A Florida-Friendly Favorite for Hummingbirds and Butterflies

Acanths are Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) plants known for their long, tubular flowers rich in nectar, perfect for attracting hummingbirds and butterflies. In fact, their vibrant, colorful bracts can be seen from a distance and are helpful guides for our favorite garden visitors to a striking flower spike.

Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds in the Garden

Hummingbirds are some of the most special and energetic visitors to Florida gardens. In Central Florida, we primarily see the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird. While some Hummers – short for hummingbirds – migrate seasonally, many mating pairs remain year-round. These tiny birds, only 3–4 inches long, are easy to identify, especially the males, with their dazzling, iridescent red throats. They feed on small insects and nectar, and they are particularly drawn to red and orange hues in flower inflorescences.
Hummingbird          Credit: Pexels

Acanths and Their Unique Floral Structure

Acanths—short for members in the Acanthaceae family—are tropical, perennial shrubs commonly grown in Central Florida. These plants feature:

• Opposite, simple, dark green leaves
• Multiple woody stems
• Zygomorphic flowers (symmetrically arranged vertically)
• Perfect flowers (containing both stamens and stigmas)
• Racemose inflorescence (flowers arranged along a spike-like stem)

Moreover, their colorful calyces come in a stunning array of bright colors like yellow, red, orange, and pink.  Acanths are very popular in shady landscapes because they are functional in attracting pollinators and also visually appealing in any garden planting.

Favorite Acanths and Their Description

Golden Shrimp Plant
Pachystachys lutea
Dimension: 4’ tall x 4’ wide
Calyx: Yellow
Flowers: White

Flamingo Plant, Jacobinia Justicia carnea Dimension: 5’ tall x 4’ wide Calyx: Pink Flowers: Pink	Shrimp Plant Justicia brandegeana Dimension: 3’ tall x 3’ wide Calyx: Red Flowers: White
Firespike Odontonema cuspidatum Dimension: 5’ tall x 4’ wide Calyx: inconspicuous Flowers: Red	Mexican Honeysuckle Justicia spicigera Dimension: 4’ tall x 4’ wide Calyx: inconspicuous Flowers: Orange
Cardinal’s Guard Pachystachys coccinea Dimension: 4’ tall x 3’ wide Calyx: Green Flowers: Red	Golden Plume Schaueria calytricha Dimension: 3’ tall x 3’ wide Calyx: Green & Hairy Flowers: White
Yellow Jacobinia Justicia aurea Dimension: 6’ tall x 4’ wide Calyx: Green Flowers: Bright Yellow	Brazilian Red-Cloak Megaskepasma erythrochlamys Dimension: 7’ tall x 5’ wide Calyx: Dark Pink Flowers: White

Credit: Lake County MGV Program (All flower images)

Want to Learn More?

Please visit this Ask IFAS link to learn more about hummingbirds and more Florida-Friendly plants that attract them.

WEC21/UW059: Hummingbirds of Florida

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