What to Plant in Summer in Florida

As a gardening enthusiast living in Florida, it’s hard not to feel a bit envious of gardeners in cooler, temperate regions of the United States.

In places with distinct seasons and milder summers, plants like roses, tulips, and apple trees can thrive and become iconic features of the garden. These familiar plants are often easier to grow with less stress from extreme heat.

Plants, much like people, also have their own climate preferences. Some thrive in cool, mild conditions, while others are naturally built to withstand intense heat and humidity.

Many of the plants commonly grown in home gardens originate from temperate climates, where summers are warm but not overwhelmingly hot. That’s why gardening in Florida can feel like a completely different challenge—its long, hot, and intensely humid summer pushes many traditional garden favorites to their limits.

But despite the heat, there are still many plants that don’t just survive Florida’s summer—they actually thrive in it.

So the key question becomes: what plants can handle Florida’s extreme summer conditions, including:

· Heat tolerance (90°F+ sustained temperatures) 

· Humidity resistance

· Strong adaptability to water fluctuations

· Disease and fungus resistance

· Ability to grow in full sun or partial shade

Best Flowers for Florida Summer

1. Blanket Flower (Gaillardia) — Bright, Heat-Loving Wildflower

Blanket flower is one of the most reliable heat-tolerant flowers for Florida gardens. It thrives in full sun, dry conditions, and intense heat, making it ideal for long Florida summers when many other flowers struggle.

Its vivid red, orange, and yellow daisy-like blooms flower continuously throughout the hot season, attracting butterflies and other pollinators. Its natural, slightly wild appearance also makes it perfect for low-maintenance gardens.

· Perennial in warm climates (including Florida)

· Difficulty level: Easy

· Key conditions: Full sun (6–8+ hours), well-drained soil, low to moderate water needs, drought tolerant once established  

2. Angelonia — “Summer Snapdragon” for Continuous Color

Angelonia is often called “summer snapdragon” because it thrives in conditions where traditional snapdragons fail. It performs exceptionally well in heat and humidity, making it a staple Florida summer bedding plant.

It produces tall spikes of purple, pink, or white flowers that bloom continuously with minimal maintenance, adding vertical structure to garden beds even in peak summer heat.

· Tender perennial (often grown as annual elsewhere, but can persist in Florida)

· Difficulty level: Easy

· Key conditions: Full sun to partial shade, moderate watering, well-drained soil 

3. Pentas — Butterfly Magnet for Hot Summers

Pentas is one of the easiest and most rewarding plants for Florida heat and humidity. It thrives in full sun and continues blooming even during the hottest months.

Its star-shaped flowers come in red, pink, white, and purple, and are highly attractive to butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.

· Perennial in Florida (often evergreen in frost-free areas)

· Difficulty level: Easy

· Key conditions: Full sun, moderate watering, well-drained soil, humidity tolerant 

4. Salvia — Long-Blooming Heat-Resistant Spikes

Salvia is one of the most dependable flowering plants for hot climates. It thrives in full sun, high heat, and humidity, continuing to bloom even when many other plants slow down in midsummer.

Depending on the variety, it produces upright spikes in purple, red, pink, or blue, and is especially valued for its long blooming season and strong pollinator attraction.

· Perennial in Florida (variety-dependent)

· Difficulty level: Easy

· Key conditions: Full sun, well-drained soil, moderate to low watering once established, good airflow 

5. Melampodium — Compact Sunshine Bloomer

Melampodium is a tough, sun-loving annual that performs exceptionally well in hot, dry, and sunny conditions. It keeps blooming even when many bedding plants decline in peak summer heat.

It produces small, bright yellow daisy-like flowers that create a dense “sunshine carpet” effect in garden beds.

· Annual (often self-seeds in warm climates)

· Difficulty level: Very easy

· Key conditions: Full sun, well-drained soil, low water needs, highly heat and drought tolerant 

Best Vegetables for Florida Summer

1. Okra — Ultimate Heat-Loving Southern Vegetable

Okra is one of the most reliable vegetables for Florida’s extreme summer heat. It thrives in full sun and high temperatures when many other crops stop producing.

· Difficulty level: Easy

· Key conditions: Full sun (6–8+ hours), well-drained soil, heat and drought tolerant once established, frequent harvesting improves yield

· Yield: High and continuous production throughout summer

· Best use: Gumbo, stir-fries, soups 

2. Roselle — Tropical Hibiscus for Drinks and Jams

Roselle is a tropical plant related to hibiscus that grows extremely well in Florida’s hot and humid climate. It thrives during long warm seasons and produces both ornamental and edible value.

· Difficulty level: Moderate

· Key conditions: Full sun, warm temperatures, moderate watering, space for bushy growth

· Yield: Calyxes harvested in fall for teas and jams

· Best use: Hibiscus tea, syrups, preserves 

3. Everglades Tomato — Florida’s Native Heat-Tolerant Tomato

Everglades tomato is a small wild variety native to Florida, making it far more heat and humidity tolerant than standard tomatoes. It continues producing even when most tomatoes fail in summer heat.

· Difficulty level: Easy

· Key conditions: Full sun, well-drained soil, high humidity tolerant, spreads easily

· Yield: Abundant small cherry tomatoes, often self-seeding

· Best use: Fresh snacking, salads 

4. Sweet Banana Pepper — Reliable Summer Producer

Sweet banana pepper performs well in warm to hot conditions, making it a dependable fruiting vegetable during Florida summers.

· Difficulty level: Easy

· Key conditions: Full sun, consistent watering, warm soil, regular harvesting

· Yield: Continuous production of mild yellow peppers

· Best use: Salads, grilling, pickling

 5. Pingtung Eggplant — Heat-Loving Asian Variety

Pingtung eggplant is an Asian variety known for excellent heat tolerance and strong productivity in warm climates.

· Difficulty level: Moderate

· Key conditions: Full sun, warm temperatures, regular watering, fertile soil

· Yield: High production of long, slender purple eggplants

· Best use: Stir-fries, grilling, Asian dishes

Final Thoughts on Florida Summer Gardening

Florida’s summer gardening conditions can be challenging, but they are far from limiting. The key to success is not fighting the climate, but working with it by choosing plants adapted to heat, humidity, and long growing seasons.

Once you shift from temperate gardening habits to heat-tolerant planting strategies, Florida becomes a surprisingly productive growing environment.

Key Takeaways for Florida Summer Gardening：

Choose heat-tolerant plants adapted to full sun and high humidity

Avoid cool-season crops during peak summer months

· Combine flowers and vegetables for a balanced garden

· Water deeply and improve soil drainage for better plant health

· Native and tropical plants generally perform best in Florida climates

· Using proper gardening tools can significantly improve soil preparation, planting accuracy, and overall plant survival in extreme heat. You can explore recommended gardening tools on my site for more practical setup ideas

With the right plant choices, Florida’s summer can be less of a challenge and more of an opportunity to grow a diverse and resilient garden.

Happy gardening!