There is a lot of confusion about plant status and it’s important to know the plant status so you can make the best decisions about selecting the right plants for your landscape. Let’s start with some definitions!
What is a Florida native plant?
A plant that has been documented to exist in Florida before European contact.
Examples of native plants include:
Milkweed (some varieties)
Non-native Plants
Non-native plants are those that do not naturally occur in a specified geographic area, have been introduced intentionally or unintentionally by humans.
Examples of non-native plants:
Invasive Plants
An invasive plant is a non-native plant that either does or could harm the environment, economy or human health. A native plant cannot be invasive although a native plant could be considered to be weedy or aggressive.
Examples of invasive plants:
How to determine plant status?
Search for plant names and status in the following resources. Be sure to check several sources as the plant names and plant status may change over time as new research is available. Make sure you search for the scientific name of the plant as there are many common names.
Florida-Friendly Landscaping Guide to Plant Selection and Landscape Design
UF/IFAS Assessment of Non-Native Plants website
Atlas of Florida Plants website
Florida Native Plant Society website
Florida Wildflower Foundation Plant Selection Guide
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If you have any questions, please contact UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County at 813-744-5519 or email hillsmg@mail.ufl.edu.
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