Perch Supply
Florida · Perennial

Cardinal flower for birds in Florida

Scarlet late-summer spikes; a hummingbird magnet in moist soil. Native to Florida, where it feeds or shelters 4 backyard bird species.

Scientific name
Lobelia cardinalis
Native status
Native in Florida
Hardiness zones
USDA 8a–11b
What birds get from it
nectar
Florida birds supported
4
Nesting birds among them
3

Growing conditions in Florida

Humid subtropical in the north to tropical in the Keys; a wet summer and a dry winter season.

Heat, humidity and summer storms: boxes need drainage holes, ventilation and shade, and nectar spoils fast.

Florida birds that use Cardinal flower

Year-round residents (1)

White-winged Dove

Winter visitors (1)

Rufous Hummingbird

Winter is the busy feeder season as northern migrants — goldfinches, wrens and others — arrive from October.

Nesting season it supports in Florida

Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Cardinal flower:

  • Ruby-throated Hummingbird — March–July
  • Orchard Oriole — April–June
  • White-winged Dove — March–August

Native plants to pair with Cardinal flower in Florida

Coral honeysuckle
Lonicera sempervirens · Vine

Blooms spring through summer.

Trumpet creeper
Campsis radicans · Vine

Large orange trumpets through midsummer.

Coral bean
Erythrina herbacea · Shrub

Red tubular spring flowers for early hummingbirds.

Red buckeye
Aesculus pavia · Shrub

Blooms right as Ruby-throated Hummingbirds return.

Wax myrtle
Morella cerifera · Shrub

Waxy winter berries and dense evergreen cover.

American beautyberry
Callicarpa americana · Shrub

Late-summer purple fruit clusters.

Frequently asked

Is Cardinal flower native to Florida?

Yes. Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is recorded as native in Florida. Florida spans USDA 8a–11b.

What birds does Cardinal flower attract in Florida?

In Florida, Cardinal flower supports 4 backyard birds, including Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Orchard Oriole, Rufous Hummingbird, White-winged Dove.

Does Cardinal flower help nesting birds in Florida?

3 of those birds nest in Florida: Ruby-throated Hummingbird (March–July), Orchard Oriole (April–June), White-winged Dove (March–August).

Which winter birds use Cardinal flower in Florida?

Winter visitors Rufous Hummingbird use it in Florida during the cold months.

Sources

  1. USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
  2. VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
  3. eBird region overview and bar charts — Florida
  4. USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
  5. Audubon Native Plants Database

Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.