What is a native plant?
The Florida Native Plant Society defines a Florida native plant as “a species occurring within the state boundaries prior to European contact, according to the best available scientific and historical documentation. Florida native plants include those species understood as indigenous, occurring in natural associations in habitats that existed prior to significant human impacts and alterations of the landscape.” A more succinct (though less scientific) definition may be, with the exception of Native Americans, that native plants have been here longer than we have!
Why are native plants important?
Native plants are essential to the Florida landscape because they are a “natural” participants in the local ecosystem. They provide food for animals as well as for the “pollinators” that play a foundational role in Florida’s production agriculture. As an example, native plants offer nectar to adult butterflies and serve as hosts for larvae. Other pollinators (bees, birds, bats and moths) are equally dependent on native species. (See more information on pollinators.)
Beyond being a food source, native plants improve soil health by cycling nutrients throughout the underlying soil via their expansive root system. At the same time, these roots penetrate Florida’s heavy clay soils and distribute water throughout the subsoils.
Importantly, native plants tend to play a “companion” role to other native plants in their immediate environments. Invasive or otherwise non-native plants, conversely, deplete soils of much needed moisture and nutrients, thereby starving out native species. The result is an invasive takeover and breakdown of the once-native habitats. Moreso, some invasive species can be toxic to other plants and some animals.
Having fully adapted to their environment, native plants are naturally healthier than others and typically require lesser amounts of soil enhancements, fertilizers and pesticides. And as adapted Florida natives, their need for less water benefits conservation efforts and limits the need for irrigation.
Common Native Florida Plants
Common native flowers include:
- Beach Sunflower/Helianthus
- Bignonia/Crossvine
- Black Eyed Susan
- Blanket Flower/Gaillardia
- Blazing Star/Liatris
- Blue Porterweed/Jamaicensis
- Coral Honeysuckle
- Frogfruit/Phyla Nodiflora
- Goldenrod/Solidago
- Golden Creeper
- Heliotropium/Scropian Tail
- Man-in-the-Ground/Ipomoea
- Passion Flower Incarnata/Maypop/Corkeystem
- Railroad Vine
- Salvia/Tropical Sage
- Sunshine Mimosa
- Tickseed/Coreopsis
- Yellowtop/Flaveria
Common Native Shrubs include:
- Bahama Cassia/Senna
- Beautyberry
- Buttonwood
- Cocoplum
- Coontie Palm
- Firebush
- Florida Privet/Forestiera
- Hopseed Bush/Dodonaea
- Muhly Grass
- Sea Grape
- Simpson Stopper
- Walters Viburnum
- Wild Coffee
- Yucca
Common Native Trees include:
- Florida Maple/Acer
- Gumbo Limbo
- Holly/EP-Yaupon-Dahoon
- Live Oak
- Magnolia
- Saw Palmetto
Other:
- Blueberry
- Mistletoe Cactus/Rhipsalis
- Prickly Pear Cactus
- Sea Oats
Final thoughts on Florida’s Native Plants
We believe Florida’s native species offer an exciting slate of potential plants for your gardens, landscaping and flower beds. Likewise, including native species will help your outdoor space be more “Florida-friendly” while quite possibly becoming the envy of your neighborhood!