Florida Native Plants

Want to support native trees in the State of Florida? Find the best selection of indigenous species right here at Nature Hills Nursery!

Sunny Florida is USDA growing zones 8 to the north and panhandle through zone 11b in the Keys. With a wide range of biomes from Coastal areas and beaches, Subtropical Islands, Rocklands to vast dry prairies, sandhills, swamps, scrubs, flatwoods and floodplain forests!

You’ll get the best results when you choose salt-tolerant, coastal trees and native trees for Florida that can handle hurricanes, drought, sandy soil, heat and humidity throughout the year. By choosing plants specifically for your area, you can rest assured your tree can thrive where it is well suited to climate and soil because they originated there!

Native trees typically need less water once established, establish faster and tolerate local growing zones, climate, weather, and anything else your State can throw at them. Plus you’ll feed pollinators, songbirds, and wildlife by providing them with flowers and plants they recognize!

Best Florida Native Trees

Florida's unique situation surrounded by the Gulf and Atlantic Ocean means being ready for a wide range of weather and climate, plus plenty of sun!

Start by finding your Hardiness Zone, and then choose any tree that has a growing zone range that includes yours! Check with your local County Extension Office for more information if needed and for the many microclimates within these zones.

Best Native Evergreen Trees For Florida

The Sabal Palm is the State Tree of Florida, also known as the Sabal Palmetto/Cabbage Palmetto! These other Florida native Evergreen and Broad-Leaved Evergreen Trees keep their leaves year-round for privacy, slow wind, stop drifting snow, and color throughout the winters.

• American Holly Tree/Shrub
• Eastern Red Cedar (Redcedar) Tree
• Loblolly Pine
• Longleaf Pine
• Winterberry Holly

There are many Palm trees and Palmetto trees that have naturalized in Florida, but only a few are true natives.

Native Flowering Trees to Grow in Florida

Feed pollinators and hummingbirds nectar and pollen they evolved alongside in your State! Many of these trees are host plants for native pollinator larvae too! Plus you’ll love seeing the fragrant, colorful blooms throughout the year! The Pygmy Fringe Tree is a federally listed endangered tree endemic only to the State of Florida!

• Bottlebrush & Red Buckeye Trees
• Eastern Redbud Tree
• White & Native Fringetree (Fringe Tree) & Grancy Greybeard Tree
• Pagoda, Roughleaf, Silky, Swamp Dogwood Trees
• Red, White & Pink Flowering Dogwood Trees
• Magnolia Trees - Cucumber Tree, Southern, Sweet Bay
• Carolina Silverbell Tree
• Washington Hawthorn
• Common Witch-Hazel (Witchhazel)

What Are Native Shade Trees in Florida?

Whether relaxing in the shade after a day at the beach, or tanning around the pool, Florida can have quite a few hot, sunny days, especially along the coast. So a good, strong shade tree that handles storms, saves money by cooling your home, and gives your backyard relief from the sun is a much needed respite!

• American Basswood (Linden Tree)
• American Beech Tree
• American Chestnut
• American Elm Tree
• American Hop Hornbeam
• American Hornbeam
• American Snowbell Tree
• American Sycamore
• Bald Cypress
• Black Gum Tree
• Black Locust Tree
• Black Willow Tree
• Box Elder Tree (Boxelder)
• Carolina Cherry Laurel
• Carolina Silverbell Tree
• Common Hackberry Tree
• Cottonwood/Eastern Cottonwood Tree
• Florida Anisetree (Anise Tree)
• Maple Trees Including - Red, Silver
• Oak Trees - Black, Blackjack, Cherrybark, Chinquapin, Overcup, Shumard’s, Southern Live, Swamp Chestnut Oak, White & Willow Oak
• Red Buckeye Tree
• River Birch Trees
• Sassafras Trees
• Sourwood Tree
• Sugarberry Tree
• Sweetgum Tree
• Tulip Tree/Tulip Poplar
• Washington Hawthorn
• Wax Myrtle

Native Fruit & Nut Trees in Florida

We love edible landscaping trees that look great and provide food! Plus you’ll feel good feeding the diverse amounts of wildlife and songbirds found throughout Florida as well! Since the Northern Mockingbird is Florida’s State Bird, they need all the Mulberries and Hawthorns you can plant to keep them well fed!

• American/Wild Plum Tree
• Bitternut, Pignut, Red Hickory
• Black Cherry Tree
• Black Walnut Tree
• Downy Serviceberry
• Mexican Papaya
• Pawpaw Tree (Paw Paw)
• Common/American Persimmon Tree
• Red Mulberry Tree

Much Needed Natives!

Whether you are adding shade, flowers, privacy, or a long-lasting legacy to your landscape, Nature Hills is here to help you find the perfect native tree for your Florida landscape!

Help keep your State's native biodiversity intact by planting trees native to your area! Nature Hills is committed to helping you preserve your State’s unique beauty with plants and trees that are sure to do well in your garden without impacting your native flora and fauna!