Low-Maintenance Landscape Plants for South Florida

Mexican Sunflower

• When searching for low-maintenance landscape plants in South Florida, consider the lovely Mexican sunflower. This plant is a warm-season annual that grows to be 5 to 6 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. Soft fuzz covers the stems and leaves, which are course and wide. There are approximately 10 species of Mexican sunflower, which are native to Central America and Mexico. Optimal planting time in South Florida is March and April. Mexican sunflower plants that flower will go to seed in the month of June. These hardy plants prefer full sun, but will grow in partial shade as well. South Florida summers are hot and the Mexican sunflower tolerates heat well and survives in drought conditions, although watering is necessary for these plants to look their best.

Scarlet Milkweed

• South Florida gets a great deal of rain and the Scarlet milkweed thrives in wet soil, as well as dry. The Scarlet milkweed is an evergreen perennial subshrub, which is sometimes grown as an annual. Scarlet milkweed grows to 3 to 4 feet tall and its leaves are approximately 5 inches long. This plant blooms from spring until autumn and has red and orange flowers. Place Scarlet milkweed in perennial borders and gardens. This low-maintenance landscape plant likes full sun, but tolerates partial shade and needs water on a regular basis.

Lemongrass

• Lemongrass is fast becoming popular with South Florida gardeners. This fragrant grass is often used in recipes and herbal medicines and is a versatile addition to any garden. This grass grows in clumps that often reach heights of 6 feet and widths of 4 feet. Lemongrass has bright leaves that droop and release a citrus scent when crushed or ground. Lemongrass tolerates many different types of soils and prefers bright sun, but will grow in the shade as well. South Florida gardeners often enjoy Lemongrass in flower beds or use them as borders. While this plant will suffer some leaf damage after a frost, it typically rebounds after a cold, hard winter.