IFAS Extension
Invasive plants are non-native plants that form expanding populations in natural areas and other plant communities with which they were not previously associated. Once escaped, they can cause ecological impacts, such as displacing native plants and associated wildlife or altering natural water flow and fire patterns. Standardized invasive plant terminology set forth by members of the UF/IFAS Invasive Species Council can be a useful reference for other related terms such as “introduced,” “established,” and “nuisance” (Iannone et al., 2021).
Some ornamentals listed as invasive by the UF/IFAS Assessment of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas or by the Florida Invasive Species Council (FISC) are still in commercial production and widely found in Florida landscapes. Homeowners might replace invasive plants if non-invasive alternatives are researched, publicized, and made readily available. By shifting production and use from invasive ornamentals to native or non-invasive cultivars, the nursery and landscape industry may benefit from potential revenue while fostering greater collaboration with state agencies and environmental groups.
University of Florida research, teaching, and Extension efforts over the last 25 years have focused on identifying alternatives to ornamental invasives by assessing similar traits of Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ plants, related genera, and their cultivars. University of Florida horticulturists have identified native species with ornamental and ecological appeal as substitutes (Wilson, 2020). An easy-to-use flipbook where invasives are paired with landscape alternatives has been developed by Extension agents, faculty, and students (McIntyre et al., 2022, Parrish et al., 2023). Likewise, University of Florida ornamental plant breeders have played a key role in creating, selecting, and trialing new sterile, non-invasive cultivars (Wilson and Deng, 2023). This breeding initiative now has a national reach (Contreras et al., 2025). Table 1 lists native and non-native ornamentals as alternatives to invasive plants commonly used in South Florida landscapes. Only plants considered to be generally available in the nursery trade are listed. Alternative plants are similar to respective invasive plants as much as possible in terms of size, habit, texture, flowering, fruiting, and moisture preference. Introduced plants listed in Table 1 were determined to be non-invasive (with assessments of "not a problem species" or "may be used with caution") by the UF/IFAS Assessment of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas, or have not yet been evaluated. For more information, please see the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ App for an interactive guide to selecting the right plant with the right place.
References
Enloe, S.F. and K.A. Langeland. 2026. "Help protect Florida's natural areas from non-native invasive plants." Circular 1204. Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/AG108 (released 1998, revised 2022).
Iannone, B.V., III, E.C. Bell, S. Carnevale, J.E. Hill, J.B. McConnell……et al. 2021. “Standardized invasive species terminology for effective education of Floridians." FOR730/FR439, 8/2021. EDIS 2021 (4). https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-fr439-2021
Lieurance, D. and S.L. Flory. 2024. The UF/IFAS Assessment of Nonnative Plants in Florida's Natural Areas: History, Purpose, and Use. SS-AGR-371/376. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/AG376 (released 2013, revised 2020).
McIntyre, T., Gutner, R. Gutner, S. Wilson, and M. Pinkerton. 2022. Plant This, Not That: A Guide to Avoiding Invasive Plant Species in Florida. UF/IFAS Extension Bookstore. https://ifasbooks.ifas.ufl.edu/showproduct.aspx?ProductID=1658&SEName=plant-this-not-that
Parrish, B., T. McIntyre, M. Pinkerton, and S.B. Wilson. 2023. “Plant this not that: A tool for improving invasive species identification and expanding the use of sustainable alternatives in Florida landscaping.” HortTechnology. 33:452-454. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05277-23
Schuchman, E., S.B. Wilson, J.A. Gersony, and J.C. Broda. 2025. Recommended Native Landscape Plants for Florida's Treasure Coast. ENH1082. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP348 (released 2014, revised 2017).
Wilson, Sandra B. 2020. "Expanding our plant palette: The role of natives and non-invasive cultivars." Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. Keynote address, 133:xx-xxiv. https://journals.flvc.org/fshs/article/view/133094/137179
Wilson, S.B. and Z. Deng. 2023. “Ornamental invasive plants in Florida with research-founded alternatives.” HortTechnology. 33:349-356. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05205-23.
Table 1. Invasive ornamentals commonly found in south Florida landscapes and commonly available native and non-native, non-invasive substitutes. Scientific names are those used by the UF/IFAS Assessment of Non-native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas, the U.S. National Plant Germplasm System, and the Atlas of Florida Plants by the Institute for Systematic Biology.
|
Invasive ornamentalz |
Native substitute |
Non-native, non-invasive substitutez | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Scientific Name |
Common Name | ||
|
|
Coral ardisia |
Ardisia escallonioides, Marlberry Callicarpa americana, American beautyberry Chrysobalanus icaco, Cocoplum Citharexylum spinosum, Fiddlewood Hamelia patens, Firebush Ilex vomitoria, Yaupon holly Myrsine cubana, Myrsine Psychotria ligustrifolia, Bahama wild coffee Psychotria nervosa, Wild coffee Viburnum obovatum, Walter's viburnum, small-leaf viburnum |
Acalypha wilkesiana, Wilke’s copperleaf, Jacob's coat |
|
|
Mountain ebony, orchid tree |
Bourreria succulenta, Bahama strongbark Canella winterana, Pepper cinnamon, cinnamon bark, wild cinnimon Cynophalla flexuosa, Bayleaf capertree Erythrina herbacea, Coralbean, Cherokee-bean Guaiacum sanctum, Holywood ignum-vitae Myrcianthes fragrans, Simpson's stopper, twinberry Piscidia piscipula, Jamaican dogwood, Fish-poison tree Vachellia choriophylla, Cinnecord Vachellia farnesiana var. farnesiana, Sweet acacia |
Bauhinia × blakeana, Hong Kong orchid tree, Blake's bauhinia Cassia afrofistula, Dwarf golden shower Cassia fistula, Golden shower Clerodendrum quadriloculare, Starburst clerodendrum Cordia boissieri, White cordia, Mexican olive Dombeya burgessiae, Seminole dombeya, Tropical rose hydrangea Gardenia thunbergia, White gardenia Tabernaemontana divaricata, Cape jasmine Tibouchina granulosa, Glory bush, princessflower |
|
Bischofia javanica |
Japanese bishopwood |
Juniperus virginiana, Red cedar Magnolia virginiana, Sweetbay magnolia |
Platycladus orientalis, Arborvitae, Oriental arborvitae Podocarpus macrophyllus, Podocarpus, Japanese yew Ficus lyrata, Fiddle-leaf fig |
|
Australian pine, horsetail casuarina |
Juniperus virginiana, Red cedar Pinus elliottii, Slash pine Pinus palustris, Longleaf pine Taxodium distichum, Bald cypress |
Juniperus chinensis 'Torulosa', Torulosa juniper, Chinese juniper Platycladus orientalis, Arborvitae, Oriental arborvitae Podocarpus macrophyllus, Podocarpus, Japanese yew | |
|
Elephant ear, wild taro |
Crinum americanum, String-lily, Florida swamp-lily Hymenocallis latifolia, Mangrove spider-lily |
Cordyline fruticosa, Ti plant, broadleaf palm-lily Crinum asiaticum, Grand crinum lily, Asiatic poisonbulb Philodendron bipinnatifidum, Selloum philodendron | |
|
Carrotwood |
Conocarpus erectus, Buttonwood, button mangrove Piscidia piscipula, Jamaican dogwood, fish-poison tree Sapindus saponaria, Soapberry, soaptree Simarouba glauca, Paradise tree |
Ficus rubiginosa, Rusty fig, littleleaf fig Peltophorum dubium, Horsebush, yellow poinciana Terminalia buceras (syn. Bucida buceras), Black olive | |
|
Air-potato |
Jacquemontia pentanthos, Key West morning glory, Skyblue clustervine Lonicera sempervirens, Coral honeysuckle, trumpet honeysuckle |
(See Gardening Solutions for Florida for additional vines.) | |
|
Surinam cherry |
Ardisia escallonioides, Marlberry Bourreria succulenta, Bodywood, Bahama strongbark Calyptranthes pallens, Spicewood Citharexylum spinosum, Fiddlewood Forestiera segregata, Florida swampprivet Guaiacum sanctum, Holywood lignum-vitae Morus rubra, Red mulberry Myrcianthes fragrans, Simpson's stopper, twinberry Myrsine cubana, Myrsine Psychotria nervosa, Wild coffee |
Myrciaria cauliflora, Jaboticaba Pittosporum tobira, Japanese cheesewood, Japanese pittosporum | |
|
Gold coast jasmine |
Ernodea littoralis, Beach creeper Hymenocallis latifolia, Mangrove spider-lily Mimosa strigillosa, Powderpuff Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, Blue porterweed, Joee |
Jasminum multiflorum, Star jasmine Solandra grandiflora, Chalicevine, solandra | |
|
Lantana, shrub verbena |
Byrsonima lucida, Long Key locustberry Hamelia patens, Firebush Lantana involucrata, Buttonsage Lycium carolinianum, Christmasberry Salvia coccinea, Tropical sage, red salvia Sophora tomentosa var. truncata, Yellow necklacepod Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, Blue porterweed, Joee Varronia globosa, Curacao bush |
Lantana strigocamara 'UF-1011-2' y, Bloomify™ Rose lantana (sterile) y, Bloomify™ Red lantana (sterile) ), Luscious® royale red zone lantana (sterile) , Wild rose | |
|
Lonicera japonica |
Bignonia capreopata, Cross vine Lonicera sempervirens, Coral honeysuckle Symphyotrichum carolinianum, Climbing aster |
Trachelospermum jasminoides, Confederate jasmine (See Gardening Solutions for Florida for additional vines.) | |
|
Melaleuca quinquenervia |
Melaleuca, , punk tree |
Annona glabra, Pond apple Conocarpus erectus var. sericeus, Silver buttonwood Conocarpus erectus, Buttonwood, button mangrove Magnolia virginiana, Sweetbay Simarouba glauca, Paradise-tree |
Callistemon rigidus, Bottlebrush, erect bottlebrush, stiff bottlebrush Podocarpus macrophyllus, Podocarpus, Japanese yew |
|
Psidium cattleianum |
Annona glabra, Pond apple Bourreria succulenta, Bahama strongbark Calyptranthes pallens, Spicewood Canella winterana, Pepper cinnamon, cinnamon bark, wild cinnimon Citharexylum spinosum, Fiddlewood Coccoloba diversifolia, Pigeon plum, tie-tongue Cynophalla flexuosa, Bayleaf capertree Erythrina herbacea, Coralbean, Cherokee-bean Guapira discolor, Blolly, beeftree Ilex cassine, Dahoon holly, dahoon Myrcianthes fragrans, Simpson's stopper, twinberry Simarouba glauca, Paradise-tree |
Lagerstroemia speciosa, Queen's crapemyrtle Macadamia integrifolia, Macadamia nut Noronhia emarginata, Madagascar olive Pimenta dioica, Allspice tree Pimenta racemosa, Bay rum tree, West Indian bay | |
|
Mexican petunia |
Crinum americanum, String-lily, Florida swamp-lily Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, Blue porterweed Vernonia gigantea, Giant ironweed Ruellia caroliniensis, Carolina wild petunia Trichostema dichotomum, Blue curls |
Bougainvillea spectabilis, Great bougainvillea, purple bougainvillea y, Mexican petunia (sterile, non-invasive by seed dispersal) , Aztec Purple Mexican petunia (sterile, non-invasive by seed dispersal) y, Mayan Purple Mexican petunia (sterile, non-invasive by seed dispersal) y, Mayan Compact Purple Mexican petunia (sterile, non-invasive by seed dispersal) Russelia equisetiformis, Coral plant, firecracker plant | |
|
Scaevola taccada var. sericea |
Beach naupaka, half-flower, scaevola |
Chrysobalanus icaco 'Horizontal', 'Horizontal' cocoplum Genipa clusiifolia, Seven-year apple Heliotropium gnaphalodes, Sea lavender, sea rosemary Scaevola plumieri, Beachberry, inkberry Sophora tomentosa var. truncata, Yellow necklacepod Suriana maritima, Bay cedar Yucca aloifolia, Spanish bayonet, aloe yucca |
Carissa macrocarpa, Amatungulu, natal plum Pittosporum tobira, Japanese pittosporum, Japanese cheesewood |
|
Australian umbrella tree, Queensland umbrella tree |
Canella winterana, Cinnamon bark, wild cinnamon Guapira discolor, Blolly, beeftree Sabal palmetto, Cabbage Palm Simarouba glauca, Paradise-tree |
Beaucarnea recurvata, Ponytail palm Pandanus utilis, Screwpine Phoenix sylvestris, Wild date palm Ravenala madagascariensis, Traveler's palm, traveler's tree Strelitzia nicolai, White bird of paradise | |
|
Brazilian pepper |
Ardisia escallonioides, Marlberry Calyptranthes pallens, Spicewood Citharexylum spinosum, Fiddlewood Erythrina herbacea, Coralbean, Cherokee-bean Forestiera segregata, Florida swampprivet Hamelia patens, Firebush Ilex cassine, Dahoon holly, dahoon Ilex vomitoria, Yaupon holly Miconia bicolor, Tetrazygia, Florida clover ash Myrcianthes fragrans, Simpson's stopper, twinberry Morella cerifera, Wax myrtle, southern bayberry Myrsine cubana, Myrsine Psychotria nervosa, Wild coffee Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis, Elderberry, American elder Viburnum obovatum, Walter's viburnum, small-leaf viburnum |
Viburnum odoratissimum, Sweet viburnum Viburnum odoratissimum var. awabuki, Awabuki sweet viburnum Viburnum suspensum, Sandankwa viburnum | |
|
Senna pendula var. glabrata |
Christmas senna, Christmas cassia, climbing cassia |
Guaiacum sanctum, Holywood lignum-vitae Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis, Elderberry, American elder Senna ligustrina, Privet wild sensitive plant Senna mexicana var. chapmanii, Chapman's senna Sophora tomentosa var. truncata, Yellow necklacepod |
Senna polyphylla, Desert cassia Senna surattensis, Glossy shower Tabernaemontana divaricata, Crape jasmine |
|
Sphagneticola trilobata |
Wedelia |
Ernodea littoralis, Beach creeper Helianthus debilis, Dune sunflower, beach sunflower Hymenocallis latifolia, Mangrove spider-lily Mimosa strigillosa, Powderpuff Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, Blue porterweed, Joee Zamia integrifolia, Coontie, Florida arrowroot |
Arachis glabrata, Rhizoma perennial peanut Juniperus chinensis 'Parsonii', Parson's Chinese juniper Trachelospermum asiaticum, Asiatic jasmine, dwarf jasmine Zamia furfuraceaz, Cardboard cycad, Cardboard palm |
|
Jambolan, Java plum |
Bursera simaruba, Gumbo limbo Ficus aurea, Strangler fig Morus rubra, Red mulberry Quercus laurifolia, Laurel oak Quercus virginiana, Live oak, southern live oak Sideroxylon foetidissimum, False mastic Swietenia mahagoni, West Indian mahogany |
Azadirachta indica, Neem, Indian-lilac, nimtree Ficus elastica, Indian rubber tree, Indian rubber plant, Ficus lyrata, Fiddleleaf fig Ficus rubiginosa, Rusty fig, littleleaf fig Peltophorum dubium, Horsebush, yellow poinciana | |
|
Sea hibiscus, mahoe |
Bursera simaruba, Gumbo limbo Clusia rosea, Pitchapple, Scotch-attorney Piscidia piscipula, Jamaican dogwood, fish-poison tree |
Cassia fistula, Golden shower Cassia javanica, Apple blossom cassia, Pink shower Ficus elastica, Rubber tree, India rubber fig, India rubber tree Ficus lyrata, Fiddleleaf fig | |
|
Chinese tallow tree, popcorn tree |
Acer rubrum, Red maple Bourreria succulenta, Bahama strongbark Conocarpus erectus var. sericeus, Silver buttonwood Conocarpus erectus, Buttonwood, button mangrove Guapira discolor, Blolly, beeftree Liquidambar styraciflua, Sweetgum Platanus occidentalis, American sycamore, American planetree Sapindus saponaria, Soapberry, soaptree Simarouba glauca, Paradise-tree |
Jacaranda mimosifolia, Jacaranda, green-ebony, black poui Lagerstroemia spp., crapemyrtle Peltophorum dubium, Horsebush, yellow poinciana | |
|
zAs listed by the UF/IFAS Status Assessment. Use with caution. yNon-invasive cultivar approved for use as determined by the UF/IFAS Infraspecific Taxon Protocol (Lieurance, Deah and S. Luke Flory, 2024). SS-AGR-371/376. | |||
