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FLORIDA GARDENING & PLANTS 

Resources related to Florida gardening & plants span a wide range of plants and topics. The University of Florida (UF) Institute of Food and Agricultural Science (IFAS) is considered the leader in science-based horticultural and agricultural information in the state, and as the primary source of information for the Florida Horticulture for Health Network’s resource hub category Florida Gardening & Plants. 
 
The information presented on this website is published in good faith and intended for general information purposes. We do not make any warranties about the completeness, reliability and accuracy of this information. Any action you take upon the information on our website is strictly at your own risk and we will not be liable for any losses or damages from the use of our website.
 
The plants listed in these resources as “safe plants” are generally believed to be safe. However, if you suspect that a child (or adult) has eaten quantities of any of these plants (or any of their parts), or if you notice symptoms such as illness or dermatitis after handling these plants, call your Poison Control Center for additional information.
 
FLHHN would like to acknowledge content from University of Florida/IFAS.
Relf, Shoemaker Hypothesis Chart
Florida Gardening Resources   

Every effort was made to feature resources on this page that are reliable and clear in how they relay information about plants. Some resources on this page may reference uses of plants for food or medicine, including plant uses in a historical context. Readers should be aware that even among “edible” or “medicinal” plants, not every part of an edible plant may be edible, some plants may require certain preparations to be safely consumed, some plants should only be consumed in small quantities, certain individuals may have sensitivities to some plants, and some plants that were historically used as medicine or food may now be considered unsafe to consume. Whether growing, consuming, or educating about edible plants, always research plant uses carefully. If you work with public gardens, educational, or therapeutic horticulture programs, it is important to consider the possibility that some people you work with may sample plants without asking, may misidentify plants, or misunderstand how edible plants can be safely eaten.
 
The information presented on this website is published in good faith and intended for general information purposes. We do not make any warranties about the completeness, reliability and accuracy of this information. Any action you take upon the information on our website is strictly at your own risk and we will not be liable for any losses or damages from the use of our website.
 
The plants listed in these resources as “safe plants” are generally believed to be safe. However, if you suspect that a child (or adult) has eaten quantities of any of these plants (or any of their parts), or if you notice symptoms such as illness or dermatitis after handling these plants, call your Poison Control Center for additional information.
Key organizations
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park  
Bok Tower Gardens   
Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival  
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden  
Florida Dept of Agriculture (Gardening & Landscaping)
Fresh from Florida
Florida Federation of Garden Clubs  
Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association (FNGLA) 
Kanapaha Botanical Gardens   
Leu Gardens  
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens 
Morikami Museum and Japanese Garden  
Mounts Botanical Garden 
Naples Botanical Garden – Karen and Robert Scott Florida Garden 
Sunken Gardens   
The National Tropical Botanical Garden - Kampong  (Coconut Grove, FL.)   
Tropical Plant International Expo 
University of Florida IFAS Extension – County-specific gardening classes, consultations, information
 and Master Gardener Volunteer Programs

University of Florida Press
Vizcaya Museum & Gardens 
​
BOOKS, JOURNALS & EPUBLICATIONS ON Florida Gardening and Plants​
Austin, D. F. (2004). Florida ethnobotany. CRC Press.
Boning, C. (2021). Florida's best fruiting plants: Native and exotic trees, shrubs, and vines, (2nd ed.).
 Pineapple Press.
Boning, C. (2021). Florida's best herbs and spices: Native and exotic plants grown for scent and flavor,
 (2nd ed.). Pineapple Press.
Bowden, R. (2015). Florida fruit & vegetable gardening: Plant, grow, and harvest the best edibles (Fruit
 & vegetable gardening guides). Cool Springs Press.
Brown, S.P. & Schoellhorn, R. (2006). Your Florida guide to perennials: Selection, establishment,
and maintenance.  University Press of Florida.
Daniels, J. (2022). Your Florida guide to butterfly gardening: A guide for the deep south, (2nd ed.).
 University Press of Florida.
Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association (2021). Gardening library.
Florida Horticultural Society. (2021). Proceedings from the Florida state horticultural society.
Hall, D.W. (2020). Illustrated plants of Florida and the coastal plain. University Press of Florida.
Huegel, C. (2010). Native plant landscaping for Florida wildlife. University Press of Florida.
MacCubbin, T., Lampl, J., Tasker, G. & Bowden, R. (2021). Florida gardener’s handbook: All you need to
 know to plan, plant, & maintain a Florida garden,  (2nd ed.). Cool Springs Press.
Simons, R. W. (2021). The ecology of the trees, shrubs, and woody vines of northern Florida. University
 Press of Florida.
University of Florida IFAS Electronic Data Information System (EDIS) (2021). Ask IFAS? (online
 database of factsheets on a wide variety of topics - publications &
 research).
University of Florida IFAS Electronic Data Information System Journal (EDIS) (2021).
Varlamoff, S.M. (2015). Sustainable gardening for the Southeast. University Press of Florida.
Watkins, J.V., Sheehan, T.J. & Black, R.J. (2014). Florida landscape plants: Native and exotic, (3rd ed.).
 University Press of Florida.
RESEARCH & ARTICLES ON FLORIDA GARDENING AND PLANTS​​
Brown, S.P., Treadwell, D., Stephens, J.M. & Webb, S. (2018). Florida vegetable gardening guide.
UF/IFAS Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A & M University Cooperative Extension Program          Publication SP
 103 
Campbell, S.M.  & Sims, C.A. (2021). Small-to-medium-scale sensory evaluation of horticultural crops:
Standard sensory practices.
EDIS 3. 
Deng, Z., Peres, N. & Desaeger, J. (2021). Caladium cultivars ‘Pink Panther’ and ‘Crimson Skye’. EDIS.
Kumar, V., Ahmed, M.Z., Palmer, C., McKenzie, D.L. & Osborne, L.S. (2021). Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci)
management program for ornamental plants.
EDIS 5. 
Momol, E., Scheinkman, M., Thomas, M., Wichman, T., Hansen, G., Lewis, C., Marvin, J.,
Barber, L., Silvasy, T., Freeman, T., Brown, E., Peck, A. & Bossart, J. (2021). What is Florida-friendly landscape? EDIS 4.
Murray, J.J., Basset, G. & Sandoya, G. (2021). Nutritional benefits of lettuce consumed at
recommended portion sizes.
EDIS 3. 
Salinas, M., Park Brown, S. & Stephens, J.M. (2021). Herbs and spices in the Florida garden. EDIS 5.
Sandoyam, G.V., Bosques, J., Rivera, F. & Campoverde, E.V. (2021). Growing lettuce in small
hydroponic systems.
EDIS 5. 
EXAMPLES OF FLORIDA GARDENING AND PLANTS - Learning sites​
​Fairchild Challenge, an environmental science competition for students PK4-12th grade, encourages young people to learn about the environment, gardens, botany and more.
Naples Botanical Garden’s Karen & Robert Scott Florida Garden presents a demonstration garden with plants that thrive in this zone in Florida.              
UF IFAS Extension county office demonstration gardens (at most county extension offices)
VIDEOS & WEBINARS ON FLORIDA GARDENING AND PLANTS​​
Videos, webinars, and podcasts on Florida gardening
Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ webinars 
Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ in a Minute – One minute audio.
New Rare Edible Plants to Florida (& Beyond) video introduces a variety of edibles with tips for successful growing, shade houses, propagation ideas.              
Pete Kanaris GreenDreams TV videos showcase Florida gardens & nurseries.
This Legendary Florida Farm has Changed the Way We Grow Food – Echo farms, Fort Myers, FL. demonstration site for permaculture and Florida gardening
Tour This Pensacola Homestead & Food Forest – paw paw, monstera, dragon fruit, carambola.  
UF Fruitscapes videos 
RELATED ORGANIZATIONS ​​
Atlas of Florida Plants, Institute of Systematic Botany 
Edibles South Florida – Community Gardens 
Florida Native Plant Society  
Native American Ethonobotany database 
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone interactive map – your hardiness zone will indicate what plants will grow
well in your area 
Written & compiled by Jessica Sullivan, Lesley Fleming, Morgan Whitaker Smith, Susan Morgan, & Siang Yu Tham Feb. 2022
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There are four generally accepted classifications for plant toxicity: major toxicity, minor toxicity, oxalates (juice or sap that irritates), and dermatitis (juice, sap, thorns causing rash or irritation). Resources will often list plants by toxicity class, and some plant lists identify plants that are considered safe. Many lists, including the FLHHN Resource Hub lists include a caveat - “plants on this list are generally believed to be safe” (University of California, 2022b).
​
The plants listed in these resources as “safe plants” are generally believed to be safe. However, if you suspect that a child (or adult) has eaten quantities of any of these plants (or any of their parts), or if you notice symptoms such as illness or dermatitis after handling these plants, call your Poison Control Center for additional information.
Poisonous plants
(2022). All poisonous plants. Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System. 
(2022a). Safe and poisonous garden plants. University of California. 
(2022b). Toxic plants. University of California. 
WebMD. (2022). Guide to Poisonous Plants (with visuals). 
ornamental landscaping
Resources for Florida ornamental landscaping are listed below. Ornamental landscape plants are primarily used as visually pleasing decorative specimens in the landscapes of homes, businesses, public gardens and parks. They are diverse plants—annual & perennial flowers, trees, shrubs, and grasses. They may also provide food, shade or shelter, with these features considered secondary to their ornamental role.
 
Florida Friendly Landscaping™ interactive plant selector
Florida Friendly Landscaping™ plant guides, sample landscape designs, etc. (many of these resources
are also available in print format through local UF IFAS Extension offices) 
Florida Native Plant Society - interactive plant selector, growing information, etc.
Plant Real Florida – Florida native plant gardening guide, plant locator, etc.
Florida Wildflower Foundation –plant lists for attracting pollinators, birds, etc.
International Water Lily and Water Gardening Society – Includes listings for local groups
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center plant database.  The University of Texas at Austin – includes
Florida native plants
edible gardening
Edible plants are organisms of the plant kingdom suitable by nature for use as a food for human beings (Collins Dictionary, 2021). Plants included in this section, are typically not harmful to humans, but some people may have sensitivities to certain plants. Resources provided here are for informational purposes. Whether growing, consuming, or educating about edible plants, always research plant uses carefully. If you work with public gardens, educational, or therapeutic horticulture programs, it is important to consider the possibility that some people you work with may sample plants without asking, may misidentify plants, or misunderstand how edible plants can be safely eaten.
Please note that any use of the plants listed below is used at your own risk.
​

Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide 
Monthly Vegetable Gardening Planting Calendars
Growables - Information on growing fruits and vegetables in Florida 
Herb Society of America 
Plants for a Future – Information on edible plants 
American Botanical Council – information on medicinal herbs 
Interior plants​
For related resources on interior plants refer to the category: Landscapes for Health – interior plants.
 
Plants grown indoors, or those that thrive indoors, in homes, offices, schools and other facilities, are referred to as indoor plants. Most often used for decorative purposes as houseplants, indoor plants can aid in indoor air purification, provide positive psychological fascination, and some are used as foods or herbs. According to the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (2014) Florida’s production of houseplants is worth $500 million. Additionally, Ernst (2016) reported that 500 Florida operators lead the country, growing 80% of all tropical foliage and houseplants produced in the US.
 
Ernst, M. (2016). Florida houseplants make things green and clean.
Florida Department of Agriculture Division of Plant Industry 
NCSU online plant database 
Tropical Plants International Expo  
University of Florida IFAS Extension. (2021). Florida house plants. 
World of Succulents 
​
Wildlife gardening​​
​Wildlife gardening in this resource hub includes resources identifying garden animals, insects, and plants, as well as suggested plant lists for attracting specific wildlife like butterflies, birds, and other pollinators. 
 
Identifying garden animals & insects
 
University of Florida IFAS (2021). Garden pest animals publications. Ask IFAS.
Florida Museum of Natural History butterfly identification guides
Florida Museum of Natural History amphibian and reptile guides
Gillespie Museum Florida wildlife field guides 
iNaturalist app – identifies plants and animals; log sitings; find out what lives in your location
University of Florida IFAS. (n.d.). Featured creatures (insects).
University of Florida IFAS. (2012). Welcome to the insect ID Lab at the University of Florida.
Plant lists for specific types of florida gardens​​
Attracting wildlife
Fleming Hayes, R. (n.d.). Pollinator Friendly Gardening. Voyageur Press.  
Florida butterflies & pollinators – A folding pocket guide to familiar species. Waterford Press.
Hammer, R.L. (2015). Attracting hummingbirds and butterflies in tropical Florida. University of
Florida Press.
IFAS books on pollinators  
Mader, E., Shepherd, M., Vaughan, M. & Black, S. (2011). Attracting native pollinators (Xerces
Society Guide). Storey Publishing.
UF/IFAS. (2021). Gardening for birds.
UF/IFAS. (2021). Gardening with wildlife.
 
Sensory gardens in Florida
Clem, T. (2021). Sensory gardens: More than meets the eye. The Gainesville Sun.
HGTV. (n.d.). A Florida sensory garden plan. 
Jameson, M. (2019). Designing a sensory garden. UF/IFAS.
UF/IFAS (2021). Sensory gardens.
-        (n.d.). The Sensory Arts Garden (Jupiter FL.).
 
Plants for gardens for people with vision impairments
American Printing House. (2021). Gardening after vision loss: Tips from an experienced blind
gardener.
APHVisionAware.
Heritage Village Sensory Garden, Pinellas County.
Horchey, E. (2021). Lighthouse for the blind opens sensory garden, playground (Pinellas County,
FL.). Suncoastnews.com. 
The Lighthouse of Broward County. (n.d.). The Lighthouse sensory garden (Fort Lauderdale. FL.).
UF/IFAS. (2021). Fragrance gardens. 
Ethnobotany
Defined as the study of a particular people, region and culture and their use of indigenous native plants, ethnobotany focuses on relationships between cultures and plants (Mathias, 2004). This includes knowledge of plant classification, cultivation, and uses including medicine, food, and shelter. Biopiracy is the commercial exploitation or monopolization of biological or genetic material. Often, prominent medicinal plant extracts obtained without compensation to indigenous people or countries for their knowledge or materials is part of this topic. Florida, like other regions, has indigenous peoples and cultures, with research studies available, related to their ethnobotany.

Allen, G.M., Bond, M.D. & Main, M.B. (2012). 50 common native plants important in Florida’s
ethnobotanical history.
UF/IFAS. 
Austin, D.F. (2004). Florida ethnobotany. CRC Press.
Balick, M.J. & Cox, P.A. (2020). Plants, people, and culture: The science of ethnobotany (2nd ed.).
Garland Science.
Botanical Research Institute of Texas - Native American Ethnobotany Database
Gillespie Museum Florida ethnobotany field guides
Larsen, C. (2022). Wildflowers – A growing part of Florida history. Florida Wildflower Foundation.
Mathias, E. (2004) Ethnoveterinary medicine: Harnessing its potential. Veterinary Bulletin 74, 27-
37.
Missouri Botanical Garden Economic Botany, Research
New York Botanical Garden Ethnobotany, Plants and People » New York Botanical Garden 
Written & compiled by Jessica Sullivan, Lesley Fleming, Morgan Whitaker Smith, Susan Morgan, & Siang Yu Tham Feb. 2022
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