Brace yourselves – the sneezing, the itchy eyes, the yellow-dust-on-every-surface season is here. And for most of you, it might mean more trips to the car wash.
Pollen season in Florida, which peaks from January to June, is in full bloom. Its density varies by location, due to tree species, local climate and elevation. It starts in North Florida and creeps south from there, peaking in South Florida from February to May.
That fine yellow powder doesn’t just land on your car; it clings like a price tag. Rinse it off in the morning, and by afternoon, it’s back, acting like it owns the place.
The culprit is the annual botanical confetti tossed by our trees, shrubs and grasses. This helpful Ask IFAS document tells you which trees and plants are worse than others for pollen production.
Laurel oaks are already getting the party started, said Alyssa Vinson, urban forester for the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).
“We’ll see live oaks and cedars starting over the next month,” said Vinson an agent with UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County. “The height of pollen season is March and April. Then it will taper off in the summer and then ramp back up with grasses in the summer.”
Theresa Badurek, urban horticulture agent with UF/IFAS Extension Pinellas County, said oak trees produced plenty of pollen in February, adding that “my normally blue car is currently green.”
“Trees that are wind-pollinated are the major culprits,” Badurek said. “They rely on the wind to carry their pollen to other trees for pollination — to ensure genetic diversity. Trees and other plants that rely on insects for pollination are less likely to be allergenic. Grow more pollinator-friendly plants and everybody wins.”
Also, “If anyone uses a clothesline to dry clothes, they should avoid doing so while trees are producing heavy pollen.”
Shannon Carnevale, natural resources agent for UF/IFAS Extension Polk County, recommends you wash your face, shower and wash your hair, if you suffer from pollen allergies. She also suggests changing clothes as soon as you return home.
“Avoid bringing those allergens indoors,” Carnevale said.
Lorna Bravo, urban horticulture agent for UF/IFAS Extension Broward County, agrees and offers more tips.
Bravo suggests you limit our outdoor time, particularly during peak pollen hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and during windy days.
She also recommends you wear masks for gardening and mowing and dry your clothes indoors – which is crucial with our humidity.
South Florida’s trees can be particularly pesky pollen producers.
“Pollen from trees like oaks, pines and melaleucas produces lightweight grains that travel miles, irritating airways and causing symptoms such as watery eyes, congestion, coughing and fatigue,” Bravo said. “In South Florida urban settings like Broward County, high tree density in residential areas and along roadways amplifies exposure from these common species. These tiny grains trigger allergies because minute amounts provoke immune overreactions.”
Specific to South Florida, Bravo suggests selecting low-allergen native plants like female gumbo-limbo, West Indian mahogany, mastic or Simpson’s stopper for urban landscapes. Rain from frequent thunderstorms naturally suppresses pollen, so monitor local forecasts.
UF/IFAS experts say that although pollen can be irritating, it’s a necessary evil, if we want shade in communities.
“We don’t love allergies, but we do love shade, tree benefits and wildlife habitat,” Carnevale said. “So, pollen is a tradeoff.”
Use this website to monitor pollen in your area.
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