Florida’s fall colors may be subtle, but our native trees and shrubs still put on a seasonal show. Whether you’re exploring wooded trails, wetland edges, parks, or your own neighborhood, you can catch glimpses of autumn’s hues. With the right space, you might even consider planting one in your yard to enjoy the colors while benefiting local wildlife.
Suwannee River State Park by Russell Burch
Why do leaves change color?
The bright green of leaves comes from chlorophyll, which helps plants turn sunlight into energy through photosynthesis. As fall arrives and days grow shorter, chlorophyll production slows, allowing the reds, yellows, and purples from other pigments to emerge. The intensity and duration of these colors depend on factors like temperature and moisture.
Bald Cypress Trees by Don Pelliccia
Here in Florida, with our longer days and warmer nights, the peak fall colors arrive later and are often more subtle than those up north.
Notable Species
Cypress Dome by Federico Acevedo
The feathery foliage of the bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) brings shades of gold and orange to Florida’s autumn landscapes. These stately trees, which can grow 50-75 feet tall, thrive along streams and in shallow wetlands throughout the state. They also grow in cypress domes, a distinct wetland habitat where the trees form a “dome”, with the tallest ones in the center and shorter ones along the edges. These domes develop in low-lying areas where water accumulates, creating vital oases for wildlife.
Red maple (Acer rubrum) brings a burst of fall color to Florida, with its leaves turning vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow. Native to the eastern U.S., this adaptable tree thrives across our state, reaching heights here of 45-50 feet and even taller in cooler regions. Red maple isn’t just a beautiful shade tree, it’s also a valuable source of food and habitat for wildlife. Its seeds, leaves, and flowers provide nourishment for birds, squirrels, bees, and the caterpillars of native moths.
Red Maple Tree by Gitta Hasing
Shumard Oak Leaves and Acorns by Wildlife Nurseries & Seed
Another standout among Florida’s native trees, Shumard oak (Quercus shumardii), adds bright red or orange hues to the fall landscape in north and central Florida. These oaks grow 55-80 feet tall in their natural settings of wet hammocks and floodplain edges. Their large acorns are a key food source for many mammals and birds, while the tree itself serves as a host plant for native butterfly caterpillars. Shumard oaks are resilient and can adapt to various soil types and moisture conditions, making them a great option for yards or along streets.
Brightly colored berries add another layer to Florida’s fall palette, with small native trees and shrubs bringing seasonal color and wildlife benefits even to compact spaces. These smaller plants are perfect for fitting into yards and gardens of any size.
Yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria), a small native tree that grows 8-25 feet tall, can be found from the Panhandle down to central Florida. In fall, its dense clusters of reddish-orange berries ripen and last through winter, providing an important food source for songbirds and woodpeckers.
Yaupon Holly by National Park Service
American Beautyberry by Eric Hunt
American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), a native shrub growing 4-8 feet tall, brightens the landscape with vibrant purple berries in the fall. Its fruit feeds many bird species, while the flowers attract native bees. It also serves as a host plant for the caterpillars of spring azure butterflies and snowy clearwing moths.
For shaded areas, wild coffee (Psychotria nervosa) is a versatile native shrub that thrives throughout Florida’s peninsula. This evergreen produces colorful red berries in the fall, which are eaten by birds and small mammals. In spring, its flowers offer nectar for butterflies and attract a range of native bees and other pollinators.
Wild Coffee by Jenny Evans
As you enjoy Florida’s unique fall colors this season—from the golden hues of native grasses to the rich reds of sumac and maple—consider how you can bring these natural beauties into your own backyard. By planting native trees and shrubs, you not only add seasonal color but also create critical habitat for local wildlife. Through the National Wildlife Federation’s Certify Your Wildlife Habitat program, you can transform your yard into a wildlife-friendly space that supports pollinators, birds, and other species year-round. Together, we can cultivate a landscape that sustains Florida’s vibrant ecosystems and enhances our connection to nature.
