Florida’s tropical climate makes it a paradise for colorful, long-blooming plants. The mix of heat, humidity, and sunshine can challenge some varieties, but many flowers thrive in these conditions and reward you with vibrant displays.
By choosing the right ones, you’ll enjoy year-round color in your garden or containers.
This list highlights plants that flourish in Florida’s unique environment, from hardy natives to tropical stunners. Some attract pollinators, others brighten shady corners, and many bloom for months with little effort.
With these selections, you can design a landscape that feels lush, inviting, and full of life in every season.
#1 Golden Dewdrop
Golden Dewdrop is a tropical shrub that thrives in zones 9–11. It produces cascades of white or blue flowers through summer, followed by golden berries.
Plant it in full sun for the best flowering, though it tolerates light shade. Regular pruning helps it keep a tidy shape. Perfect for adding height and tropical flair to borders.
#2 Coneflower
Coneflower is a heat- and drought-tolerant perennial that grows well in zones 3–8. It blooms all summer with pink, red, yellow, orange, or white daisy-like flowers rich in nectar.
Plant in full sun with well-draining soil. Deadhead spent blooms to extend flowering. Butterflies and bees will flock to your garden when it’s in bloom.
#3 Salvia
Salvia thrives in zones 8–10 and bursts with red, white, or deep blue flowers. It loves six to eight hours of sunlight and well-drained soil. Pinch back stems to encourage bushier growth and longer flowering.
Its blooms attract hummingbirds, making it a lively addition to garden beds. It also works beautifully in borders and pots.
#4 Zinnia
Zinnias are Florida favorites because they handle heat with ease. Hardy in zones 4–9, they bloom nonstop in shades of red, yellow, pink, and more.
Give them full sun and rich, well-drained soil for the best results. Deadhead faded blooms to keep flowers coming. Zinnias are perfect for cutting gardens, adding fresh color indoors.
#5 Lantana
Lantana thrives in zones 9–11 with clusters of nectar-rich flowers in yellow, orange, pink, and purple. It loves hot, sunny locations and requires little care once established.
Pollinators can’t resist its blooms, which last nearly year-round. Use it for ground cover, borders, or hanging baskets. Light trimming keeps plants compact and full.
#6 Canna
Cannas bring a tropical look with bold leaves and large, colorful blooms. Growing in zones 7–11, they love hot, humid summers.
Plant bulbs in rich, moist soil with full sun. Their flowers appear mid- to late summer in red, orange, pink, or yellow. Cannas add height and drama to Florida gardens.
#7 Jacobinia
Jacobinia, hardy in zones 8–11, produces striking pink or white blooms that resemble fireworks. It’s a tropical shrub that thrives in Florida’s warmth.
Grow it in full to partial sun with moist, fertile soil. Regular watering keeps flowers vibrant through summer. Use it as a focal plant in beds or containers.
#8 Gerbera
Gerbera daisies grow well in zones 8–11, reaching 10–18 inches tall. Their bold blooms come in red, orange, pink, and yellow, making them favorites for cutting.
Plant in rich, moist soil with full sun to partial shade. Keep the crown of the plant slightly above soil level to prevent rot. They add cheer to both gardens and indoor bouquets.
#9 Persian Shield
Persian Shield shines in zones 8–11 with its shimmering purple foliage. Unlike many plants, its leaves are the star feature, glowing in sun or shade.
Plant in fertile, well-drained soil and water regularly to keep colors vibrant. It pairs beautifully with green-leaved plants for contrast. Use it in borders or pots for nonstop tropical flair.
#10 Lamium
Lamium is a groundcover that brightens shady corners. Hardy in zones 3–8, it produces pink or silver blooms above soft foliage.
Grow it in partial shade with moist soil for best results. It spreads quickly, so use it to cover bare spots under trees. Regular trimming keeps it neat and manageable.
#11 Plumbago
Plumbago grows in zones 9–10 and shows clusters of sky-blue flowers. This tropical shrub can reach four to five feet tall. It thrives in full sun but adapts to partial shade.
Water regularly until established, then it tolerates dry spells. Its airy blooms pair beautifully with roses and hibiscus.
#12 Purslane
Purslane is a heat-loving plant perfect for Florida summers. In zones 10–11, it forms a mat of succulent foliage dotted with red, white, or orange flowers.
Plant in well-drained soil under full sun. Water sparingly, as it thrives in dry conditions. Use it for edging, hanging baskets, or filling hot, sunny spots.
#13 Verbena
Verbena blooms in clusters of red, white, yellow, or purple from spring through summer. Hardy in zones 7–10, it loves full sun and well-drained soil.
Pinch back stems to encourage fuller growth and more flowers. It works well as a trailing plant in baskets or ground cover in beds. Butterflies love its nectar-rich blooms.
#14 Blanket Flower
Blanket Flower thrives in zones 5–9 with fiery yellow, orange, or red blooms. It loves sandy, well-drained soil and plenty of sun.
Drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, it flowers all summer long. Deadhead spent flowers to keep plants blooming. Perfect for naturalized Florida landscapes.
#15 Oyster Plant
Oyster Plant grows in zones 9–11, both indoors and out. It features green and purple striped leaves with small white flowers tucked inside.
Plant in bright, indirect light and water weekly. It makes an excellent border plant or groundcover. Indoors, it adds a tropical accent to sunny windows.
#16 Coreopsis
Coreopsis, Florida’s state wildflower, blooms in bright shades of yellow, red, or orange. Hardy in zones 4–9, it loves full sun and sandy, well-drained soil.
It attracts butterflies and bees while tolerating drought. Cut flowers last well in vases, brightening any room. A reliable perennial for Florida gardens.
#17 Cuphea
Cuphea, known as the cigar plant, bursts with fiery red blooms in summer. Hardy in zone 8, it thrives in heat and tolerates drought.
Plant in full sun for nonstop color. Its tubular flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Use it for edging or mass plantings in sunny beds.
#18 Mexican Petunia
Mexican Petunia thrives in zones 9–11 with purple, pink, or white blooms. It flowers freely through summer, brightening hot, sunny spots. Grow it in moist soil with full sun or partial shade.
Once established, it spreads quickly, creating colorful borders. Regular pruning keeps plants tidy and controlled.
#19 Sanchezia
Sanchezia is prized for its striking foliage in cream, gold, or white patterns. Hardy in zones 10–11, it also produces yellow flowers from orange bracts.
Grow it in partial to full shade with moist soil. Its bold leaves make a dramatic statement in tropical gardens. Combine with ferns or caladiums for lush displays.
#20 Butterfly Bush
Butterfly Bush thrives in zones 5–10 with fragrant spikes of pink, purple, or yellow blooms. It’s drought-tolerant and disease-resistant, making it easy to grow.
Plant in a sunny spot for nonstop summer flowers. Deadhead regularly to encourage new blooms. Butterflies and bees will visit daily when it’s in flower.
#21 Evolvulus
Evolvulus, also called Blue Daze, shines in zones 8–11 with sky-blue blooms. It spreads low to the ground, making it a great border plant. Grow in full sun for the best flowering.
Water regularly, but let the soil dry slightly between waterings. Its bright flowers pair beautifully with yellow or white blooms.
#22 Scaevola
Scaevola, or fan flower, thrives in zones 10–11. It produces cascading pink, blue, or white blooms perfect for baskets or containers.
Plant in full sun with well-drained soil. Water deeply but infrequently to keep roots strong. Its trailing habit makes it ideal for patios and balconies.
#23 Pentas
Pentas are butterfly magnets with clusters of star-shaped blooms. Hardy in zones 10–11, they grow up to three feet tall.
Plant in full sun where they’ll flower in red, pink, purple, or white all summer. Water regularly, especially in hot weather. Perfect for pollinator gardens and cut arrangements.
#24 Shooting Star
Shooting Star offers purple, star-shaped blooms above glossy leaves. Hardy in zone 9, it grows up to four feet tall. Plant in partial sun with moist, well-drained soil.
It blooms heavily in spring and summer, adding drama to borders. Regular feeding encourages even more flowers.
#25 Firebush
Firebush is a tropical shrub growing up to 10 feet tall in zones 9–10. It produces tubular orange and yellow flowers beloved by hummingbirds.
Plant in full sun for best results, though it tolerates partial shade. Once established, it thrives on little care. Prune lightly to control its size and encourage more blooms.
#26 Bolivian Sunset Gloxinia
Bolivian Sunset Gloxinia adds color in winter when most plants are resting. Hardy in zones 9–11, it blooms from fall through spring with red-orange flowers.
Plant in partial shade with moist, well-drained soil. Its glossy leaves and vivid blooms brighten shady corners. It works beautifully in pots or shaded beds.
Final Thoughts
Florida’s gardens can bloom year-round with the right plant choices. These flowers handle the heat and humidity while rewarding you with nonstop color. Many also attract pollinators, adding movement and life to your landscape.
Mix natives, tropicals, and perennials to keep your garden fresh in every season. With so many options, you can create a lush Florida retreat right outside your door.