Vine Layer for Florida Zone 9


This page focuses on perennial and long-lived vines that can be trained along fences, trellises, arbors, and trees in Florida’s USDA Planting Zone 9. These vines include edible food crops for human consumption, medicinal and herbal allies, pollinator magnets, nitrogen-fixing legumes, dynamic accumulators, and low-maintenance weed- and grass-suppressing helpers.

Not every plant shown has been tested yet at the Ocala Food Forest, but each one appears on reputable Florida plant lists or perennial vegetable resources as able to survive our heat, humidity, storms, and occasional freezes when properly sited. Plants listed here have been selected to avoid known invasive species and those commonly flagged as toxic to people or pets, but always double-check for your own situation. Use this list alongside our Monthly Guild Challenge when choosing vines to weave through your food forest structure.


Garden Vegetables Food Forest Plants Monthly Guild Challenge

Zone and suitability information on this page is drawn from regional sources such as UF/IFAS Extension, Florida Native Plant Society, Florida-friendly landscape resources, and perennial vegetable references.

Vine Layer – Florida Zone 9

Florida Native

Native vines and scramblers adapted to Florida’s soils and climate. These support wildlife, pollinators, and soil life while tying together the vertical structure of a food forest.

Florida Friendly

Non-native vines that handle Zone 9 conditions, are not listed as invasive, and provide human food, herbal use, or other strong functions when managed thoughtfully.