South Florida falls into the USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b. These zones tell you the average minimum winter temperatures and help determine which plants will thrive in your area. This knowledge is key to ensuring your South Florida garden flourishes year-round.
In this guide, we’ll dive into these zones, highlight the specific cities within each one, and share the best plants suited for your home. With this info, you’ll be set to pick the perfect plants that can handle whatever weather comes your way.
Plant Hardiness Zone Map of Florida
Below is the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map for Florida, highlighting the different zones:
For more details on the growing zones in other parts of Florida, check out our related articles:
What Zone is South Florida?
Understanding your growing zone is crucial for choosing plants that will thrive in South Florida’s unique climate. Let’s dive into each zone and see which cities fall within them.
Zone 9b: 25 F to 30 F
Zone 9b covers parts of South Florida with slightly cooler winters. This zone includes Hardee County and Highlands counties and adjacent areas. These areas are suitable for various subtropical plants.
Best Plants for Zone 9b:
- Shrubs: Bush allamanda, Green Island ficus, dwarf firebush
- Groundcovers: Lily of the Nile, baby sun rose, beach sunflower, daylily
- Trees: Flatwood plum, mulberry, red maple, live oak
- Vines: Red trumpet vine, coral honeysuckle, passion flower
- Flowers: Milkweed, black-eyed Susan, saw palmetto
Zone 10a: 30 F to 35 F
Zone 10a covers much of South Florida, which is characterized by warm winters and long growing seasons. Cities like Fort Myers and Naples fall into both 10a and 10b, depending on your specific area.
Best Plants for Zone 10a:
- Shrubs: Weeping yaupon holly, scrub holly, Simpson’s stopper
- Groundcovers: Fogfruit, baby sun rose, seaside purslane
- Trees: Fringe tree, scrub hickory, loblolly bay
- Vines: Beach morning glory, passionflower, bougainvillea
- Flowers: Beach sunflower, blue daze, blanket flower
- Grass: Pink muhly grass, carabao grass, blue sedge
Zone 10b: 35 F to 40 F
Zone 10b experiences slightly warmer winters than Zone 10a. Cities in this zone include Cape Coral and Pembroke Pines. Meanwhile, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, and Hollywood are both in 10b and 11a, depending on your ZIP code.
Tip: To find your exact zone, simply enter your ZIP code into the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.
Best Plants for Zone 10b:
- Shrubs: Savannah holly, Gold Mound duranta, firebush
- Groundcovers: Asiatic jasmine, creeping juniper, purslane
- Trees: Little Gem magnolia, yellow trumpet tree, mulberry
- Vines: Mandevilla, cross vine, coral honeysuckle
- Flowers: Bulbine, African iris, blanket flower
- Grass: Bushy bluestem, Zoysiagrass, mondo grass
Zone 11a: 40 F to 45 F
Zone 11a is one of the warmest zones in the United States, with very mild winters. Cities in this zone include Coral Gables and Homestead.
Best Plants for Zone 11a:
- Shrubs: Jatropha, coontie, liriope
- Groundcovers: Sand cordgrass, perennial peanut, society garlic
- Trees: Buccaneer palm, loblolly bay, royal poinciana
- Vines: Passionflower, bougainvillea, mandevilla
- Flowers: Bulbine, blue daze, beach sunflower
- Grass: Fakahatchee grass, bahiagrass, mondo grass
Zone 11b: 45 F to 50 F
Zone 11b has the mildest winters in South Florida and encompasses all of the Florida Keys. Cities in this zone include Key West, Islamorada, and Key Largo.
Best Plants for Zone 11b:
- Shrubs: Privet, coontie, dahoon holly
- Groundcovers: Beach strawberry, creeping thyme, dwarf morning glory
- Trees: Mulberry, Florida elm, coconut palm
- Vines: Passionflower, bougainvillea, mandevilla
- Flowers: Beach morning glory, bulbine, blue daze
- Grass: Fountain grass, carabao grass, mondo grass
For landscaping tips, check out our article: “Landscaping Ideas for Your Key West Home.”
More Lawn Care and Landscaping Resources for Florida
For more tips, visit our detailed Florida lawn care and landscaping guides:
- Essential Lawn Watering Tips for Florida
- The Best Lawn Fertilization Schedule and Tips for Florida
- Best Types of Grass for Florida Lawns
- Winter Lawn Care Tips for Florida
- How to Get Rid of Florida Lawn Pests
- How to Identify and Control Chickweed in Your Florida Lawn
- Florida-Friendly Landscaping Ideas
- What is Florida-Friendly Landscaping?
- Hurricane Resistant Landscaping Ideas for Florida
Contact a Lawn Care Pro Today
South Florida’s diverse climate means you have plenty of options for creating a lush, vibrant garden. Whether you’re in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Hialeah, Pembroke Pines, or Hollywood, knowing your specific zone helps you pick the perfect plants for your space.
For expert help with mowing, lawn care, and other landscaping tasks, don’t hesitate to reach out to a local Florida Landscaping pro. With their help, your outdoor space will surely thrive all year long.
Main Image Credit: alesh houdik / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
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