By Amanda Rose Newton
Living near the coast or along one of Central Florida’s many canals, beaches, and lagoons can feel like paradise—until you try to plant a landscape. Salt spray, brackish water, and sandy soil can make gardening feel like a losing battle. But don’t worry—plenty of native shrubs are tough enough to thrive in these challenging conditions while keeping your yard beautiful and low-maintenance.
Here are 10 salt-tolerant native shrubs perfect for Central Florida landscapes. These plants adapt to our unique environment and can handle salt exposure, dry spells, and occasional flooding.
1. Simpson’s Stopper (Myrcianthes fragrant)
Why it’s great: A true Florida native, this dense evergreen shrub features small white fragrant flowers and orange-red berries that birds love.
Salt tolerance: Moderate (can handle light salt spray)
Height: 6–20 feet
Light: Full sun to part shade
Water: Drought-tolerant once established
Care Tips: Prune to maintain shape or allow it to grow naturally into a hedge. Once established, no fertilizer is needed.
2. Buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus)
Why it’s great: Found naturally along the coast, this shrub (or small tree) has attractive silvery or green foliage and forms a dense, salt-tough hedge.
Salt tolerance: High (both salt spray and soil)
Height: 6–15 feet (can be trained as a small tree)
Light: Full sun
Water: Very drought-tolerant
Care Tips: Choose the silver-leafed variety for extra ornamental appeal. Prune for shape but minimal care otherwise.
3. Sea Grape (Coccoloba uvifera)
Why it’s great: Iconic coastal plant with broad round leaves that turn red in fall. Its fruit is edible and attracts wildlife.
Salt tolerance: High
Height: 6–35 feet (can be pruned as a shrub)
Light: Full sun to part shade
Water: Tolerates drought and flooding
Care Tips: Regular pruning keeps it shrub-sized. Excellent windbreak and privacy screen.
4. Florida Privet (Forestiera segregate)
Why it’s great: This fast-growing native makes a fantastic informal hedge. It’s tough, green, and unbothered by salt.
Salt tolerance: Moderate to high
Height: 10–15 feet
Light: Full sun to part shade
Water: Drought-tolerant once established
Care Tips: Prune occasionally to control shape. Attracts birds and pollinators.
5. Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens)
Why it’s great: This native fan palm forms a hardy, low-growing shrub. Its silvery-green or green leaves add a tropical look.
Salt tolerance: Moderate
Height: 2–6 feet
Light: Full sun to part shade
Water: Very drought-tolerant
Care Tips: Extremely low maintenance. No pruning needed. Fire- and salt-resistant.
6. Spanish Stopper (Eugenia foetida)
Why it’s great: Dense evergreen shrub with small white flowers and blackberries. Great for hedges in salty areas.
Salt tolerance: High
Height: 10–20 feet
Light: Full sun to part shade
Water: Tolerates drought and poor soils
Care Tips: Can be trimmed or left to grow naturally. Very low pest pressure.
7. Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria)
Why it’s great: A beautiful native holly with red berries that attract birds. Dwarf cultivars are available for compact spaces.
Salt tolerance: Moderate
Height: 5–15 feet
Light: Full sun to part shade
Water: Tolerates dry conditions and poor soils
Care Tips: Prune to shape. No fertilizing needed. Can be sheared or left natural.
8. Wax Myrtle (Morella cerifera)
Why it’s great: A fast-growing, fragrant-leaved shrub that easily handles wet and dry conditions.
Salt tolerance: Moderate to high
Height: 10–20 feet
Light: Full sun to part shade
Water: Very adaptable
Care Tips: Can be pruned into a hedge or left to grow naturally. Great for erosion control and wildlife habitat.
9. Beach Elder (Iva imbricata)
Why it’s great: This hardy groundcover shrub is often used for dune restoration, which is perfect for sandy, salty spots.
Salt tolerance: Very high
Height: 1–3 feet
Light: Full sun
Water: Extremely drought-tolerant
Care Tips: No pruning or fertilizer needed. Great for stabilizing sandy soils.
10. Horizontal Cocoplum (Chrysobalanus icaco ‘Horizontalis’)
Why it’s great: This low-growing form of cocoplum is ideal for borders and slopes. Produces small edible fruits and has attractive, glossy foliage.
Salt tolerance: High
Height: 3–5 feet
Light: Full sun to part shade
Water: Drought-tolerant once established
Care Tips: Tolerates trimming but also looks great when left to sprawl.
Choosing native shrubs adapted to salty environments makes your garden more resilient and helps support Florida’s wildlife and biodiversity. Whether you’re living on the Intracoastal, near a canal, or just a few blocks from the beach, these salty shrubs can create a lush, low-maintenance landscape that thrives where others fail.
Want help designing a Florida-friendly coastal landscape? Visit our We Plan, You Plant: landscape design website and schedule time with Susan, our landscape designer, for ideas tailored to your property! Click the link below for more information!
