By Amanda Rose Newton
Few things are more satisfying than stepping outside and plucking a fresh, juicy berry straight from the plant.
Whether it’s a handful of sweet strawberries or a bowl of plump blueberries, growing berries in Central Florida can be both rewarding and delicious. But not all berries thrive in Florida’s heat and humidity. Some require a bit of extra care, while others—like raspberries—are nearly impossible to grow successfully. And did you know that many of the fruits we call “berries” aren’t actually berries at all? Let’s dig into what it takes to grow berries in Central Florida and explore the best options for a successful harvest.
Wait, That’s Not a Berry? Understanding Botanical Berries
Before we get into the best berries to grow, let’s clear up a common misconception: Most of what we call “berries” aren’t actually berries from a botanical standpoint!
A true botanical berry is a fruit that develops from a single ovary of a flower and has multiple seeds embedded inside. That means bananas, grapes, and even eggplants are berries, while strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries are not.
Strawberries are aggregate fruits, meaning they form from multiple ovaries in a single flower.
Raspberries and blackberries are drupelets, or clusters of tiny stone fruits.
Blueberries and elderberries, however, are the real deal—true botanical berries!
Now that we’ve sorted out what a berry is (and isn’t), let’s look at which ones you can successfully grow in Central Florida.
Best Berries for Central Florida Gardens
1. Strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa)
If you want to grow strawberries in Central Florida, timing is everything. Unlike in cooler climates where strawberries are planted in spring, Florida strawberries thrive when planted in the fall.
Best time to plant: October to November
Best varieties:
‘Florida Radiance,’ ‘Sweet Charlie,’ ‘Festival’ (all bred for Florida’s climate)
Growing conditions:
Full sun (6+ hours per day)
Well-drained, sandy soil with organic matter
Raised beds or containers help prevent disease
Water regularly, especially during dry spells
Harvest season: December to April
Strawberries are prone to fungal diseases in humid conditions, so good airflow and mulch can help keep them healthy.
2. Blueberries (Vaccinium spp.)
Blueberries are one of the best berries for Central Florida, but you’ll need the right varieties to handle the region’s low chill hours.
The two types suited for Florida are Southern Highbush and Rabbiteye.
Best time to plant: Late fall to early winter
Best varieties:
Southern Highbush: ‘Emerald,’ ‘Jewel,’ ‘Windsor’ (require fewer chill hours)
Rabbiteye: ‘Brightwell,’ ‘Climax,’ ‘Tifblue’ (better suited for North Florida but can work in Central Florida with proper care)
Growing conditions:
Acidic soil (pH 4.0–5.5) – often requires amending with peat moss or pine bark
Full sun for best fruit production
Good drainage is key—blueberries hate wet roots
Cross-pollination increases yields, so plant multiple varieties
Harvest season: April to June
Florida blueberries are a great option for home gardeners and are relatively low-maintenance once established.
3. Blackberries (Rubus spp.)
Unlike raspberries, blackberries can thrive in Central Florida with the right care and variety selection.
Traditional trailing blackberries struggle with Florida’s heat, but newer thornless, erect varieties have been developed specifically for the region.
Best time to plant: Late winter to early spring
Best varieties for Florida:
‘Osage’ – Sweet and thornless
‘Ouachita’ – Good disease resistance, high yields
‘Prime-Ark Freedom’ – A primocane variety that fruits on first-year growth
Growing conditions:
Full sun for maximum fruit production
Well-drained, sandy soil
Trellising can help keep plants upright and improve airflow
Mulching helps retain moisture and suppress weeds
Harvest season: May to July
Unlike strawberries and blueberries, blackberries do not require acidic soil, making them an easier choice for many Florida gardeners. However, they can be prone to fungal issues in Florida’s humidity, so spacing plants properly and pruning old canes will help prevent problems.
4. Elderberries (Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis)
Native to Florida, elderberries are one of the easiest and most beneficial berries to grow.
The small, dark purple berries are packed with antioxidants and often used for syrups, jams, and medicinal purposes.
Best time to plant: Spring or early fall
Best varieties: Wild native species work best, but cultivated varieties like ‘York’ and ‘Adams’ are also great options.
Growing conditions:
Tolerates a variety of soils but prefers moist, well-drained conditions
Can handle partial shade but produces more fruit in full sun
Extremely low maintenance and attracts pollinators
Harvest season: Late summer to early fall
Elderberries are a fantastic option for a low-maintenance, Florida-friendly berry that also supports wildlife.
Berries That Are Difficult (or Impossible) to Grow in Central Florida
Raspberries (Rubus idaeus & Rubus occidentalis)
If you’re hoping to grow raspberries in Florida, you might be in for a disappointment. Traditional raspberry varieties require cold winters and don’t handle Florida’s heat and humidity well.
Why raspberries struggle in Florida:
- Require more chill hours than Florida provides
- Struggle with fungal diseases due to high humidity
- Difficulty setting fruit in high summer temperatures
*Some gardeners have had minor success with ‘Dorman Red’ raspberries, but yields are typically poor. If you’re craving raspberries, you’re better off growing a substitute like mulberries or Mysore blackberries instead.
Florida-Friendly Raspberry Alternatives
Easy-to-grow raspberry alternatives:
Mysore Blackberries (Rubus niveus)
A subtropical cousin of raspberries that grows well in Florida’s heat
Mulberries (Morus spp.)
Produces fruit similar in taste to blackberries with very little effort
Beautyberries (Callicarpa americana)
A native plant with bright purple berries that are great for jams and attract wildlife
Growing berries in Central Florida is all about choosing the right varieties and planting at the right time. While some berries, like strawberries and blueberries, thrive in our climate, others—like raspberries—just aren’t suited for Florida’s conditions. Native options like elderberries and mulberries offer fantastic alternatives that require far less maintenance.
With a little planning, you can enjoy fresh, homegrown berries all year long. Whether you’re starting a backyard berry patch or adding a few plants to your garden, there’s nothing quite like the taste of a berry picked straight from the yard!
