Living Here Guide

Gardening & Outdoor Living in Pembroke Pines

From native Florida plants and tropical fruit trees to vegetable gardens and butterfly habitats — here's everything you need to know about gardening and outdoor living in Pembroke Pines.

🌴 Florida-Friendly

Native Florida Plants

Native Florida plants are adapted to our climate, soil, and rainfall patterns — which means less water, less fertilizer, and less maintenance. They're also essential for supporting local pollinators and wildlife.

Firebush (Hamelia patens) with tubular red-orange flowersPhoto: Forest & Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0
Sun
FirebushHamelia patens🦋 Butterflies🐦 HummingbirdsBrilliant tubular red-orange flowers from summer through winter. Drought-tolerant once established. Cut back lightly after freeze events.
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) with bright orange flower clustersPhoto: Hope Duckworth, CC BY 4.0
Sun
Butterfly WeedAsclepias tuberosa🦋 Monarchs🌿 Larval HostHerbaceous perennial milkweed with bright orange flower clusters in summer and fall. Essential larval host plant for monarchs, soldiers, and queens. Drought-tolerant once established. Cut back to ground in late winter.
Blanket Flower (Gaillardia pulchella) with red-and-yellow daisy-like bloomsPhoto: Andrey Zharkikh, CC BY 2.0
Full Sun
Blanket FlowerGaillardia pulchella🦋 ButterfliesDrought TolerantVivid red-and-yellow daisy-like flowers. Grows as an annual in most years, self-seeds prolifically. Perfect for borders and meadow-style plantings.
Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) with red tubular flowersPhoto: Kristyna Culp, CC BY 4.0
Part Shade
Coral HoneysuckleLonicera sempervirens🦋 Butterflies🐦 HummingbirdsNative vine with bright red-orange tubular flowers in spring. Attracts monarch caterpillars. Great on trellises or climbing fences.
Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) fan palm frondsPhoto: Stephen Lea, Public Domain
Shade
Saw PalmettoSerenoa repensUnderstoryWildlifeLow-growing palm ideal for shade gardens. Provides cover for ground-nesting bees. Extremely tolerant of foot traffic and drought.
Dwarf Pansy (Viola cucullata) with blue-violet flowersPhoto: MurielBendel, CC BY-SA 4.0
Part Shade
Dwarf PansyViola cucullata🐝 BeesGround CoverSmall blue-violet flowers bloom in fall through spring. Naturalized under oaks and hedges. Low-care ground cover for shady areas.
Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris) with pink plumesPhoto: leppyone, CC BY 2.0
Full Sun
Muhly GrassMuhlenbergia capillarisPink PlumesDrought TolerantStunning misty pink plumes in fall. Clump-forming ornamental grass. Needs minimal pruning — cut back to 4 inches in late winter.
Sea Grape (Coccoloba uvifera) with large round leaves and fruitPhoto: Forest & Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0
Full Sun
Sea GrapeCoccoloba uviferaWind ResistantCanopy TreeIconic large-leafed tree native to coastlines. Naturally wind-resistant — excellent for storm-prone landscaping. Shade canopy up to 30 ft tall.
Coontie (Zamia integrifolia) with fern-like pinnate frondsPhoto: Forest & Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0
Full Sun
CoontieZamia integrifoliaFlorida EndemicLow-MaintenanceFlorida's only native cycad. Fiddlehead fronds unfurl in spring. Thrives in sandy, well-drained soil. Extremely low maintenance once established.
Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis) with graceful frondsPhoto: Ushakaron, CC0 (Public Domain)
Wet Area
Royal FernOsmunda regalis var. spectabilis🐝 WildlifeWetlandsGraceful feather-like fronds up to 5 feet tall. Thrives in wet or boggy areas where other plants struggle. Stunning specimen plant for pond edges.
Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) with rust-red fall foliagePhoto: Wendy Cutler, CC BY 2.0
Semi-Wet
Bald CypressTaxodium distichumFall ColorLarge SpecimenDeciduous conifer with rust-red foliage in fall. Adapts well to standing water and drought once established. Majestic presence in larger yards.
Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) with clusters of purple berriesPhoto: Forest & Kim Starr, CC BY 2.0
Part Shade
BeautyberryCallicarpa americana🦋 PollinatorsColorLavender-purple berries cluster on stems in fall. Ornamental and bird-attracting. Prune to shape; responds well to light annual pruning.

All native plants listed above thrive in USDA Zone 10b (South Florida). Source from reputable nurseries specializing in Florida natives — see our supplies directory below.

🍋 South Florida

Fruit Trees for Pembroke Pines Yards

South Florida's subtropical climate is a fruit tree paradise. With careful variety selection and basic care, even modest-sized yards can yield abundant harvests.

Ripe mango fruit hanging from tree branches with glossy green leaves

Mango

Top varieties: 'Nam Doc Mai', 'Mahachanok', 'Carrie'

The king of South Florida fruit. Grafted trees fruit in 2–3 years, stay manageable at 10–15 ft. Plant January–April. Full sun required.

Ripe avocado fruit hanging from tree branches with dark green glossy leaves

Avocado

Top varieties: 'Little Cado' (dwarf), 'Wurtz', 'Lula'

Dwarf varieties stay under 15 ft for smaller yards. Cold-sensitive below 30°F — plant in protected spots. Large trees reach 30 ft without dwarfing.

Ripe oranges and grapefruit hanging from citrus tree branches with glossy green leaves

Citrus

Varieties: Oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, limes, lemons

Plant January–February for best establishment. Container planting recommended due to citrus greening risk. Fertilize 3–4 times yearly with citrus-specific formula.

Ripe lychee fruit clusters hanging from tree branches with compound green leaves

Lychee

Varieties: 'Mauritius', 'Brewster'

Premium fruit commanding high grocery prices. Takes 5–7 years to bear, then produces for decades. Regular watering critical during fruit development March–May.

Ripe banana bunch hanging from tropical banana plant with large paddle-shaped green leaves

Banana

Varieties: 'Ice Cream', 'Dwarf Cavendish', 'Apple'

Not a tree — it's a giant herb producing fruit in 9–12 months. Protect from cold snaps. Plants die after fruiting but send up new shoots from roots.

Star fruit sliced showing star cross-section with whole fruits and tropical leaves

More Options

Other South Florida successes: carambola (star fruit), sapodilla, sugar apple, soursop, longan, dragon fruit (cactus), jackfruit. Visit specialty nurseries for available varieties.

Best planting window: January through April, before the high-humidity wet season begins. Avoid planting during peak summer heat (July–August).

LIPP Tip: Composting Basics for South Florida

Composting at home reduces waste and creates nutrient-rich soil for your garden. Start with a simple bin or pile — layer "browns" (dried leaves, cardboard, paper) with "greens" (kitchen scraps, grass clippings). In South Florida's heat, compost breaks down fast; keep it moist but not wet. Most garden centers sell compost bins, or you can build your own from pallets. Avoid adding citrus peels in quantity — they can slow the process.

LIPP Tip: Water Conservation in the Garden

South Florida's dry season (October–May) means efficient watering is essential. Water deeply and less frequently to encourage deep root growth — aim for once or twice a week, early morning before sunrise to minimize evaporation. Install a rain barrel to capture roof runoff during summer storms. Drip irrigation systems are far more efficient than sprinklers for garden beds and cost less than you might think to install.

🥬 Grow Your Own

What to Plant When in South Florida

South Florida offers year-round growing potential, but our subtropical climate requires planning ahead. Use this monthly guide to know exactly what's in season for vegetables, herbs, and fruit trees.

Cool season vegetables: lettuce, broccoli, carrots, and peas growing in raised beds

Nov – FebCool Season

Vegetables
    Lettuce · Broccoli · Cauliflower · Carrots · Beets · Peas (snow, snap) · Strawberries · Kale
Herbs
    Cilantro · Dill · Parsley · Basil (early fall) · Rosemary · Oregano
Warm season vegetables: tomatoes, bell peppers, and eggplants in South Florida garden

Mar – JunWarm Season

Vegetables
    Tomatoes · Peppers (bell, habanero) · Eggplant · Sweet potatoes · Okra · Southern peas · Melons · Squash
Herbs
    Basil · Oregano · Rosemary · Thyme · Cilantro (early)
Fruit Trees
    Mango · Lychee · Longan · Avocado · Citrus
Summer tropical crops: sweet potato, calabaza pumpkin, and okra in South Florida heat

Jul – AugHigh Heat

⚡ Peak heat and humidity. Cool-season crops struggle — focus on tropical staples and fall-garden prep:

Tropical Crops (UF/IFAS Recommended)
    Boniato (sweet potato variety) · Calabaza (West Indian pumpkin) · Chayote · Okra · Malabar spinach · Roselle
Prepare for Fall Garden
    Start tomato & pepper transplants indoors · Begin cold-hardy crop seeds in shade cloth · Build or repair raised beds · Amend soil with compost for fall planting · Mulch waiting beds to conserve moisture
Fall harvest vegetables: collard greens, carrots, radishes, and turnips in raised beds

Sep – DecCool Season Returns

Vegetables
    Lettuce · Leafy greens · Collards · Carrots · Radishes · Turnips · Broccoli
Herbs
    Cilantro · Parsley · Dill · Oregano
Fruit Trees
    Citrus (Jan–Feb) · Mango/Avocado (if delayed)

LIPP Tip: Hurricane Garden Preparation

Before hurricane season (June–November), trim dead branches and remove diseased or weak trees that could become projectiles. Move potted plants and garden décor indoors when a storm approaches. After a storm, don't rush to prune damaged palms — many can recover. Wait a few weeks to assess true damage. South Florida-native plants like sea grape and cocoplum are naturally wind-resistant and good choices for storm-prone landscaping.

🦋 Wildlife

Butterfly & Pollinator Gardens

Creating a pollinator-friendly garden is one of the most rewarding ways to landscape in South Florida. Native butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds will visit daily once you establish the right plants — and no pesticides.

🦋 Butterfly Host Plants

  • Caterpillars need specific plants to eat — these are called host plants
  • Milkweed (Asclepias spp.) — the ONLY host for monarch caterpillars. Choose native swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), not tropical milkweed which can harm monarch migration
  • Wild lime (Zanthoxylum fagara) — host for giant swallowtail caterpillars
  • Cassia trees — host for sulphur butterfly caterpillars
  • Dutchman's pipe (Aristolochia) — host for pipevine swallowtail
  • Corky-stem passionflower (Passiflora suberosa) — host for gulf fritillary and zebra longwing

🌸 Nectar Plants for Adults

  • Firebush (Hamelia patens) — butterfly and hummingbird magnet
  • Pentas — long-blooming, reliable nectar source
  • Bougainvillea — attracts butterflies and hummingbirds
  • Lantana — butterfly favorite; heat and drought tolerant
  • Salvia / Tropical sage — excellent for hummingbirds
  • Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) — bright orange blooms, monarch favorite
  • Firespike (Odontonema strictum) — red tubular flowers loved by butterflies

🐝 Pollinator-Friendly Practices

  • No pesticides — even "organic" pesticides harm beneficial insects
  • Plant in clusters of the same species for easier foraging
  • Provide year-round blooms by mixing early, mid, and late-season flowers
  • Install a shallow water source — a birdbath with flat stones works well
  • Leave a patch of bare soil for ground-nesting native bees
  • Don't use landscape fabric — pollinators need access to soil
  • Include native grasses and wildflowers for natural habitat

🌱 City Resource

Pembroke Pines Community Garden

Don't have yard space? Pembroke Pines operates a community garden for residents — a great way to grow your own produce, learn from fellow gardeners, and be part of a gardening community.

Pembroke Pines Community Garden

Residents-Only Gardening Space

A members-only green space operated by the City of Pembroke Pines where residents can come together to grow fresh produce, share the joys of gardening, build relationships, and engage in healthy outdoor activity. Garden plots are available to Pembroke Pines residents — a wonderful resource for those who want to garden but don't have yard space. Check the city website for plot availability, membership requirements, and seasonal programming.

Residents-onlyGarden plotsCommunity eventsFresh produceCity-operated
Visit City Website →

🏡 Pembroke Pines

Home Improvement & Garden Supplies

For hardware, tools, irrigation, pavers, fencing, outdoor lighting, and landscaping materials — Pembroke Pines residents are well-served by two full-service home improvement stores.

Big-box home improvement store exterior showing the garden center plant entrance

The Home Depot

🛠️ One-Stop ShopPembroke Pines
Garden centerPlants & flowersSoil & mulchIrrigation suppliesTools & hardware
💡 Local's tip

Check the "Garden Center" section for seasonal plants — they often rotate stock. Pro tip: buy bulk mulch and soil by the bag for small projects; they also sell in truckload quantities.

Visit Website →

Your go-to for almost any gardening or home improvement need in Pembroke Pines. The Pines Boulevard location has a full garden center with plants, soil, mulch, pots, outdoor lighting, irrigation supplies, and a wide tool selection.

Home improvement retail store exterior with organized outdoor garden display area

Lowe's Home Improvement

🌱 Garden Supply HubPembroke Pines
Garden centerPlants & treesLawn careOutdoor lightingPots & plantersTools & hardware
💡 Local's tip

Lowe's typically has competitive pricing on bulk soil and mulch. Their online inventory checker lets you see what's in stock before you go. The outdoor lighting section is excellent for DIY landscape lighting projects.

Visit Website →

Another full-service home improvement store with a comprehensive garden center. Lowe's on University Drive carries plants, trees, mulch, topsoil, potting mixes, fertilizers, pest control, pots and planters, and outdoor décor. Their garden department is well-organized and staffed with knowledgeable associates.

📍 Quick Reference

Where to Find Plants & Garden Supplies

All businesses operate within 25 minutes of Pembroke Pines. Use this guide to find the right source for what you need.

Local Seeds & Seedlings

Seed packets, seedling flats, potting mixes, and fertilizer — available year-round.

The Home DepotPembroke PinesVisit →
Lowe's Home ImprovementPembroke PinesVisit →
Pop's NurseryDavie · Tomato/pepper seedlings in springVisit →
Flamingo Road NurseryDavie · Curated seed & seedling selectionVisit →

Native Plants

Endemic Florida species, Florida-friendly certified plants.

Jesse Durko's NurseryDavie · Largest rare native selectionVisit →
Flamingo Road NurseryDavie · "Fresh from Florida" dedicated sectionVisit →
Home Depot / Lowe'sPembroke Pines · Common natives (firebush, coontie, muhly)Available seasonally

Tropical Fruit Trees

Grafted varieties for home yards — best purchased January through April.

Jesse Durko's NurseryDavie · Largest tropical fruit tree selectionVisit →
Flamingo Road NurseryDavie · Good fruit tree selectionVisit →
Pop's NurseryDavie · Mango, avocado, citrus seasonallyVisit →
Home Depot / Lowe'sPembroke Pines · Common varieties seasonallyTypically Jan–Apr

Specialty Seeds & Heirlooms

Online retailers with warm-climate selected varieties shipped directly to Florida.

Baker Creek Heirloom SeedsOnline · Heirloom, unusual herbs, specialty vegetablesVisit →
Johnny's Selected SeedsOnline · Professional-grade, warm-climate varietiesVisit →

🚗 Worth the Drive

Destination Nurseries Near Pembroke Pines

Pembroke Pines is a city of beautiful subdivisions, so our best independent nurseries and garden centers are in neighboring Davie and Fort Lauderdale — each 15 to 25 minutes away and more than worth the trip. Whether you're looking for rare tropicals, a destination experience with a café, or old-school garden-center expertise, these are the places to go.

Representative family-owned garden center exterior with outdoor plant displays and greenhouse

Pop's Nursery

💚 Ian's PickDavie
30+ yearsOutdoor plantsPalms & shrubsSeasonal colorKnowledgeable staff
💡 Local's tip

Ian's favorite nursery — he's been a customer for 30 years. Their palm selection is excellent for South Florida landscaping.

Visit Website →

A Pembroke Pines favorite for over 30 years. Pop's Nursery on University Drive in Davie offers a wide selection of outdoor plants, flowering shrubs, palms, and seasonal color. Run by knowledgeable staff who've been helping local gardeners since the 1990s — the kind of old-school garden center where they remember your name and what you planted last season.

Flamingo Road Nursery Davie — indoor and outdoor plants, gift shop, and café

Flamingo Road Nursery

🏆 Top RatedDavie
Indoor & outdoor plantsGift shopCaféFarmers market weekendsFamily-friendly
💡 Local's tip

Plan to spend at least an hour — between the nursery, café, and market, there's a lot to explore. Open daily 8 AM–6 PM.

Visit Website →

The crown jewel of South Florida garden centers. Flamingo Road Nursery draws visitors from across the region with its massive selection of indoor and outdoor plants, a charming gift shop, and an on-site café serving coffee, smoothies, and light bites. Their weekend farmers market features fresh local produce, honey, and artisan goods. A true destination experience.

Tropical botanical garden walkway with exotic plants, koi ponds and landscaped pathways

Jesse Durko's Nursery

🌺 Rare FindsDavie
10 acresRare tropicalsFlowering treesKoi pondsSince 1990
💡 Local's tip

Even if you're not buying, the grounds are worth visiting for inspiration — it's essentially a free botanical garden. Closed Mondays.

Visit Website →

A 10-acre tropical plant sanctuary that feels more like a botanical garden than a retail nursery. Specializes in rare and exotic flowering plants and trees — orchids, bromeliads, flowering gingers, and unusual tropical specimens. The property includes serene koi ponds and demonstration gardens that inspire. Since 1990.

Landscape supply business exterior with rows of palm trees and potted shrubs

Florida Nursery Mart

🌳 Established 1950sDavie
75+ yearsLandscape suppliesPalms & treesShrubs & annualsFamily-owned
💡 Local's tip

Their landscaper-grade selection means you can buy the same quality plants professionals use, often at better prices than boutique nurseries. Open daily 8 AM–6 PM.

Visit Website →

A true South Florida institution — the family behind Florida Nursery Mart has been rooted in the area for over 75 years. Located on Griffin Road in Davie, they offer a broad selection of palms, shrubs, trees, annuals, and landscape supplies. Known for fair prices and deep local knowledge across three generations.

Boutique garden center display with ornamental pottery, water fountains and curated plant arrangements

Living Color Garden Center

🎨 Design DestinationFort Lauderdale
Huge inventoryPottery & fountainsGarden décorExotic birdsOutdoor furniture
💡 Local's tip

Allow extra time to wander — the pottery and décor sections alone can take an hour. About 25 minutes from Pembroke Pines.

Visit Website →

One of the largest garden centers in the region, Living Color is as much an experience as it is a store. Beyond an enormous plant selection, they're known for their stunning pottery collection, water features, statuary, outdoor furniture, and garden décor. If you're designing an outdoor living space, this is where you go for inspiration.

About This Guide

This comprehensive gardening guide was compiled from nursery visits, local reviews, city resources, and first-hand experience as of August 2026. We follow our editorial standard: businesses in Pembroke Pines appear in main sections; exceptional businesses outside the city are in clearly labeled Worth the Drive sections with the city identified.

This is part of our Gardening & Outdoor Living collection. We'll continue expanding this guide with more detailed species recommendations, seasonal tips, and destination reviews as the section grows.

Nursery hours, inventory, and availability change throughout the year. We recommend calling ahead or checking each nursery's website before visiting. Product-specific recommendations are based on general growing advice for South Florida — consult a local nursery for your specific conditions.

Have a favorite garden center, nursery, or farm market we missed? Let us know. We're always looking to expand this guide with tried-and-true local resources.

Your Garden Starts Here

Whether you're planting your first tomato or designing a full native landscape — the right resources make all the difference. Explore our guides, visit a nursery, and start growing your Pembroke Pines garden today.

Explore the Guide →