After getting requests from three different customers for a list of plants for zones 10-11, I decided it was time to write an article. I'm certainly not an expert. I've never lived in a sub-tropical climate. But I am familiar with the seeds I sell, since I've grown them all. So I did some research and came up with a list of plants for warm zones.
I think it's funny that people who live in warm zones regret not being able to grow plants that are only adapted to colder regions. Those of us who live in cold zones bemoan our lack of tropical plants, but do we consider how we would miss our northern plants if we lived in the tropics? What about the beautiful leaf colors created by fall frosts?
I also learned some things about the state of Florida. There are several different hardiness zones in Florida, but experts disagree on where to draw the lines.
The plants on my list should be appropriate for zone 10 (and zone 11 in some cases), as well as cooler regions. Some of the plants that we grow in the north as annuals are native to warmer regions where they are grown as perennials. These annuals are often referred to as tender perennials.
Just because a plant is hardy in your area doesn't mean that it will grow well. Other conditions that affect plant growth include rainfall, humidity, and the texture and quality of the soil. For example, zinnias grow well in the arid southwest, but they are prone to mildew in humid climates. Annual flowers like sweet peas that prefer cooler weather are only grown during the "winter" months in Florida. It's worth doing some research before trying new plants.