Carefully choosing plants that can tolerate high levels of salt in the soil will allow you to have a beautiful yard full of healthy and thriving plants. Here’s a list of salt-tolerant plants that you can grow in Florida.
As Florida is a coastal state, gardeners have to contend with sandy and salty soil. Many plants struggle to thrive when grown in saline soil. The good news is that plenty of plants grow well, even in poor-quality sandy soils.
Areas along the coast of Florida have sandy soil with high salt content. Strong winds and hot weather are also common on the coast at certain times of the year. If you want to create a beautiful yard, it’s best to choose hardy varieties of shrubs, trees, and plants that can cope with the climate and soil conditions. You may like to consider growing some of the following plants:
Frangipani ( Plumeria spp.)
The frangipani tree is a very salt-tolerant evergreen that can grow up to 15 feet high. It’s ideal for coastal areas because it thrives even in poor-quality sandy soil. These trees have beautifully scented flowers and look great year-round. They grow particularly well in south Florida as they can cope with the scorching summer days.
Star Jasmine (Jasminum nitidum)
Star Jasmine is a lovely plant that’s salt-tolerant and grows well in various soil types. They can cope with sandy soils and hot climates. These plants grow well in south and central Florida.
This fast-growing vine is perfect for growing along fences or on south-facing walls. It’s an evergreen, so it will keep looking great all year round. It does best in full sun but can also grow well in part shade if needed. The star jasmine produces white flowers that are very fragrant and delicate-looking.
Weeping Lantana (Lantana montevidensis)
The weeping Lantana is a shrub that grows up to 24 inches tall. It is a salt tolerant plant that does well in Florida.
It can cope with soil that has a moderate salt content and grows throughout the state of Florida. It has delicate pink flowers that bloom all year round and look great when planted in groups. This sprawling shrub is an evergreen and is popular for adding a burst of color to landscaping projects.
English Ivy (Hedera Helix)
English Ivy is a climber that can cope with poor quality soil, including sandy soil with high salt content. This vine grows best when it has a trellis, fence, or wall to cling to. The plant has beautiful, dark green foliage and will add interest to any yard.
English ivy is a tough plant that can withstand dry conditions and doesn’t need much water to thrive. It looks great when it spreads over walls, rocks, or tree stumps. You can also train it into trees or grow it as an indoor ornamental plant if you live in a colder climate.
Hibiscus (Hibiscus spp.)
The hibiscus is a very salt-tolerant plant that can grow well in sandy soils. There are many varieties of this lovely flower, and you can choose plants with single, double, or triple blooms, depending on your preference. These plants can be found growing along the coast of Florida. They like full sun and can tolerate high temperatures.
Coontie (Zamia integrifolia)
Coontie is a low-growing plant that’s extremely hardy and drought tolerant. It can cope with poor quality soil, including sandy soil, and is commonly called the Florida Arrowroot and is a very salt tolerant plant. Counties are small shrubs that grow up to 24 inches high and commonly grow in north and central Florida.
Pseuderanthemum (pseuderanthemum atropurpureum)
Pseuderanthemum is a low-growing shrub that’s found growing across Florida. It has beautiful variegated foliage that is dark green and mottled with pink patches. The flowers are pink and last throughout the spring and summer months. These plants can grow near the seashore and are typically used as a landscape plant in Florida as they are hardy and don’t mind sandy soil.
Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta)
The sago palm is an extremely salt-tolerant tree that grows well in sandy soil. It’s a slow-growing evergreen with long leaves and will form a large clump over time. These trees can be found growing in South Florida and are popular for use in coastal landscaping. The sago palm is a striking plant that makes a great focal point in any garden.
Blue Sage (Eranthemum pulchellum)
The blue sage is a pretty evergreen shrub that grows well in South Florida. It has bright blue flowers that bloom all year round and look great when planted in groups. This sprawling shrub is native to many countries in Asia, has lance shape foliage, and can grow to a height of 5 feet.
Milkstrip Euphorbia (Euphorbia lacteal)
The milkstrip euphorbia is a succulent that grows well in sandy soil. It has beautiful green leaves with saw-toothed edges. This plant is drought tolerant and can cope with high temperatures and salty soils. It’s a great choice for growing in hot, sunny climates and makes a great addition to any garden as it’s very unique and eye-catching.
Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera)
The date palm is a classic symbol of the Florida landscape. This fascinating tree can grow in dry, salty conditions and is suitable for coastal landscaping. Many other types of palm trees also cope with soil that’s high in saline and grow well in Florida. You may like to try growing Lady palm, gingerbread palm, African oil palm, or Areca palm trees. Palm trees generally grow very tall and, depending on the variety, can reach 50 feet or more.
Conclusion
The above plants are very salt-tolerant and suitable for growing in sandy Florida soil. Many other plants can tolerate salty soil in Florida, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different varieties.
If your plants seem to be struggling, you can try adding some compost or potting soil to your yard. This will help to improve poor-quality sandy soils by amending the nutrients and changing the texture of the soil. By choosing plants that are salt-tolerant, you’ll be able to have a beautiful garden that thrives even in difficult conditions.
When selecting plants for a salty soil area, be sure to choose those that are indigenous to your region, as they will be better adapted to thrive in those conditions. By following these simple tips, you can create a beautiful and low-maintenance garden that will thrive for years to come.