17 Best Red Plants in Florida with Pictures

Raul Cornelius is a Senior Editor at BalconyGardenWeb and an expert in flower and herb cultivation based in Phoenix, Arizona. A frequent speaker at horticultural events, he is also an active contributor to Facebook flower groups. Holding an MBA and a BCom, Raul blends his gardening skills with strong leadership and analytical abilities. Passionate about writing and photography, he enjoys early mornings with coffee and books, and nature bike rides during weekends.
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Discover the names of best Red Plants in Florida that you can grow indoors and outdoors if it’s your most favorite color!

Red color plants can be a bold and stunning addition to any landscape or interiors! They also add a beautiful contrast when mixed with other plants. The southernmost, contiguous state in the United States offers a warm climate and falls in the USDA zones 8 through 11. Here are some of the best Red Plants in Florida that grow perfectly in the climatic condition the state has on offer!

Check out our article on the best pine trees to grow in Texas here! 


Red Flowering Plants in Florida

1. Hibiscus

Red Plants in Florida

USDA Zones: 9-11

Hibiscus flowers throughout the year in southern Florida. This versatile plant has a medium growth rate and grows up to a height of 3-5 feet.

Growing Tips:

Keep it in full sun to partial shade. The plant prefers slightly acidic soil.

Here are some of the best Hibiscus varieties! 

2. Firebush

USDA Zones: 8-11

Native to Florida, this plant offers orange-red blossoms throughout the year with abundant flowering in the summer. Firebush is fast-growing and can attain a height of 10-15 feet.

Growing Tips:

Grow this drought-tolerant shrub in full sun or partial shade. 

3. Florida Anise

USDA Zones: 7-10

Florida anise features beautiful star-shaped, red flowers during spring. The plant can grow up to a height of 3-6 feet with 2-4 feet spread.

Growing Tips:

The plant grows well in full sun to partial shade. It has moderate drought-tolerance but low salt tolerance.

4. Azalea

USDA Zones: 5-10

Azalea comes in both standard and dwarf varieties. It is hardy throughout Florida and offers numerous flowers during spring with a few ever-blooming varieties.

Growing Tips:

This red plant variety thrives well in acidic soil under partial shade.

5. Rose

Red Plants in Florida 3

USDA Zones: 5-11

Roses are considered hardy throughout Florida. They can reach up to 2-15 feet in height and flowers once a year or year-round, depending on the variety.

Growing Tips:

Grow roses in full sunlight for abundant flowering.

Here are the important things to consider while growing roses! 

6. Camellia

USDA Zones: 7-11

Camellia is a slow-growing bush that shows off numerous showy red flowers during winter and spring. It can grow up to 10-15 feet in height and 10-12 feet wide.

Growing Tips:

It does well acidic soil under full to partial shade and has a medium drought tolerance.

7. Bottlebrush

Red Plants in Florida 4

USDA Zones: 8b-11

Bottlebrush offers plentiful, spiky red flowers during spring and summer. This drought-tolerant bush can grow up to 5-12 feet tall and 4-8 feet wide.

Growing Tips:

It prefers full sun to partial shade and has medium salt tolerance.

8. Firecracker/Coral Plant

USDA Zones: 9b-11

Also known as weeping bush, it can reach up to 6-10 feet tall and produces deeply lobed foliage with a cluster of bright coral-red flowers that also attract butterflies!

Growing Tips:

This drought-tolerant plant grows well in both dappled sunlight and shade.  

9. Red Shrimp Plant

Red Plants in Florida 5

USDA Zones: 8-11

Red Shrimp produces green leaves and spike of light pink to red bracts that arch into a shape resembling a shrimp. It grows up to 2-5 feet tall.

Growing Tips:

The plant prefers well-drained loamy or sandy soil and dislikes wet feet. 4-5 hours of sunlight helps in bringing out the bright color of flowers.

10. Cigar Flower

USDA Zones: 9b-12

Cigar flower got its name due to the cigar-like appearance of the flower. It produces red blossoms from summer to fall. The plant can grow up to 2-3 feet tall and 3-5 feet wide.

Growing Tips:

Keep it in full sun to partial shade.

11. Salvia

Red Plants in Florida 6

USDA Zones: 10a-11

Salvia grows well in a warm climate. The nectar-rich, red tubular flowers are the main attraction for hummingbirds and butterflies!

Growing Tips:

Grow the plant in full sun with well-draining, loamy soil.

12. Red Gerberas

USDA Zones: 8-11

You can have daisy-like flowers of Red Gerberas all year round in Florida! This stunning plant looks good in pots and attains a height of 1-2 feet.

Growing Tips:

Protect the plant from overwintering. It does well in dappled sunlight.

13. Ixora

USDA Zones: 10-11

The star-shaped flowers of Ixora come in clusters of red! It blossoms profusely and looks stunning in its compact form. It attains a height of 4-6 feet.

Growing Tips:

For best growth, keep the plant in full sun.

Check out our article on the best pink flowers to grow here! 


Red Leaf Plants in Florida

14. Coleus

Red Plants in Florida 7

USDA Zones: 9-11

Coleus offers a bold array of 1-6 inches long red leaves that looks stunning in the sun. It grows up to 1-3 feet tall with a similar spread.

Growing Tips:

Grow the plant in the morning sun and partial afternoon sun for best leaf color.

Here are some of the best varieties of Coleus you can grow! 

15. Red Star Dracaena

USDA Zones: 9-11

Red star dracaena’s dark red sword-like leaves make quite a statement to your home or garden. It grows at a moderate pace, reaching up to 4-8 feet tall.

Growing Tips:

Keep it in full to partial sunlight for best growth.

16. Ti Plant

Red Plants in Florida 8

USDA Zones: 10a-12

Hawaiian Ti Plant comes in a variety of shades, including red. It forms a tiered rosette and does not produce flowers. The plant can grow up to 3-5 feet in height.

Growing Tips:

Use a well-draining potting soil with perlite and place the plant in a medium to bright light.

17. Caladium ‘Red Flash’

Red Plants in Florida 9

USDA Zones: 9-11

Almost all varieties of caladiums grow well in warm and humid weather Florida. You can enjoy them both outdoors and indoors.

Growing Tips:

Grow caladium in partial shade, it doesn’t mind full shade as well. 

Check out our article on the best colorful houseplants here!

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1 COMMENT

  1. Denistar ) from late spring through late summer. Flowers beckon bees and butterflies, while the plant itself is deer resistant. New leaves emerge scarlet, shift to green in summer and deepen to bronze in fall. Grows 2-3 feet high and 3-4 feet wide and does best in Zone 3 to 8.

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