Native Landscaping in Orlando, FL
Orlando homeowners can access rebates through OUC's Florida-Friendly Landscaping program and the St. Johns River Water Management District's conservation cost-share. Central Florida's warm, humid climate supports a wide range of native plants that thrive with minimal irrigation once established.
Up to $10,000 through SJRWMD + OUC rebates
Available Rebate Programs
Florida-Friendly Landscaping Rebate
Up to $200 (100% of costs)Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC)
Rebates up to $200 (up to 100% of costs) for installing microirrigation systems and Florida-Friendly plants in existing homes. Must include Florida-Friendly plants and permanent irrigation improvements reducing high-volume irrigation to no more than 50%.
- Must be an OUC residential customer
- Must include Florida-Friendly native or adapted plants
- Permanent irrigation improvements required
- High-volume irrigation must be reduced to 50% or less of irrigated area
Water Conservation Rebate Program
Up to $10,000 (50% cost-share)St. Johns River Water Management District
Up to 50% cost-share reimbursement with a $10,000 annual cap per applicant. Eligible projects include smart irrigation controllers, irrigation conversions, landscape soil amendments, and irrigation evaluations.
- Must be within the St. Johns River Water Management District
- Submit application before starting work
- Provides 50% cost-share reimbursement
- Fiscal year runs through September 30
Rebate programs change regularly. Always confirm details directly with the program provider before applying. View all Florida programs.
Recommended Native Plants for Orlando
These native plants are well-adapted to the Central Florida ecoregion and have growth habits that work well in HOA-conscious front yard designs.
Coontie
Zamia integrifolia
Florida's only native cycad. Evergreen, drought-tolerant, and a host plant for the rare Atala butterfly. Formal look suits HOA front yards.
Firebush
Hamelia patens
Year-round red-orange tubular flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Compact cultivars fit foundation plantings.
Beautyberry
Callicarpa americana
Striking magenta berry clusters in fall create a conversation piece. Thrives in Central Florida's sandy soils.
Simpson's Stopper
Myrcianthes fragrans
Fragrant white flowers, evergreen foliage, and a tidy form. Works as a hedge or specimen plant.
Muhly Grass
Muhlenbergia capillaris
Showy pink plumes in fall. Low-maintenance ornamental grass that adds movement and curb appeal.
Sunshine Mimosa
Mimosa strigillosa
Native ground cover with pink puffball flowers. Excellent lawn alternative that tolerates foot traffic.
Sabal Palm
Sabal palmetto
Florida's state tree. Hurricane-resistant, drought-tolerant, and universally accepted in HOA landscapes.
Explore the full native plant library in the Pollinator Patch app, filtered by your specific ecoregion.
HOA Landscaping in Orlando
Orlando has extensive HOA communities, particularly in master-planned developments like Lake Nona, Celebration, Baldwin Park, and Horizon West. Florida is the #1 HOA state in the country with over 50,000 community associations. Unlike California, Florida has no statewide law protecting drought-tolerant landscaping from HOA restrictions — making design documentation and intentional plant choices critical.
HOA-Conscious Design Tips
- Start with clean edges and defined bed shapes — structure signals care more than plant choice.
- Place shorter plants near the street and taller ones near the house for a tidy layered look.
- Use mulch between plants to signal intentional planting and reduce bare-soil concerns.
- Repeat 2–3 plant species for a cohesive, planned appearance rather than a random mix.
Local Tips for Orlando
- OUC's Florida-Friendly rebate covers up to 100% of costs (max $200) for microirrigation and native plant installations — no pre-approval needed.
- Lukas Nursery in Oviedo and Pineapple Place Nursery in Sanford specialize in Florida natives suited to Central Florida's sandy soils.
- Orlando's rainy season (June–September) provides free irrigation for new plantings — time your installations for early summer.
- Orange County's Extension Office offers free Florida-Friendly Landscaping workshops that provide documentation useful for HOA proposals.
Plan Your Orlando Native Yard
Pollinator Patch helps you pick the right native plants for Orlando's Central Florida ecoregion, design an HOA-conscious layout, and generate documentation for rebate applications.