When it comes to gardening in Southwest Florida, the climate doesn’t just shape your lifestyle—it shapes your landscape. If you’re looking to add vibrant seasonal color and variety to your garden, annual plants are your best friend. These are the workhorses of Florida flower beds, perfect for homeowners, snowbirds, and even commercial landscapers who want high-impact beauty in a short period of time.
Let’s dig in (pun intended) and explore everything you need to know about annuals in SWFL—from when to plant, what to choose, and how to keep them thriving.
What Are Annuals?
Annuals are plants that complete their entire life cycle—from seed to flower to seed again—in one growing season. Unlike perennials, which come back year after year, annuals must be replanted each season. But what they lack in longevity, they make up for in color, density, and drama.
They’re perfect for creating a rotating canvas of seasonal blooms. Want bright reds for Valentine’s Day? Or pastels for spring? With annuals, you can design a landscape that evolves with the year.
Why Annuals Work So Well in Southwest Florida
Florida’s subtropical climate means we get two key planting seasons: fall-winter and spring. The intense summer heat can be tough on tender plants, but there’s a sweet spot in our calendar that makes annuals not just possible—but incredibly successful.
Here’s why annuals are a good fit:
- Quick growth means instant gratification.
- Most thrive in Florida’s full sun and humidity.
- Endless variety for beds, borders, containers, and hanging baskets.
- Great for attracting pollinators like butterflies and bees.
Best Times to Plant Annuals in SWFL
October – February: This is prime time for cool-season annuals. These varieties thrive in our mild winters and don’t mind a bit of chill.
- Think: Petunias, pansies, snapdragons, alyssum, and lobelia.
March – May: As temperatures rise, it’s time to switch gears to warm-season annuals that can handle more heat.
- Think: Zinnias, marigolds, salvia, vinca, and celosia.
June – September: This is the toughest time. The rainy season and extreme heat make this a challenge. But if you’re determined, try heat-tolerant varieties like coleus, caladiums, and sunpatiens—with frequent monitoring.
Top Annuals for Southwest Florida Gardens
1. Marigolds
Tough, bright, and bug-repelling. What more could you want? Marigolds are ideal for spring planting and can handle full sun.
2. Zinnias
These daisy-like blooms come in every color imaginable and thrive in hot, sunny conditions.
3. Petunias
Available in waves, trailing, or upright forms, petunias are a winter favorite that bloom for months on end.
4. Vinca (Periwinkle)
Low maintenance, drought-tolerant, and vibrant. Vinca is one of the best summer annuals for SWFL.
5. Salvia
Great for pollinators and perfect in mixed beds, salvia offers color and texture while handling heat like a champ.
6. Impatiens & Sunpatiens
Shade or sun—there’s an impatiens variety for you. Use these to brighten up darker corners of the landscape. Plus Sunpatiens can tolerate a lot more sun than regular Impatiens!
7. Begonias
Perfect in partial sun, begonias provide lush leaves and flowers all season long.
8. Coleus
Technically grown for foliage rather than flowers, coleus offers stunning color combinations and thrives in filtered sun. Coleus’ even provide color after the flowers fade, because of this fact – they are a favorite for homeowners who love the year round beauty.
How to Keep Annuals Looking Their Best
Just because they only last a season doesn’t mean they don’t deserve the best care. Here are a few best practices:
- Soil matters: Southwest Florida’s sandy soil drains quickly and lacks nutrients. Mix in compost or nutrient-rich topsoil before planting.
- Mulch for moisture: A 2–3 inch layer of mulch helps retain water and control weeds.
- Feed regularly: Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer (available at Sanjuan Family Nursery) to keep blooms coming.
- Water wisely: Water in the morning, avoid wetting leaves, and adjust based on rainfall.
- Deadhead often: Removing spent blooms encourages new growth and keeps plants tidy.
Incorporating Annuals into Your Landscape
You don’t need to overhaul your yard to make use of annuals. Here are some smart ways to use them:
- Border edging: Use compact annuals to line walkways or garden beds.
- Container planting: Combine tall, trailing, and filler annuals in pots for patios or entryways.
- Pollinator corners: Create a bee and butterfly buffet by grouping colorful annuals together.
- Seasonal accents: Add annuals around mailboxes, fences, and fountains for an instant seasonal refresh.
Where to Find the Best Annuals in SWFL
At Sanjuan Family Nursery, we stock seasonal annuals tailored to thrive in Southwest Florida. Whether you’re looking for landscape color or low-maintenance container options, our team can help you choose the perfect plants for your needs. Plus, we carry topsoil, mulch, compost, and fertilizer to get your annuals off to a strong start.
Our staff knows what works—and more importantly, what doesn’t—based on years of hands-on experience in this climate. And if we don’t have it in stock, we’ll do our best to source it for you.
FAQ: Annuals in Florida
Q. Are Annuals Worth the Effort if They Don’t Come Back?
A: Absolutely. The instant impact and versatility of annuals make them ideal for seasonal refreshes, events, and color pops.
Q. Can I Plant Annuals in Full Sunlight?
A: Most annuals love sun, but check the plant tag. Some, like impatiens, prefer partial shade. Ask us if you’re unsure.
Q. Do I Need to Fertilize Every Week?
A: Not necessarily. Use a slow-release fertilizer when planting, then supplement with liquid feed every few weeks if needed.
Q. Can Annuals Survive a Florida Summer?
A: Some can, but it’s tough. Focus on heat-tolerant varieties like coleus, sunpatiens, and vinca. Shade and irrigation help.
Q. Should I Remove Annuals Once They Fade?
A: Yes—pull them out, refresh the soil, and plant new ones. This keeps your garden looking sharp and healthy.
Ready to Get Growing?
Stop by Sanjuan Family Nursery in Bonita Springs to explore our current stock of annuals. Let’s keep your garden blooming season after season.
