Best Hedges to Install in South Florida
In South Florida, where the climate is hot, humid, and subtropical, the best hedges are those that can withstand intense sun, heavy rains, occasional drought, high humidity, and salt exposure (if you’re near the coast). Here’s a list of the best hedging plants for privacy, aesthetics, and durability in that region:
Top Hedges for South Florida:
1. Clusia (Clusia rosea or Clusia guttifera)
- Height: 6–25+ ft (depending on variety)
- Pros: Dense, low-maintenance, salt-tolerant, drought-resistant
- Best for: Privacy screen; modern tropical look
- Notes: Requires space; roots can be aggressive if planted too close to structures
2. Podocarpus (Podocarpus macrophyllus)
- Height: 8–20+ ft
- Pros: Upright, formal look, non-invasive roots, can be shaped easily
- Best for: Formal hedges, property borders
- Notes: Slower-growing but very hardy
3. Cocoplum (Chrysobalanus icaco)
- Height: 4–15 ft
- Pros: Native, salt-tolerant, drought-resistant, edible fruit
- Best for: Coastal properties; natural look
- Notes: Available in horizontal (low) and red-tip (upright) varieties
4. Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)
- Height: 10–20 ft
- Pros: Tropical aesthetic, fast-growing, thick clumping habit
- Best for: Privacy screens, corner softening
- Notes: Needs trimming to keep tidy
5. Simpson’s Stopper (Myrcianthes fragrans)
- Height: 6–15 ft
- Pros: Florida native, fragrant white flowers, red-orange berries for birds
- Best for: Low-maintenance wildlife-friendly hedges
- Notes: Slow-growing but tough
6. Ficus (Ficus benjamina or F. nitida)
- Height: 10–30 ft
- Pros: Fast-growing, dense coverage
- Best for: Tall privacy screens
- Cons: High maintenance, invasive roots, susceptible to whitefly pests
7. (Galphimia gracilis)
- Height: 3–6 ft
- Pros: Bright yellow flowers year-round, low-maintenance