The weather is getting crazier out there.
More hurricanes are lashing out, causing more severe damage.
It’s getting hotter, too. Central Florida has always had wild weather patterns, with deluges of rain one month and hot, dry conditions the next.
You have to feel sorry for plants trying to stand up to all this.
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What are the best heat-tolerant plants in Florida? What plants can withstand heavy rain, wild winds and occasional drought?
Florida native plants are always a good bet, automatically adapted to Florida's climate and conditions, but other sturdy varieties, from bougainvillea to blue daze, can hold their own, too.
Read on to learn more about the most resilient plants for new Orlando landscapes.
It’s getting hotter out there.
According to the Florida Climate Center at Florida State University, the number of extreme heat days—days at or above 95 degrees—is projected to rise in Florida, with 40 or more extreme heat days per year by 2050.
And with continued warming of the land and ocean, hurricanes are expected to increase in intensity and reach major category strength when they hit, with severe flooding and high winds, the Center reports.
All this means forget fragile flowers — you want sturdy climate-resilient plants in your landscaping.
Check out these hardy Florida plants:
Plants that can stand up to storms have these qualities:
Check out these hardy Florida plants that can stand up to storms:
These Florida native trees are super hardy, often growing to a height of 50 feet.
Live oaks have dense wood and a unique growth pattern with spiraled trunks and branches, allowing them to flex rather than break in strong winds.
Their deep roots help anchor them firmly in the ground, making them less likely to be uprooted during storms.
They also have a short, wide profile that helps them survive hurricane- force winds.
Like live oaks, Southern magnolias have a deep, strong root system, making them less likely to be uprooted during strong winds. Besides being climate-resilient plants, Southern magnolias will wow you with their stunning, fragrant flowers and pretty evergreen foliage.
This is Florida's state tree, so it’s used to our challenging weather conditions.
This Florida native tree has a fibrous root system that’s extensive and wide-spreading, helping the trees anchor firmly in the ground.
Their flexible trunks and fronds also allow sabal palms to withstand strong winds and storms.
This dwarf palm tree, often used in small landscape beds, has a flexible trunk and crown, allowing it to sway with the wind rather than snapping or breaking.
Dahoon holly is native to the southeastern United States, an area known for hurricanes, so it has evolved to withstand strong winds.These Florida native plants also tolerate flooding, a handy bonus.
What qualities make a plant able to stand up to hot temperatures?
Check out these climate-resilient plants that can hold up in the heat:
What is the best native plant for Florida? It’s hard to beat passion flower. This flowering vine rewards you with huge three- to five-inch flowers in shades of lavender or purple, with a wavy fringe. Several varieties are native to Florida, making them well-suited to warm temperatures and lots of sunlight.
African iris is native to South Africa and thrives in hot, sunny conditions. The older foliage can provide some protection from extreme temperatures, so it's important not to cut back too much.
The abundant flowers of this tropical beauty are brilliant blue and funnel-shaped, opening in the morning and closing up in the evening.
It has a low-spreading, mounding habit with fuzzy, silvery-green foliage and is known for its ability to withstand high temperatures.
Some of the same qualities that make a plant heat resistant also make it able to withstand drought: small leaves; a waxy leaf surface; deep roots; that cool ability to store water.
A couple other qualities come into play, too:
Check out these drought-resistant players, among the toughest Florida plants.
Saw palmetto thrives in dry, sandy soil. These Florida native trees have a robust root system that helps them access moisture and nutrients even in dry conditions and waxy leaves that help reduce water loss.
What flowering plants are drought-resistant in Florida? Everybody loves bougainvillea, with its beautiful pink, red, purple or magenta blooms. It’s one of the most popular Central Florida full sun plants.
While not as succulent as some drought-tolerant plants, bougainvillea can store water in its tissues, allowing it to survive periods without rain or irrigation.
These primitive plants were common during the dinosaur age, so they’ve obviously figured out ways to survive for the long haul.
The fern-like plant has a large, fleshy underground stem and tap root that acts as a reservoir, storing water for use during dry periods.
Rain gardens are perfect for Central Florida’s crazy climate swings between rainy and dry spells. They tolerate drought, then happily soak up the deluge when the skies open up.
Florida native plants are often good bets. They’re used to the alternating rainy and dry periods here.
Check out these great rain garden plants:
Swamp milkweed is native to wetlands and marshes, so it’s perfect for rain gardens.
Its deep roots also help stabilize the soil, which prevents erosion.
Bonus: Milkweed is a host plant for monarch caterpillars, supporting crucial pollinator populations.
This Florida native plant offers masses of small white flowers in the spring, attracting butterflies.
Once established, this shrub is known for its drought tolerance. But it also tolerates temporarily wet soils, an important feature for rain gardens, where water pools after rainfall.
Cinnamon ferns are naturally found in Florida wet woodlands, stream banks, and other moist areas, so they’re perfectly home in Orlando rain gardens, where water collects. Their extensive root system works underground to absorb and filter excess water.
When it comes to planting and landscape design in Central Florida, stick with us for climate-resilient plants that can stand up to whatever Mother Nature dishes out.
We’re landscape experts, and we’ll help you plan your perfect outdoor space.
Sod, irrigation, landscape design: let us transform your yard from an embarrassing eyesore to a place you spend every spare minute.
Are you ready to enjoy the vibrant, impressive yard you've always wanted? Request a quote today! We’ll help you review your options and then transform your property.
Image Source | Rain Garden, Magnolia