The Coccoloba Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society
At River Oaks Preserve in Estero—home to the Coccoloba Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society—the north branch of the Estero River has stopped flowing. That’s more than just a warning sign. It’s a call to action: stop wasting water on lawns that were never meant for Florida’s climate.
Right now, you might see landscapes held together by irrigation alone. Exotic yards are being propped up by sprinklers, but many lawns are still browning where sprinkler heads are clogged or misaligned. It’s clear—our traditional lawn-and-irrigation model just doesn’t work here.
Meanwhile, native plant yards are surviving with little to no supplemental water. Yes, you read that right. Many native landscapes have their irrigation systems completely turned off. And while even these plants can show signs of drought stress during dry spells, they’re built to endure. Some, like the Jamaica caper (Quadrella jamaicensis), are blooming beautifully, feeding pollinators and lifting spirits with their resilience.
Wild coffee (Psychotria nervosa), often called an “indicator plant,” is another example. When it begins to wilt—especially in sunny spots—it’s a sign your whole yard might need water. But give it a drink, and it perks right up. Even now, the wild coffee planted in shade is blooming, offering nectar to pollinators and bright red berries for birds. The red fruit against the glossy green leaves even adds a festive touch.
So what can you do to create a yard that works with Florida instead of against it?
Start by cutting back on turfgrass. Most Florida lawns are planted with species like St. Augustine or bahiagrass—varieties that require constant irrigation, fertilizer, and pesticides to maintain their unnatural green carpet look. That effort comes with high environmental and financial costs.
Instead, try converting portions of your lawn into a “freedom lawn” or incorporating native groundcovers like frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora) or sunshine mimosa (Mimosa strigillosa). These plants thrive without irrigation, support pollinators, and offer food and shelter for wildlife. You’ll save money and enjoy a yard that’s both beautiful and functional.
You’ll also be building resilience. Native yards are better equipped to handle hurricanes and flooding. With deeper roots and stronger structure, they hold up better in extreme weather. And by avoiding chemicals, you reduce risks to soil, water, and your health. Pesticides can harm beneficial insects, pollute waterways, and contribute to long-term ecological damage. Florida deserves better—and so do you.
You don’t need to go 100% native. Exotic plants can still have a place in your yard—use them as focal points where they can shine. But let Florida’s native flora do the heavy lifting. They’ve evolved here for a reason.
If you’re ready to learn more, visit River Oaks Preserve. This 12-acre property, owned by the Village of Estero and managed by the Coccoloba Chapter, offers trails, demonstration gardens, and a nursery full of native plants. It’s open Sundays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.—and it’s a great place to start building a yard that actually belongs in Florida.
