Southern Florida Coastal Plain is characterized by a nearly frost-free, humid subtropical to tropical savanna climate, flat alluvial plains, extensive wetlands, and significant hydrological and biological alteration due to human development and agriculture, spanning from Lake Okeechobee south to Key West.
Zone
Coastal
Common Name
South Florida Coastal Plain (Everglades)
CEC Level III Code
15.4.1
CEC Level II Code
15.4 Tropical Wet Forests
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | South Florida Coastal Plain, Southern Florida Coastal Plain, Everglades, Florida Everglades, South Florida, South Florida Everglades, Everglades region |
| Geographic Range | The Southern Florida Coastal Plain extends from Lake Okeechobee in the north to Key West in the south, encompassing the southern tip of Florida. |
| Climate Snapshot | The Southern Florida Coastal Plain has a nearly frost-free, humid subtropical to tropical savanna climate with hot summers, warm winters, a drier winter season, a mean annual temperature of 22° to 25°C, and a mean annual precipitation of 1,338 mm. |
| Terrain Profile | The region is characterized by flat, weakly dissected alluvial plains, marshland, and swampy land cover, with a very low average elevation, making it vulnerable to flooding. |
| Vegetation Cover | The region features extensive sawgrass marshes with tree-islands of species like slash pine and royal palm in the Everglades, cypress in wet areas of Big Cypress, and common mangrove swamps on the southern coast and islands. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The Southern Florida Coastal Plain is home to diverse wildlife, including the alligator, American crocodile, Florida panther, Key deer, manatee, and various wading birds like woodstorks, ibis, and herons. |
Eco snapshot
The region features extensive sawgrass marshes with tree-islands of species like slash pine and royal palm in the Everglades, cypress in wet areas of Big Cypress, and common mangrove swamps on the southern coast and islands.
The Southern Florida Coastal Plain is home to diverse wildlife, including the alligator, American crocodile, Florida panther, Key deer, manatee, and various wading birds like woodstorks, ibis, and herons.
Seasonal timing
Yearly needs
What pollinators need throughout the year, and what to do about it.
| Season | What pollinators need most | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Late winter/early spring | Early nectar/pollen; safe water; places to warm up | Add a few early-blooming natives; leave some leaf litter/brush in a corner; provide a shallow water dish with stones |
| Spring | Steady bloom; host plants for caterpillars; nesting materials | Plant in clumps; include at least one larval host plant; keep some bare, well-drained soil patches for ground nesters |
| Summer | Heat-tolerant blooms; shade/shelter; pesticide-free refuge | Prioritize tough, sun-loving natives; water new plants deeply but not constantly; avoid spraying for mosquitoes near flowers |
| Late summer/fall | “Bridge” blooms before lean times; seed/structure for shelter | Add late-season bloomers; let some plants go to seed; reduce deadheading so habitat stays complex |
| Winter or Dry Season | Reliable flowers where possible; shelter from wind/dryness | Keep a few winter-blooming options; don’t over-tidy; protect nesting spots and stems until they’re truly done |
Seed mix concept
Dry-season / early starter: quick, reliable blooms that get pollinators fed early.
Warm-season / summer bridge: heat- and rain-tolerant flowers that keep nectar coming.
Late-season finisher: strong late blooms (often asters/goldenrods) that help pollinators build energy and resilience.
What You Can Do
Turn this knowledge into action. Whether you plant a single pot or a whole garden, you are building a vital bridge for local biodiversity.
Join the movement to restore our shared habitats.
Native plants
Agaves are bold, sculptural succulents that store water in thick leaves and thrive in bright, dry spots. Their flowers can be a big seasonal draw for pollinators when plants are mature and in bloom.
Erythrinas (coral trees) are showy flowering trees in the genus Erythrina, known for bold, nectar-rich blooms that can be a seasonal food stop for pollinators in warm gardens.
Inga is a group of tropical trees (genus Inga) known for fluffy, brush-like flowers and long pods. In warm climates, it can be a shade tree that also offers nectar and pollen for a variety of insects.
Milkweeds from tropical Mexico (genus Asclepias) are nectar-rich wildflowers that can add bright blooms and pollinator activity to sunny gardens and containers.
Passionflowers (genus Passiflora) are climbing vines known for their intricate, otherworldly blooms and their ability to add vertical color to fences, trellises, and sunny walls.
Salvias are a big, colorful group of flowering plants in the genus Salvia, with especially rich diversity in Mexico. Many are easy, pollinator-friendly garden plants that bloom over a long season when given sun and well-drained soil.
Wild lilacs (genus Calliandra) are warm-climate shrubs known for fluffy “powderpuff” blooms that can add color and pollinator activity to sunny gardens and patios.
Pollinators
Adults visit flowers for nectar and pollen, and many species’ larvae help keep plant-eating pests in check.
They can move pollen between flowers while feeding on nectar, especially for blooms that open or scent up in the evening.
They move pollen between flowers while feeding, helping many plants reproduce.
They move pollen between flowers over long distances, helping some plants set fruit and seed.
They move pollen between flowers over long distances and help many plants set fruit and seed.
They move pollen between flowers while feeding on nectar, supporting seed and fruit production in many plants.
They help pollinate many wild and cultivated plants in tropical and subtropical regions, supporting food webs and biodiversity.
