7 Medicinal Plants for Your Florida Yard

You already know that Florida grows food like nowhere else. But did you know your yard can also grow plants people have used as food and home remedies for generations?

This post covers 7 medicinal plants that grow well in Florida, what they're traditionally used for, and how to get them started. As always, talk to your doctor before using any plant to treat a health condition.

1. Moringa (Moringa oleifera)

Moringa is one of the most nutrient-dense plants you can grow in a Florida yard. The leaves are edible raw or cooked and are commonly added to smoothies, soups, and rice dishes.

Moringa grows fast in Florida heat and can reach 10 to 15 feet in its first year if left alone. You can keep it shrub-sized with regular pruning. Learn more in our guide on how to grow moringa in Florida.

2. Cranberry Hibiscus (Hibiscus acetosella)

Cranberry hibiscus gives you beautiful burgundy foliage and edible leaves with a mild, tart flavor. People use the leaves fresh in salads or steep the flowers in hot water like a tea.

It thrives in heat and humidity and reseeds itself freely once established. This is a plant that practically takes care of itself in zone 9 and 10.

3. Cuban Oregano (Plectranthus amboinicus)

Cuban oregano is not the same as the Italian herb on your spice rack. It has thick, velvety leaves with a strong camphor-oregano scent. It's used in cooking across the Caribbean and Latin America.

It roots from cuttings in days and handles Florida summers without complaint. If you want the full care guide, read how to grow Cuban oregano in Florida.

4. Guinea Hen Weed (Petiveria alliacea)

Guinea hen weed is a traditional plant used across the Caribbean, Central America, and parts of Africa. It has a very strong garlic-like smell and small white flowers.

It grows as a perennial in Florida's warm zones and spreads on its own with little help from you. Treat it as a food forest understory plant and let it do its thing.

5. Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa)

Roselle is the plant behind that deep red hibiscus tea you see in health food stores. The calyces, those fleshy red caps around the seed pods, are what you harvest and steep or make into jelly.

Roselle is an annual in most of Florida, so plant it in late spring and harvest in late fall. The flavor is tart and rich. Check out our full post on how to grow roselle for planting details.

6. Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)

Lemongrass is a true Florida workhorse. It grows in big clumps, smells amazing, and people use it in cooking and hot tea around the world. It's also a natural mosquito deterrent in the garden.

Once established, lemongrass is drought tolerant and almost impossible to kill. Divide clumps every couple of years to keep them manageable.

7. Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Fresh ginger root is easy to grow in Florida's warm, shaded spots. You can buy a piece of grocery store ginger, let it sprout, and plant it directly in amended soil or a container.

Harvest in about 8 to 10 months when the leaves start to yellow. Store extras in the fridge or freeze what you can't use. Pair it with turmeric using our guide on growing ginger and turmeric in Florida.

Key takeaways

• Florida's climate supports many traditional food and herb plants year-round.
• Most of these plants are low-maintenance once established in the right conditions.
• Grow them as food first, and enjoy any additional benefits as a bonus.
• Always consult your doctor before using plants to treat a specific health condition.

Want to see these plants growing in a real Florida yard? Watch my Florida medicinal plant videos on YouTube and see what's actually thriving here.

For deeper growing guides, plant lists, and member-only resources, visit the Southern Grower's Hub. Everything in one place, built for Florida growers.

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