Wild Geranium
Geranium maculatum
In Florida's Florida flatwoods, scrub & subtropical south, carpets bare soil 1.5–2 ft wide to replace thirsty lawn or mulch, hardy in zones 3–8; it blooms Apr through Jun.
- Part shade
- Average
- 1.5–2 ft
- Blooms Apr–Jun
Florida · Zones 8–11
Native Groundcover Plants in Florida
Low, spreading natives that knit together to cover bare ground, smother weeds, and replace thirsty lawn or mulch. For Florida, the right natives are shaped by Florida flatwoods, scrub & subtropical south and a subtropical to tropical, wet summers climate. Every species below, from Wild Geranium and Common Yarrow to the rest of the list, is genuinely native to Florida and the wider flora of the Southeast and hardy through zones 8–11. A living native groundcover does everything mulch does and then keeps doing it for free — covering soil, blocking weeds, and feeding wildlife as it goes. Match the spreader to the site (sun or shade, wet or dry), plant on tight centers so they close ranks in a season or two, and weed faithfully that first year while they fill in.
The plants
9 native species for Florida
Each one native to your region and hardy in zones 8–11 · see this collection in other states.
Common Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
In Florida's Florida flatwoods, scrub & subtropical south, runs 1.5–2 ft wide and stays ankle-low at 1.5–3 ft, holding soil where lawn won't; it blooms May through Aug.
- Full sun
- Dry–average
- 1.5–3 ft
- Blooms May–Aug
Foamflower
Tiarella cordifolia
In Florida's Florida flatwoods, scrub & subtropical south, a living mulch at 6–12 in tall, fanning 1–2 ft wide to cover soil and block weeds — it flowers in Apr and May.
- Part shade
- Average
- 6–12 in
- Blooms Apr–May
Woodland Phlox
Phlox divaricata
In Florida's Florida flatwoods, scrub & subtropical south, knits across the ground 12–18 in wide and just 10–15 in tall, no mowing needed — it flowers in Apr and May.
- Part shade
- Average
- 10–15 in
- Blooms Apr–May
Creeping Phlox
Phlox subulata
In Florida's Florida flatwoods, scrub & subtropical south, a mat-forming native, 4–8 in tall and 1.5–2 ft wide, that fills in and crowds out weeds, and it flowers in Apr and May.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 4–8 in
- Blooms Apr–May
Fragrant Sumac
Rhus aromatica
In Florida's Florida flatwoods, scrub & subtropical south, a mat-forming native, 2–6 ft tall and 5–10 ft wide, that fills in and crowds out weeds; it flowers in Mar and Apr.
- Full–part sun
- Dry
- 2–6 ft
- Blooms Mar–Apr
Virginia Creeper
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
In Florida's Florida flatwoods, scrub & subtropical south, weaves a 30–50 ft-tall mat 10–20 ft across to blanket bare ground, hardy in zones 3–9, and it flowers in Jun.
- Sun to shade
- Dry–average
- 30–50 ft
- Blooms Jun
Pennsylvania Sedge
Carex pensylvanica
In Florida's Florida flatwoods, scrub & subtropical south, a living mulch at 6–12 in tall, fanning 1–2 ft wide to cover soil and block weeds.
- Part shade
- Dry–average
- 6–12 in
- Foliage
Christmas Fern
Polystichum acrostichoides
In Florida's Florida flatwoods, scrub & subtropical south, spreads low — 1–2 ft tall, 1.5–2.5 ft wide — to knit bare ground and smother weeds.
- Part shade
- Dry–average
- 1–2 ft
- Evergreen
Sourcing
Where to find these in Florida
Seeds & live plants on Amazon
Seed packets, plugs, and starter plants for many of these species ship to your door.
Browse on AmazonSome links here are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The surest source of locally-adapted stock is a native-plant nursery or a native plant society sale in your area.