Fort Lauderdale's Zone 10b climate is a tropical plant paradise. With average winter lows rarely dipping below 45°F and abundant rainfall from June through October, the range of plants you can grow here rivals anywhere in the continental U.S. From towering Royal Palms to vibrant heliconias, Fort Lauderdale landscapes can look like a botanical garden.
Palms for Fort Lauderdale
- ✓Coconut Palm: Thrives in Fort Lauderdale's warmth — choose Malayan Dwarf for disease resistance
- ✓Royal Palm: The signature tree of South Florida boulevards
- ✓Foxtail Palm: Low-maintenance and self-cleaning — perfect for residential lots
- ✓Alexander Palm: Elegant, single-trunk palm to 25 ft — great for smaller spaces
- ✓Traveler's Palm: Not a true palm but an incredible fan-shaped focal point
- ✓Montgomery Palm: Underused species with a beautiful vase-shaped crown
Tropical Flowering Plants
- ✓Heliconia: Lobster-claw flowers in red, orange, and yellow — Fort Lauderdale's climate is ideal
- ✓Plumeria: Fragrant flowers from spring through fall, virtually no cold risk here
- ✓Bird of Paradise: Both Strelitzia (orange) and White Bird of Paradise thrive
- ✓Ixora: Clusters of red, orange, pink, or yellow flowers year-round
- ✓Croton: Explosions of color in red, orange, yellow — loves full sun
- ✓Hibiscus: Tropical varieties bloom continuously in Fort Lauderdale
Bromeliads and Ground-Level Tropicals
Fort Lauderdale is bromeliad heaven. These low-maintenance plants come in thousands of varieties, tolerate shade or sun, and never need mowing. Use them as groundcovers under palms and large trees for a layered tropical effect.
- ✓Neoregelia: Colorful rosettes in red, pink, purple — great groundcover
- ✓Aechmea: Striking flower spikes lasting months
- ✓Philodendron: Large-leafed varieties create instant jungle ambiance
- ✓Monstera deliciosa: The iconic split-leaf plant grows outdoors year-round here
- ✓Elephant Ear (Alocasia): Bold, dramatic leaves for shaded areas
Fort Lauderdale Landscaping Tip: Layer your plantings — tall palms as the canopy, medium flowering trees and shrubs as the mid-story, and bromeliads or groundcovers at the base. This creates the lush, jungle look that Fort Lauderdale properties are known for.
Salt-Tolerant Plants for Waterfront Properties
Fort Lauderdale is the "Venice of America" with 165 miles of waterways. If your property is on a canal or near the Intracoastal, choose salt-tolerant species: Coconut Palm, Silver Buttonwood, Sea Grape, Green Buttonwood, and Clusia all handle salt spray well.
Florida Palm and Plant Co. delivers tropical plants throughout Broward County. Call (239) 799-5594 for Fort Lauderdale delivery and installation.