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Florida Snake-cotton

Froelichia floridana

Last reviewed: August 2026

Florida Snake-cotton (Froelichia floridana)
Photo: (c) aarongunnar, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by aarongunnar

Toxicity unknown

Florida Snake-cotton (Froelichia floridana) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

12"–36" H × 6"–18" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, AR, CO, DE and 25 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, beetles

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Arizona/New Mexico MountainsChihuahuan DesertsHigh PlainsSouthwestern TablelandsCentral Great PlainsCross TimbersSouthern Texas PlainsTexas Blackland PrairiesEast Central Texas PlainsWestern Gulf Coastal PlainSouth Central PlainsEastern Temperate ForestsOzark HighlandsCentral Irregular PlainsGreat PlainsWestern Corn Belt PlainsNorthern Lakes and ForestsNorth Central Hardwood ForestsDriftless AreaCentral Corn Belt PlainsMiddle Atlantic Coastal PlainSoutheastern PlainsInterior River Valleys and HillsMississippi Alluvial PlainSouthern Coastal PlainSouthern Florida Coastal Plain

Florida snake-cotton is a drought-tolerant annual wildflower that produces distinctive woolly white flower spikes from summer through early fall. This native plant grows in an upright form and thrives in hot, sunny conditions with minimal water requirements.

In an HOA neighborhood

Florida Snake-cotton takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

  • Appears weedy and informal
  • Being annual creates gaps and bare spots
  • Name includes 'snake' which may concern neighbors

Wildlife value

The long blooming period supports bees, butterflies, and beetles throughout the summer and fall months. Its extended flowering season makes it valuable for pollinators when many other plants have finished blooming.

Common questions

How much sun does Florida Snake-cotton need?
Florida Snake-cotton grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Florida Snake-cotton bloom?
Florida Snake-cotton blooms in June, July, August, and September.
Where is Florida Snake-cotton native?
Florida Snake-cotton (Froelichia floridana) is native to AL, AR, CO, DE and 25 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Florida Snake-cotton attract?
Florida Snake-cotton draws bees, butterflies, and beetles.
Is Florida Snake-cotton HOA-friendly?
Florida Snake-cotton takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Florida Snake-cotton? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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