Zone 9 Florida Plant Guild Ideas
This page lists plant guild ideas for Florida planting zone 9, using only plants
that are known to handle our heat, humidity, sandy/loamy soils, and occasional freezes. These
species have been identified as suitable by trusted Florida resources, and many of them are
also growing and being tested here at the Ocala Food Forest.
Not every plant shown here has been added to the Ocala Food Forest yet, but all have been documented as surviving in Florida’s zone 9 conditions by the reference sites listed below. This list works well alongside our Monthly Guild Challenge—choose a guild layer, then pick your favorite varieties to experiment and create your own unique food forest.
Survival and zone suitability cross-checked with: UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions, Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program, and the Florida Native Plant Society.
Canopy Trees – Florida Native
Florida Native
Tall native trees that form the main overstory and create shelter, shade, and wildlife habitat.
American Persimmon
(Diospyros virginiana)
USDA 5b–9b
Sweet fall fruit; excellent wildlife food and seasonal interest.
Bald Cypress
(Taxodium distichum)
USDA 4b–10b
Deciduous conifer for wetter spots; strong vertical anchor in the landscape.
Chickasaw Plum
(Prunus angustifolia)
USDA 5a–9b
Early white bloom for pollinators; small tart fruits for jelly and preserves.
Florida Elm
(Ulmus americana var. floridana)
USDA 7a–9b
Deciduous canopy tree that tolerates heat and seasonally moist soils.
Longleaf Pine
(Pinus palustris)
USDA 7a–9b
Classic Southeastern pine; deep roots and filtered shade for understory guilds.
Pignut Hickory
(Carya glabra)
USDA 4a–9a
Nut-bearing tree for wildlife; strong structure and autumn color.
Red Maple
(Acer rubrum)
USDA 3b–9b
Deciduous canopy with red flowers and seed clusters; tolerates varied moisture.
Sand Live Oak
(Quercus geminata)
USDA 7b–10b
Evergreen oak for sandy sites; strong storm-resistant structure.
Southern Live Oak
(Quercus virginiana)
USDA 7a–10b
Iconic evergreen canopy; mast for wildlife and excellent wind protection.
Southern Magnolia
(Magnolia grandiflora)
USDA 7b–10a
Large glossy evergreen leaves and fragrant white blooms; deep shade beneath.
Slash Pine
(Pinus elliottii)
USDA 7b–10b
Fast-growing pine for windbreaks and dappled light in the guild.
Sweetgum
(Liquidambar styraciflua)
USDA 5a–9b
Deciduous tree with strong fall color; provides leaf mulch for soil building.
Understory Trees & Large Shrubs
Florida Native
Smaller native trees and large shrubs that thrive beneath or beside canopy trees.
Arching shrub with bright purple berries for birds and tea blends.
Dahoon Holly
(Ilex cassine)
USDA 7b–10a
Evergreen holly for moist spots; red berries support winter birds.
Fast-growing shrub; flowers and berries for syrups and tinctures when prepared safely.
Flatwoods Plum
(Prunus umbellata)
USDA 6b–9b
Small native plum; good wildlife food and spring bloom.
Fringe Tree
(Chionanthus virginicus)
USDA 3b–9b
Showy white “fringe” blooms in spring; light shade for understory herbs.
Red Buckeye
(Aesculus pavia)
USDA 6a–9b
Early red flowers for hummingbirds; prefers some shade and moisture.
Walter’s Viburnum
(Viburnum obovatum)
USDA 7b–10a
Dense evergreen understory shrub and excellent nesting habitat.
Yaupon Holly
(Ilex vomitoria)
USDA 7a–10a
Evergreen shrub/tree; caffeinated leaves used as a traditional tea.
Florida Friendly (Non-Native)
Well-behaved fruiting or support shrubs and small trees suited to filtered light.
Low-chill apple that fits nicely into sunny edges of a guild.
Banana ‘Dwarf Namwah’
(Musa ‘Dwarf Namwah’)
USDA 8b–11
Compact banana for wind-sheltered understory spots; great leaf mulch.
Barbados Cherry
(Malpighia emarginata)
USDA 9a–11
Vitamin C–rich fruit on a small evergreen tree; good near paths for snacking.
Feijoa / Pineapple Guava
(Acca sellowiana)
USDA 8a–10b
Edible petals and fruits; dense evergreen understory shrub.
Fig ‘Brown Turkey’
(Ficus carica ‘Brown Turkey’)
USDA 7b–10a
Open-structured tree; sweet figs and dappled shade for lower layers.
Loquat
(Eriobotrya japonica)
USDA 8a–10b
Early spring fruit; can play canopy or tall understory in mixed guilds.
Mulberry ‘Everbearing’
(Morus alba hybrid)
USDA 7a–10a
Fast fruiting; site where dropping berries will not stain hard surfaces.
Satsuma Mandarin
(Citrus reticulata ‘Owari’)
USDA 8a–11
Cold-tolerant citrus; works well along the sunny side of a guild.
Shrub Layer
Florida Native
Flowering native shrubs that support pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects.
Blue Porterweed
(Stachytarpheta jamaicensis)
USDA 9a–11
Low shrub with blue flower spikes; favorite of butterflies.
Buttonbush
(Cephalanthus occidentalis)
USDA 5a–10b
Round “button” flowers; good for wetter spots near swales or ponds.
Hummingbird magnet; orange-red tubular flowers most of the year.
Saw Palmetto
(Serenoa repens)
USDA 7b–11
Fan palm shrub; berries and shelter for wildlife, drought tolerant.
Simpson’s Stopper
(Myrcianthes fragrans)
USDA 9a–11
Evergreen shrub with fragrant flowers and berries for birds.
Low shrub with bright yellow flowers; supports native pollinators.
Showy blue flowers; good for sunny guild edges and pollinator strips.
Anise-scented leaves; excellent late-season nectar source and tea herb.
Florida Friendly (Non-Native)
Non-native shrubs that behave well and fill food or support roles in the shrub layer.
Blueberry ‘Arandano’
(Vaccinium corymbosum ‘Arandano’)
USDA 7a–9b
Highbush blueberry; prefers acidic soil and consistent moisture.
Blueberry ‘Climax’
(Vaccinium corymbosum ‘Climax’)
USDA 7a–9b
Good cross-pollinator with other rabbiteye/highbush varieties.
Blueberry ‘Emerald’
(Vaccinium corymbosum ‘Emerald’)
USDA 8a–10a
Heavy producer of large berries; suited to central Florida gardens.
Blueberry ‘Jewel’
(Vaccinium corymbosum ‘Jewel’)
USDA 8a–10a
Early-ripening; pairs well with other low-chill blueberries.
Mexican Sunflower
(Tithonia diversifolia)
USDA 9a–11
Tall chop-and-drop biomass plant; beloved by butterflies.
Showy bell-shaped flowers; partial shade tolerant and good for hummingbirds.
Roselle
(Hibiscus sabdariffa)
USDA 9a–11
Calyxes used for tangy teas and jams; annual to short-lived perennial shrub.
Rosemary
(Salvia rosmarinus)
USDA 7a–10a
Evergreen culinary shrub; good along sunny paths and dry edges.
Herbaceous Layer
Florida Native
Perennial and reseeding native flowers and herbs that fill the mid-height layer.
Black-eyed Susan
(Rudbeckia hirta)
USDA 3a–9b
Cheerful yellow daisies; reseeds into sunny openings in the guild.
Blanketflower
(Gaillardia pulchella)
USDA 3b–10b
Red and yellow blooms loved by pollinators; thrives in hot, dry sites.
Lanceleaf Coreopsis
(Coreopsis lanceolata)
USDA 4a–9b
Bright yellow flowers; mixes well with grasses and other natives.
Narrowleaf Sunflower
(Helianthus angustifolius)
USDA 5a–9b
Tall, fall-blooming sunflower; good in moist to average soil.
Self-seeding wildflower; good filler under fruit trees for hummingbirds.
Swamp Milkweed
(Asclepias incarnata)
USDA 3a–9b
Monarch host plant for moist spots; pink flower clusters in summer.
Tea herb and late nectar source; place where it can clump naturally.
Wild Bergamot
(Monarda fistulosa)
USDA 3a–9b
Mint-family wildflower with aromatic foliage; good for teas and pollinators.
Florida Friendly (Non-Native)
Soft-tissue plants for chop-and-drop mulch, teas, and culinary use.
Basil
(Ocimum basilicum)
USDA 9a–11 (annual elsewhere)
Warm-season culinary herb; pairs well with tomatoes and guild edges.
Comfrey
(Symphytum officinale)
USDA 4a–9b
Dynamic accumulator for chop-and-drop; keep out of main paths.
Great tea herb; best corralled in edges or containers within guilds.
Dill
(Anethum graveolens)
USDA 9a–11 (winter annual in FL)
Umbel flowers for beneficial insects; foliage for pickling and cooking.
Lemongrass
(Cymbopogon citratus)
USDA 9a–11
Tall clumping grass; leaves used for teas and soups, adds bulk mulch.
Oregano
(Origanum vulgare)
USDA 5a–9b
Spreading culinary herb; good in sunny, well-drained edges of beds.
Parsley
(Petroselinum crispum)
USDA 9a–11 (cool-season biennial)
Edible leaves and stems; host plant for swallowtail caterpillars.
Refreshing culinary mint; best contained in defined patches.
Groundcover Layer
Florida Native
Low, spreading native plants that protect soil and feed pollinators.
Low native groundcover for dry, sunny spots under trees.
Frogfruit
(Phyla nodiflora)
USDA 8a–11
Mat-forming native groundcover; handles some foot traffic and moisture.
Gopher Apple
(Licania michauxii)
USDA 7b–10a
Low shrub/groundcover in sandy soils; fruit eaten by wildlife.
Spreading groundcover for moist guild edges and rain gardens.
Nitrogen-fixing groundcover with pink puffball flowers.
Beach Sunflower
(Helianthus debilis)
USDA 8b–11
Spreading sunflower for sandy sites, blooms heavily for pollinators.
Blue-eyed Grass
(Sisyrinchium angustifolium)
USDA 4a–9b
Grass-like perennial with tiny blue flowers; works into mixed ground layers.
State wildflower; reseeds lightly to weave through the ground layer.
Florida Friendly (Non-Native)
Non-native mats that stay low and tolerate heat, sun, and some foot traffic.
Blue Daze
(Evolvulus glomeratus)
USDA 9a–11
Low, blue-flowering groundcover for full sun in well-drained soils.
Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’
(Dichondra argentea ‘Silver Falls’)
USDA 8a–11
Silver cascading foliage; good for edges, containers, or walls.
Dwarf Mondo Grass
(Ophiopogon japonicus ‘Nana’)
USDA 6a–10b
Clumping groundcover for part shade; works as a living mulch under trees.
Liriope ‘Evergreen Giant’
(Liriope spicata)
USDA 6a–10b
Strappy foliage and flower spikes; durable border or mass planting.
Ornamental Sweet Potato ‘Margarita’
(Ipomoea batatas ‘Margarita’)
USDA 9a–11
Chartreuse trailing foliage; vigorous summer groundcover in beds or pots.
Perennial Peanut
(Arachis glabrata)
USDA 8a–11
Nitrogen-fixing lawn alternative with yellow blooms; good between trees.
Purple Lovegrass
(Eragrostis spectabilis)
USDA 4a–9b
Airy purple seedheads; nice ground layer at sunny edges.
Society Garlic
(Tulbaghia violacea)
USDA 7b–10b
Edible leaves and flowers with mild garlic flavor; clumping border plant.
Rhizome & Root Layer
Florida Native
Native plants with notable roots or rhizomes that fit into the root layer of the guild.
Blue Flag Iris
(Iris virginica)
USDA 5a–9b
Rhizomatous iris for moist areas and rain gardens; showy blue flowers.
Canna Lily (native types)
(Canna flaccida)
USDA 7b–11
Rhizomes stabilize wet soils; bright blooms for pollinators.
River Oats
(Chasmanthium latifolium)
USDA 5a–9b
Clump-forming grass for shade; dangling seedheads add texture.
Spiderwort
(Tradescantia ohiensis)
USDA 4a–9b
Clumping perennial with edible young greens when cooked; purple flowers.
Swamp Sunflower
(Helianthus angustifolius)
USDA 5a–9b
Rhizomatous sunflower for moist soils; excellent late nectar source.
Fibrous roots stabilize soil; reseeds along the ground layer.
Virginia Iris
(Iris hexagona)
USDA 6a–9b
Rhizomatous iris for wet swales and pond edges.
Wood Sage
(Teucrium canadense)
USDA 4a–9b
Spreading perennial; attracts pollinators along moist woodland edges.
Florida Friendly (Non-Native)
Edible and useful rhizomatous plants that can be contained in beds and paths.
Daylily (edible types)
(Hemerocallis spp.)
USDA 4a–9b
Clumping rhizomes; some varieties have edible buds and flowers when cooked.
Galangal
(Alpinia galanga)
USDA 8b–11
Spice rhizome related to ginger; good in warm, moist soil with afternoon shade.
Ginger
(Zingiber officinale)
USDA 8b–11
Culinary rhizome; appreciates filtered shade and steady moisture.
Jerusalem Artichoke (Sunchoke)
(Helianthus tuberosus)
USDA 3a–9b
Edible tubers; best in a contained bed because it can spread vigorously.
Shampoo Ginger
(Zingiber zerumbet)
USDA 8b–11
Cones used for herbal hair rinses; plant where clumps can expand slowly.
Taro (in contained wet areas)
(Colocasia esculenta)
USDA 8b–11
Edible root when properly prepared; keep confined to avoid escape in wetlands.
Turmeric
(Curcuma longa)
USDA 8b–11
Edible rhizomes; dies back in winter and returns with heat and rain.
Yellow Ginger Lily
(Hedychium flavescens)
USDA 8b–11
Fragrant flowers; rhizomes provide bulk and structure in moist beds.
Vine Layer
Florida Native
Climbing natives for fences, trellises, and overstory trunks.
Fragrant yellow blooms in late winter; great on arbors and fences.
Non-invasive native honeysuckle; hummingbird favorite.
Host plant for Gulf fritillary and zebra longwing butterflies.
Muscadine Grape
(Vitis rotundifolia)
USDA 7a–10a
Native grape for arbors and fences; thick leaves shade lower guild layers.
Virginia Creeper
(Parthenocissus quinquefolia)
USDA 3a–9b
Vigorous vine with red fall color; best on sturdy supports away from structures.
Yellow Passionflower
(Passiflora lutea)
USDA 5a–9b
Small-flowered passionvine and butterfly host plant.
Crossvine
(Bignonia capreolata)
USDA 5a–9b
Tubular orange blooms in spring; attracts hummingbirds.
Native Wisteria (American)
(Wisteria frutescens)
USDA 5a–9b
Less aggressive than Asian wisterias; fragrant racemes on sturdy supports.
Florida Friendly (Non-Native)
Climbers that provide fruit or flowers; give each a sturdy support and room to ramble.
Blackberry (thornless varieties)
(Rubus fruticosus hybrids)
USDA 5a–9b
Trained as a vine on trellises; berries for fresh eating and preserves.
Climbing cactus used on posts or living trees in frost-protected spots.
Purple blooms and garlic-scented foliage; ornamental support species.
Fragrant flowers and sweet-tart fruit; best on a dedicated trellis.
Malabar Spinach
(Basella alba)
USDA 9a–11
Heat-loving leafy vine; edible leaves used like spinach in summer.
Scarlet Runner Bean
(Phaseolus coccineus)
USDA 7a–11 (cooler-season)
Red flowers attract hummingbirds; beans edible when properly cooked.
Sweet Pea (heat-tolerant types)
(Lathyrus odoratus)
USDA 8a–10b (winter bloom)
Fragrant flowers for trellises in the cool season.
Thunbergia (Sky Vine)
(Thunbergia grandiflora)
USDA 9a–11
Vigorous flowering vine; give plenty of space and a strong support.