Scarlet Beebalm
Monarda didyma
In Florida's Florida flatwoods, scrub & subtropical south, hummingbirds work its scarlet red flowers in Jul and Aug; good through zone 9.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 2.5–4 ft
- Blooms Jul–Aug
Florida · Zones 8–11
Native Hummingbird Plants in Florida
Tubular, nectar-heavy native flowers that draw hummingbirds far more reliably — and safely — than any sugar-water feeder. 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 Scarlet Beebalm and Buttonbush to the rest of the list, is genuinely native to Florida and the wider flora of the Southeast and hardy through zones 8–11. Hummingbirds are wired to investigate red and orange tubular flowers, so a few well-placed natives will out-pull a feeder and never need cleaning. Stagger bloom times so there is nectar from spring migration through fall departure, and plant near a perch or shrub where the birds can rest between feedings.
The plants
15 native species for Florida
Each one native to your region and hardy in zones 8–11 · see this collection in other states.
Buttonbush
Cephalanthus occidentalis
In Florida's Florida flatwoods, scrub & subtropical south, built for hummingbirds, with white nectar tubes borne from Jun to Aug; 5–10 ft tall.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 5–10 ft
- Blooms Jun–Aug
Great Blue Lobelia
Lobelia siphilitica
In Florida's Florida flatwoods, scrub & subtropical south, draws hummingbirds with deep blue nectar tubes in Aug and Sep; for clay and loam ground.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 2–3 ft
- Blooms Aug–Sep
Wild Bleeding Heart
Dicentra eximia
In Florida's Florida flatwoods, scrub & subtropical south, hummingbird fuel — slender rose pink tubes too deep for most insects from Apr to Aug — 12–18 in wide.
- Part shade
- Average
- 12–18 in
- Blooms Apr–Aug
Woodland Phlox
Phlox divaricata
In Florida's Florida flatwoods, scrub & subtropical south, tubular lavender-blue flowers shaped for a hummingbird's bill in Apr and May; hardy in zones 3–8.
- Part shade
- Average
- 10–15 in
- Blooms Apr–May
Turk's Cap
Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii
In Florida's Florida flatwoods, scrub & subtropical south, a nectar stop hummingbirds return to, its turban red flowers carried from May to Oct; happy in clay, rocky, and loam soil.
- Sun to shade
- Dry–average
- 2–5 ft
- Blooms May–Oct
Crossvine
Bignonia capreolata
In Florida's Florida flatwoods, scrub & subtropical south, a hummingbird flower — orange-red tubular blooms in Apr and May, spreading 6–10 ft.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 25–50 ft
- Blooms Apr–May
Trumpet Honeysuckle
Lonicera sempervirens
In Florida's Florida flatwoods, scrub & subtropical south, a magnet for hummingbirds — coral-red blooms held from Apr to Sep for them to probe — for clay and loam ground.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 8–15 ft
- Blooms Apr–Sep
Wild Bergamot
Monarda fistulosa
In Florida's Florida flatwoods, scrub & subtropical south, a magnet for hummingbirds — lavender blooms held from Jun to Aug for them to probe — 1.5–2 ft wide.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Jun–Aug
Wild Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
In Florida's Florida flatwoods, scrub & subtropical south, hummingbirds work its red flowers from Apr to Jun; good through zone 8.
- Part shade
- Dry–average
- 1–2.5 ft
- Blooms Apr–Jun
Virginia Bluebells
Mertensia virginica
In Florida's Florida flatwoods, scrub & subtropical south, built for hummingbirds, with sky blue nectar tubes borne from Mar to May, spreading 12–18 in.
- Part shade
- Average–wet
- 1–2 ft
- Blooms Mar–May
Obedient Plant
Physostegia virginiana
In Florida's Florida flatwoods, scrub & subtropical south, hummingbirds work its pink flowers in Aug and Sep — 2–4 ft tall.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Aug–Sep
Cardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis
In Florida's Florida flatwoods, scrub & subtropical south, hummingbirds work its electric scarlet flowers from Jul to Sep, good through zone 9.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Jul–Sep
Foxglove Beardtongue
Penstemon digitalis
In Florida's Florida flatwoods, scrub & subtropical south, a nectar stop hummingbirds return to, its white flowers carried in May and Jun, good through zone 8.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms May–Jun
New Jersey Tea
Ceanothus americanus
In Florida's Florida flatwoods, scrub & subtropical south, hummingbird fuel — slender frothy white tubes too deep for most insects from May to Jul; happy in sand, rocky, and loam soil.
- Full–part sun
- Dry
- 2–3.5 ft
- Blooms May–Jul
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.