Native plants for Monroe County, Florida
766 native plants recorded in Monroe County, Florida
The USDA plant database has 1,107 plants recorded growing wild in Monroe County. 766 of them are native to the lower 48, and 213 are introduced species that this page leaves out.
By type: 299 wildflowers and herbs, 126 grasses and sedges, 68 shrubs, 70 low woody plants, 146 trees, 57 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 129 of them (17%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Annual ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), Lilac tasselflower (Emilia sonchifolia) and 13 more are also recorded as introduced.
What fits each kind of spot in Monroe County
| Spot | Rated to fit | Rated not to | Unrated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun all day | 125 | 0 | 641 |
| Half shade | 91 | 34 | 641 |
| Under trees | 53 | 72 | 641 |
| Heavy clay | 97 | 32 | 637 |
| Sandy, drains fast | 97 | 32 | 637 |
| Never watered | 66 | 59 | 641 |
| Stays soggy | 70 | 54 | 642 |
Sun all day in Monroe County: 125 rated natives
43 trees, 32 grasses and sedges, 27 wildflowers and herbs, 8 vines, 8 shrubs, 7 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Bayhops (Ipomoea pes-caprae) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Climbing dayflower (Commelina diffusa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Climbing hempvine (Mikania scandens) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Lavender thrift (Limonium carolinianum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Narrowleaf blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Roundpod St. Johnswort (Hypericum cistifolium) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Salt heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Half shade in Monroe County: 91 rated natives
29 grasses and sedges, 25 trees, 20 wildflowers and herbs, 6 low woody plants, 6 shrubs, 5 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Lavender thrift (Limonium carolinianum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Roundpod St. Johnswort (Hypericum cistifolium) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Salt heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Seaside goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Bayhops (Ipomoea pes-caprae) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Narrowleaf blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Under trees in Monroe County: 53 rated natives
24 grasses and sedges, 11 wildflowers and herbs, 8 trees, 6 low woody plants, 4 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Lavender thrift (Limonium carolinianum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Roundpod St. Johnswort (Hypericum cistifolium) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Salt heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Seaside goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Dixie ticktrefoil (Desmodium tortuosum) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 9 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Eastern annual saltmarsh aster (Symphyotrichum subulatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth - Golden crownbeard (Verbesina encelioides) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth
Heavy clay in Monroe County: 97 rated natives
31 trees, 24 wildflowers and herbs, 24 grasses and sedges, 7 low woody plants, 7 shrubs, 4 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Lavender thrift (Limonium carolinianum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Climbing dayflower (Commelina diffusa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Climbing hempvine (Mikania scandens) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Narrowleaf blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Salt heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Purple bushbean (Macroptilium atropurpureum) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Sandy, drains fast in Monroe County: 97 rated natives
40 trees, 25 grasses and sedges, 15 wildflowers and herbs, 8 shrubs, 5 low woody plants, 4 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Bayhops (Ipomoea pes-caprae) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Lavender thrift (Limonium carolinianum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Roundpod St. Johnswort (Hypericum cistifolium) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Purple bushbean (Macroptilium atropurpureum) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Seaside goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - American pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 7.3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · toxicity: slight
Never watered in Monroe County: 66 rated natives
26 trees, 14 grasses and sedges, 10 wildflowers and herbs, 6 low woody plants, 6 vines, 4 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Bayhops (Ipomoea pes-caprae) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Roundpod St. Johnswort (Hypericum cistifolium) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Salt heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Narrowleaf silkgrass (Pityopsis graminifolia) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.8 ft mature · perennial · high drought tolerance - Beach naupaka (Scaevola sericea) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 10 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Dixie ticktrefoil (Desmodium tortuosum) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 9 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
Stays soggy in Monroe County: 70 rated natives
22 trees, 22 grasses and sedges, 14 wildflowers and herbs, 6 shrubs, 3 vines, 3 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Canada germander (Teucrium canadense) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Climbing dayflower (Commelina diffusa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Climbing hempvine (Mikania scandens) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Lavender thrift (Limonium carolinianum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Green arrow arum (Peltandra virginica) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.3 ft mature · perennial · takes saturated soil - Common buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) trees
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 15 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Eastern baccharis (Baccharis halimifolia) trees
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 10 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Purple bushbean (Macroptilium atropurpureum) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Natives Monroe County has that most of Florida does not
158 natives here are on file in no more than 3 of Florida's 67 counties. A few of them:
- Common calabash tree (Crescentia cujete): only here
- Cape Sable whiteweed (Ageratum littorale): only here
- Key West threeawn (Aristida floridana): only here
- Rough strongbark (Bourreria radula): only here
- Fewflower holdback (Caesalpinia pauciflora): only here
- Smallflower lilythorn (Catesbaea parviflora): only here
- Cape Sable thoroughwort (Chromolaena frustrata): only here
- Yucatan flymallow (Cienfuegosia yucatanensis): only here
- Semaphore pricklypear (Consolea corallicola): only here
- Wild cosmos (Cosmos caudatus): only here
Where to start in Monroe County
If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Monroe County gives you the most rated choice (125 plants), and Bayhops (Ipomoea pes-caprae) is the easiest start on that list. Under trees is the hard one here: 53 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 641 unrated natives too.