Throughout Florida, spring, summer and fall bring vibrant roadside wildflowers that provide essential nectar and pollen for pollinators—and remind us how closely our wellbeing is tied to theirs. With much of the landscape altered by human activity, adding native wildflowers and plants to our gardens, patios, and yards is a simple way to restore habitat for bees, butterflies, and other wildlife. For best results, plant wildflower seeds between mid-September and January, and include a variety of colors, shapes, and bloom times to support pollinators year-round and help keep Florida’s ecosystems thriving.
Starting from Seed
Planting Native Wildflowers
General Tips:
Timing: For the best germination, plant wildflower seeds between mid-September and January, depending on your Florida region. For detailed guidance on when to plant in your part of the state, see this regional planting chart from the Florida Wildflower Foundation.
Location: Choose a sunny area with well-drained soil and minimal weeds.
Moisture: Keep the site moist (not wet) if rainfall isn’t sufficient. Check the soil before watering to avoid overwatering.
Turf areas: If planting in thin turf grass, scatter the seeds and rake lightly to ensure good soil contact.
Step-byStep Planting Guide
Follow these easy steps to plant your native wildflower seeds and set them up for success:
- Prepare the seed mix:
Combine your wildflower seeds with moist sand or soil in a bucket. Mix thoroughly to help distribute seeds evenly. - Sow the seeds:
Starting at one end of the garden bed, spread half of the seed-sand mixture evenly across the surface. Repeat from the opposite end to ensure even coverage. - Cover and press:
Lightly cover the seeds with no more than ¼ inch of soil, then gently pat down the area to ensure firm seed-to-soil contact. - Water and monitor:
Keep the soil surface consistently moist until the seedlings are established, then water as needed based on rainfall.
More Helpful Tips:
It’s important to remember not to fertilize! Native wildflowers are adapted to grow in Florida’s soil and climate. Adding fertilizer usually speeds weed growth rather than promoting wildflower growth.
When your wildflowers sprout, water only if plants are wilting.
The best way to manage weeds in small wildflower areas is to pull the weeds by hand. This can be time-consuming but lets you remove only the weeds and avoid chemicals, which are harmful to valuable pollinators.
Your beautiful Florida native wildflowers will bloom spring through fall. Enjoy the flowers and watch for pollinators!
For more tips on establishing wildflowers and creating wildlife-friendly landscapes, visit our Gardening in Florida page.
