With its subtropical and tropical climate, Florida is a dream location for growing a wide variety of plants. While the heat, humidity, and pests can feel overwhelming at times, there’s also a long list of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and ornamentals that absolutely thrive here.
Whether you're just starting your gardening journey or planning your next season, here's a breakdown of what grows well in Florida's unique environment.
Heat-Loving Vegetables
Florida’s long, hot growing season favors vegetables that can take the heat and keep on producing. Some of the best performers include:
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Okra – Thrives in hot, humid weather and produces abundantly with minimal care.
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Seminole Pumpkin – A native heirloom variety that resists pests and loves Florida's conditions.
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Sweet Potatoes – Great for summer planting and can be grown in raised beds or containers.
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Yard Long Beans – These beans thrive in Florida’s heat and humidity when regular beans (like traditional green beans), fail to produce a harvest.
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Eggplant (especially Asian varieties) – Tolerates heat and pest pressure better than others.
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Luffa (Loofah) – Grows fast in the summer and doubles as an edible or sponge-producing plant.
Tropical Herbs & Roots
Many herbs and roots commonly found in tropical cuisine are perfectly suited for Florida gardens:
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Ginger, Galangal, & Turmeric – Easy to grow in containers or in-ground, with beautiful foliage.
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Thai Basil & Mint – Hardy and aromatic, just watch their spread.
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Lemongrass – Loves full sun, repels mosquitos, and makes an excellent ornamental too.
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Cuban Oregano – A heat-hardy herb with thick, succulent leaves.
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Malabar Spinach, Chaya, Molokhia, Lagos Spinach, Okinawan Spinach, South Sea Salad Tree, & Longevity Spinach – These aren’t true spinach, but they fill the leafy green role perfectly in summer.
Flowers That Love the Sun
If you're looking to brighten up your garden with blooms that can handle the sun and rain, these are great choices:
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Zinnias – Colorful and prolific, perfect for pollinators.
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Sunflowers – Hardy and happy in full sun.
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Tithonia (Mexican Sunflower) – A butterfly and bee magnet with vivid orange blooms.
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Celosia, Cosmos, and Marigolds – Reliable, heat-tolerant bloomers.
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Thai Butterfly Pea – A beautiful edible flower and nitrogen fixer.
- African Blue Basil – Typically grown to attract bees into the garden but the leaves can be used similar to Holy Basil or Thai Basil.
Fruit Trees and Perennials
Florida’s mild winters (especially in zones 9 and 10) make it possible to grow a wide range of fruiting plants and perennials:
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Bananas & Plantains – Fast-growing and productive with enough space.
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Papaya – Can be grown from seed and fruits quickly.
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Pineapple – Grows well in containers or raised beds.
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Passionfruit – A vigorous vine that loves Florida’s warmth.
- Tropical Fruit Trees – Florida's mild winters means you can grow a huge list of tropical fruit trees that would not survive in other parts of the United States. Some ideas include: Mangoes, avocado, sugar apple, sour sop, lychee, mamey, longans, star fruit, sapodilla, ice cream bean, citrus, jujube, dragon fruit, guava, jack fruit, jaboticaba, and much more.
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Mulberries & Barbados Cherry – Great for small food forests or edible landscapes.
- Berries – Blackberries and Mysore raspberries are perennial crops that produce a ton once established.
- Muscadine Grapes – Regular table grapes do not grow well in Florida, so grow muscadine grapes instead.
Ready to Grow These Plants?
Explore my website for Florida-friendly seeds and live plants. From tropical herbs to heat-loving vegetables, I have exactly what you need to get growing right now.