Growing Tampa Bay by Terralink

Let’s grow an oddball food crop!

You might be trying to plan your upcoming garden and want to consider some unique options. Our warm climate allows gardeners to grow a wide range of edible plants that are rarely seen in home gardens or grocery stores. From tropical fruits and unusual root crops to leafy greens that handle Florida’s heat, there are plenty of options for anyone interested in trying something different. Below are 20 uncommon food plants that can grow in St Pete/Tampa.

Mulberry

Mulberry trees are fast-growing fruit trees that produce sweet berries in shades of red, purple, or black. The fruit is popular for fresh eating, jams, and baking. Once established, mulberries are highly productive and well-suited to Florida’s warm climate

Finger Limes

Finger limes are a unique citrus native to Australia that produce small, elongated fruits filled with tiny juice-filled pearls. Their bright flavor has made them popular with home gardeners and chefs alike. They grow well in Tampa Bay and can be cultivated in the ground or large containers. My favorite way to serve them is with fresh oysters.

Seminole Pumpkin

Seminole pumpkin is a Florida heirloom squash that has been grown in the region for centuries. The vigorous vines tolerate heat, humidity, and many of the challenges that affect other pumpkins. Its sweet flesh can be used in soups, pies, and roasted dishes.

Turmeric

Turmeric is a tropical plant grown for its bright orange rhizomes, which are commonly used as a spice and natural coloring agent. It thrives in warm, humid conditions and appreciates partial shade. The lush foliage also makes it an attractive addition to edible gardens.

Ginger

Ginger is one of my favorite easy-to-grow tropical plants. It enjoys Florida’s warm weather and can be grown in garden beds or containers. Fresh ginger adds flavor to cooking, teas, and homemade remedies.

Roselle

Roselle is a tropical hibiscus grown for its bright red calyxes, which are used to make teas, jams, and refreshing drinks. The plant produces attractive flowers and grows vigorously during Florida’s summer heat. It serves as both an ornamental and edible garden plant. Plus it tastes great!

Kumquat

Personally not my favorite fruit but Kumquats are small citrus fruits that are unusual because the sweet peel is eaten along with the tart flesh. The bright orange fruit often remains on the tree through winter, adding ornamental appeal.

Passionfruit

Passionfruit is a vigorous climbing vine that produces fragrant flowers and delicious tropical fruit. It thrives in Florida’s warmth and can quickly cover fences, trellises, and arbors. The sweet-tart fruit is excellent for fresh eating, juices, and desserts.

Purslane

Another personal favorite of mine, purslane is a low-growing leafy plant often considered a weed, but it is actually a highly nutritious edible green. The succulent leaves have a mild, slightly lemony flavor and can be eaten raw or cooked. It grows readily in Florida’s hot weather with very little care.

Muscadine Grapes

Muscadine grapes are native to the southeastern United States and thrive in Florida’s climate. The vines produce thick-skinned grapes that are commonly used for fresh eating, juice, wine, and preserves. They are generally more disease-resistant than traditional grape varieties.

Prickly Pears

Prickly pear is a cactus that produces edible pads and colorful fruit known as tunas. It is extremely drought tolerant and performs well in Florida’s sandy soils. The fruit can be eaten fresh or used in drinks, jellies, and syrups. My favorite is spicey prickly pear margaritas!

Custard Apple

Custard apple is a tropical fruit tree known for its sweet, creamy flesh and distinctive green fruit. It grows best in warm climates and rewards gardeners with unique, dessert-like fruit. The flavor is often compared to a blend of banana, vanilla, and pineapple.

Persimmon

Persimmon trees produce attractive orange fruit that ripens in fall and winter. Depending on the variety, the fruit can be eaten crisp or allowed to soften into a rich, honey-like treat. The trees are relatively low maintenance and well adapted to Florida conditions.

Pecans

Pecan trees are large, long-lived trees grown for their flavorful nuts. While they require space and patience, mature trees can produce abundant harvests for decades. They also provide valuable shade and wildlife habitat.

Sea Grapes

Sea grape is a Florida native plant commonly found along coastal areas. It produces clusters of edible purple fruit that can be eaten fresh or made into jams and jellies. The large, round leaves and salt tolerance make it a popular landscaping choice near the coast.

Pawpaw

Pawpaw is North America’s largest native fruit and produces creamy fruit with a tropical flavor often compared to banana and mango. The trees prefer some protection from intense afternoon sun when young. Pawpaws offer gardeners a unique fruit rarely found in supermarkets.

Starfruit

Starfruit, also known as carambola, produces crisp yellow fruit that forms a star shape when sliced. The trees thrive in South and Central Florida’s warm climate and can fruit multiple times each year. The sweet-tart fruit is popular for fresh eating and garnishes. I personally think it tastes like a slightly sour apple.

Strawberry Tree

The strawberry tree produces small, round fruit with a rough red exterior that resembles a strawberry. The fruit is edible and mildly sweet, while the tree itself is valued for its attractive foliage and ornamental qualities. It adds visual interest as well as edible potential to the landscape.

Malabar Spinach

Malabar spinach is a heat-loving climbing vine grown for its tender edible leaves. Unlike traditional spinach, it thrives during Florida’s hottest months when many leafy greens struggle. The leaves can be used fresh in salads or cooked like spinach.

Oyster Mushrooms

Did you know oyster mushrooms can be grown in very small spaces indoors? Oyster mushrooms are one of the easiest mushrooms for beginners to grow at home. They can be cultivated on materials like straw, logs, or sawdust and produce delicate, fan-shaped mushrooms with a mild flavor. In Florida’s warm climate, oyster mushrooms can be grown year-round with adequate moisture and shade.

One of the best things about gardening in Tampa Bay is that we’re not limited to the same handful of crops found in most garden centers. Our climate gives us the opportunity to grow an incredible variety of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and edible plants that many people have never even heard of. Sometimes the most rewarding crops are the ones that surprise us.

Which plant will you try next?