Zones 9b–11b
Blooms Mar – Dec in zone 9b

Blue Vervain
Verbena hastata
Zones 3a–8b · native to 57 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 9b

Boneset
Eupatorium perfoliatum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 44 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 9b

Broadleaf Arrowhead
Sagittaria latifolia
Zones 3a–10b · native to 50 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 9b

Broadleaf Cattail
Typha latifolia
Zones 3a–10b · native to 60 states and provinces

Bushy Bluestem
Andropogon glomeratus
Zones 6a–10b · native to 24 states
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 9b

Butterfly Weed
Asclepias tuberosa
Zones 3a–9a · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 9b

Buttonbush
Cephalanthus occidentalis
Zones 5a–9b · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 9b

Buttonwood
Conocarpus erectus
Zones 10a–11b

Cabbage Palmetto
Sabal palmetto
Zones 8b–11b · native to 4 states
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 9b

Cardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis
Zones 3a–9a · native to 41 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 9b

Carolina Geranium
Geranium carolinianum
Zones 3a–9b · native to 53 states and provinces
Blooms Jan – Jun in zone 9b

Carolina Jessamine
Gelsemium sempervirens
Zones 7a–10b · native to 11 states
Blooms Mar – Jun in zone 9b

Carolina Rose
Rosa carolina
Zones 4a–9b · native to 42 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 9b

Carolina Silverbell
Halesia tetraptera
Zones 4a–8b · native to 11 states
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 9b

Catesby's Gentian
Gentiana catesbaei
Zones 6a–9b · native to 7 states
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 9b

Christmas Fern
Polystichum acrostichoides
Zones 3a–9a · native to 42 states and provinces
Blooms Jan – Dec in zone 9b

Clustered Mountain Mint
Pycnanthemum muticum
Zones 4a–8b · native to 29 states
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 9b

Cockspur Hawthorn
Crataegus crus-galli
Zones 4a–7b · native to 38 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Mar in zone 9b

Common Blue Violet
Viola sororia
Zones 3a–9a · native to 41 states and provinces
Blooms Jan – Mar in zone 9b

Common Evening Primrose
Oenothera biennis
Zones 3a–9b · native to 53 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Dec in zone 9b

Common Hoptree
Ptelea trifoliata
Zones 3a–9b · native to 36 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Mar in zone 9b

Common Lippia
Phyla nodiflora
Zones 8a–11b · native to 12 states
Blooms May – Nov in zone 9b

Common Sneezeweed
Helenium autumnale
Zones 3a–8b · native to 51 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 9b

Coontie
Zamia integrifolia
Zones 8b–11b · native to 2 states

Coral Bean
Erythrina herbacea
Zones 7b–11b · native to 8 states
Blooms Jan – Mar in zone 9b

Coral Honeysuckle
Lonicera sempervirens
Zones 4a–9b · native to 29 states
Blooms May – Nov in zone 9b

Cucumber Tree
Magnolia acuminata
Zones 4a–8b · native to 23 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Apr in zone 9b

Dahoon Holly
Ilex cassine
Zones 7b–11b · native to 7 states
Blooms Mar – May in zone 9b

Downy Serviceberry
Amelanchier arborea
Zones 4a–9a · native to 40 states and provinces
Blooms Jan – Feb in zone 9b

Eastern Gamagrass
Tripsacum dactyloides
Zones 4a–10b · native to 29 states
Blooms Apr – Aug in zone 9b

Eastern Prickly Pear
Opuntia humifusa
Zones 4a–9b · native to 28 states
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 9b

Elderberry
Sambucus canadensis
Zones 3a–9a · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 9b

False Sunflower
Heliopsis helianthoides
Zones 3a–9a · native to 42 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 9b

Firebush
Hamelia patens
Zones 8b–11b
Blooms Dec – Dec in zone 9b

Firewheel
Gaillardia pulchella
Zones 3a–10b · native to 17 states
Blooms Mar – Aug in zone 9b

Florida Anise
Illicium floridanum
Zones 6b–9b · native to 5 states
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 9b

Florida Sundew
Drosera filiformis var. floridana
Zones 8a–10b · native to 2 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 9b

Flowering Dogwood
Cornus florida
Zones 5a–9a · native to 33 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 9b

Foxglove Beardtongue
Penstemon digitalis
Zones 3a–8b · native to 36 states
Blooms Apr – May in zone 9b

Fringed Bluestar
Amsonia ciliata
Zones 5a–9b · native to 9 states
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 9b

Garden Phlox
Phlox paniculata
Zones 4a–8b · native to 32 states
Blooms May – Jul in zone 9b

Ghost Pipe
Monotropa uniflora
Zones 3a–9b · native to 47 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 9b

Golden Alexander
Zizia aurea
Zones 3a–8b · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 9b

Golden Ragwort
Packera aurea
Zones 3a–8b · native to 44 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 9b

Great Blue Lobelia
Lobelia siphilitica
Zones 4a–9a · native to 39 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 9b

Green Ash
Fraxinus pennsylvanica
Zones 3a–9a · native to 47 states and provinces

Gro-low Fragrant Sumac
Rhus aromatica 'Gro-low'
Zones 2a–8b · native to 33 states and provinces

Hardy Hibiscus
Hibiscus moscheutos
Zones 4a–9b · native to 32 states and provinces
Blooms May – Dec in zone 9b

Honeylocust
Gleditsia triacanthos
Zones 4a–9a · native to 32 states and provinces

Horsetail
Equisetum hyemale
Zones 3a–11b · native to 61 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Feb in zone 9b

Hyssop-leaved Thoroughwort
Eupatorium hyssopifolium
Zones 4a–8b · native to 25 states
Blooms May – Aug in zone 9b

Indian Grass
Sorghastrum nutans
Zones 4a–9a · native to 48 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 9b

Inkberry
Ilex glabra
Zones 4a–9b · native to 18 states and provinces

Joe Pye Weed
Eutrochium purpureum
Zones 4a–9a · native to 36 states and provinces
Blooms May – Dec in zone 9b

Juniper Tree
Juniperus virginiana
Zones 2a–9a · native to 40 states and provinces

Lavender Twist Redbud
Cercis canadensis 'Lavender Twist'
Zones 5a–9a · native to 31 states
Blooms Jan – Feb in zone 9b

Little Bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium
Zones 3a–9a · native to 51 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 9b

Little Bluestem 'Blue Heaven'
Schizachyrium scoparium
Zones 3a–9a · native to 51 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 9b

Little Bluestem 'Twilight Zone'
Schizachyrium scoparium
Zones 3a–9a · native to 51 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 9b

Little Gem Magnolia
Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem'
Zones 7a–10b · native to 9 states
Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 9b

Mangrove Spider Lily
Hymenocallis latifolia
Zones 9a–11b
Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 9b

Mayapple
Podophyllum peltatum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 39 states and provinces
Blooms Jan – Feb in zone 9b

Mountain Laurel
Kalmia latifolia
Zones 4a–9a · native to 24 states
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 9b

Mountain Mint
Pycnanthemum virginianum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 40 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 9b

Muscadine Grape
Vitis rotundifolia
Zones 6a–10b · native to 19 states
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 9b

New Jersey Tea
Ceanothus americanus
Zones 4a–8b · native to 39 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Apr in zone 9b

Northern Sea Oats
Chasmanthium latifolium
Zones 5a–9a · native to 32 states
Blooms May – Jul in zone 9b

Oakleaf Hydrangea
Hydrangea quercifolia
Zones 5a–9b · native to 8 states
Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 9b

Obedient Plant
Physostegia virginiana
Zones 2b–9a · native to 40 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 9b

Obedient Plant 'Crystal Peak White'
Physostegia virginiana 'Crystal Peak White'
Zones 4a–9b · native to 40 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 9b

Passionflower
Passiflora incarnata
Zones 6a–9b · native to 24 states
Blooms May – Jul in zone 9b

Pawpaw
Asimina triloba
Zones 5a–9b · native to 28 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 9b

Pickerelweed
Pontederia cordata
Zones 3a–10b · native to 38 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Aug in zone 9b

Pink Muhly Grass
Muhlenbergia capillaris
Zones 6a–9b · native to 27 states
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 9b

Prairie Phlox
Phlox pilosa
Zones 4a–9b · native to 35 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 9b

Purple Coneflower
Echinacea purpurea
Zones 3a–9b · native to 35 states
Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 9b

Purple Lovegrass
Eragrostis spectabilis
Zones 5a–9b · native to 39 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 9b

Purple Pitcher Plant
Sarracenia purpurea
Zones 3a–9b · native to 39 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 9b

Purplehead Sneezeweed
Helenium flexuosum
Zones 5a–9a · native to 25 states
Blooms Mar – Jun in zone 9b

Purpletop
Tridens flavus
Zones 3a–9b · native to 29 states
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 9b

Red Mulberry
Morus rubra
Zones 4b–9a · native to 34 states and provinces

Redbay
Persea borbonia
Zones 7b–10b · native to 10 states

Redbud
Cercis canadensis
Zones 4b–9a · native to 31 states
Blooms Jan – Feb in zone 9b

Rose Mallow
Hibiscus moscheutos 'Disco Belle Rose Pink'
Zones 4a–9b · native to 32 states and provinces
Blooms May – Dec in zone 9b

Royal Fern
Osmunda regalis
Zones 3a–9a · native to 34 states
Blooms Feb – Dec in zone 9b

Ruby Falls Redbud
Cercis canadensis 'Ruby Falls'
Zones 5a–9a · native to 31 states
Blooms Jan – Feb in zone 9b

Rusty Blackhaw
Viburnum rufidulum
Zones 5a–9a · native to 20 states
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 9b

Sand Blackberry
Rubus cuneifolius
Zones 6a–9b · native to 15 states
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 9b

Sand Cordgrass
Spartina bakeri
Zones 8a–11b · native to 2 states
Blooms May – Aug in zone 9b

Sassafras
Sassafras albidum
Zones 4a–9b · native to 34 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 9b

Saw Palmetto
Serenoa repens
Zones 7b–11b · native to 6 states
Blooms Mar – May in zone 9b

Scarlet Rosemallow
Hibiscus coccineus
Zones 6a–10b · native to 5 states
Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 9b

Scarlet Sage
Salvia coccinea
Zones 8a–11b · native to 3 states
Blooms Apr – Aug in zone 9b

Sea Grape
Coccoloba uvifera
Zones 10a–11b
Blooms Feb – May in zone 9b

Serviceberry
Amelanchier canadensis
Zones 3a–7b · native to 53 states and provinces
Blooms Jan – Feb in zone 9b

Sherry Sue Summersweet
Clethra alnifolia 'Sherry Sue'
Zones 3a–9a · native to 23 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 9b

Silky Dogwood
Cornus amomum
Zones 5a–8b · native to 28 states
Blooms Mar – May in zone 9b

Smooth Hydrangea
Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle'
Zones 3a–9b · native to 33 states
Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 9b

Smooth Witherod
Viburnum nudum
Zones 5a–9a · native to 20 states
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 9b

Snowflake Oakleaf Hydrangea
Hydrangea quercifolia 'Snowflake'
Zones 5a–9b · native to 8 states
Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 9b

Soapwort Gentian
Gentiana saponaria
Zones 5a–9b · native to 22 states
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 9b

Soft Rush
Juncus effusus
Zones 4a–9b · native to 55 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 9b

Solomon's Seal 'Prince Charming'
Polygonatum biflorum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 40 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 9b

Solomon's Seal (Native)
Polygonatum biflorum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 40 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 9b

Southern Wax Myrtle
Morella cerifera
Zones 7a–10b · native to 16 states
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 9b

Spicebush
Lindera benzoin
Zones 4a–9a · native to 38 states and provinces
Blooms Dec – Jan in zone 9b

Spiderwort
Tradescantia ohiensis
Zones 4a–9a · native to 38 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 9b

Spotted Bee Balm
Monarda punctata
Zones 3a–9b · native to 38 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 9b

Stiff Bluestar
Amsonia rigida
Zones 6a–9b · native to 5 states
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 9b

Stokes' Aster
Stokesia laevis
Zones 5a–9b · native to 6 states
Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 9b

Striped Gentian
Gentiana villosa
Zones 5a–9b · native to 17 states
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 9b

Summersweet
Clethra alnifolia
Zones 3a–9a · native to 23 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 9b

Sundial Lupine
Lupinus perennis
Zones 3a–8a · native to 34 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 9b

Sundrops
Oenothera fruticosa
Zones 4a–8b · native to 30 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 9b

Swamp Dogwood
Cornus foemina
Zones 6a–9b · native to 17 states
Blooms Mar – May in zone 9b

Swamp Jessamine
Gelsemium rankinii
Zones 7a–9b · native to 8 states
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 9b

Swamp Milkweed
Asclepias incarnata
Zones 3a–9a · native to 45 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 9b

Sweet Acacia
Acacia farnesiana
Zones 8a–11b · native to 5 states
Blooms Mar – May in zone 9b

Sweet Everlasting
Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium
Zones 3a–9b · native to 41 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 9b

Sweetbay Magnolia
Magnolia virginiana
Zones 5b–10b · native to 16 states
Blooms Mar – Jun in zone 9b

Sweetgum
Liquidambar styraciflua
Zones 5a–9b · native to 25 states

Switchgrass 'Cheyenne Sky'
Panicum virgatum
Zones 4a–9a · native to 49 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 9b

Switchgrass 'Shenandoah'
Panicum virgatum
Zones 4a–9a · native to 49 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 9b

Switchgrass 'Smoking Gun'
Panicum virgatum
Zones 4a–9a · native to 49 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 9b

Trailing Phlox
Phlox nivalis
Zones 5a–9b · native to 8 states
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 9b

Trillium
Trillium grandiflorum
Zones 3a–7b · native to 34 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 9b

Tulip Tree
Liriodendron tulipifera
Zones 4a–9a · native to 28 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 9b

Turk's Cap Lily
Lilium superbum
Zones 4a–9a · native to 25 states
Blooms May – Jul in zone 9b

Turtlehead
Chelone glabra
Zones 3a–8b · native to 36 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 9b

Virginia Iris
Iris virginica
Zones 5a–9b · native to 23 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 9b

Virginia Sweetspire
Itea virginica
Zones 5a–9a · native to 25 states
Blooms Mar – May in zone 9b

Washington Hawthorn
Crataegus phaenopyrum
Zones 4a–8b · native to 20 states
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 9b

Wild Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
Zones 3a–8b · native to 42 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 9b

Wild Geranium
Geranium maculatum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 39 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 9b

Winterberry
Ilex verticillata
Zones 3a–9a · native to 35 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 9b

Winterthur Smooth Witherod
Viburnum nudum 'Winterthur'
Zones 5a–9b · native to 20 states
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 9b

Wiregrass Gentian
Gentiana pennelliana
Zones 8a–9b
Blooms Feb – Apr in zone 9b

Woodland Phlox
Phlox divaricata
Zones 3b–9a · native to 38 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Apr in zone 9b

Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
Zones 3a–9b · native to 50 states
Blooms Mar – Jul in zone 9b
Direct-sow ~8 wks after your last spring frost

Yaupon Holly
Ilex vomitoria
Zones 7a–10b · native to 11 states
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 9b

Yellow Canna
Canna flaccida
Zones 7b–11b · native to 5 states
Blooms Apr – Aug in zone 9b

Yellow Passionflower
Passiflora lutea
Zones 6a–9b · native to 23 states
Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 9b

Yellow Pitcher Plant
Sarracenia flava
Zones 6a–9b · native to 6 states
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 9b
Common questions
- What plants are native to Florida?
- Adam's Needle, Allegheny Spurge, American Beautyberry, American Beech, American Elm, American Hornbeam, American Linden, American Lotus, and 201 more are native to Florida. Every one links to its own growing page.
- When should I plant natives in Florida?
- Timing depends on your hardiness zone. Each plant on this page shows its sowing and bloom window relative to your zone's last spring and first fall frost, so the dates stay correct wherever in Florida you garden. As a rule, plant perennials and shrubs in early fall, at least six weeks before the first frost, or in spring once the soil drains.
- What hardiness zones does Florida cover?
- Florida runs from zone 8a to 11a. Pick your zone at the top of the page and the list re-sorts for it.
- Which keystone plants should I start with in Florida?
- Beach Sunflower, Black Cherry, Black Oak, Black-Eyed Susan, Boxelder, Calico Aster, among others. Keystone plants host the most caterpillar species in their ecoregion, which is what feeds nesting birds; one oak or native cherry does more than a bed of showy non-natives. Use the Keystones only toggle to see all 42.
How this list is built
Native ranges follow the USDA PLANTS Database; hardiness ranges follow USDA Plant Hardiness Zones; pollinator value draws on the Xerces Society. Where a reference almanac would stop at “confirm with your local authority,” we go one step further - every plant here links to its full growing page with frost-relative tasks for your zone.
Nature timing varies year to year. To calibrate to your own yard, the Garden Digest builds a weekly task list around your plants and frost dates.
The month ahead in your zone, free in your inbox.
What to sow, plant and watch for, timed to your frost dates. Once a month.
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