Rubus fruticosus 'Natchez'

Thornless Blackberry ‘Natchez’ is a non-native, Florida-friendly, deciduous, edible vining shrub that grows 4’-6’ tall and 4’-5’ wide. They do well in full sun, and rich, moist, slightly acidic soil. The flowers attract pollinators and the fruit are edible for birds and humans.

Salvia rosmarinus

Rosemary is a non-native, Florida-friendly evergreen woody herb that serves a purpose in the garden and the kitchen. Reaching 2’-5’ in height, with full sun and dry to average, well-draining sandy or rocky soil, Rosemary is a great drought-tolerant herb that handles the Florida heat very well. With flowers for pollinators from late winter to spring, and an undeniably delicious flavor when using the leaves, this plant can be used in a butterfly garden and in teas, soups, and roasts.

Eriobotrya japonica

Loquat is a non-native, Florida-friendly, evergreen fruiting tree that grows 15’-25’ tall. They grow best in full sun to partial shade, with average, well-draining sandy, clay, or loamy soil. Their flowers are highly attractive to butterflies and other pollinators, and their apricot-like fruit can be enjoyed by humans and wildlife alike.

Gynura procumbens

Longevity Spinach is a non-native, Florida-friendly, edible trailing vine that grows best in indirect sun or partial shade, with rich, well-draining soil. Unlike some greens, Longevity Spinach is known for its extreme heat and humidity tolerance, making it an ideal choice for many Florida gardens and landscapes. The leaves can be enjoyed raw or cooked, and have a variety of culinary applications, such as salads, smoothies, and soups and stir-fries.

Hibiscus acetosella

Cranberry Hibiscus is a non-native, Florida-friendly flowering shrub that grows to be 3’-5’ tall. These fast-growing plants feature dark red stems, foliage, and flowers, making them a dramatic addition to gardens and landscapes. They grow best in full sun and loose, rich organic soil. In addition to bringing in butterflies, pollinators, and hummingbirds, their flowers are edible for humans, and can be used to make teas, along with the young leaves.

Fragaria virginiana

Wild Strawberry is a native North American strawberry species that grows naturally in Florida's cooler, higher elevation areas and shaded woodlands. This low-growing perennial produces small, intensely flavorful berries that are much smaller than commercial strawberries but pack more concentrated taste. It's an important native plant that provides food for wildlife and for people. Does well in a hanging basket, pot, or shady garden beds.

Passiflora edulis “Purple Possum”

Purple Passionvine is a Florida-friendly, evergreen, perennial, showy passion variety known for it’s fruit, unlike other passion varieties that are known for serving as host plants. While the fruit and the flowers are the stars of the show, Purple Possum also serves as a host plant for Zebra Longwing and Gulf Fritillary caterpillars, so you can use this plant to feed yourself, and your local butterflies! Grow in full sun with rich, well-draining sandy soil for the best blooms and fruit. The vines and fruit get heavy as they grow, so provide a sturdy trellis, arbor, tree, or fence to support them.

Sambucus canadensis

Elderberry is a fast-growing native shrub that offers beauty, food, and unmatched wildlife value. This versatile plant thrives in moist soils and adapts easily to sun or partial shade, reaching 6-20 feet to create a lush, pollinator-friendly hedge or specimen plant. In early summer, you'll enjoy massive clusters of fragrant white flowers that attract butterflies, followed by nutrient-rich dark purple berries perfect for homemade syrups and jams. As a cornerstone of the native wildlife garden, Elderberry is a favorite for songbirds and beneficial insects alike.

Vaccinium darrowii

Darrows Blueberry is a native perennial shrub that grows to about 2’ tall with a 2’ spread. Full sun to light shade, sandy, acidic, well-drained soil. Darrows Blueberry has attractive, rainbow-colored foliage with white flowers in spring followed by tiny purple, blue, or black wild blueberries. Great pollinator plant for bees, especially native bees!

Persea americana

Florida-friendly, evergreen, fast-growing fruit tree; 30’-50’ tall, but can be kept at 10’ tall for easy fruit picking. Full sun is best for fruit production, with average to dry, well-drained soil; not flood-tolerant. Should be planted 25’-30’ away from trees or buildings.

Malpighia emarginata

Barbados Cherry is an evergreen shrub or small tree native to South America, Central America, and the Caribbean that grows up to 12 feet tall and wide with a rounded, multi-trunked form. This fast-growing tropical plant features delicate foliage and produces small, attractive pink flowers intermittently from spring through fall, followed by bright red, cherry-like fruits. The tart, edible fruits are exceptionally high in vitamin C—containing 30 times more than oranges—and ripen about one month after flowering. Thriving in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soils, it's drought-tolerant once established and serves as an excellent ornamental shrub, specimen plant, or container plant in zones 9B-11, attracting butterflies and providing edible fruit for both wildlife and humans.

Ocimum kilimandscharicum × basilicum 'Dark Opal'

Non-native, Florida-friendly, fragrant edible perennial herb. African Blue Basil is a hardy herb that prefers full sun in winter and light shade in summer. Grows to be 3’-4’ tall. Average, composted soil, frost protection required. Pollinators, especially honey bees, love this shrub.

Passiflora incarnata

Maypop Passionvine is a Florida native passionvine that is evergreen, perennial and showy. It’s planted both as a medicinal plant for people and as a host plant for the Gulf Fritillary, Zebra Longwing, and Julia butterflies.

Morus nigra

Florida-friendly, dwarf variety. The Everbearing Mulberry is a low-maintenance, self-fertile, edible black mulberry. Perennial shrub or small tree. They do well in full sun, with moist, but well-drained soil. Use an organic, slow release fertilizer. They bloom year-round and fruit Spring through Summer. Also works well as a potted plant!

Morus hybr. ‘Tice’

Tice Mulberry is a non-native, Florida-friendly deciduous fruit tree that grows to be 15’-60’ tall, depending on the pruning methods used to maintain it. They grow best in full sun to light shade with rich, well-draining loamy soil, though they are highly adaptable to poor soil conditions. While the Tice Mulberry fruits seasonally, they fruit profusely during their season, producing many large, black, delicious berries that are edible for humans and local wildlife.

Ananas comosus

Pineapple is a non-native, Florida-friendly edible plant that can grow 2’-3’ tall. They grow best in full sun with average to dry sandy soil. Each plant will produce one pineapple fruit, and they can be planted in the ground or grown in containers.

Cymbopogon citratus

Lemongrass is a non-native, Florida-friendly, perennial edible grass that grows 3’-4’ tall and 2’-3’ wide. They require full sun and rich, well-draining, loamy, clay, or sandy soil. When crushed, their leaves give off a lovely citrusy scent, and their lower stalks can be used to flavor soups, curries, and teas. As large clumping grass, they also make great border plants for folks who want to add some texture to their landscape.

Averrhoa carambola

Carambola or Star Fruit is a non-native, Florida-friendly, small evergreen fruit tree that grows to be 22’-33’ tall and 20’-25’ wide. They grow best in full sun to partial shade and moist, well-draining soil. They have soft-green leaves and yellow, star-shaped fruit that have a delightful sweet-tart taste.

Capsicum annuum 'Pequin'

Bird Pepper is a native edible pepper that grows to be 12”-24” tall and 12”-18” wide. They grow best in full sun and well-drained, fertile, slightly acidic soil. They have small, dark-green pointed leaves and white flowers that are followed by very small, but very spicy, edible orange peppers. While the spice is on the higher side, they have a unique, smoky and citrusy flavor that works well in a variety of culinary applications.