Native Plants that Attract Hummingbirds in Florida

Why Choose Native Plants For Hummingbirds In Florida

Hummingbirds are energetic, but they are also efficient. They quickly learn where the best nectar sources are and return again and again. Florida native hummingbird flowers give them what they need with less fuss for you.

• Perfectly adapted – native shrubs and perennials evolved in the same sandy, often acidic soils, summer downpours, and occasional cold snaps that your garden experiences. They usually need less irrigation and fertilizer once established.
• High quality nectar – many native species produce abundant, appropriately concentrated nectar that fits hummingbirds specialized tongues and feeding style better than some double flowered or heavily bred exotics.
• Natural timing – bloom times of natives often line up with migration pulses and breeding seasons. Early spring flowers help northbound birds; late summer and fall blooms fuel the trip south.
• Wildlife friendly – in addition to nectar, many native hummingbird plants host caterpillars and other insects that become food for songbirds and their young. You are not just feeding hummers, you are supporting a larger food web.
• Non invasive choices – unlike some imported vines and shrubs that can take over natural areas, the native species listed here play nicely with existing plant communities.

Best Native Plants That Attract Hummingbirds In Florida Gardens

Use this list as a menu of reliable Florida native plants for hummingbird gardens. Mix species for your region, site, and soil. Always check mature size and moisture needs before planting.

• Amorpha fruticosa (Indigo Bush) – a multi stemmed shrub with airy, compound leaves and dramatic spikes of deep purple flowers tipped with gold. The nectar rich blooms draw both hummingbirds and native bees in late spring and early summer. Indigo Bush tolerates moist to wet soils along ponds, ditches, and rain gardens.
• Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Milkweed) – famous for monarch caterpillars, this sun loving wildflower is also excellent for hummingbirds. Its flat topped clusters of bright orange flowers offer easy perches and nectar. Plant in full sun with very well drained, even dry sand or gravel, especially in North and Central Florida.
• Bignonia capreolata (Cross Vine) – one of the best native vines for hummingbirds in Florida. Cross Vine clings to fences, arbors, and tree trunks with tendrils, producing flares of orange to reddish, trumpet shaped flowers in spring and sporadically afterward. Provide strong support and full sun to part shade.
• Erythrina herbacea (Coralbean) – a striking, open shrub or woody perennial with bold spines and dramatic spikes of scarlet tubular flowers. Hummingbirds flock to Coralbean in spring, and later the ornamental red seed pods add interest. Plant in full sun to light shade in well drained soils; protect from severe cold in far North Florida.
• Gelsemium sempervirens (Carolina Jessamine) – an evergreen to semi evergreen twining vine with glossy leaves and fragrant, golden yellow trumpets in late winter and early spring. Flowers appear right when returning hummingbirds need them most. Train along fences, pergolas, or porch posts.
• Gordonia lasianthus (Loblolly Bay) – an elegant native evergreen tree for moist, acidic soils. Large white camellia like flowers with golden centers bloom through warm months and offer nectar and pollen to insects that hummingbirds sometimes snack on. Use as a specimen in larger yards or naturalistic plantings.
• Halesia diptera Magniflora Group (Two Wing Silverbell) – a small to medium tree that puts on a magical spring display of white, bell shaped flowers hanging beneath its branches. While not a classic tubular hummingbird flower, it supports early season insects and adds layered interest to wildlife friendly gardens in North Florida and the Panhandle.
• Hamelia patens (Firebush) – a superstar native hummingbird shrub for South and Central Florida. Clusters of tubular, orange red flowers appear nearly year round in warm climates and from late spring to frost elsewhere. Firebush thrives in full sun, tolerates heat and drought once established, and also attracts butterflies and birds that relish its berries.
• Hibiscus coccineus (Texas Star Hibiscus) – tall, upright stems topped by large, starry, deep red flowers that hummingbirds spot from far away. This wetland perennial loves the edges of ponds, swales, and rain gardens in full sun. Give it room to reach its full height for maximum impact.
• Hibiscus grandiflorus (Swamp Rose Mallow) – a statuesque, moisture loving hibiscus with huge, pale pink to lavender blooms that can be 6 inches or more across. Hummingbirds sip nectar while butterflies and bees crowd the flowers. Perfect for marshy areas, lake edges, or low spots that stay damp.
• Ipomopsis rubra (Standing Cypress) – a dramatic, tall wildflower with ferny foliage and a spire packed with bright red, narrow trumpets in summer. Standing Cypress is a magnet for migrating hummingbirds. It prefers full sun and very well drained, sandy soil and often behaves as a biennial or short lived perennial, reseeding in open ground.
• Lantana involucrata (Buttonsage) – a compact, salt tolerant shrub with clusters of pale lavender or white flowers followed by purple black berries. This true Florida native lantana is far better for wildlife than invasive lookalikes. Use it in coastal or inland sites with full sun and dry to average soils.
• Liriodendron tulipifera (Tulip Tree) – a tall, stately shade tree suited to larger North Florida and Panhandle properties with decent moisture. Spring flowers are greenish yellow with an orange band, resembling tulips. While not the primary hummingbird plant, it supports many insects and offers excellent perches and nesting habitat around more nectar rich shrubs and perennials.
• Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower) – a classic native red flower for hummingbirds. Spires of glowing scarlet, tubular blooms rise from moist soil along streams, ponds, and rain gardens. Provide afternoon shade in hotter parts of the state and keep roots consistently moist.
• Lonicera sempervirens (Coral Honeysuckle) – another top tier hummingbird vine, with clusters of slender red or coral tubes that flare open at the tips. Unlike invasive Japanese honeysuckle, this native twiner is well behaved and a superb nectar source. Grow in full sun to light shade on arbors, mailboxes, or fences.
• Monarda punctata (Spotted Bee Balm) – a quirky and beautiful wildflower with stacked whorls of pinkish bracts and spotted, pale yellow tubular flowers. Loved by hummingbirds, butterflies, and native bees, it thrives in dry, sandy soils in full sun. Great for naturalistic, pollinator friendly meadows.
• Rhododendron austrinum (Florida Flame Azalea) – a deciduous shrub that lights up woodland edges with clusters of fragrant, orange yellow, trumpet shaped flowers in spring. Hummingbirds work the blooms while plants are still leafing out. Plant in part shade with acidic, moist but well drained soil and a thick mulch of pine straw or leaves.
• Salvia azurea (Blue Sage) – tall stems topped with sky blue, tubular flowers that sway above grasses and shorter perennials. This sun loving sage prefers well drained soil and offers late season nectar for migrating hummingbirds, especially in North and Central Florida.
• Salvia coccinea (Scarlet Sage) – one of the easiest and most dependable hummingbird flowers for Florida gardens. Scarlet Sage reseeds politely, providing waves of red, coral, or white tubular blooms from spring through fall. Use in sunny beds, cottage style borders, and mixed pollinator plantings.
• Stachytarpheta jamaicensis (Blue Porterweed) – a low, shrubby perennial with arching stems and a succession of vivid blue, nectar rich flowers along slender spikes. A favorite in coastal and South Florida hummingbird gardens, it performs well in full sun and average to dry soils.
• Yucca aloifolia (Spanish Bayonet) – a bold, architectural native with sharp tipped, swordlike leaves and tall spikes of creamy white, bell shaped flowers. While hummingbirds visit mainly for insects attracted to the blooms, Yucca adds structure and is extremely tolerant of salt, drought, and sandy soils.

Planting And Caring For Native Hummingbird Plants In Florida

Most Florida native plants that attract hummingbirds are forgiving once they have settled in, but a good start makes all the difference.

• Know your soil and drainage – sandy, fast draining soil suits many upland species, while others prefer organic, moisture holding soils. Dig a test hole, fill with water, and see how quickly it drains.
• Match water needs – group drought tolerant plants like Salvia coccinea, Monarda punctata, and Yucca aloifolia together, and keep moisture lovers like Lobelia cardinalis and Hibiscus grandiflorus in wetter spots.
• Loosen and amend if needed – in compacted or extremely poor sand, work in leaf mold, compost, or pine fines to improve structure. Native plants still prefer relatively lean soils, so avoid heavy fertilization.
• Plant at the correct depth – set the root ball so the top sits level with or slightly above the surrounding soil. Burying crowns too deeply can lead to rot, especially in wet sites.
• Mulch like a forest floor – spread a 2 to 3 inch layer of pine straw, shredded leaves, or other organic mulch, keeping it a few inches away from stems. This moderates soil temperature, retains moisture, and feeds beneficial soil life.
• Water deeply to establish – give new plants a long soak once or twice a week during dry spells for the first growing season. Afterward, many upland species can coast on rainfall except in severe drought.
• Skip broad spectrum insecticides – they reduce the tiny insects that hummingbirds eat and can contaminate nectar. If problems arise, identify the pest and use targeted, least toxic methods.

Pruning needs are modest. Many perennials can be cut back after flowering to tidy them and encourage fresh growth. Shrubs and vines usually only need light shaping in late winter or right after their main bloom season.

Blending Native Hummingbird Plants Into Your Landscape

A hummingbird garden does not have to look wild or messy. With a bit of planning, native species can fit into almost any landscape style, from cottage garden to modern coastal.

• Use natives as anchors – shrubs like Hamelia patens, Erythrina herbacea, and Rhododendron austrinum can become focal points or screening hedges that also feed wildlife.
• Edge beds with flowers – plant drifts of Salvia coccinea, Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, or Monarda punctata along walks and patios for close up hummingbird viewing.
• Soften structures with vines – cover mailboxes, pergolas, and chain link fences with Lonicera sempervirens, Gelsemium sempervirens, or Bignonia capreolata. The vertical nectar sources act as beacons for passing birds.
• Combine natives and compatible exotics – if you already grow non invasive ornamentals, tuck native nectar plants between them. Over time you can gently shift the balance toward more natives.
• Create safe viewing areas – position seating where you can watch feeders and flowers, but also give hummingbirds escape routes with shrubs and trees nearby.

As your plantings mature, you will notice more than just hummingbirds. Expect butterflies, native bees, dragonflies, and songbirds to show up as well. Your yard becomes part of a larger migratory highway and a tiny but important refuge for wildlife.

Discover More Florida Native Plants

Florida Native Plant Guides – Design, Soil, And Wildlife

Frequently Asked Questions

References

• Florida Native Plant Society (FNPS)
• UF IFAS Extension – University of Florida

Updated: November 2025 • Reviewed by Gardenia Editors