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Native Ground Covers for South Florida1
Alan W. Meerow2Ground covers are low-growing plants that are used in the landscape to blanket an area of bare ground. Living vegetation provides a substantial cooling effect when water released through the leaves is evaporated. Temperatures over ground cover plants can be as much as 15°-25° F lower than temperatures over paved surfaces. Turf grass is probably the most widely used ground cover, but some studies suggest that the energy demands of lawns, including maintenance costs, are significantly high. Where foot traffic will be heavy, turf grass is still the best possible choice of ground cover. However, in areas where traffic will be minimal, alternative ground covers are available that require little upkeep once established, and that may be adaptable to a wider range of environmental conditions than turf.
South Florida's various plant communities contain a number of native species suitable for ground cover use. In recent years, interest in the use of native plants for Florida landscaping has greatly increased. Some of the reasons for this include the loss to development of natural areas in the state, coastal deterioration due to disturbance of native vegetation, and concern about water use to support exotic landscapes composed of introduced species, some of which require considerably more irrigation than some native plants. The introduction of exotic plants that naturalize and, in some cases, outcompete native species, has become of great concern in various parts of Florida, and a great deal of money and resources are spent in efforts to eradicate such plant pests. Many counties are considering landscape ordinances that require a percentage of native plant materials be used in all future developments. Several have already implemented such ordinances. This will result in a need for wider availability of native plant materials. Landscape plant producers, landscape architects, and home gardeners in Florida need to become informed about, and prepared for, the production and cultural needs of this type of plant material.
Native plants are sometimes better adapted to Florida landscape conditions than many exotic species, and thus may require significantly less energy inputs such as fertilizer, water, and maintenance labor once they are established. This is especially true if the site conditions duplicate closely those experienced by a particular species in its natural environment. This is perhaps most critical in the harsh environments of the coastal strand, where excess salinity in the soil, air, and water can limit the choices of plant material. A sizable number of native species are well adapted to this environment and will outperform most exotic ground covers. Beach plum (Scaevola plumieri), sea lavender (Mallotonia gnaphalodes), sea oats (Uniola paniculata), and golden creeper (Ernodea littoralis) are four species of native ground cover useful for seaside landscaping.
Considering Site Factors
Careful consideration must be paid to the characteristics of the planting site when choosing native ground covers for landscaping. First, some concerns relating to the past history of the site must be answered.What was the original vegetation of the area? This knowledge will indicate which native plants will perform best on the site. Assuming that the answer to the next question is no, native species that once grew in a given location are likely to do best when replanted in comparison with species from very different types of native vegetation.
Have the native soil and hydrology been modified? During development, topsoil is often removed, and original drainage patterns disturbed. Fill soil of very different quality may have been brought in to replace the topsoil. If such is the case, it may be impossible to re-establish the same species that once grew on the site, or it may require a great deal of maintenance to do so.
Consider the present condition of the site. Does the site accumulate standing water? What is the soil type: muck, white sand, coral rock? Is the soil exposed to salt spray? Will the landscape plants have to be integrated with turf, and possibly be subjected to irrigation best suited to turf? All of these factors will influence a particular native species' performance in a landscape.
Establishing Native Ground Covers
Ground covers generally take two years to become established. Some species will require more or less time. During this period, a regular program of irrigation, fertilization, and weed control will ensure strong and rapid growth. A mulch will aid in water retention in new plantings, reduce weed competition, and facilitate the spread of ground covers that root along their stems. Once established, many species will require only an occasional trimming to keep them tidy and within bounds. For further ground cover maintenance information, refer to ENH30, "Ground Covers for Florida Homes" available from your county cooperative extension office.Obtaining Native Plants
Native plants should not be transplanted from the wild without the permission of the landowner, and never from public lands. In general, it is best to leave wild populations intact, unless the plants face destruction from development. Superior individuals in native populations should be identified where possible, and nursery stock propagated vegetatively or by seed from them. The advantage of seed over cutting propagation is that a degree of the genetic diversity of the species is maintained in cultivation.How to Use the Selection Tables
The tables of native ground cover species suitable for use in south Florida will help in making the right choices for various landscape situations. The list is by no means a complete inventory of the subtropical or tropical ground cover species native to the state, but it is representative of those native ground covers that have proven themselves in the landscape, are available from nurseries, or are judged worthy of wider use and availability.The tables are arranged alphabetically by scientific name, accompanied by one or more common names. Table 1 lists environmental needs such as soil pH and light requirements, as well as drought and salt tolerances.
Drought tolerance refers to south Florida conditions only and should be interpreted as follows: High - will not require supplemental irrigation after establishment; Medium - may require occasional irrigation during periods of unusual water stress; and Low - will require supplemental irrigation during periods of drought.
Salt tolerance should be interpreted as follows: High - will withstand direct salt spray and soil salinity; Medium - should be protected from direct salt spray but will withstand moderate saline conditions; and Low - is sensitive to salt.
Under the category of Hardiness Zone, sub-tropical refers to the transitional area between central and tropical Florida where an occasional winter frost will occur. Tropical refers to southernmost mainland Florida and the Keys where winter frosts are rare to nonexistent. Before installing a large-scale landscape using native ground covers listed as tropical only, it is best to confer with your county cooperative extension agent about expected winter minimums in your area. If a particular species can be used in central and north Florida as well, this has been indicated.
Table 2 lists the same plants as Table 1, but details characteristics such as height, foliage color, flower color/season, and includes uses and notes for each plant.
Tables
Table 1. Native ground covers for south Florida - plant requirements.
Scientific Name
Common Name
Growth Rate
Soil pH
Hardiness Zone1
Salt Tol.
Light Req.
Drought Tol.
Nutritional Req.
Blechunum serrulatum
Swamp fern Fast
Acid
C, N, ST, T
Low
Low
Low
Med
Borrichia arborescens
Silver sea oxeye
Slow
Wide range
ST, T High
High
High
Low
Canavalia maritima
Beach bean Fast
Wide range
ST, T High
High
High
Low
Chioccocca pinetorum
Pineland snowberry Slow
Wide range
ST, T Low
High
High
Low
Condradina grandiflora
Condradina Fast
Acid
C, ST Low
High
High
Low
Crinum americanum
String lily, swamp lily Medium
Wide range
C, N, ST, T
Med
Med
Med
Med
Crossopetalum ilicifolium
Christmas berry Medium
Wide range
ST, T Low
High
High
Med
Distichlis spicata
Seashore saltgrass Fast
Wide range
C, N, ST, T
High
High
High
Low
Dyschoriste oblongifolia
Twinflower Fast
Wide range
C, N, ST, T
Low
High
High
Med
Ernodea littoralis
Golden creeper Medium
Wide range
ST, T High
High
High
Low
Gaillardia pulchella
Blanket flower Fast
Wide range
C, N, ST, T
High
High
High
Low
Helanthus debilis
Beach sunflower Fast
Wide range
C, N, ST
High
High
High
Low
Hymenocallis floridana
Spider lily Med Wide range C, N, ST, T Low Med Low Med
Hymenocallis latifolia
Spider lily Fast Wide range C, ST, T High Med High Med Hymenocallis palmeri
Alligator lily Med Acid ST, T Low High Med Med Ilex vomitoria 'Schellings Dwarf'
Dwarf yaupon holly Med Wide range C, N, ST High High Med Med Ipomoea pescaprae
Railroad vine Fast Wide range ST, T High High High Low Imomoea stlonifera
Fiddle-leaf morning glory, beach morning glory Fast Wide range C, N, ST, T High High High Low Iva imbricata Seacoast beach elder Fast Alkaline C, N, ST High High High Low Lantana ovatifolia var. reclinata
Dwarf lantana Med Wide range C, ST, T Med High High Low Licania michauxii
Gopher apple Med Wide range C, N, ST High High High Low Lippia modiflora
Matchweed Fast Wide range C, N, ST, T High High High Low Mallotonia gnaphalodes
Sea lavender Slow Wide range C, ST, T High High High Low Nephrolepis biserrata
Giant sword fern Fast Acid ST, T Low Low Low Med Ohenia hypogaea
Beach peanut Med Wide ST, T High High High Low Oplismenus setarius
Basket grass Fast Acid C, N, ST, T Low Low Med Med Panicum amarum
Beach panic grass Med Wide range C, N, ST, T High High Med Peporomia obtusifolia
Baby rubber plant Med Wide range ST, T L Low High Med Satureja rigida
Pennyroyal Med Acid C, ST, T Low High High Low Scaevola plumieri
Inkberry Slow Wide range C, ST, T High High High Low Serenoa repens
Saw palmetto Slow Wide range C, N, ST, T High Med High Low Sesuviium portulacastrum
Sea purslane Med Wide range C, N, ST, T High High High Low Tradescantia ohiensis
Spiderwort Fast Wide range C, N, ST, T Med High Med Med Uniola paniculata
Sea oats Med Wide range C, N, ST, T High High High Low Urechites lutea
Wild allamanda Med Wide range ST, T Med Med High Med Vaccinum myrsinites
Shiny blueberry Slow Acid C, N, ST Low Med High Low Verbena maritima
Beach verbena Fast Wide range ST, T High High High Low Yucca filamentosa
Bear grass Med Wide range C, N, ST High High High Med Zamia pumila
Contie Slow Wide range C, N, ST, T High Med High Low 1Hardiness zone: C = central, N = north, ST = subtropical, T = tropical
Table 2. Native ground covers for south Florida - plant characteristics.
Scientific Name
Common Name
Height (feet)
Plant Type
Foliage Color
Flower Color
Flower Characteristic
Flower Season1
Blechunum serrulatum
Swamp fern 2-4 Herbaceous Green No flowers No flowers No flowers Uses: Under trees.
Notes: Tolerates most sites.
Borrichia arborescens
Silver sea oxeye
2-4 Woody Silver, silver-green, green Yellow Showy Sp, Su Uses: Banks and slopes, seasides, open areas.
Notes: A green species (B. frutescens) is also available.
Canavalia maritima
Beach bean .5-1 Herbaceous Green Purple Showy Year round Uses: Seasides.
Notes: A widespread, vining shore plant.
Chioccocca pinetorum
Pineland snowberry 2-3 Woody Green White, purple-white Insignificant Year round Uses: Banks and slopes, open areas.
Notes: A vining shrub.
Condradina grandiflora
Condradina 1-3 Herbaceous Green Blue Showy Year round Uses: Banks and slopes, open areas.
Notes: Needs good drainage. Plant close together for best cover. Other species native.
Crinum americanum
String lily, swamp lily 1-2 Bulb Green White Showy, fragrant Sp, Su, F Uses: Banks and slopes, open areas, under trees.
Notes: Spreads best in wet areas. Takes flooding.
Crossopetalum ilicifolium
Christmas berry 1-2 Woody Green Red Insignificant Year round Uses: Banks and slopes, open areas.
Notes: Attractive red fruit. Spiny leaves.
Distichlis spicata
Seashore saltgrass .25-.5 Herbaceous Green Green Insignificant Year round Uses: Banks and slopes, seasides, open areas, under trees.
Notes: Useful on wet, saline soils.
Dyschoriste oblongifolia
Twinflower .5-1.5 Herbaceous Green Blue, purple Showy Year round Uses: Open areas.
Notes: Var. angusta more common. Plant close together for best cover.
Ernodea littoralis
Golden creeper 1-3 Woody
Yellow-green Pink Insignificant Year round Uses: Banks and slopes, seasides, open areas.
Notes: Drought resistant. Excellent sand-binder.
Gaillardia pulchella
Blanket flower 1-1.5 Herbaceous Gray-green Red, yellow
Showy Year round Uses: Banks and slopes, seasides, open areas.
Notes: Short-lived, but will naturalize from seed.
Helanthus debilis
Beach sunflower 1-2 Herbaceous Green Yellow Showy Year round Uses: Banks and slopes, seasides, open areas.
Notes: Prefers sandy, coastal areas.
Hymenocallis floridana
Spider lily 1-2 Bulb Green White Showy, fragrant Su Uses: Open areas.
Notes: Wide-ranging and variable throughout the state; often aquatic.
Hymenocallis latifolia
Spider lily 1-3 Bulb Green White Showy, fragrant Su Uses: Banks and slopes, open areas, under trees.
Notes: Forms large clumps in time. Seeds readily.
Hymenocallis palmeri
Alligator lily 1 Bulb Green White, green Showy, fragrant Su Uses: Open areas.
Notes: Mass for best effect.
Ilex vomitoria 'Schellings Dwarf'
Dwarf yaupon holly 1-3 Woody Green White Insignificant Sp Uses: Seasides, open areas, under trees.
Notes: Extremely compact form of the species. New foliage is red.
Ipomoea pescaprae
Railroad vine .3-.6 Herbaceous Green Purple Showy Su, F Uses: Banks and slopes, seasides, open areas.
Notes: A vine well adapted to beaches and coastal dunes.
Imomoea stlonifera
Fiddle-leaf morning glory, beach morning glory .5 Herbaceous Green White Showy Sp, Su, F Uses: Seasides.
Notes: Excellent sand binder for dune stabilization.
Iva imbricata Seacoast beach elder 1-3 Woody Green Green Insignificant Sp, Su Uses: Seasides.
Notes: Sand binder. Roots along stems.
Lantana ovatifolia var. reclinata
Dwarf lantana .7 Herbaceous Green Yellow, orange, red Showy Year round Uses: Banks and slopes, open areas.
Notes: Drought tolerant. Poisonous.
Licania michauxii
Gopher apple .3-1 Woody Green Green Insignificant Su Uses: Banks and slopes, seasides, open areas.
Notes: Difficult to transplant.
Lippia modiflora
Matchweed .3 Herbaceous Green Pink Insignificant Year round Uses: Banks and slopes, seasides, open areas, under trees, edges.
Notes: Generally considered a weed. Tolerates foot traffic.
Mallotonia gnaphalodes
Sea lavender 4-6 Woody Silver-green White Insignificant Year round Uses: Seasides.
Notes: Well-adapted for beach landscapes. Excellent sand binder.
Nephrolepis biserrata
Giant sword fern 3-4 Herbaceous Green No flowers No flowers No flowers Uses: Under trees.
Notes: N. exaltata and N. cordifolia are introduced species.
Ohenia hypogaea
Beach peanut .5 Herbaceous Green Purple Showy Su Uses: Seasides.
Notes: An endangered prostrate herb. Annual, but reseeds when established.
Oplismenus setarius
Basket grass .2-.75 Herbaceous Green White Insignificant Sp Uses: Under trees.
Notes: Mixes well with St. Augustinegrass in shady areas. Can be mowed.
Panicum amarum
Beach panic grass 1-2 Herbaceous Green Green Insignificant Sp, Su Uses: Seasides.
Notes: Coastal dune grass. Sand binder.
Peporomia obtusifolia
Baby rubber plant 1-1.5 Herbaceous Green, red-green Green Insignificant Su Uses: Under trees, edges.
Notes: Excellent ground cover for shady areas. Damaged by foot traffic.
Satureja rigida
Pennyroyal .5-2 Herbaceous Green Purple Showy Year round Uses: Banks and slopes, open areas.
Notes: Good drainage necessary.
Scaevola plumieri
Inkberry 1-6 Woody Green White Insignificant Su Uses: Seasides.
Notes: Sprawling shrub is excellent for beach plantings.
Serenoa repens
Saw palmetto 4-8 Woody Green, blue-green White Insignificant Su Uses: Banks and slopes, open areas, seasides, under trees.
Notes: Slow growing. Does not transplant easily from the wild.
Sesuviium portulacastrum
Sea purslane 1-1.5 Herbaceous Green Pink Showy Year round Uses: Seasides.
Notes: A common sea strand plant.
Tradescantia ohiensis
Spiderwort 1-2 Herbaceous Green Blue, purple Showy Sp, Su Uses: Banks and slopes, open areas.
Notes: Showy flowers last one day each. Sometimes considered weedy.
Uniola paniculata
Sea oats 3-5 Herbaceous Green White Insignificant Sp, Su Uses: Seasides.
Notes: Endangered species for beach planting. Best dune stabilizer.
Urechites lutea
Wild allamanda 1-2 Woody Green Yellow Showy Year round Uses: Seasides, open areas.
Notes: Yellow allameanda-like flowers.
Vaccinum myrsinites
Shiny blueberry 1-2 Woody Green White, pink Insignificant Sp Uses: Open areas, under pine trees.
Notes: Prefers acid soil. Spreads by runners. Difficult to transplant.
Verbena maritima
Beach verbena .5-1 Herbaceous Green Purple Showy Year round Uses: Seasides, open areas.
Notes: Good sand binder.
Yucca filamentosa
Bear grass
1-2
Woody
Green
White
Showy
Sp, Su, F
Uses: Open areas, under trees.
Notes: Tough, but coarse-textured.
Zamia pumila
Contie 1-3 Woody Green No flowers No flowers No flowers Uses: Banks and slopes, seasides, open areas, under trees, edges.
Notes: Palm-like cycad. Cannot be sheared or mowed.
1Flower Season: Sp = spring, Su = summer, F = fall, W = winter
Footnotes
1. This document is EES60, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date September 8, 2001. Reviewed and revised June 2004. Visit the EDIS Web Site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.2. Alan Meerow, former professor, Evnironmental Horticulture, Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Larry Arrington, Dean.
Copyright Information
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