Diary of a Gardener - Survive & Thrive: Smart Florida Gardening for Summer's Harshest Days Week 1
Know Your Battleground — Gardening in Florida’s Heat & Humidity
Summer feels like it’s already knocking on our doors. The first week of April felt more like June, with temps soaring close to 90°. I wasn’t ready for that — and neither were my plants that felt the surprise heat wave.
After living here for 22 years, I’ve learned one thing about Florida’s weather: it’s unpredictable. The heat ramps up early, the humidity is relentless, and the rain patterns are impossible to count on.
Learning what to plant — and how to protect your landscape — is key if you want your plants to survive our long, hot summer.
Step One: Plant Smart
Choosing heat-tolerant plants that can handle our intense summers, humidity, and irregular rainfall is the first line of defense. Sure, the Florida standards — Crotons, Copperleaf, Ixora — will always perform. But many homeowners want something different — a little more you, a little less “every yard on the block.”
Here are my Top 10 Favorite Heat-Loving Plants for Florida Landscapes (that won’t look like your neighbor’s yard):
My Go-To Heat-Tough Plants
Blue Plumbago — Drought-tolerant shrub with sky-blue blooms almost year-round.
Thryallis — Tough, easy-care shrub with bright yellow blooms spring through fall. Can be shaped upright or left natural.
False Agave — A variegated showstopper that needs very little water. Great statement plant.
Silver Buttonwood — Gorgeous blue-green native shrub (or tree). Adds softness and contrast in a sea of green.
Angelonia — Long-living annual that loves the heat and rarely needs extra water.
Bougainvillea — Bold color, many varieties from upright to groundcover types. Variegated foliage provides color even when not in bloom. Very drought-tolerant once established.
Walter’s Viburnum ‘Mrs. Schiller’s Delight’ — Compact 3-4’ native shrub, drought-tolerant, lovely winter blooms.
Coontie — Native cycad with incredible texture. Drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, and a host plant for pollinators.
Vinca ‘Suntory’ — Heat-tough annual that blooms all summer with little extra water. Great mounding habit.
Caladiums — Florida’s version of bulbs! Gorgeous foliage in endless color patterns. Grows in sun or shade with minimal water needs.
What To Do If You Think Your Plant Is Heat-Stressed
Signs of heat stress show up fast in Florida:
Wilting — even when the soil feels moist
Dropping leaves
Leaf curl or scorch
This happens because your plant is losing water faster than it can take it up through its roots.
Heat Stress First Aid:
Water deeply — but avoid overwatering.
Water at the base of the plant (not overhead).
Water early in the morning or later in the evening when the sun is lower.
Don’t water during windy conditions (it evaporates too fast).
If it rains, skip watering — rainwater is liquid gold for your plants!
When’s The Best Time To Water?
Early morning — before or just as the sun rises — is always best.
Evening watering is okay only if you water early enough that leaves have time to dry before dark. Wet leaves overnight = prime time for pests and disease.
Right Plant, Right Place = Success
This is the #1 rule for healthy landscapes in Florida.
The right plant in the right location will:
Require less water
Need less pruning
Have fewer pest problems
Be more resilient overall
Not sure how to prep your landscape for summer?
Let’s Walk It Together —
Schedule a garden consultation, and I’ll help you create a plan to beat the heat and keep your landscape thriving.
Pro Tip:
Now is the time to schedule an irrigation check-up. It only takes a few missed watering cycles during peak heat for plants to decline fast.
Don’t delay — summer is coming!
Stay tuned for next week’s Florida Smart Gardening Tip:
Cool & Calm — Shade Gardening Solutions for Florida Landscapes
