Hardiness Zone 13 - Guides
Gardening in USDA Hardiness Zone 13, where average annual minimum winter temperatures range from 60°F to 70°F (15.6°C to 21.1°C), allows many truly tropical plants to grow outdoors throughout the year.
Choose plants for their complete growing needs
In Zone 13, winter cold is rarely the primary limitation. Light, humidity, drainage, rainfall, wind, and water availability become much more important when deciding what to grow.
Sun-loving choices can include Triangle Palm and Beatrice Watsonia, while Blue Star Fern is better suited to protected, partially shaded conditions.
Grow orchids with warmth, humidity, and airflow
Warm-growing orchids can flourish in Zone 13 when their roots receive both moisture and excellent aeration.
Foxtail Orchid prefers bright filtered light, high humidity, and strong air movement, while Vanda Orchids generally appreciate very bright conditions, warmth, humidity, and excellent root aeration.
Explore Fragrant Orchids to add scent as well as color to a tropical orchid collection.
Manage tropical vines and climbers
Long growing seasons can make tropical vines vigorous, so provide adequate supports and allow enough space for mature growth.
Mexican Flame Vine can cover trellises and walls with brilliant flowers, while Madagascar Jasmine benefits from support, warmth, good drainage, and bright light.
Hoya wayetii is well suited to hanging or climbing displays where it receives bright, filtered light and freely draining conditions.
Balance water with excellent drainage
Constant warmth can increase water demand, but tropical plants do not all want continuously wet roots. Epiphytic orchids and Hoyas often need their roots to dry or aerate quickly after watering, while ferns may prefer more consistent moisture.
Group plants by moisture requirements, improve drainage where rainfall is heavy, and adjust irrigation to season, sun exposure, soil, and plant type rather than watering the entire garden on one schedule.
Plan for continuous growth and year-round interest
Zone 13 has no traditional cold dormant season for many tropical plants, so growth, flowering, pruning, and pest activity can continue for much of the year.
Combine permanent foliage from plants such as Blue Star Fern and Triangle Palm with changing flowers from orchids, vines, Watsonia, and Throatwort.
Inspect plants regularly for pest or disease problems and maintain appropriate spacing and airflow, especially in humid climates where vigorous year-round growth can quickly create dense planting.
