Florida-Friendly Landscaping
What is it?
• Science-based approach to maintaining an attractive, diverse, and more sustainable landscape.
Goals:
• Conserve water
• Protect water quality
9 Principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping
Right plant, right place
Water efficiently
Fertilize appropriately
Mulch
Attract wildlife
Manage yard pests responsibly
Recycle yard waste
Reduce stormwater runoff
Protect the waterfront
• Water conservation is essential for managing and protecting Florida's water supplies, which are used for drinking, bathing, growing crops, and more.
• Water needs are projected to increase in Florida, so conservation is key to meeting future demands
POPULATION GROWTH
• Approximately 1,000 people a day
• 400 new homes built every day
• Decisions we make today will have a long term impact
How much POTABLE water do
Florida homes use for landscape irrigation?
How much POTABLE water do NEW Florida homes use for landscape irrigation?
New Homes
Built since 2015 (38,811 homes)
Indoor: 118 gpd (45%)
133 gpd (55%
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/AE585
623 gallons per 1000 sqft
3,179 sq feet landscape
991 gallons per ½” irrigation cycle
FFL Research
FFL vs. Traditional Landscape
Estimated Water Savings of FFL Activities
Landscape Preferences
FFL Landscape Water Use
Florida-Friendly Landscaping
Practices are showing a water use savings of up to 83%
FFL Landscape Research Plots
FFL Water Savings
Estimated
Water Savings Potential of Florida-Friendly Landscaping Activities
Landscape Preferences – House 1
New Research on Natives
Key findings:
Native plants outperformed non-native species, exhibiting better survival rates, greater vegetative growth, and higher flower abundance, regardless of irrigation levels.
Irrigation had a limited effect on plant growth and flower abundance across most species, though full irrigation improved survival rates in the first year of establishment. However, there was no significant effect of irrigation on plant size or floral density.
Species-specific responses were observed, with certain plants showing more pronounced growth or flowering under specific irrigation regimes.
The overall conclusion suggests that plant provenance (native status) plays a more consistent and stronger role than irrigation in determining plant performance, indicating that native species are better suited to Florida's environmental conditions.
The study contributes to the broader effort of promoting sustainable landscaping, especially through the use of native plants that are more resilient, water-efficient, and beneficial to pollinators
FFL Recognition
FFL Landscape Recognition- not certification
FFL Recognition
Silver Level Recognition
• At least 25% site appropriate native plant requirement
Gold Level Recognition
• At least 40% site appropriate native plant requirement
FFL Natural Recognition
• At least 75% site appropriate native plant requirement
NewSignage Options
FFL Natural Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM Program
Goals:
Reduced inputs
Greater emphasis on natives and attracting wildlife
FFL Natural Criteria
Streamlined checklist
• All required practices.
Reduced inputs
• Water
• Fertilizer
• Pesticides
Greater emphasis on natives & attracting wildlife
• 75% native requirement
• No outdoor cats
FFL Natural Criteria
Download the checklist from the website:
• FFL Home Landscape Checklist
• FFL Natural Checklist
• FFL Commercial & Common Area Checklist
• FFL New Construction Checklist
Use the checklist to evaluate your landscape and make any changes needed. If you need help making your landscape more Florida-Friendly, contact your county's Extension office or see our online materials
When your landscape is ready, contact your local UF/IFAS Extension office to schedule a site evaluation. If your local county does not do landscape recognitions, contact the FFL state office.
An Extension agent or appointed FFL representative will visit your landscape and go through the checklist to determine if your landscape is Florida-Friendly
Plant Selection Tool
• Organized by type of GSI
• Recommended plant material
• Pictures
• Growing conditions
• Plan & section drawing
• Planting guidelines
• Maintenance guidelines
Florida GSI Website
• Community Engagement
• GSI Brochure
• GSI Presentation
• GSI Technical Manual
• GSI Plant Guide
• Case Studies
• NPS Publication Tool
• List of GSI Maintenance Certified individuals (coming soon)
Wildlife-Friendly Landscaping
FFL Resources
Publications
• FFL Manuals
• UF/IFAS Publications
• Apps Trainings
• Webinars
• Online
• Certifications
Florida-Friendly Landscaping Web Apps
• Florida-Friendly Landscaping Plant Guide
• FFL Butterfly Gardens
• FFL Bee Gardens
• FFL Fertilizer ordinance
• FFL Toxic plant
Increasing Native Plants in FFL
educational materials
Currently hiring a horticultural specialist
Waterwise database
Bee app
Butterfly app
GSI
Webinars
Online Education & CEUs
Hire Florida-Friendly Campaign
