Alternatives to Invasive Plants Commonly Found in South Florida Landscapes

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Release Date: 10/21/2026

DOI: 10.32473/EDIS-EP483-2013

Urban Horticulture

Abstract

Based on years of UF/IFAS research producing and trialing cultivars, this fact sheet lists native and non-invasive, non-native ornamentals as alternatives to invasive plants commonly used in 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, and flower color.

About this Publication

This document is ENH1222, one of a series of the UF/IFAS Department of Horticultural Sciences. Original publication date September 2013. Revised August 2018 and October 2026. Visit the Ask IFAS website at https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu for the  currently supported version of this publication. © 2026 UF/IFAS. This publication is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

How to Cite

Knox, G. W., Wilson, S. B., Deng, Z., & Freyre, R. (2013). Alternatives to Invasive Plants Commonly Found in South Florida Landscapes. EDIS, 2013(10). https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-ep483-2013

Authors

Sandra Wilson
Sandra Wilson
Specialist
University of Florida

professor, UF/IFAS Department of Horticultural Sciences

Gary Knox
Gary Knox

nursery crops Extension specialist and professor emeritus, Department of Environmental Horticulture, UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center, Quincy, FL

Zhanao Deng
Zhanao Deng
Specialist
University of Florida

professor, breeding and floriculture, Department of Horticultural Sciences, UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, Wimauma, FL

Publication #ENH1222

Homeowner

Ardisia crenata

Bauhinia variegata

Bischofia javanica

Casuarina equisetifolia

Colocasia esculenta

Terminalia buceras

Cupaniopsis anacardioides

Dioscorea bulbifera

Eugenia uniflora

Jasminum dichotomum

Lantana strigocamara

Rosa multiflora

Japanese honeysuckle

paper bark

Strawberry guava

Ruellia simplex

Ruellia simplex cv Purple Showers

Ruellia simplex 'R-15-5-3'

Ruellia simplex ‘R10-102’

Ruellia simplex ‘R12-2-1’

Scaevola taccada var sericea

Schefflera actinophylla

Schinus terebinthifolius

Senna pendula var glabrata

Sphagneticola trilobata

Syzygium cumini

Talipariti tiliaceum

Triadica sebifera