Low-Maintenance Trees and Palms

Trees and palms are a staple in many landscapes. They provide shade and shelter, improve air quality, and mitigate flooding. Keep reading to learn about some trees and palms that require minimal watering and care in Sarasota County (UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions).

Note: The following information is adapted from the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Plant Guide.

Legend

Apart from the information presented in the table, the following features will be highlighted under each plant’s picture.

Light

: At least 6 hours of full sun

: 2-4 hours of full sun per day

: Full shade

Perks

: Attracts pollinators

: Attracts birds

: Edible parts*

Geography

: Native

: Non-native

 

Trees and Palms

Cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto)

Height	25 to 60 feet
Growth Rate	Slow
Hardiness	8B to 11
Light Requirement	Full to partial sun
Salt Tolerance	High
Drought Tolerance	High
Soil Preference	Tolerates wide range of soil pH (4.5-8.0), well-drained to wet
Comments	Florida state tree Attracts butterflies and birds Core of the palm is edible and known as “heart of palm” or “swamp cabbage”

Read more here.

Peregrina (Jatropha integerrima)

Height	8 to 15 feet
Growth Rate	Moderate
Hardiness	9B to 11
Light Requirement	Full to partial sun
Salt Tolerance	Low
Drought Tolerance	High
Soil Preference	Tolerates wide range of soil pH (4.5-8.0), well-drained
Comments	Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds Toxic when ingested

Read more here.

Coral plant (Jatropha multifida)

Height	8 to 15 feet
Growth Rate	Moderate
Hardiness	9B to 11
Light Requirement	Full to partial sun
Salt Tolerance	Low
Drought Tolerance	High
Soil Preference	Tolerates wide range of soil pH (4.5-8.0), well-drained
Comments	Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds Toxic when ingested

Read more here.

Frangipani (Plumeria rubra)

Height	20 to 25 feet
Growth Rate	Slow
Hardiness	10A to 11
Light Requirement	Full to partial sun
Salt Tolerance	High
Drought Tolerance	High
Soil Preference	Tolerates wide range of soil pH (4.5-8.0), well-drained
Comments	Fragrant, showy flowers in fall and spring

Read more here.

Seagrape (Coccoloba uvifera)

Height	3 to 35 feet
Growth Rate	Moderate
Hardiness	9A to 11
Light Requirement	Full to partial sun
Salt Tolerance	High
Drought Tolerance	High
Soil Preference	Acidic to slightly alkaline (4.5-7.2), sandy clay, well-drained
Comments	Fruit edible when purple Leaves used historically as postcards Attracts butterflies and birds

Read more here.

Powderpuff (Calliandra spp.)

Height	10 to 15 feet
Growth Rate	Fast
Hardiness	9A to 12
Light Requirement	Full to partial sun
Salt Tolerance	Low
Drought Tolerance	High
Soil Preference	Slightly acidic to slightly alkaline (6.0-7.2), well-drained to wet
Comments	Attracts hummingbirds

Read more here.

Floss silk tree (Chorisia speciosa)

Height	35 to 50 feet
Growth Rate	Fast
Hardiness	9B to 11
Light Requirement	Full sun
Salt Tolerance	Low
Drought Tolerance	High
Soil Preference	Tolerates wide range of soil pH (4.5-8.0), medium to well-drained
Comments	Showy pink flowers from October through December Bark can have distinctive thorns Floss from the seeds was used for stuffing pillows Thin strips of the bark have been used to make rope (UF/IFAS)

Read more here.

Fiddlewood (Citharexylum spinosum)

 

Height	15 to 25 feet
Growth Rate	Slow
Hardiness	9A to 11
Light Requirement	Full to partial sun
Salt Tolerance	Medium
Drought Tolerance	High
Soil Preference	Acidic to slightly alkaline (4.5-7.2); well-drained
Comments	Fruit provides food for wildlife Attracts butterflies and birds

Read more here.

White geiger (Cordia boissieri)

Height	15 to 20 feet
Growth Rate	Slow
Hardiness	9A to 11
Light Requirement	Full to partial sun
Salt Tolerance	Medium
Drought Tolerance	High
Soil Preference	Slightly acidic to alkaline (6.0-8.0), well-drained
Comments	Flowers all year Fruit provides food for birds and other wildlife Deeply fissured bark

Read more here.

Yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria)

Height	15 to 30 feet
Growth Rate	Moderate
Hardiness	7A to 10B
Light Requirement	Full to partial sun
Salt Tolerance	High
Drought Tolerance	High
Soil Preference	Acidic to alkaline (4.5-7.2), well-drained to wet
Comments	Leaves can be dried and processed for use in caffeinated tea Females produce red berries Attracts butterflies, birds

Read more here.

Simpson’s stopper (Myrcianthes fragrans)

Height	6 to 30 feet
Growth Rate	Moderate
Hardiness	9B to 11
Light Requirement	Full sun to full shade
Salt Tolerance	High
Drought Tolerance	High
Soil Preference	Slightly acidic to slightly alkaline (6.0-7.2), well-drained to wet
Comments	Flowers all year Edible fruit Fruit provides food for birds and other wildlife Attracts butterflies

Read more here.

Gumbo limbo (Bursera simaruba)

Height	20 to 50 feet
Growth Rate	Fast
Hardiness	10A to 11
Light Requirement	Full to partial sun
Salt Tolerance	Medium
Drought Tolerance	High
Soil Preference	Slightly acidic to alkaline (6.0-8.0), well-drained
Comments	Called the “tourist tree” due to its peeling bark, which resembles a bad sunburn Attracts butterflies and birds

Read more here.

Chickasaw plum (Prunus angustifolia)

Height	12 to 20 feet
Growth Rate	Moderate
Hardiness	6A to 9B
Light Requirement	Full to partial sun
Salt Tolerance	Medium
Drought Tolerance	High
Soil Preference	Acidic to slightly alkaline (4.5-7.2), well-drained
Comments	Edible fruit Fruit provides food for wildlife Attracts butterflies

Read more here.

Pink trumpet tree (Tabebuia heterophylla)

Height	20 to 30 feet
Growth Rate	Moderate
Hardiness	9B to 12
Light Requirement	Full sun
Salt Tolerance	Medium
Drought Tolerance	High
Soil Preference	Tolerates wide range of soil pH (4.5-8.0), well-drained
Comments	Flowers in spring and summer

Read more here.

Walter’s viburnum (Viburnum obovatum)

Height	8 to 25 feet
Growth Rate	Moderate
Hardiness	9A to 10A
Light Requirement	Full sun to full shade
Salt Tolerance	Low
Drought Tolerance	High
Soil Preference	Tolerates wide range of soil pH (4.5-8.0), well-drained
Comments	Attracts birds, pollinators, and other wildlife

Read more here.

Silver buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus var. sericeus)

Height	5 to 50 feet
Growth Rate	Moderate
Hardiness	10B to 11
Light Requirement	Full to partial sun
Salt Tolerance	High
Drought Tolerance	High
Soil Preference	Slightly acidic to alkaline (6.0-8.0), well-drained
Comments	Attracts birds

Read more here.

Live oak (Quercus virginiana)

Height	40 to 80 feet
Growth Rate	Moderate
Hardiness	7A to 10B
Light Requirement	Full to partial sun
Salt Tolerance	High
Drought Tolerance	High
Soil Preference	Slightly acidic to alkaline (6.0-8.0), medium to well-drained
Comments	Acorns provide food to wildlife; attracts butterflies and birds

Read more here.

If you want to learn about other low-maintenance plants for your landscape, read the rest of our Low-Maintenance Landscaping blog series.

*Although we discuss edibility in this blog, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County is not responsible for any illness or injury associated with foraging. Be aware that some plants may have been treated with pesticides and are not fit for human consumption. Always exercise caution.