Permaculture gardeners in Florida take full advantage of the state’s unique subtropical climate, rich biodiversity, and extended growing season to create sustainable, self-sufficient ecosystems. These gardens emphasize the use of plants that are low-maintenance, productive, and often native or well-adapted to Florida's sandy soils and variable weather.
Edible Plants
-
Fruit Trees
- Citrus (oranges, lemons, limes)
- Avocado
- Mango
- Papaya
- Banana
- Loquat
- Pineapple guava (Feijoa)
- Mulberry
-
Nut Trees
- Pecan
- Macadamia
- Chestnut
-
Perennial Vegetables
- Chaya (Tree spinach)
- Katuk
- Moringa (Drumstick tree)
- Malabar spinach
- Sweet potato
-
Herbs
- Lemongrass
- Culantro
- Turmeric
- Ginger
-
Groundcovers and Vines
- Passionfruit
- Seminole pumpkin
- Watermelon
Nitrogen Fixers (Support Species)
- Pigeon pea
- Leucaena (Lead tree)
- Mimosa
- Cassia
- Acacia
Pollinator-Attracting Plants
- Sunflower
- Bee balm
- Milkweed
- Goldenrod
- Salvia
Soil Builders
- Comfrey (chop-and-drop mulch)
- Vetiver grass (erosion control)
- Clover (groundcover and nitrogen fixer)
Native Plants (Low Maintenance and Ecologically Beneficial)
- Saw palmetto
- Beautyberry
- Firebush
- Coontie (native cycad)
- Simpson's stopper
Water Plants (For Ponds and Wet Areas)
- Canna lilies (edible rhizomes)
- Duckweed (aquatic nutrient source)
- Water hyacinth (biomass production)
- Lotus
Other Key Considerations
- Mulch Sources: Fast-growing plants like bamboo or vetiver grass for chop-and-drop mulch.
- Seasonal Planning: Many plants thrive in Florida’s wet and dry seasons, so design your garden to leverage these cycles.
- Microclimates: Use shade-loving plants under larger trees and heat-tolerant plants in full sun areas.
From fruit trees like mangoes and citrus to nitrogen-fixing plants like pigeon peas and versatile groundcovers like sweet potatoes, permaculture gardens integrate plants that provide food, improve soil health, attract pollinators, and support biodiversity. By mimicking natural ecosystems and using thoughtful design principles, permaculture gardens in Florida offer a resilient and regenerative approach to gardening that thrives in harmony with the environment.