Purple Plants Florida

If you want to add a stunning pop of color to your Florida garden, look no further than purple plants Florida selections. The state’s warm climate is perfect for a huge range of vibrant and uniquely colored foliage and flowers that bring a royal touch to any landscape.

Purple isn’t just a color; it’s a statement. It can create depth, cool down a hot corner, or become a dazzling focal point. From deep, almost black purples to soft lavenders, the variety is incredible. And the best part? Many of these plants thrive in Florida’s heat, humidity, and sandy soils with minimal fuss.

This guide will walk you through the best choices, where to put them, and how to care for them. You’ll get ideas for flowers, shrubs, groundcovers, and even trees. Let’s look at how to make your garden unforgettable with these beautiful hues.

This section covers the cornerstone plants that should be on your list. These are proven performers across most of the state. They offer reliable color and are generally easy to find at local nurseries.

Top Purple Flowering Plants for Florida Gardens

Flowers provide the most instant impact. These plants will give you seasons of beautiful blooms.

Mexican Heather (Cuphea hyssopifolia): This small, bushy plant is covered in tiny purple flowers almost year-round. It’s perfect for borders, edging, or containers. It loves full sun and is drought-tolerant once established.
Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii): True to its name, this shrub attracts butterflies by the dozen with its long, fragrant purple flower spikes. It blooms from summer to fall and prefers full sun. Some newer cultivars are sterile, which is better for preventing self-seeding.
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea): A classic perennial that does well in North and Central Florida. Its large, daisy-like flowers with raised centers are a favorite of bees and butterflies. It needs well-drained soil and plenty of sun.
Salvia (Various species): There are many purple salvias, like ‘Mystic Spires Blue’ or ‘Black and Blue’. They are tough, heat-loving, and bloom repeatedly. Just give them a trim after a flowering cycle to encourage more blooms.
Pentas (Pentas lanceolata): A superstar for attracting pollinators. Its clusters of star-shaped flowers come in deep purple and lavender. It blooms all year in South Florida and through the warm seasons elsewhere. Very low-maintenance.

Purple Foliage Plants for Lasting Color

Foliage plants give you purple color even when nothing is in bloom. They are the backbone of a colorful garden design.

Purple Heart (Tradescantia pallida): This is arguably the easiest purple plant to grow in Florida. Its long, trailing stems have vibrant purple leaves and small pink flowers. It works as a groundcover, in hanging baskets, or spilling over walls. It roots easily from cuttings.
‘Black Magic’ Elephant Ear (Colocasia esculenta): For a tropical, dramatic effect, this plant is unmatched. Its huge, heart-shaped leaves are a deep, dark purple-black. It loves moist soil and can handle part shade, making it great for pond edges or shaded spots.
Persian Shield (Strobilanthes dyerianus): The foliage on this plant is iridescent purple with a metallic sheen. It prefers partial shade, as full Florida sun can scorch the leaves. It’s often grown as an annual or in containers that can be moved.
Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’): This ornamental grass adds movement and texture. Its burgundy-purple blades and soft, fuzzy flower plumes create a beautiful display. Be aware it can reseed; sterile varieties are a good alternative.

Shrubs and Trees with Purple Flair

For larger scale color, incorporate these shrubs and trees. They provide structure and year-round interest.

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (Brunfelsia pauciflora): A fascinating shrub whose flowers change color. They open deep purple, fade to lavender, and then turn white over three days. It blooms heaviliy in spring and prefers acidic soil and part shade.
Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens): Also called Barometer Bush, it often blooms after rains. Its silvery-gray foliage is covered in purple bell-shaped flowers. It’s extremely drought-tolerant and perfect for full sun, sandy spots.
Jacaranda Tree (Jacaranda mimosifolia): In South and Central Florida, a blooming Jacaranda is a breathtaking sight. In late spring, the tree is covered in clusters of lavender-blue, trumpet-shaped flowers. It does create litter when the flowers drop, so plant it thoughtfully.
Loropetalum (Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum): This popular shrub offers purple-burgundy foliage year-round and gets pink, fringe-like flowers in spring. There are many sizes, from dwarfs for hedges to larger varieties for screening.

Designing Your Purple Garden

Placing your plants correctly makes all the difference. Here’s how to create a cohesive and stunning look.

Creating Color Combinations

Purple is incredibly versatile. Pair it with other colors to create different moods.

For a Calm Effect: Combine purples with whites, silvers, and light pinks. Think white pentas with lavender salvia and silver dusty miller.
For High Contrast: Pair deep purples with bright yellows or oranges. ‘Black Magic’ elephant ear behind yellow lantana creates a stunning visual punch.
For a Monochromatic Scheme: Use different shades and textures of purple together. Combine purple heart (bright purple) with ‘Black Magic’ elephant ear (dark purple) and a purple coneflower (medium purple with orange center).

Considering Light and Placement

Florida sun is intense. Matching the plant to the light is crucial for success.

Full Sun (6+ hours): Most flowering plants like salvia, pentas, butterfly bush, and Mexican heather thrive here. Their color will be most vibrant.
Partial Shade (3-6 hours): Plants like Persian Shield, some loropetalum, and Yesterday-Today-and-Tomorrow prefer protection from the harsh afternoon sun.
Accent Planting: Use a single purple tree, like a Jacaranda, as a lawn specimen. Use medium shrubs like loropetalum as a colorful hedge. Let trailing plants like purple heart spill over a pot or wall.

Step-by-Step Planting Guide

Doing this right from the start gives your plants the best chance.

Test Your Soil: Many Florida soils are sandy and alkaline. Purple plants often prefer slightly acidic soil. A simple test kit can tell you if you need to amend with sulfur or use an acid-loving plant fertilizer.
Amend the Soil: Mix 3-4 inches of organic compost into your native soil. This improves drainage in clay and helps retain water and nutrients in sand.
Dig the Right Hole: Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper. Planting too deep is a common cause of plant failure.
Place and Backfill: Gently place the plant in the hole. Backfill with your soil-compost mix, gently firming it around the roots to remove air pockets.
Water Deeply: Give your new plant a thorough soaking to settle the soil. Create a small berm of soil around the edge to hold water during future watering.
Mulch: Apply 2-3 inches of mulch (like pine bark or melaleuca) around the plant, keeping it a few inches away from the stem. This conserves moisture and suppresses weeds.

Essential Care and Maintenance

Keeping your purple plants looking their best is straightforward with a regular routine.

Watering Wisely

Florida’s rainfall is inconsistent. Deep, infrequent watering is better than frequent sprinkles. It encourages deep roots.

New plants need water every other day for the first two weeks, then you can taper off.
Established plants often only need water during extended dry spells. Always check the soil moisture first.
Water in the early morning to reduce evaporation and fungal disease.

Fertilizing for Color

Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer formulated for Florida landscapes. Follow the label directions carefully.

For flowering plants, a fertilizer with a higher middle number (phosphorus) can promote blooms.
For foliage plants, a balanced formula is fine. Over-fertilizing can cause more green growth and less intense purple color.
Fertilize in early spring and again in early fall for most plants. Avoid fertilizing in late fall or winter.

Pruning and Pest Control

A little trimming keeps plants bushy and healthy.

Deadhead spent flowers on plants like salvia and pentas to encourage continuous blooming.
Prune shrubs like loropetalum and butterfly bush after their main bloom cycle to shape them.
Common pests include aphids and caterpillars. Often, a strong spray of water from the hose is enough to dislodge them. For persistent problems, use an insecticidal soap or a targeted organic pesticide, following all instructions.

Common Challenges and Solutions

Even in Florida, you might face a few issues. Here’s how to handle them.

Fading Leaf Color: If your purple foliage plants turn greenish, they might be getting too much shade or too much nitrogen fertilizer. Move them to a sunnier spot or adjust your feeding schedule.
Leggy Growth: Plants like purple heart can get long and sparse. Simply pinch or cut back the stems to a leaf node. This forces new, bushier growth from the base.
Root Rot: This is usually caused by poor drainage or overwatering. Ensure your soil drains well. If a plant is in a pot, make sure it has drainage holes. Let the top inch of soil dry out between waterings.
Salt Damage: For coastal gardens, salt spray can burn leaves. Choose salt-tolerant plants like Texas Sage. Rinse foliage with fresh water after storms if possible.

FAQ Section

What are the best low-maintenance purple plants for Florida?

Purple Heart, Mexican Heather, Pentas, and Texas Sage are among the toughest. They handle heat, drought, and poor soil with minimal care once they’re settled in.

Can I grow lavender in Florida?

It’s challenging. Most lavender varieties dislike Florida’s humidity and summer rains. If you want to try, select a variety like ‘Phenomenal’ or ‘Goodwin Creek Grey’ and plant it in a pot with exceptional drainage and full sun. It often performs best as a winter annual.

Which purple plants attract butterflies and hummingbirds?

Butterfly Bush, Salvia, Pentas, and Purple Coneflower are all excellent for attracting these beloved pollinators to your garden. They provide the nectar these creatures seek.

Are there any native Florida plants that are purple?

Yes! Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is native to parts of North Florida. Also, look for Scarlet Sage (Salvia coccinea), which has a purple form, and the beautyberry shrub (Callicarpa americana), which has stunning clusters of bright purple berries in fall.

How do I protect my purple plants from frost?

In North and Central Florida, frost can be a concern. For tender plants in the ground, cover them with frost cloth or an old bedsheet when frost is forecast. Potted plants can be moved to a protected porch or garage. Mulching also helps protect the roots.

Adding purple plants Florida style to your yard is a rewarding way to enjoy vibrant color almost year-round. By choosing the right plants for your specific location and following basic care steps, you can create a landscape that is both beautiful and resilient. Start with one or two easy plants, like Purple Heart or Pentas, and enjoy the unique depth and beauty they bring to your outdoor space.