15 Best Tropical Plants for Florida Landscapes

Top 10 Tropical Plants Specifically for Zone 9A Florida Landscaping

Zone 9A covers most of Northeast Florida, with average winter lows between 20°F and 25°F. Not all tropical plants handle this climate equally. Here are the ten varieties that consistently perform best across St. Johns, Flagler, and Volusia counties based on customer results and our nursery experience:

1. Muhly Grass — Native Florida grass that thrives in full sun, tolerates drought, and turns cotton-candy pink in fall. Hardy to 0°F. A top performer in St. Augustine, FL yards year after year.
2. Confederate Jasmine — Evergreen vine with intensely fragrant white flowers. Covers fences and pergolas beautifully. Handles Zone 9A winters with no protection needed in Palm Coast, FL.
3. Clusia Small Leaf — Florida's most popular privacy hedge. Salt-tolerant, insect-resistant, and fast-growing. Thrives in Flagler Beach, FL coastal conditions without special care.
4. Loropetalum Ruby Red — Burgundy-foliaged shrub with fuchsia fringe flowers in spring. Hardy to 0°F and evergreen through NE Florida winters. A bold landscape accent in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.
5. Viburnum — Fast-growing privacy hedge available in three varieties. All perform well in Zone 9A with consistent growth rates of 2–3 feet per year. Popular in Ormond Beach, FL subdivisions.
6. Ixora Maui — Non-stop bloomer in red, yellow, or orange clusters. Compact growth, pest-resistant, and ideal for borders and foundation plantings throughout NE Florida.
7. Windmill Palm — The most cold-hardy large palm available, surviving temperatures to 10°F. Adds instant tropical impact to any NE Florida landscape with zero freeze risk.
8. Bird of Paradise — Dramatic orange and blue blooms on tall stalks. A statement plant for sunny beds and pool surrounds. Blooms reliably in Zone 9A with established root systems.
9. Macho Fern — Massive, arching fronds for shaded beds. Nearly indestructible in NE Florida's climate. Spreads gradually to fill large areas under mature oaks and pines.
10. Canna Lily — Bold tropical drama at the lowest price point. Spreads on its own, blooms prolifically, and returns reliably each year from established rhizomes.

Budget-Friendly Tropical Plants for Florida Homeowners

Transforming your NE Florida landscape does not require a large budget. These varieties deliver maximum visual impact at the lowest price points in our inventory:

• Canna Lily — $17.99 per plant. Available in four bold color combinations. Plant in mass groupings for the most dramatic effect. Popular for budget landscape transformations in St. Augustine, FL.
• Ruellia Purple Showers — $17.99 per plant. Native-friendly, drought-tolerant, and self-seeding. A fantastic budget groundcover for sunny beds in Palm Coast, FL.
• Firecracker Plant — $17.99 per plant. Hummingbird magnet with arching red stems. Spreads over time to fill beds. Excellent low-cost color plant for Flagler Beach, FL.
• Macho Fern — $17.99 per plant. Giant shade fern that fills quickly. Buy 3–5 to cover a large bed under mature trees in Ponte Vedra, FL.
• Muhly Grass — $24.99 per plant. Plant in groups of 5–10 for a spectacular fall show. One of the most cost-effective landscape investments for Ormond Beach, FL yards.

Our dump trailer delivery makes it practical to order 20–50 plants at once, dramatically lowering the per-plant cost compared to individual store visits. For large landscape transformations, call us for volume pricing on any variety.

Where to Buy the Best Tropical Plants in Northeast Florida

Homeowners across NE Florida ask us regularly: where do I buy quality tropical plants near me at good prices? Here is what sets Tropical Yards apart from big-box retailers and local nurseries:

• St. Augustine, FL: We are based in St. Augustine and carry the largest in-stock inventory of tropical plants in the area. No ordering — thousands of plants available now.
• Palm Coast, FL: We deliver to Palm Coast weekly. Order 10+ plants and our dump trailer arrives at your address on schedule.
• Flagler Beach, FL: Flagler County deliveries are available. Our 14ft dump trailer handles large orders in a single trip.
• Ponte Vedra Beach, FL: We cover the Ponte Vedra and Nocatee areas regularly. Call for delivery availability and timing.
• Ormond Beach, FL: Volusia County deliveries reach Ormond Beach and the greater Daytona metro area.

Every plant from Tropical Yards is priced at least 10% below Home Depot, Lowe's, and local nurseries. We carry over 100 varieties of tropical plants, palms, shrubs, hedges, ferns, grasses, and flowering plants. Browse our full tropical plants for sale page for the complete inventory with current pricing.

How to Design a Tropical Florida Landscape That Looks Professional

A professionally designed tropical landscape follows a few key principles that any homeowner can apply:

1. Layer plant heights. Place tall palms and Bird of Paradise at the back, medium shrubs like Ixora and Clusia in the middle, and low groundcovers like Ruellia and Macho Fern at the front.
2. Mass plant for impact. Three or more of the same plant grouped together always looks more intentional and lush than single specimens scattered randomly.
3. Use a 60/30/10 color rule. 60% green foliage, 30% a dominant flower color (e.g., red Ixora), and 10% accent colors (e.g., yellow Ixora or Canna Lily).
4. Frame entrances and sight lines. Plant Windmill Palms or Bird of Paradise at the ends of walkways to create natural framing that draws the eye.
5. Mulch with coquina shell. A uniform mulch layer ties the design together, suppresses weeds, and provides a clean, professional finish.